AR-15 First Build, lesson learned (Pic)

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bmwguy

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Jan 6, 2003
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Finally completed my M4 project last night.

The receiver is a Eagle Arms by Armalite came from Quantico Arms, paid 90.00 plus tax, no FFL transfer fee because we were lucky that Quantico Arms is local so I picked it up. Customer service was great, highly recommend for buying a quality lower receiver.

Rest of the components were from RRA from Steve from ADCO. Steve got me everything I needed with quick responses and the price was excellent. Best of all, Steve charges $4.00 flat shipping rate. Can't beat that with a stick!

Total cost for complete upper, lower parts set, and stock plus sling was around 500.00. I highly recommend Steve for ALL your AR15 needs.
http://www.adcofirearms.com

I was thinking of a complete parts kit from from JT, but I wanted some name recognition not that the JT kits are bad, but went with RRA parts since this is my first build.

On a scale of 1-10, I have to rate this build around 3 for difficulty, I only assembled the lower parts and the stock as the M4 upper came completed from Steve.

I was able to complete the lower in about 1 1/2 hours as the pivot pin detent went airborne and I had to search the @!##~@ pin for 1/2 hour! Other than the flying pin, it went w/o a hitch.
What worked for my after the AWOL detent pin was feeler gauges for valve adjustment for car, it worked perfectly to press the pin down yet, thin enough for the Pivot pin to slide in.

Without further adeu: Here's the pics noticed that there is a slight color variation between the upper and lower but it is so minor, it's not even an issue.

chenar15.jpg


ourar15.jpg
 
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Nice!

How soon until your next build? My understanding is that it's a slippery slope! Hope your wife loves you enough to overlook the black rifle multiplication! :D
 
Slippery Slope is right

This is how it starts. You just built your first AR. You take it to the range a few times and really enjoy it. Suddenly the realization of how modular the rifle is hits you.

"If I throw together a 20" upper receiver I can do some long range varmint hunting :cool: " you think to your self. A month later, you are torquing the 20" barrel onto a flattop upper and trying to decide what height rings will be best for the scope.

A couple more trips to the range and suddenly you realize; "If I dropped $150 on a new lower I wouldn't have to swap uppers all the time :cool: " Soon there are two ARs in the safe.

Next thing you know, you're looking at the latest issue of Black Rifles Are Kewl while at the supermarket with the wife and it hits you..."I could build a neat upper like that with rails on it and every electronic dodad known to man :cool: " Next thing you know, you're online ordering barrel, upper, rail system and electronic dodads...The next thing you know..."It wouldn't cost all that much and I'd have another AR, just a lower kit.."

By now your shooting buddies are impressed and you are helping them build ARs. Soon you take some parts that you've replaced for them as payment for your labor. One day while cleaning out the safe and moving these parts that were discarded from your buddies and your own AR projects it hits you..."I've got almost enough stuff here to build another rifle, I always wanted a 24" free floated barrel :cool: " Off to the internet to order parts....

It goes on forever....Your wife won;t believe you when you tell her that you failed to keep the male and female ARs apart in the safe... :rolleyes:

Jeff - owner of six ARs
 
That shooter looks great! Why would you rate it olny a three?

I wish I could get into that same set up for $550

Does it have a chrome chamber and barrel?

Gunner45
 
Jeff-
You've read my mind.
I'm already thinking about a 24" varmint type rifle that I need to build next, in fact the lower receiver is already in my possession.

I already have a preban 20".

So, looks to be 3 ARs so far with a 24" coming in my collection??
oh wait, you know, those ACE stock are kinda growing on me as well.
 
bmwguy
What is your flattop mount with the std rear sight made of? Alum? steel? Is it good quality. I have been looking for a mount like that but got turned off from several I found because they just looking like quality went out the door.
 
The flat top mount is a Tactical carry handle made from RRA.
It's good stuff, I think it is metal, but I'm not positive.

The best price I've found for the tac handle is from www.adcofireams.com

the electronic scope is OKO.

Hope this helps.
 
Good to see that you got bit by the AR bug!

If you got a complete M4 kit consisting of the M4 profiled barrel, M4 hanguards and faux collapsible stock plus lower parts kit then you got one heck of a deal!

The part that always made me nervous was putting in the trigger guard roll pin. Snap one of the "ears" and you're screwed. And believe me..there have been folks who have done that! :D

Good Shooting
Red
 
Next thing you know, you're looking at the latest issue of Black Rifles Are Kewl while at the supermarket...

*chuckle*

Where can I get a subscription? I think I saw that one right next to Guns & Weapons for the King's Men and All 1911s, All The Time.
 
Lendringser,
The last issue quickly sold out when it was rumored that El Tejon was was depicted shooting the latest Swiss Army AR while wearing a Hawaiian print shirt. :D

Jeff
 
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