THE MINUTEMAN Volume 8, December 2023
Favorite Gear of 2023, Cold Weather Kit, Jay's Minuteman "Gordon" inspired carbine
Jay’s Minuteman “Gordon” inspired carbine
Old school is cool again and so there is a resurgence in copying iconic firearms from past engagements and time periods. The Gordon Carbine is once such rifle that collectors, enthusiasts, and normal guys (like myself) are drawn to try and recreate. Hollywood has also had a huge influence on this build (along with the “Blood Diamond Carbine”)…
The time period for the Gordon Carbine was still kind of the wild west in relation to setting up rifles. Guys in groups, such as Delta, were customizing their rifles to suit their needs. The amount of accessory support we have available today didn’t exist in the early 90’s. So guys were just using what they did have available and simply made it work, duct tape, zip ties, paracord, pipe clamps, and whatever else was laying around. In my view it is kind of the grandfather of today’s GPR (general Purpose Rifle) builds that everyone is putting together.
So the original Gordon build used the following components, listed are original, clone correct accessories, and what Hollywood would have used:
Build List (from Charlie’s Custom Clones)
Upper
Upper Receiver
Clone Correct: C7 type carry handle
Hollywood Correct: A2 carry handle
Bolt Carrier Group: Phosphate Mil-Spec full auto BCG with chrome-lining.
Genuine Colt BCG
Microbest Mil-Spec BGC
Barrel: Chrome-lined with 1:7 twist
Correct: 14.5” - Matched barrel and suppressor set.
Substitute: 12.5” or 12.7” contoured for Ops Inc. style silencer
Gas System: Carbine Length Gas Tube
Rear Sight
Clone Correct: A1
Hollywood Correct: A2
Front Sight: Non-F marked A2 Front Sight Base
Charging Handle: Mil-Spec
Colt Mil-Spec Charging Handle
Non-branded Mil-Spec Charging Handle
Forward Assist: A2
Upper Parts Kit with A2 Forward Assist
Handguards: Short, ribbed style.
Suppressor
14.5” Barrel: Allen Engineering M4
12.5”/12.7”: Allen Engineering AEM5 or Otter Creek Labs OCM5
Suppressor Mount
14.5”: Ops Inc. style collar with no muzzle device.
12.5”/12.7”: Ops Inc. style muzzle brake and collar
Lower
Lower Receiver: Colt A2
Stock: Third Generation Collapsible
Buffer System
Receiver Extension: Mil-Spec
Buffer and Spring: Carbine buffer and spring.
Available as a kit.
Pistol Grip: A2
Trigger: Mil-Spec
Trigger Guard: Mil-Spec
Safety: Mil-Spec single side
Lower Parts: Mil-Spec
Magazine: 30-Round USGI aluminum
Colt
Okay Industries/Surefeed
Accessories
Optic
Clone Correct: Aimpoint 3000 or 5000
Substitutes: Aimpoint CompM2, M3, M4, or PRO
Weaponlight
Correct: SureFire 660 with or without tape switch.
Substitutes: Modern reproduction or similar style 1” flashlight.
Optional
Enhanced Bolt Carrier Groups: Suppressed weapon systems can benefit from advancements made to the BCG in recent years. Some will choose to upgrade the BCG because it does not change the external profile of the weapon.
Geissele Reliability Enhanced BCG
LMT Enhanced BCG - Full Auto Profile
Surefire OBC
Sling: USGI Sling
Trigger Upgrades: While a Mil-Spec is correct, many choose to use an upgraded trigger that externally looks close enough such as the Geissele SSA or Rock River Arms two-stage.
Now for my “Gordon” build…
Mine is not period correct nor component correct but was done in the spirit of the rifle. In the latest book from Jack Morris on Reconnaissance he discusses lighter weight rifles for patrolling and it really got me thinking about a lighter setup for a dedicated patrol rifle. This is what I had to work with, so I made it so.
