AR Builds -- What Parts Did You Choose and Why??

W.R. Buchanan wrote:
If anybody is still watching this thread,,, This is what I just built for my CA compliant AR.

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We're still here....

Beautiful looking rifle. I had no idea anything like that was available. I live in Texas where we don't have to build workarounds, but that looks nice on its own.

Heres my first build parts list,

24" in 5.56mm Hardened Arms upper receiver with a nickel boron BCG
Spikes Tactical lower receiver
Stag Arms lower parts kit
Nikon P-223 scope
Magpul CTR butt stock
Hogue Grip
Generic Bi-pod
And custom Cerakote paint in S&W Red

Well I got my upper together and tested it tonight, no problems, shot very well. Zero'd at 25 and adjusted the gas, then verified zero at 200 and played on steel out to 300.

Not the best pics:





It's sitting on one of my Colt lowers with a Geissele SSA-E trigger (lower will be built later this year). Upper specifics are:

Larue PredatAR 16" Wylde Chamber 1:8 twist LW Barrel
Aero Precision upper
SLR Rifle Works 14.7" "Helix" LW FF Rail
SLR Rifleworks Titanium Adj Gas Block
Rubber City Armory Competition Low Mass BCG (Nitrided)
American Defense Recon Scope mount with an old Vortex Viper PST 1-4X (this will be swapped for PST II 1-6X)
Griffin Armament M4SD II Flash-Comp
Radian Raptor Ambi Charging handle

The combination of low mass BCG and ADJ gas block worked extremely well. First time I've tried this, but when combined with the flash-comp recoil was very light and with the gas adjusted puts the brass in a neat little pile just off the bench. Next is a set of Magpul MBUS Offsets

Chuck

Chuck R. said:

Well I got my upper together and tested it tonight, no problems, shot very well. Zero'd at 25 and adjusted the gas, then verified zero at 200 and played on steel out to 300.

Not the best pics:

View attachment 759001

View attachment 759002

It's sitting on one of my Colt lowers with a Geissele SSA-E trigger (lower will be built later this year). Upper specifics are:

Larue PredatAR 16" Wylde Chamber 1:8 twist LW Barrel
Aero Precision upper
SLR Rifle Works 14.7" "Helix" LW FF Rail
SLR Rifleworks Titanium Adj Gas Block
Rubber City Armory Competition Low Mass BCG (Nitrided)
American Defense Recon Scope mount with an old Vortex Viper PST 1-4X (this will be swapped for PST II 1-6X)
Griffin Armament M4SD II Flash-Comp
Radian Raptor Ambi Charging handle

The combination of low mass BCG and ADJ gas block worked extremely well. First time I've tried this, but when combined with the flash-comp recoil was very light and with the gas adjusted puts the brass in a neat little pile just off the bench. Next is a set of Magpul MBUS Offsets

Chuck

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Nice parts list! I have heard really good things about the larue barrels. Looking at getting a stealth from them. Let us know how it shoots

Chuck R

...do you have an issue with that Vortex Viper 1-4? Why are you going with the newer Viper 1-6?

Creature said:

Chuck R

...do you have an issue with that Vortex Viper 1-4? Why are you going with the newer Viper 1-6?

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Zero issues with the PST 1-4, this one is off my FAL, so I'm getting the 1-6x specifically for this build, which will serve part time as a Coyote rifle. I used it for a 2 day carbine class and it worked out well, primarily just want it back on my FAL and the 6X high end will come in handy for the yotes that hang on the fringe rather than commit to coming in.

Everready73, I originally looked at the Stealth, but went with the PredatAR to save some weight, since this one will be carried more than shot.

Initial impression with a cobbled together load using a 60 grn Nosler BT and the 4X is that this shouldn't have a problem holding 1 MOA out to 300, maybe a little better when I tune the load some.

Chuck

plbour said:

• Matched billet YHM upper/lower
• Ballistic Advantage precision 18" 223 wylde 1:7
• A2 flash hider
• Magpul ACS stock
• BCM pistol grip
• Troy Alpha rail
• NB BCG
• Ambi charging handle
• CMC single stage 3-3.5lb flat trigger
  
• CMMG parts kit
• ARES Arms Gavel ambi short throw selector
• Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6
• Scott Machine Tool mono-pod

View attachment 761396

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Nice build and parts selection. Have you had it out to shoot yet? How is the Ballistic Advantage barrel performing

Everready73 said:

Nice build and parts selection. Have you had it out to shoot yet? How is the Ballistic Advantage barrel performing

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I've only bore sighted it at this point. I had hoped to get out last weekend and zero it in. However life happened. Waiting on some 62 gr match to come in this week. Then hopefully get it out and grouped. I've also finished a couple of other builds as well, and one has a 16" ballistic advantage that seems to be shooting well. I'll get both of them out and group them and report back.

