AR-15 Build Help

[GuysModel94]

I'm looking at building an AR using the following platforms, a Spikes Tactical stripped lower and a Rock River A-4 complete upper kit. Has any one build this combo or do you shoot something near this build. It looks like the cost will be about $775.- plus shipping. Open to all recommendations.

 

[steven58]

For a top quality M-4 style AR I'd stay with Spikes for both upper and lower.

Besides being (IMHO) a better complete upper than the RR, if down the road you decide to sell your rifle, you will get a better price and find it easier to sell a matching upper & lower than a "Franken-rifle".

 

[Screamin'Eagle]

Why not get a 'Surplus Ammo & Arms' lower? They are the same as the Spike's(Both made by Aero Precision) and cost $20 less at AIM surplus. Fit and finish of mine was really good. I used a Daniel Defense lower parts kit with a standard buffer and Magpul MOE stock. The cost came in right around $240 for the entire lower not including the FFL transfer fee.

As far as an upper kit goes, I bought a complete upper and snapped it on, so I don't know what to tell you as far as the RRA A-4 upper kit goes.

 

[ForumSurfer]

It looks like the cost wil be about $775.

I understand if you wish to build it yourself as I did the same thing. It was fun.

That being said...for $25 more, you can just get the same thing from Spike's assembled.

 

[GuysModel94]

Thanks guys, forget to mention i live in CA. the best i can find out here is Del-Ton with Magpul dark earth for about $800.- plus tax and fee. The Rock River kit means i only make two purchases.

 

[lencac]

I recommend you move to one of the real states of the USA and leave the communist country of cali. Problem solved

 

[GuysModel94]

It's called a job and family, besides i enjoy a good fight once and awhile. Our founding fathers didn't run, they stood their ground. But we'll leave after retirement, cost to much.:banghead:

 

[Quentin]

For a top quality M-4 style AR I'd stay with Spikes for both upper and lower.

Besides being (IMHO) a better complete upper than the RR, if down the road you decide to sell your rifle, you will get a better price and find it easier to sell a matching upper & lower than a "Franken-rifle".

I agree with this. A Spikes upper makes a lot more sense on the Spikes lower than RRA. Same brand and better quality. If you don't want Spikes for some reason, BCM and Daniel Defense are high quality and only a little more expensive.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

i agree a Spike's upper is a much better choice than a RRA my personal favorite is BCM but as stated will cost a little more

 

[GuysModel94]

Eagle: good info on Aim Surplus, unfortunately in big red letters is says they don't ship to CA.. E-mailed their address to some other people. Thanks, Guy

 

[Quentin]

So you're buying a RRA upper because you can get it shipped to you and you can't find a vendor to ship a Spikes or BCM or DD upper? I'd keep looking.

 

[GuysModel94]

The reason i chose RRA is it is a complete kit and this is my first build, hopefully not my last. But having everything on hand for the first build hopefully means no unwanted or unneeded parts. Have read good reviews on their 2-stage trigger. I'm trying to keep the build under $850.- minus optics.

 

[steven58]

OK, Spikes offers this upper and lower combination.

http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z/spikes-tactical-complete-lower-w-m4-stock-p-86.html

http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z/spikes-tactical-16-m4-le-upper-556-p-384.html

This gives you a top shelf as close to 100% milspec as you can get with a semi auto M-4. It also includes the Peoples Democratic Republic of California required neutering, ie: pinned and welded muzzle break, removed bayonet lug (no drive by bayonetings for you!) pinned stock, and bullet button.

total cost (shipping not included) is $929.95.


If you lived in a free state the same rifle (un-neutered) would be $ 800.00

IMHO, this is the best deal going for a milspec type AR with proper bolt, bolt carrier group, chrome lined bbl and all of the proper alloys and coatings where they are supposed to be on an AR.

 

[1stmarine]

The RRA kits are very good.
You will get a lot of different opinions as folks have different preferences.
With a few exceptions lower brands, upper brands, doesn't matter. The internals are more important than anything else.
I have both and they are both awesome. I also used Del-ton and nothing but good experiences. Delton and RRA are cut in the same mill as colts and their uppers and carriers are coming out pretty well squared.

These are a few simple things that you need to look for to make sure your carbine is up to spec:
- Bolt Carrier Group with a properly stacked key.
- shrouded firing pin.
- Nice strong extractor and extractor spring.
- Magnetic particle tested.
- Good and crisp trigger parts set - RRA will provide a very nice 2 state one for the same cost of the single state. Very good performance for the money if 2 stage is what you want.
- After that the typical, with a good barrel, make sure they are properly head spaced, gas block/sights squared and that's pretty much it.

If you buy a set with a built upper normally those brands are trouble free but I run them top to bottom anyway. Whether you get one or the others see if you can get a matched billet. I have some matched dead on and some are not but they work just fine with the wedges.

In case you want to consider, the best billet (tightest) I have is the SI defense with the flared mag and built trigger guard.
Also the sun-devil lowers come out pretty nice.

It is hard to go wrong with any choices. Just make sure to check things to make sure they are up to spec.

Picture of Rock River Arms Kit with M4 barrel (not chromed for accuracy) and the Adams piston. I have 4 of these with piston and work great. The 2 stage trigger is awesome...



That one is a Delton upper with American Tactical Lower....


That is a national Match HP barrel from RRA (wylde chamber) with a RRA lower and the 2stage trigger. This rifle is producing .5 MOA and better consistently with handloads....


Whether I use the Adams piston or the original system, the carbine is for close range tactical drills or long range accuracy they all are top
performers. I can look for more pictures of other systems if you want to see pictures. But this forum is full of other posts with endless counts of great builds and great combinations.

Cheers,
E.

 

[GuysModel94]

Thanks E, that is some of the specific knowledge i need to learn. After reading the post replys i may rethink the complete upper kit. While i have alot of small arms experience non of it is with the M-16 platform. The kit seemed a good way to gain experience and reduce mistakes. What was your built setup with the OD green carbine, liked the looks of that rifle!

 

[1stmarine]

Tell me what you need to know and I will explain in simple terms.
There are a lot of knowledgeable folks in this forum so there will not be shortage of good advice. Just do not go crazy when you get 1000 different recommendations. Simple is better and less is more.

That green is a delton kit with the Delton lower with the heavy profile barrel.
It has only about 2K rounds but w/o any hiccups. They come out pretty tight and for a good price. Again, these are cut in the same mill as the colts.
The bolt is MP and everything up to spec so no problem with that.
I don't remember all my ARs but I think this was around $550 kit + $110 lower.
I only added a couple of accessories. It makes a great tac system, a tad heavier but very accurate. That is the mid. length system.
With the spikes, RRA that you mentioned you will never have any issues but just be careful of some brands as they come out out of spec, even chambers I have seen out of spec. Most likely will never happen with a Spikes, S&W, Bushmaster, RRA, Delton, etc...

If you want fancy, for me the tightest billet I have is the Defense SI....
http://shop.si-defense.com/SI_Defense_Generation_2_Matched_223_Receiver_Set_p/si 223 ms-gen2.htm

Also the Sun-devil are pretty tight...
http://www.sundevilmfg.com/products.php

These are beefed up with flared mag wells but to start the first kit and w/o spending so much you cannot go wrong with either the RRA or Delton. Affordable and good quality. Remember the most important is not the externals but the internals. From RRA you can get the chromed lined BCG for the same price and from Delton you can get the M16 Carrier with the MP bolt Something that I really like.

I think that there are some very good recommendations from others on the spikes but I just don't know much about them.

But these are all ARs in the end. Just make sure they are to spec. That's all.

I hope this helps.
Cheers.
E.