Base rifle (as seen above) is a BCA (Bear Creek Arsenal) BC-15 Carbine including:
-Carbine length gas system
-1/8 twist, 16” cold hammer forged barrel
-Hanguard, short ribbed style
-A2 detachable carry handle w/rear sight
-A2 front sight
-A2 forward assist
-Mil-spec charging handle
-Stock, MFT Battlelink adjustable
-Pistol Grip, MFT Engage
Add-ons include:
-Sling, European Surplus
-A1/A2 carry handle see thru Picatinny rail
-Aimpoint Pro Clone (NcStar 1x30 RD)
-Light, Olight Seeker 2
-DB-TAC Barrel shroud
And now for the finished product…
As you can see, in the spirit of the build and time period, I used parts I had laying around to put the rifle together. Putting this together really made me appreciate more the guys who pioneered the effort of accessorizing their rifles to make them work for their needs with just what they had available. Those guys, like Gary Gordon and Larry Vickers, were truly men amongst men!
Jay’s Book!
My contribution to The Professional Citizen Project (CM-9 Adverse Conditions and Environments) has been released, and so far, it has been well received! There have been some great reviews and we’ve already had to place reorders for it due to demand! These will make great Christmas gifts for family, friends, or anyone you know that is of a particular preparedness mindset!
The book (along with the other available manuals) is available to order here:
https://tpcproject.com/collections/references
CM-1 Individual Tactical Skills
CM-9 Adverse Conditions and Environments (ACE)
Jay’s Favorite Gear from 2023
I am blessed to get to try out a bunch of gear from folks and can honestly tell you that I wouldn’t show it to you if I don’t believe in it myself! But is definitely kit that stands out above others and has become part of my normal use items. Below are some of my favorite pieces of gear from this past year!
I was excited about this rig from the moment they told me about it! It is a modern take on an age old design that can fill many roles for the Modern Minuteman! 4 rifle mag design with added molle on the sides for customizing for your own needs. Large hidden admin pocket and well thought out straps round out the design. It is even made in the USA which is an added bonus.
ChiCom Type 56 Chest Rig (Modified)
Yes, another chest rig (Cause who owns just one, right?)… This was a project born from some inspiration from Ivarr Bergmann. He had transformed a similar ChiCom rig and I decided I needed to do it too. This has been a favorite of mine because of the DIY versatility that anyone can do to make an old rig suit their needs. It is inexpensive to get a Type 56 or 81 chest rig and with some rough sewing skills and a little imagination your options are pretty endless.
I got my first piece of Titanium cookware from Toaks earlier this year and it quickly grew to two additional pieces as I saw the benefits of using Titanium in my kit.
Their 750ml pot quickly became my favorite! You can put a minimalist cook kit in it or nest your favorite Nalgene bottle for a simple field kit.
Next on my list is the 750ml pot with bail for hanging over a fire! It'll be a great addition to our Bushcamp!
Helikon-Tex Windrunner Windshirt
This top has been on my want list for a long time and finally found a seller on Ebay that had them. I have been wearing windshirts in the field for over 20 years and my favorite one had recently kicked the bucket so it was a perfect excuse to buy this one. Boy am I glad I did. Super lightweight, compressible (fits in a double mag pouch), breathable and highly wind and water resistant. Plus they had it in Desert Night Camo (they also have Flecktarn, Woodland, and others) so how could I not grab it. This has become a mainstay in my kit!
Helikon-Tex Swagman Roll Basic
This was a Christmas gift from last year but boy has it been used alot this year! It is just like your favorite Woobie but better. It can be worn as an insulated poncho, zipped into a lightweight sleeping bag, used as a sleeping bag liner, it will convert to an underquilt for your hammock, and much more. It has become a standard piece of gear in my bag! They make a warmer version in the original Swagman Roll that is also worth looking at!
There are other items that are great, but these 5 are tops for me this year!
What’s in Jay's Cold Weather kit
These are items that I have added over the years to help keep me comfortable during the winter months…
-Woobie Hoodie
-Merino Wool Long Underwear
-Sherpa Power Stretch Fleece Tights
-USGI Cold Weather Mitts w/liners
-Polypro Balaclava
-Chap Stick and Lotion (non-scented)