Second build.

• ACME lower
• Aero Precision upper
• Fostech Echo trigger
• BCM Stock, tube and QD end plate
• Spikes H1 buffer
• Odin Works O2 lite rail, Mlok
• Ballistic Advantage precision 16" 1:7 barrel and gas block
• A2 flash hider
• CMMG lower parts kit
• KNS Precision anti-rotation pins
• Aimpoint Comp M4
• Hogue Bevertail grip
• Thermal wrap received from TacPack

Echo on the right, recent pistol build on the left.

Buddy,

Please clean your vent before your heater dies on you.

Mike, I'm new here too and prior starting to build a few (it's been 20 years) I researched, asked questions too.
This starts getting out of control, and expensive.
Someone stated in this thread what are your circumstances as far as Budget, military oe civilan, casual or range queen.

The big shops are great if you have dough to burn, however there are many smaller folks slinging parts, quality parts for a lot less.
In am currently building a .300 Blk AR with a Lars Ops4 l side charger, only needed to purchase a barrel from Midway @ $119.00
I have found that optics and good triggers and the myriad of ridiculously expensive Surefire's end up higher in cost than the rifle.

I actually have a spare Eotech 512 and an Aimpoint Pro sitting around so at least I am going to use one of them.

There is a lot of experience in these forums I intend to use . Here's my last budget build came in @ about $1100 with everything total.
and this is my new night vision.

Here is the new build I will lap the upper, install and add a thread protector and or flash hider, and will be done with upper.

Now to start on finishing lower....

First Build 5.56: Not the one with round grips and ss barrel

This is before I started to upgrade stuff....Purchased 2 Andersen Anodized stripped lower receivers @ 39.98 apiece

Aero Precision Premium Forged Upper Receiver
Polymer Lower-Changing to Andersen stripped upper and will change out.
DPMS Forward Assist & Port Door Assembly
Davidson Defense Billet USA Made Steel Gas Block, Gas tube and roll pin
Davidson Defense Exclusive 15" M-Lok Slant Pro Handguard
XX-Treme Barrel Co. 16" 5.56 NATO M4 Phosphate Finish Barrel With 1:7 Twist 1/2x28
Colt A2 Flash Hider & Crush Washer
Dpms Forged Charging handle
Complete Tactical Superiority Lower Parts Kit With Grip (LPK)
MOE® Fixed Carbine Stock – Mil-Spec
AR-15 M16 M4 Davidson Defense Premium Complete Melonite Nitride Bolt Carrier Group (BCG)
M-LOK® Polymer Rail, 5 Slots
M-LOK® Tape Switch Mounting Plate – Surefire® ST
Ladder Rail Panels
Troy Industries Rail Covers
James Madison JMT Saber Single Stage Drop In Match Trigger With Anti Rotate Pin Set
Magpul MS4 Sling w/QD Hardware
Magpul B.A.D. Lever
Magpul MOE-K2+™ Grip
Magpul M-LOK® AFG® - Angled Fore Grip
KNS pushpin takedown and pivot pins
DiamondHead Integrated Sighting System (BUIS)
Primary Arms 30mm Advanced Red dot w cantilevered mount
Surefire M951 Weapon Light
BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Vertical Grip-Mod 3 switching the Magpul M-LOK® AFG®
TacFire® AR-15 Ambidextrous Charging Handle
Plenty surefire 20 and 30 rd mags as well as
some PMAG® 30 AR/M4 GEN M2 MOE®


