AR 15 building mistake... Need advice

[Barny]

Hello friends

I am slowly piecing a rifle together and to complete the lower I needed a buffer tube + stock. Easy enough, order both. Turns out an m4 buffer tube is not compatible with the Magpul MOE fixed stock (should of been more careful while ordering).

I contact the supplier for a return shipping label, not a problem they say and now I have the shipping label. However I began to start thinking which usually get me into trouble.....

Should I just keep the carbine buffer tube for another putative "carbine build" or perhaps I can switch out the stocks depending on my mood or how the sun rises?

While it will would be nice to be refunded the 33 dollars to be put towards the rifle buffer, Lord knows I have spent more money in a more foolish manner....

What say you?

Thanks in advance for the opinions and suggestions...
EJ

 

[JeffG]

I would lay the one you have aside for a future build, and re-order the correct one. Yes, I'm satan. My 2 cents.

 

[Cemetery21]

Also know that the spring and buffer are different for rifle and carbine tubes.
And, that although rifle tubes (also called receiver extension) come in one diameter, most carbine tubes/stocks come in 2 diameters (Military and commercial).

 

[berettaprofessor]

You will never build just one AR. You may build just one at a time, but the next one is always waiting for its chance.

 

[newfalguy101]

Keep it

Its not like the $33 will make or break you

 

[Barny]

Friends,
I appreciate the advice and information thus far.

I figure I have 5 shotguns for different hunting purposes when I lived back home, as well as a plethora of bolt guns in ranging calibers to handle "stuff".... Daddy has the AR15A2 and carbine back home, I should probably have my own versions while I spend some time down south.

Thanks again

EJ

 

[ontarget]

Keep it. You WILL use it for another build. I gaaauuuurrrrraaaaannnntttttteeeee.

 

[edwardware]

Should I just keep the carbine buffer tube for another putative "carbine build". . . What say you?

Why is this a question?

That buffer tube is far above the minimum part size to spawn a new build. Best I've seen yet is a rifle spawned from a bolt catch roll pin.

 

[Hookeye]

Parts are good for trading w buds too.

 

[Barny]

Why is this a question?

That buffer tube is far above the minimum part size to spawn a new build. Best I've seen yet is a rifle spawned from a bolt catch roll pin.

This is what I needed to hear, thank you.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Why is this a question?

That buffer tube is far above the minimum part size to spawn a new build. Best I've seen yet is a rifle spawned from a bolt catch roll pin.

I had an AR spawned from a thought.

My first one was purchased from a LGS. Had to sell it when things got hard. Second did some research and decided to buy a PSA lower when I could scrape up the money. Then saved for a PSA upper. Liked it but wanted a nicer one for three gun so THOUGHT why not build it from parts as I can get a few $ here and there.

Current build is another one spawned from that. But picked up several stripped lowers at a killer price. Got a stripped upper as a Christmas gift. Bought the LPK, stock etc for the lower from a PSA sale. Now working to get the parts for the upper.

Next one is being planned. And yes more thoughts on what I want, I mean “need” yea that’s it I Need another AR like I need another motorcycle or car. The only thing is ARs take up less space!

 

[edwardware]

I Need another AR like I need another motorcycle or car. The only thing is ARs take up less space!

I point out to people that yes, my gunsafe is full, but just imagine how expensive the garage would be if I was a gearhead instead of gun nut.

 

[Labguy47]

I bet gunny has enough spare parts to do builds for a year. But really now that the bug has bitten ya you might as well focus on the next one.

 

[redneck2]

Instead of build a savings fund like you do for most firearms purchases, you accumulate a parts inventory

My last build involved a Wilson air gauged match grade barrel. I only retain accurate rifles

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I bet gunny has enough spare parts to do builds for a year. But really now that the bug has bitten ya you might as well focus on the next one.

Gunny has enough parts to outfit a team to survive anything.
But the way he build guns I’d say he probably has parts for a few days to a few weeks if he got bored. The guy can put out ARs. I lost count of all the ones he’s done for friends and family in addition to his own.

