scrlck from United States, VA Public Profile

I resisted the QD mount system for many years because I didn't believe any manufacturer could make it reliable enough to use in the field.
However, I was impressed by the reviews of the Rainier Arms AR-15 end plates with a QD slot built in, so decided to try to the mapgul QD system.
I now have several of these MS4 extensions along with magpul slings with QD mount points, and all of them hold just fine under stress. Haven't tried hanging off a cliff by one yet, but certainly will trust my rifles with them.
Additionally, the fab defense QD fx-sls also holds like a magpul QD mount point, if you don't need the MS4.

Needed a timing washer for a brake on AR Grendel barrel. This worked fine, allowing for exact rotation of brake.

The first time I received this order I thought the wrong case had been sent to me because the manufacturers retail bag only measured 22" in length. Looking through the clear plastic bag I could see that it was not folded in half to either side (not left nor right). It very clearly appears to be a much smaller case, and so I didn't open it but returned for replacement. When the replacement order arrived, it the was exact same retail bag dimensions? I thought it was strange that OpticsPlanet would send the wrong item two times in a row, so decided to actually open the retail packaging completely and inspect.
Indeed, the manufacturer actually packed the gun case with the barrel end of the case folded *inside* the other end of the gun case. In other words, the narrow end is folded inside the wide end, before being inserted into the retail plastic packaging.
This leaves a major crease in the material of the gun case just past the magazine pockets on the narrow end.
So, yah, it's the right size, but the crease is ugly and somewhere in the description it would be helpful if it mentioned the bag will arrive folded inside itself.
Would only recommend if you don't mind having a permanenet crease on the outside of the case.

Adding a muzzle brake required timing the device using a crush washer that is 5/8"x24 on a 6max rifle barrel. This Tiger Rock washer allowed for perfect timing of the brake. 6mm Max barrels use 30cal threads for muzzle devices.

Ordered an AR15 upper but did not realize it came with a rounded handguard with no mount points.
Additionally, the gas block was full-size with picatinny rail on top of it, thus I needed a handguard with mlok mount points that was shorter than 7" or so, in order for it to fit between the upper receiver and the gas block.
This rail fit almost perfectly with only a very tiny gap between it and the back of the gas block. Also allowed for a continuous top pic rail across the upper receiver, this handguard and then over the gas block.
Have had no problem with handguard rotating around the barrel nut, seems to be locked into place just fine.
The alernative solution was to replace the full-size gas block with a low-profile gas block so that I could install a longer handguard that covered the gas bock, but that seemed like more trouble than it was worth since this rail fit quite nicely.

Pretty straight forward really.
Castle nut wrench. Must slide it over the buffer tube, so obviously you will need to remove the stock. If you can't remove your stock, this tool will not work.
Barrel nut wrench. Many handguards now come with their own unique barrel nuts, so again this tool may not apply in your particular situation.
Crows foot slot for torque wrench on both ends.
Works fine for a standard, no-frills AR-15 build like from Ruger.
Made in USA

I prefer the Real Avid Master Wrench because it has an open Castle nut wrench, can be used as a hammer (with brass, rubber, plastic removable heads) and still has a crows foot slot for a torque wrench. Unfortunately, the Real Avid wrench is made in China, but sold at a Made in USA price. :(

Wider than normal, in terms of front to back measurement, which is very nice allowing for plenty of surface to stake the castle nut.
Super lightweight.
Greatly prefer the gray color because it is easier to glance and see the QD mount, whereas a black end plate is harder to see to insert the QD swivel.

Cons:
Fisheye effect viewing at all magnifications, 1x to 6x.
Very small eyebox at 1x, but 6x is incredibly tiny.
Eye relief is ok, but certainly not good.
Glass not clear all the way around the lens at any magnification.
Glass color distortions/prism affect on objects in view.

Pros:
Feels solid in the hand like it was built for frequent use.
Build quality on the outside seems good.

This is my first LPVO and I was expecting optics performance at least on par with other older similar priced scopes.

Every other scope listed below is superior to this one.
(years are approximate)
Redfield 3x9 Tracker 1990, 4x12 2005, 3x9 2015
Nikon Prostaff 3x9 2009
Simmons 3x9 2002

Seriously, what am I missing? Why all this hype for this Vortex SE LPVO?
None of my other scopes are illuminated nor go below 3x. So that is the one thing that the Vortex SE has going for it.

Have several of these and the grip angle and diameter are great for my size XL hands.
Fits into position without major gaps on Anderson and Aero Precision lowers.
Storage compartment door locks up tight.
Texture is great on fingers, palm and heal of hand (i.e. front, side and rear of grip).
Thumb shelf/rest present but very subtle.
Fits very tightly.

Amazing innovation with the roll-pin replacement (screw-in-pin)!
Will always use these from now on.
Low profile handguard fits over this and does not touch this gas block once barrel nut is tight.
Well made with no sloppy machining or coatings.

Misc:
I was going to try the adjustable version of this gas block but got scared away by some of the comments about that one (i.e. no way to tighten adjustment screws without loctite...)
But now that I've tried this non-adjustable KVP gas block I plan to try the adjustable gas block version anyway.