Testimonial

Mr. White,

Thought you might like to see just how good my new upper shoots. I just got back from the range doing the break-in and I am EXTREMELY pleased! I've attached some pictures of the finished product and some of the groups I shot today. The target pictures include the smallest (.250 inch) and the LARGEST (.500 inch) groups that I shot today. And this is during the break-in! I only put about 20 rounds down the tube today. I will be on AR15.com today giving credit where credit is due! You folks did a terrific job and with only a 4 week turnaround. I am just tickled with how it turned out. Thanks also to Teresa who was so nice to deal with over the phone.

Thanks from another satisfied customer.

Ed Berry

Graniteville, SC

PS: Please feel free to use this e-mail as an example of what you are capable of. Anyone who wants information about your barrels/uppers is free to contact me.

Groups were shot with FACTORY ammo from (in order of appearance) 69 gr SMK from PMC, 77 gr SMK from Hunting Shack Munitions, and 77 gr SMK from Black Hills (Blue Box). Groups were measured center-to-center of the farthest holes. I can't imagine what's gonna happen when this barrel is completely broken-in!

A few years ago, I just started into highpower competition, and you assisted me in selecting the components for a service rifle. At the time, you suggested going with the Douglas barrel, as it was less expensive for a new shooter, and would be perfectly accurate for competitions. The price was less than the Krieger barrel, so I followed your advice. You did tell me that it would probably not last as long as a stainless barrel, but that for the money, it was a great deal.

I think you might have underestimated the longevity of the barrel. After starting at ground zero three years ago, I earned the last of my required leg points yesterday using the original barrel / CLE upper. Although I can tell the barrel is starting to get a little tired (after 6000 rounds), it still performs well as long as I keep it clean. My final 10 shot string at 600 yesterday was a 97, with a nice string of 4 X's in a row.

Thank you for providing a quality product and great service at an equally great price.

Best regards,

Frank Wirtz

Corrales, NM

This was taken from the Nebraska State site.

"Brian Smith and his Compass Lake Service rifle was close behind with a 187, sporting an impressive -7X to go with it. "

(Sorry, Pic no longer available.)

That's 100-5x the hard way (offhand no sighters)
thanks again............Jim bishop

Bunny,

About 30 minutes after speaking to you about when my AR-15 would be shipped the UPS truck showed up. The top end looks great and the trigger is excellent. I have been a conventional pistol shooter for 25 years and the feel of the trigger is better then I ever expected.

Prior to picking a trigger, I did much reading and research on trigger (about a years worth) and decided to go with the CLE. Does Compass Lake do 1911 triggers? Have a few that need help.

My receiver was in your shop for less that a day, trigger job and complete top end, GREAT SERVICE!!!

Sincerly,

Tom Ginovsky

Here are two of my best targets that I have shot with the new rifle. The first one measured .37 and the second one measured .31. I am still experimenting with different loads and powders. These two were 25.2 grains of IMR 4895 and Sierra 52 HPBT match bullets. Feel free to use them on your website if you wish as a testament to the accuracy of your rifles and craftsmanship and I do feel that I can shoot some smaller groups yet.

Last winter, I had you install a new Krieger barrel on my AR-15 Service
Rifle upper. In the spring, I got new zeros, which happened to be the
same 5 clicks up at 200 as the old barrel. I used that rifle as my
back-up for the summer as the DCM Rifle I bought from you in 1998 is
still shooting great. On September 21, 2002 I used the 'new' rifle in
the final match of the year. On my first string of sitting at 200, I
shot this 100-10X. I ended up with a 199-15X and was match winner for
the 200RF stage. To say I am pleased with your work would be an
understatement. This rifle won't be my back-up gun next summer.

Sincerely,
Jeff Rivard
Minnesota

I now have some time on the second upper in .223 you folks built me and I seem to have a problem now. I assume it has to do with my rifles because I have not changed my loads and I have never shot the kind of groups I'm shooting now. It seems you can cover my 300 yd rapid fire groups with a soda can. In fact the last string I shot, 5 holes were covered by one 1" paster.

By now you may be asking what the heck is the problem then? Well, my problem is these uppers shoot so darn good I cant decide which one to bring to the matches now.

It just never fails to put a grin on my face when I grab my CLE (rifle) and head to the range for a day of shooting. Thanks so much once again for allowing me to make my shooting goals come true. It is a fantastic feeling to know you have 2 of the finest shooting X-course rifles anywhere. Not to mention the ultimate training tool in .22LR. My winter practice has me shooting better this spring than last fall when I finished up making High Master.

