Comments on AR-15 Build

Pretty much what I did, except I bought a Daniel Defense parts kit and a Magpul MOE stock instead.

Have you considered ordering one of these http://palmettostatearmory.com/2252.php and one of these http://palmettostatearmory.com/1560.php?

I bought the Daniel Defense LPK from Aim, just so you know...just have them ship it with the lower and pick it up at your FFL.

Looks like good stuff to me.

But 3 gunners are, more and more often, using rifle length freefloat rail setups like this:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...r-Receiver-LaRue-p/bcm-urg-mid-14bfh lt12.htm


You may feel the need, later on, to try different grips, hand stops, sling mounts, later on, and a rail is great for that. Especially if you're a small club where everone is lumped into one open class and you end up using dual optics. You can allways add a rail later though. So no big deal.

quatin said:

I just saw this on the PSA website.

"Please be aware that if you purchase this kit in conjunction with a stripped lower, an 11% Federal Excise Tax will be assessed to the combined total of two."

So I should probably buy my stripped lower from somewhere else to avoid the tax.

Click to expand...

You can get your stripped lower ordered from your local gun store. But you'll probally still have tax there anyways. The lower is the the only part that is a gun. Everything else is just parts.

So the stripped lower still requires tax and background check. Except at gun shows or face to face non-dealer sales.

I usually get the lower loacally and order everything else online. I won't buy a complete AR rifle ever again.

You might be missing a few parts in your list.
Deos the Spikes upper come with the bolt carrier group?
Need a buffer tube, buffer, castle nut and buffer spring. (BCM would be nice)

http://slickguns.com/product/spikes...r-cosmetic-blemish-6995-or-6495-free-shipping spikes lower if you want to be all matchy.

http://slickguns.com/product/spikes-tactical-ar15-lower-receiver-parts-kit-6360-free-shipping here's your spikes LPK for $64

if you're into magpul stuff, this is a pretty good deal. http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/MGMIDMOEBLK.aspx

you'll probably need a castle nut wrench.

The mil-spec receiver extension (buffer tube) is thicker & stronger. No reason to go commercial when you're building & you can get the mil-spec tube for the same price. Everything else looks good.

There's no excise tax on the lower. There is only an excise tax on complete firearms, or all the components to complete a firearm if they're purchased at the same time. If they sell you the lower on one order, and you order the rifle kit (less lower) on a separate order the next day you avoid the excise tax because you didn't buy a complete firearm, nor all the parts to make a complete firearm on one purchase.

ETA:
In the OP you state:

Any comments? I'm looking for something to take to local 3-gun matches.

Click to expand...

3 gun is more about hitting targets rapidly, and moving quickly between stations; rather than bullseye precision. With the higher volume, and fairly rapid fire nature of 3 gun, I'd actually go with PSA's 16" Standard Rifle Kit. The chrome lined bore & chamber of the barrel in that kit are more suited to your intended style of competition. Either one will be more than adequate though.

Ugaar has it right, read the warning on their site very carefully.

From what is shown at three gun matches, the better shooters are avoiding the M4 upper. They will use a rifle length free float with few/no rails, and choose a compensator that keeps the recoil down and back. Here's video that seems to be what's more popular: http://vuurwapenblog.com/2011/09/05/30-caliber-muzzle-compensators-pws-fsc30-vs-battlecomp-babc/

Note the extended off hand, to drive the muzzle around pointing it at the target, the longer sight lengths, and use of an optic.

Another informed link - pics at the bottom tell the story on what a lot of three gunners prefer: http://demigodllc.com/articles/evolution-of-the-3-gun-practical-rifle/

I was at the first SOF match and watched competitor's rifles using .30 x .223 wildcats be disqualified because the mindset those days disapproved of the M16 entirely. Things have sure changed over the years. A flatter shooting ballistic performance and affordibility keep the 5.56 at the top of cartridge choices in the ammo consumptive game.

Tirod, here's a lightweight rifle length FF quad rail that's compatible with M4 & CAR uppers - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=944140. However, I believe quatin is trying to keep costs low, and just get something he can start with.

ugaarguy said:

Tirod, here's a lightweight rifle length FF quad rail that's compatible with M4 & CAR uppers - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=944140. However, I believe quatin is trying to keep costs low, and just get something he can start with.

Click to expand...

No. That won't do for too many 3 gun setups. The front sight pokes through right where I may want to put my thumb. And short sight radius if I want to remove my optic and run in the Iron Sights class. (assuming enough people show up to split the group into 2 classes)

Best to chop that front sight off.

You can still shoot an M4 type AR until your funds allow a proper setup. In some areas 3 gun is on a short range where none of the new long range speed techniques are really useful. Dempends on the club/range. A basic M4 might actually be the hot ticket sometimes.

If your on a budget all the high end rails options can be added later after you get more 3 gun experience. But if you can afford to start with a 14.5" middy upper, a 12-13" FF rail, a PWS 556 or Battlecomp, and flip up BUIS.....it might be cheaper in the long run to start that way.

Your set up will do fine in 3 gun, but later you will want a stainless barrel, 1:8 or 1:7 twist, 18", free float forearm, muzzle brake, no FSB, 1-4x optic,

I started with a S&W M4gery.

If your 3 gun range is only 100yards long your setup is fine. Rock that as long as you can.

The front sight is removable, but aftermarket gas blocks are rarely as good as the pinned on sight/gas block that's allready on the rifle. I like to just cut it down or send it to ADCO to get cut down into a low pro gas block for a rifle length rail.

No. That won't do for too many 3 gun setups. The front sight pokes through right where I may want to put my thumb. And short sight radius if I want to remove my optic and run in the Iron Sights class.

Click to expand...

If your 3 gun range is only 100yards long your setup is fine. Rock that as long as you can.

Click to expand...

quatin, this is where local conditions get put into play. If your local clubs are short range, then the sight radius (as Zerodefect notes) isn't so much of an issue. The M4 style setup is just what's widely available, and easier to find at bargain prices. It's typically the least expensive way to start into the AR platform. When you start being limited by your base setup, then you'll know what you want; and know where you want to put your money.

I should clarify on why my preference is the M4 style setup with the DD rail I listed, or the slightly heavier, but very similar Troy MRF-CX. This is not a competition driven preference. I prefer to have my light (Surefire X-300 mounted directly, or SF G2X Tac in a Troy VTAC mount) on the top rail, forward of the FSB, for my defensive setup preference. Other than the rare occasion when I hunt and have to remove the light, that's how my ARs are configured. I play & practice with the rifle as it will be setup for defensive use. If I decided to seriously compete I might run setups like Zerodefect & Tirod prefer.