Yea OP just has to accept that the answer to the question “How many ARs do you NEED” is

ONE MORE

This clearly becomes not only an addiction bu5 a bad one.

Oh and I’m a gearhead too so it’s real bad.

 

[ilgac]

Keep it. You WILL use it for another build. I gaaauuuurrrrraaaaannnntttttteeeee.

Yea OP just has to accept that the answer to the question “How many ARs do you NEED” is

ONE MORE

All but the first two of these started as a spare part...

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Gunny has enough parts to outfit a team to survive anything.
But the way he build guns I’d say he probably has parts for a few days to a few weeks if he got bored. The guy can put out ARs. I lost count of all the ones he’s done for friends and family in addition to his own.

Yea OP just has to accept that the answer to the question “How many ARs do you NEED” is

ONE MORE

This clearly becomes not only an addiction bu5 a bad one.

Oh and I’m a gearhead too so it’s real bad.

I only have enough parts on hand for one day. That is I have the parts to build 5 or 6 complete rifles, and a bunch of spare parts. That shouldn’t take a day to finish up.
I did order a 308 carbine buffer tube kit by accident last month. I have no plans to build a carbine in 308, but I kept it and added it to the parts.
I’ve got one project that I want to get done as soon as we have some good weather and others that I have waiting for me to get to.
I have some home projects to finish up like new windows on the house and remodeling my living room. Once those are done, I can go AR crazy again.

 

[Labguy47]

I only have enough parts on hand for one day.
I did order a 308 carbine buffer tube kit by accident last month. I have no plans to build a carbine in 308, but I kept it
I have some home projects to finish up like new windows on the house and remodeling my living room. Once those are done, I can go AR crazy again.

And there ya have it, carpenters go help gunny cause we need more ideas from his builds!

 

[alfsauve]

Build another. Build another. Build another.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Just built my first.

Had to buy extra roll pins, but kit contained extra spring and decent for recovery pivot pins.

 

[BSA1]

Hello fellow enablers,

I am slowly piecing a rifle together and to complete the lower I needed a buffer tube + stock. Easy enough, order both. Turns out an m4 buffer tube is not compatible with the Magpul MOE fixed stock (should of been more careful while ordering).

Should I just keep the carbine buffer tube for another putative "carbine build" or perhaps I can switch out the stocks depending on my mood or how the sun rises?

EJ

I corrected your greeting. No need to thank me.

One of the first steps of being a member of the AR Addict Group is to remember that "3 is 2, 2 is 1 and1 is None." At this point you are not even up to the check out counter yet.

A tip that will help you getting to the important "2 is 1" step is to buy more than one part when ordering them. This is especially good idea when buying small parts like spring, detent pins, etc. as even when buying several of them the shipping often costs more.

Also it helps to keep in mind that small parts like springs can get easily lost. The best way to avoid having this happen is to use them to build more AR's before they get lost. Explaining to your wife the wisdom of not losing money by lost parts will make her realize what a financial genius you are.

 

[WiTom]

I went for years, saying to myself, "I don't need any AR's", but then Trump pulled the upset, and the AR drop in price started, and the AR fever started, as the price of AR's dropped to the "I can't turn that down" stage. Then, 1 turned to 2, 2 turned to 3... I was sucked into the vortex of the AR deep hole, wandering around looking for more parts, to build, and become, more AR's. You have stepped off that cliff... I am sorry, as it is too late, to run. Please do not seek help here, on this site, as it is like a drunk going to a bar, to seek help in quitting drinking. LOL

 

[stillquietvoice]

Already thinking of my next build complete lower and complete upper with lower build kit. So I have extra parts to replace the ones that get broken.

 

[Barny]

All

I appreciate the input. The buffer will not be sent back. I originally planned on build another rifle slowly. However, most of you know that is easier said than done. I just need some more self control to stay within my financial means.

EJ

 

[Labguy47]

I appreciate the input. The buffer will not be sent back. I originally planned on build another rifle slowly. However, most of you know that is easier said than done. I just need some more self control to stay within my financial means.
EJ

Don’t worry about that we all believe that we can live on tree rat stew until the next paycheck.