I'm kind of curious as to why the AR's have the cover. Other semi-auto's don't have them...Has it become more of an aesthetic thing with the advent of chrome lined barrels and such, or is it still an important part of the gun?
Yes it is, the cover helps keep the bolt carrier and the inside of the receiver free of dirt and dust.
Not a bad thing in places like Iraq where sand is the ever present enemy of any kind of mechanical equipment.
Other semi auto's don't have it more because they didn't believe it necessary.
The AR's were and are built to tighter tolerances with less empty space inside than say an AK and as such are more susceptible to foreign debris.
In other words it doesn't take as much garbage to jam one up as the AK, but the flip side is that its smaller, lighter and far more accurate at greater ranges.
A good one in the right hands can reliably hit varmint sized targets out past 300 meters. Try the same thing with even the best AK and I wonder if you could hit the side of a fair sized truck, forget a man at the same range.
industrialfish,
Looks good, but seeing yours I think I might try the same thing using a short piece of piano hinge.
It may be wide enough on its own to cover the opening and still be able to open nearly 180 degree's.
Cutting one of the pin wraps out should leave enough room for a coil spring to fit on the pin to help pop it open when needed.