If you have anything you would like to see posted to this page, please e-mail it to The Webmaster and I will have it posted shortly.

		15680: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-07:08	I have been shooting my DCM M1 Garand in Highpower competition for the past year. My Garand is as issued with no accuracy improvements. I have decided to buy an AR instead of spending money on improving the Garand. I am considering the DCM model from both Bushmaster and ArmaLite. I would appreciate anyone's opinions on the pros or cons of either. I noticed that the sights are available in both ½ and ¼ MOA. Would it be better to get one with the ¼ MOA? Other that turning more clicks, are there any drawbacks to the ¼ MOA sights? Do they have the same range of adjustment? What barrel twist is recommended for Highpower shooting? What is the aperture size and front sight with preferred by most? Also, any suggestion on where to buy would be appreciated. Thanks, GarandShooter PS I know I will have to change my handle.
Who:	GarandShooter










		15681: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-08:28	Here is an idea you may not have considered: Buy a complete lower from Bushmaster and send it to Frank White at Compass Lake Engineering. He will build you a complete upper with a chrome-moly barrel for $800 and for well under $100 will convert the trigger into a two-stage. The best part of this deal is you'll never hear yourself say "someday I'm going to send this thing to Frank White." The sights will track, the front sight base will be centered, the muzzle will have a proper crown and the chamber will be state-of-the -art. Just a thought.
Who:	SteveR







		15682: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-09:15	I've owned & fired a stock Bushmaster DCM AR about a year and found it to be a good gun. It shoots all the 68 thru 80 gr. bullets about equally well. Moly makes it easy to keep the bbl clean. I've had no problems with the cut or visibility of the front sight (this one is .052) or the rear sight holding its settings, though there are aftermkt sights available. I haven't been able to tell that the quarter-minute v. half-minute difference on the elevation makes a hill of beans, but then I started out like you with the .30 cal and full minute clicks. All I ever asked of any of 'em was to get me in the 10 ring. Barrel is 8-twist, hard, strong chromium-vanadium steel, adequate crown as mfd. I'm told this stock 2-stage trigger was made by Compass Lake. Any of these guns is capable of more accuracy than 90% of us shooters, so I don't think you can go wrong whether you get a complete rifle or have one built for you by a 'smith who knows the competition AR service rifle inside-out. Just be careful who you hire; most anyone can assemble an upper from parts, but not like Frank White or Derrick Martin (Accuracy Int'l in Mesa, AZ). You're likely to find that getting the rifle together is easier than accumulating an adequate supply of good GI 20 rd. magazines.
Who:	bd

















		15685: A-B-C-D
Date:	11/29/99-10:11	Almost 2 years ago, I had the same questions. I went to ever source I could think of, and the consensus was 1. Armalite, 2. Bushmaster, 3. Colt, and 4. DCM. I went with A, and couldn't be more pleased. I haven't even gotten close to it's capability. When I get close to it's potential, it will make the trip to Mr. White's CLE. - - - Bob Hendry
Who:	TenX



		15689: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-11:38	Garandshooter--They forgot to mention www.compasslake.com, is Frank's home page. On top of being a great guy, great shooter, and great gunsmith, Frank will tolerate even my 20 questions when unfortunate enough to be on the next target! That says something about the mans patience and dedication to the sport!! Ha, no comments from the peanut gallery please.. Mike
Who:	ready_on_the_right





		15691: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-13:29	Garandshooter - I will have to agree with SteveR. For my first AR I purchased a Bushmaster Comp Lower (With the CLE trigger)and had Mr. White build an upper from scatch. I got a Douglas 1-in-8 twist chrome-moly barrel and the smallest rear aperture available. I prefer the 1/2 min sights for service rifle. The only place I wish I had 1/4 min is at 600 yards and only after I started shooting upper master scores. My second rifle is a Colt with a SS Douglas barrel. I have had many conversations with Frank White and I am convinced that Douglas barrels can take you to HM status if you do your part. Do yourself a favor buy the Douglas and spend the difference in it and a Krieger for practice ammo. You will be better off. I have never owned an Armilite for HP but have a friend who does. He had significant problems with the rear sight adjustment being repeatable. Came to find that several people have had the same problem. He sent it to Frank White for a new rear sight and haven't had the problem since. As far as ARsmiths, I use Frank and will always as long as he is taking work. I have not heard any negative comments about any of the nationally known smiths. Derrick Martin is always helpful on the range and he was one of the pioneers for the AR. He would be my close second choice. The CLE trigger is OK, I went to Master with it, but if you are buying a trigger, I would not recommend it. I just purchased a Jewell trigger and it is very nice. Hold 'em hard.
Who:	OBanX



