Second Build : .300 Blackout


LAR Grizzly Ops-4 Left Charging Right Discharge Upper Complete Assembly & Wmd Nickel Boron Bolt Carrier
LAR Grizzly 12.5" Smooth Tube Free Float Handguard Sprial Design
LAR Grizzly Low Profile Gas Block .750 With Screws
James Madison JMT Saber Single Stage Drop In Match Trigger With Anti Rotate Pin Set
Polymer Lower-Changing to Andersen stripped upper and will change out.
Davidson Defense M-Lok Quick Detach Sling Mount
Phase 5 Extended Bolt Release V2-SC (EBRV2-SC)
AR Stoner 20 round SS Magazines x 2
AR-Stoner Barrel AR-15 300 AAC Blackout Medium Contour 1 in 8" Twist 16" Stainless Steel
AR-Stoner Tactical Flash Hider 5/8" - 24 Thread
Fluted Black Thread protector
Troy Industries Enhanced Battle Ax CQB Grip AR-15, LR-308 Polymer
Noveske receiver end plate QD ambidextrous
Trinity Force L-E Mil-Spec Stock & Recoil Pad (BLACK) Switching for a Magpul ACS-L™ CARBINE STOCK – MIL-SPEC
EoTech 512/A62 Holographic sight
Magpul MS4 Black 2 point sling W QD
12" Surefire Style 7.62 Suppressor (no QD) in the works
Plenty surefire 20 round magazines and Pmags too.

Still a work in progress.........

great stuff!

Finished a colt R6520 govt carbine clone.
Anderson lower
CMMG lower parts kit
DPMS 6 position buttstock
Delton A2 upper
Delton 16" 1-9 pencil barrel
mix of upper small parts
Anderson bolt, carrier
Currently have a stripped C7 upper that will become a Colt AR15 Sporter II clone. Again 1-9 since it is a general use rifle, no heavy match or 64 gr tracers will be used. I'd like to do a 1-8 twist DMR sometime though.

Just a thought. VERY reasonably priced start.....and still available.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/ANDERSON-A-CARBINE-OEM-RIFLE/2387975.uts?slotId=0

I'm not a big AR guy but I did pick up a PSA AR-10 Gen2 lower last week for $160. Ordered the matching 18" 308 upper yesterday. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.

I also have an AR-15 Colt A2 style, 20" 5.56. Might try and make the AR-10 a pig rifle or something fun like that. What do the AR-10 guys recommend for a scope setup on their rigs?

Three builds, all from pieces parts.

1) A2 fixed stock because this is a target/varmint rifle. S&W lower because it was available at my local dealer. ALG QMS trigger with JP Springs for a decent trigger at low cost. Aero Precision flat top upper forging because i got a deal on it. E.R. Shaw heavy 20" barrel 1:9 twist to stabilize most varmint weight bullets and hold up well to sustained woodchuck and prairie dog shooting. Midwest Industries free float tube. Fixed 12X Mil-Dot scope, forget the brand. Spikes Tactical BCG because they're proper weight and don't cost a fortune.

2) Spikes lower, got it on sale at a local dealer. The rest of it is a straight up M-Forgery to include 14.5" gov't profile barrel with a pinned extended A2 flash suppressor. Barrel from Windham Weaponry, upper forging is a BCM blemish. H2 buffer. BCM BCG because it's a high round count fun/range/class/shtf gun. Magpul MOE handguards. Also has ALG QMS trigger, but with standard springs. Yeah, I'm sold on these triggers. Vortex SPARC red dot absolute co-witness with the irons. Fixed A2 sight behind the dot.

3) PSA lower with included carbine lower parts kit. Aero Precision flat top upper forging. Spikes BCG. Del-Ton light weight 16" barrel with mid-length gas system. Standard carbine buffer. A2 handguards. El Cheapo RDS. It's my loaner rifle when friends want to shoot at the range and they get bored with bolt action stuff. Which is most of what I own.

uff... so many parts through the years...
I recall I bout a few matched billets from SI defense. The reason was becase it was veteran owned and operated and they made parts for the airforce/navy airplanes with very tight tolerances.
Then I learned they had this teflon finish so I had to have more of those and also learned they built a bunch of them for the Navy seals. Very good quality.
Then after they were bought by Nemo I don't know what happened. I think they still operate the military contracts but the guns division is not the same.

I also had very good luck with mega lower and uppers. Very good quality too. Also made by them vs. OEM re-branded stuff everywhere.

Another thing I use RRA 2 stage triggers. I have geissele and other tirggers but for the money the RRA does everything any other 2 state trigger does for 1/2 of the cost. A bit of conditioning
of the springs as required and presto.

I have a good share of barrels from AR15performance that has been making barrels for a long time the way they should be made. Nitrocarburized, 5R and mid lenght. Also 6.8 and a few wilcats
that are an addictive thing. I have also been using their bolts that are stronger than the average AR15 bolt. Young manufacturing also makes a superior bolt IMO. Their carriers are also very
well made.
I have other barrels made by lothar walter and Krieger. IMO those brands along with ARP are some of the best barrels I have shot through the years including matches. I had good luck with
Noveske barrels but I don't like the fact they all use 1/2 threads in 5.56 that should never existed. Pacnor will make one to your spec though.

