Editor’s Note: We were contacted by a representative of Battle Rifle Company with regard to a recent project they had undertaken for a police agency local to them. The project involved rebuilding the agency’s rifles rather than the agency buying new to replace “worn out” equipment. The contact we received was a question as to whether or not such an approach might be of interest to other agencies. Our surprise was that while such services are certainly available, we had no knowledge of such from a major manufacturer. Rather than trying to do an interview and report on the process and value, we asked Chris Kurzadkowski, the owner of Battle Rifle Company (the company that did the project) to write up his experience. That is what follows.
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Cost Effective upgrades for Law Enforcement
In these times, it seems like everyone’s departmental budget is stretched to capacity. It’s hard to figure out what needs to be done, what needs to be budgeted, what we have to buy this minute and what we end up losing out on because we had to make other choices. On the subject of rifles, there is a lot to figure out- whether to trade in, to buy new, to service and maintain. Here is one option that might be the best cost effective solution for you in the long run- a factory upgrade.
Case Study –A local Police Dept
We had the great privilege of working with one of our local Texas Police Departments over the last couple of years. The Chief was very familiar with our company and came to us with a problem. The Chief had inherited a quantity of rifles that were outdated and had not been serviced in some time. Budgetary restraints were at an all time high. The Departments manpower was growing with the growth of the city, but money from new tax revenues typically does not cycle into use for 18 to 24 months. About the only thing to use was Search and Seizure monies cumulated over the last couple of years for the project, but that was not a lot, so they needed to be frugal with the money and get more bang for the buck.
The chief purchased 3 rifles from us earlier in the year- they were the Spectre model with some upgrades that made them perfect for patrol use. When the chief inquired about his other rifles and what he could do to get his armory updated, I suggested that we rebuild the current rifles to meet the same standards as the rifles that he had purchased from us earlier that year, so that we might standardize the inventory. The chief came by a few days later and dropped off 5 rifles- Old Bushmaster optics ready basic carbines. Pretty basic rifle- No sights, no railed gas block. They did have Eotech 512’s but no backup sighting system.
The Rebuild
First things first- we tore the rifles apart, inspecting and cleaning every part, making sure there was no excessive wear. Upper, lower and Bolt carrier group complete. This project gave us the opportunity to go back to our roots, as the level of repair and restoration was similar to that at US Army depot operations for small arms. Inspections were completed with checks done and gauging performed- just like a Depot rebuild. The major point of conversion was the upper, so we began the rebuild of the barrel and upper components
We did a fill in of the pins in the barrel, refinished the barrel, and mounted a new low profile gas block. We lapped and trued the upper receivers, mounted new barrel nuts to full torque at 80lbs. The barrel was then painted with a high heat finish from KG Coatings.
We mounted 11 inch quad rails, with both front and rear sights as well as the Eotech 512 that was co witnessed, giving a level of performance that previously was not available with the weapon in its original state. The process was simple, cost effective and practical to the department. The savings was tremendous.
As you can see from the pictures included, the end result is a rifle, built to a level above factory standard, completely redone with new components and completed at a cost that saved thousands. We replaced the gas block, gas tube, installed barrel nut and free float rail. Refinished barrel, mounted Fab Defense sights and mounted existing Eotech sights. The rifles was cleaned, inspected, small parts were replaced as necessary. The upper receivers were trued to the barrels to increase accuracy and performance. All the work was done at a fraction of the cost of what a new rifle would cost, saving the department Thousands of dollars.
Not Just Rifles
Pistols can be refurbished to a like factory new finish. We have done dozens of guns for both individual officers as well as departments, and the end result is that we are able to give new life to old and tired firearms with the right touch of care and attention to the details, fit and finish. Of all the pistols, the complete metal guns are the easiest and best to do this process with. 1911’s, 2011’s, Sig Sauer pistols are just a few of the types we can do a full rebuild to. The process involves cleaning and blasting the gun completely, then refinishing with a nano-coating like KG Coatings, which adheres to the metal and will enhance performance in operation. We can inspect the components, refit barrels, retune the gun to operate smoother and enhance performance- at the same time improving the overall performance of the firearm.
Preventative Maintenance is critical
Surely, you would not drive your car without checking the oil and doing periodic maintenance would you? The same holds true for your firearms in the department. Periodic maintenance needs to be performed- even if the weapon is not used. Nature in all of its forms- air, moisture, humidity and climate changes all are factors, and affect your weapons in storage. You shooting your weapon and then putting it in storage without cleaning only compounds the effect of corrosion setting in, effecting parts and performance.
A regular scheduled preventative maintenance program is a must for any department. Once a year, have the weapons certified by a trained gunsmith or Armorer for function and serviceability. Check for things like barrel straightness, throat erosion, go/no-go gauging, Gasport erosion, firing pin erosion to name just a few. Depot level inspection involves 57 checks and points to consider before a rifle is considered issuable. You should be mindful of the condition of your rifles. Remember that if there is an incident, the rifle comes under scrutiny- issues of serviceability will come into play and could affect the outcome for the officer involved as well as the department. Think to avoid the risk by maintaining a program where you are constantly aware of the state and condition of your inventory of weapons… it may make a difference.
Developing your Armory
As you acquire weapons for your department, think of the long term goals of your firearms program. If you are concerned with meeting the demand for the long term, think about quality vs. quantity for your acquisitions. Think about the service, the warranty, what programs the dealer has for long term usage and service. Our programs for law enforcement agencies offer a lot of options that benefit the department for the long term. Here is a rundown of some of the services to look for:
- Unit Armorer training included in the sale of the rifles
- Lifetime warranty on service
- At least 1 year complete warranty on all components
- 24 hour contact for service questions
- 24 hour turnaround service
- Upgrade installation provided
These services encourage the development of a trusted relationship and Successful execution of this will insure a long lasting relationship for both the department and the service provider. The cost savings on weapons re builds can allow for acquiring other critically needed equipment essential to protecting officers- armor, body cameras, tactical training, etc. and give your department the edge on the street.
When it comes to your departments firearms, seek out someone who will give you options, whose expertise gives you a good perspective of viable solutions to save you time and resources. As well as you are trained to use your weapons, there are resources out there that are trained to make those weapons last.
About the Author:
Chris Kurzadkowski is the owner of Battle Rifle Company who specializes in both manufacturing and repair of firearms for Law Enforcement. Battle Rifle Company services agencies throughout the country and provides consultative services for departments as well as equipment service and upgrades in firearms. The company is located in Houston, Texas and can be reached at 281-777-0316, or on the web at [email protected]