		15696: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-14:43	GarandShooter, say it ain't so! Another one of us falls to the 'dark side'. I can understand where you're coming from though. My Garand is still as issued, just completed refinishing the stock. It is still a pleasure to shoot and as demonstrated yesterday at the range, will still shoot much better than I can hold. Three shots from a rest at 200 yds gave a 30-2x with 168gr Sierras. A ten shot off hand group shows that I need to spend more time dry firing at home! That Bushmaster DCM at the gun shop on Saturday sure looked good, but the CFO won't hear about "another gun"...
Who:	dans-in-CO







		15702: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-18:08	The "recipe" for an AR seems to go something like this: Bushmaster lower, complete, Jewell trigger, CLE built upper with douglas or krieger barrel. Go with the 1/4 min. sights, (I thought that 1/2 min would be fine untill I went into the Master Class, you will beging to want that fine adjustment at the 600) .040 rear, .052 front. 1 in 8 twist barrel. I have dealt with Frank White for all my "Black Rifles" and have allways been pleased. He and his wife are nice people and excellent rifle builders.
Who:	Hag





		15703: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-18:23	XGarandshooter, I have little to add to the advice people have given you except to say that in the ten years I've known him I have always been happy to number Frank White among my friends. His work on my rifle and that of many other shooters I know is beyond reproach as is his way of doing business. Frank and Theresa White are the kind of people who make Highpower shooting great. (This isn't a gunsmith suck-up post, I just sold the spacegun to concentrate on Palma shooting).
Who:	German





		15707: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-20:03	OK, I'm going to jump right on the CLE-Frank White bandwagon too. I agree with OBanX about the Douglas barrel from Frank. The first time I called CLE, I spoke with Theresa and she suggested I try the less expensive Douglas barrel instead of the Krieger. It was very refreshing to have someone look out for your best interest instead of trying to sell you the most expensive barrel they had. Of course, they would have been happy to send me a Krieger or Blackstar. Theresa and Frank both said the Douglas was all the barrel a high power shooter usually needs. After all, we are not shooting benchrest. An X is an X no matter where it is. I think Frank's chamber reamer is what really makes the barrels perform. His chamber will shoot anything from a 52 grain Sierra to an 80 grainer with no problem. The windage adjustable front sight base is really nice too! Your mechanical zero can really be your mechanical zero! And for Kent, I didn't think OBanX was able to sneak any of my ginger snaps out of the bag when we were in the pits beside each other last match, but now that I think about it, maybe Luper didn't eat as many as I thought! Of course, since we were on first and second relay, maybe OBanX didn't get any, so he could preserve his eye sight for the 600 yd string :) He certainly shot a fine score back there.( I'd be glad to take a 195 with 8 using a AR most anyday.)
Who:	QStott in NC


















		15710: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/29/99-22:27	I'll vote for buying a complete BM lower and letting Frank White build you an upper. I've got two AR Service Rifles done just this way, with CLE 2-stage triggers(let Frank install them), and couldn't ask for better rifles. I've got .052" front posts on both, along with Jones diopter hooded rear apertures. The Douglas barrel on #1 rifle has been very easy to work up loads for. It has just over 4500 rounds of moly'd bullets through it and still shoots just as good as I can hold. I'm not sure how much difference in barrel life you can realistically expect to see between the button-rifled Douglas and cut-rifled Krieger, but when the Douglas finally quits shooting, I think I'll opt for another Douglas.
Who:	flatlander








		15716: Which AR to buy?
Date:	11/30/99-02:48	I feel kinda left out not putting in my plug for the Frank White CLE AR-15 :-(, so here goes. . . I'm about the pickiest guy you'll find anywhere when it comes to firearms (no comments from the peanut gallery, Ready_on_the_right!), and I don't have a single complaint about the workmanship on my CLE service rifle. In addition to outstanding workmanship, Frank has fair prices. I don't think you can go wrong if you talk things through with Mr. White! RT
Who:	Wyomingshooter