The Adams arms has been a good piston but cannot beat the H&K piston system if one is going that route.

I found the UTG pro rail/handguard to be affordable and very durable. I have others like troy, La Ruin, and I don't think it is worthy spending more in rails.

So many things. I guess the brands do not matter that much as soon as they are up to spec specially the externals. The internals is what it matters with a quality barrel, bolt and BCG that
are the beating heart of the DI AR.

Picked up a police trade in Bushmaster XM-15 E2S 5.56 1/9 from the North Richland Hills (Texas) PD from GT Distributors for $499 with a Surefire M-951 light already mounted.

Got it for a knockabout truck rifle.
Called Bushmaster just cause I was curious when it was produced and they told me March of 2007 in Windham Maine.

I did an extractor spring and O-ring BCM upgrade and added a Magpul sling that I already had. Will probably do the LED upgrade for the light (I forgot how dark 65 lumens used to be) and leave it alone.

1948CJ2A said:

I'm not a big AR guy but I did pick up a PSA AR-10 Gen2 lower last week for $160. Ordered the matching 18" 308 upper yesterday. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.

I also have an AR-15 Colt A2 style, 20" 5.56. Might try and make the AR-10 a pig rifle or something fun like that. What do the AR-10 guys recommend for a scope setup on their rigs?

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These are a great deal and word has it PSA has most of the issues with these worked out. One thing i usually see recomended is an adjustable gas block being that they are typically very overgassed. I would take it out as is and run some rounds and make the change if you feel it is needed.

Bravo Company or Noveske. All my Bolt Carrier Groups are Colt and triggers are Geiselle SSA-E.

OK, I'll play along... but my offering is more of what I have done along the way, and learning from what I didn't like, and mistakes that I believe I made. It's definitely a work-in-progress:

I started my first AR with a fully assembled, Bushmaster. Got a decent deal (at the time) via a friend that worked at the LGS. They took it in on trade, and although they had to technically sell it as 'used', it was pretty clear it had never been fired.

First thing I did was sell the A-2 style upper, and order a flat top from Bushmaster. It had the flat top gas block, but the delta-ring handguard (Way overpaid on that decision, but it was a long time ago)

Then picked up a new set of delta-ring quad rails made by Knights.

The the factory trigger absolutely sucked, and a friend loaned me his Geissele SSA-E, to try for a day, and while it was a massive upgrade, I didn't really care for the 2-stage trigger feel. So, I took a flyer on a single-stage drop in unit from Delta Team Tactical for about $100. That is very recent, so I have yet to actually go put many rounds through it.

I also purchased a Daniel Defense grip, with the integral trigger guard. I REALLY like that. It was about $30

I learned I wanted a longer handguard, and go to a free-float design. So, I pulled the handuard (12" M-Lock) off the 300 Blackout upper I had just purchased from PSA, and installed it on my 5.56 upper. (I grabbed another 12" M-lock for the 300 Blackout, but have yet to install it)

I decided on the Black Spider red-dot, for this one, and so far I really like it.

I still have the mil-spec adjustable stock.

As you can read, I'm not afraid to take stuff apart, and mess with it. Worst thing that happens, is I have to spend some ammo re-zeroing the optic if I do anything with the barrel nut... no big deal, and I get to try out different things to really know just what I like for that configuration.

A couple years ago, my wife causally said that she'd like a pink AR. I'm a total sucker for that kind of request, so I put together an AR that is as pink as I could make it. I used a 16" SS barrel, and the only handguard I could find that was truly pink, (and free-floating) was an outfit out of Oregon. It's a little heavy, and I'm casually looking for a lighter option. I got the Mag-Pul pink stock and grip, to go with the upper and lower (Aero) that I had ceracoated pink. Matched up pretty well, and she was super excited. So, win there. She loves it. (that was actually my first full build from parts in boxes)

I also decided on a family heirloom kind of plan, to give our 2 sons various parts for an AR on their birthdays and for Christmas, with the final part being the lower, for their 18th birthday. Then we go into the garage and put them together. For those, I'm going with more generic parts, so far mostly from PSA.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying figuring out other configurations I want to do. These darn things are like Legos, and as a kid, I just loved Legos.... some things never change....

PE

What's with the long for-ends on everyone's builds? Is there a practical purpose or am I old school?