My latest is on going. I’m still waiting for a couple parts. Been building ARs since well, the very beginning of the “build culture” phenomenon as I call it. 2005, right after the Billary Clinton AW Ban expired in .04, I built the first I had ever owned, and I have continued ever since. Never owned a manufacturer’s AR in fact.
I build top shelf ARs at a fraction of the price some sell for. I’ve been using AMT 80% Billet Lowers for the last couple years.
After machining & Aluma-Black to protect machined areas.
I prefer using Forged Uppers from Brass/Aluminum Forging Enterprises(Square Forge Mark) I remember in the first couple years, everyone wanted a “Keyhole” upper(Cerro Forge), LOL. This is T-marked etched & has “M4” etched above the tenon threads.
Over the years I’ve seen a decline in the quality of materials in many LPKs. So I’ve decided to piece my own kit together from now on. Every part is machined or turned from solid tool steel or Billet 7075 Aluminum. And the LPK parts are Nitrided down to the take down/pivot pin detents. The endplate & castle nut are 7075-T6 Billet Aluminum and hard Anodized. (Just as the upper & lower). Even the springs are Chrome-Silicon instead of the cheaper SS used in many LPKs now.
The BCG is my favorite. And has been my go to since 2014, around it’s release. It was designed & is made by Azimuth, although you won’t find it under their name. They wholesale to many, many manufacturers, who promptly Stamp their on brand name/logo on, claim as their own and sell for a higher price..depending on their GREED and how much they think their NAME is worth. It’s the Enhanced Nitride BCG and can be found with many names tattooed on it for between $115-$200 and even higher. With an extensive search knowledge, one can find them WITHOUT any manufactures name.
The BCG has specific contact points & eliminates “Bolt Tilt”.
This Gas Block is another of my “Go To” parts. For several years and several builds, I’ve use these. Adjustable, clamp on design. Made of steel & Nitride QPQ treated. Also a matching Nitride SS gas tube.
The charging handle is another trick. Yes, many cheap CHINESIUM copies are made, usually from 6061 Aluminum. This is NOT one of those. It uses the same forged 7075, but doesn’t have a name stamped on it..OR the $80 price tag. Because it’s made here in the USA at the SAME Foundry Forge as the $80 one. Most people either don’t know, or will refuse to believe that point. Which is fine.
The recoil spring is something new for me. Had a coupon for it figured what the hey. It’s basically the same price as my current setup the past many years...heavy spring/Spikes T2 buffer. This is from Armaspec and has the same H2 weight. But it’s a “silent” design as the spring is smaller diameter & doesn’t rub on the inside of the buffer tube causing the annoying “SPROYNG!” sound we all know. I am impressed with build quality. A stock carbine spring in comparison on top.
Upper/Lower assembled together. Great fit with ZERO slop. The high quality is evident. Pins slide with ease, high quality springs& surfaces of ultra hard Nitride. Even the safety/selector “SNAPS” into position with authority. This is the difference little parts can make. The stock...another of my “Go To’s”. It’s an Ergo F93. These were actually the predecessor to the Magpul UBR adjustable stock. It’s not the lightest, but is tough as they come, presents absolutely NO slop in any position....and it just looks MEAN!
I received the barrel the other day. I’ve been a fan of Ballistic Advantage for many years and was planning on using their 16” Modern series. A standard Socom profile(Givernment), mid gas system, 5.56 chamber & 1:7 twist. I’ve wanted to try one of their Premiums with Wylde Chamber & 1:8 twist. I’ve actually had an idea of a barrel in my head for maybe two years. A 16” Middleweight contour using midlength gas system, 223 Wylde chamber & 1:8twist. Whether 4150CV or 416R I’m not partial to, although being Nitride QPQ treated is a prerequisite of mine in all barrel since 2014. BA has a barrel close to this except it’s bare 416R SS. 416R will undoubtably make for the most accurate barrels one can use. However, it’s not king of longevity. Enter the Ballistic Advantage Premium Black series. All of the aforementioned, but with a Nitride QPQ treatment. BA calls the contour “Tactical Government“, but it’s a middleweight. At 32oz, it’s still not obnoxiously heavy, but provides extra weight in key areas to battle the effects of heat & resonance. I was sold.
I was planning to shim the barrel install to eliminate any play. Yet when the extension was first installed into the upper, was met with resistance. I stopped and immediately measured. now before anyone points it out..YES, I know a caliper is a rather poor way to measure a round bore diameter. Unfortunately I do not currently possess the correct T-bore gauge, and this will at least give something to go by. The max I could measure was .9975. Set to .998”, the caliper jaws would not fit in the upper.
Using the same .9975”, the caliper would not slide all the way down the extension without force. This tells me the fit is within .0005”. And I am just fine with that! I couldn’t even insert a piece of .001” shim stock anyway! Very pleasant surprise.