AR build ideas

Well a local shop had quite a few PSA stripped lower receivers in stock... So I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick one up.

I already have an AR. A Smith&Wesson M&P, upgraded to my liking's with a UTG Pro free float hand guard, Magpul ACS-L stock, a Weaver 1-3 scope, and a few other things. I've got it right where I want it.

Now the question arises of what to build with my new lower... I already have an AR exactly how I want it. So I don't feel the need to duplicate it again. What are some of the crazy builds going on right now? I might be open to the idea of a pistol build, or a rifle build. I wouldn't mind a different caliber as long as it works with AR mags and isn't too expensive to buy/reload for.

My only requirement is that it needs to be reasonably practical and no quad rails.

I want to hear your ideas... wild or mild.

 

Build a 300 blackout if you reload. They are a lot of fun. Plus the ammunition is reasonable if you roll your own.

 

build one to fill a DMR role, accurate, designed around 75-80 grain bullets, scope, longer barrel, PRS stock, free float tube

 

I already have a few guns in 7.62x39. I feel like 300 blackout is too similar to it to be worth building a whole rifle for it.

Or would it be best just sit on it for a while? It's not like it's taking up much room in the safe or is expensive to feed.

 

A DMR in 6.5 Grendel is pretty appealing. And the cheap Wolf ammo is a plus.

 

that cheap wolf ammo doesnt impress me much, its a far cry from what 6.5 grendel is capable of, and really only a small step above what you can get out of 75 grain HPBT .223 for less cost.. also, you wont be reloading that cheap wolf stuff either, and the brass to make better ammo is costly

 

I was looking at 6.5 Grendel myself, but it uses a proprietary mag as well as barrel and bolt. Other than that it is awesome IMO, but the blackout uses the same mags. 300 blk and 7.62x39 are very similar, in an ar reliability is the only gain with 300, unless you get good 7.62x39 mags and a quality bolt.

 

theres also .277 wolverine that uses all the same bolts and mags and will give you better range than the 300 blackout will with the same penetration.. it gives you about 95% the energy of the 6.8SPC with the same barrel length

 

I get the impression you're looking for something just for fun.

If the .277 Wolverine had been around when I was deciding between the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8 SPC I would have chosen it. It uses standard AR-15 components, except the barrel. I'd go with a heavy 16 inch barrel and mid length gas system.

Here's a link for more information.

http://www.maddogweapons.com/277-wolverine.html

 

Yes it will mostly just be for fun. It may see long-er range hunting/target use. Most of my rifles now are medium range and/or open sight, with the exception of my 45-70.

Proprietary mags are almost a deal breaker for the 6.5 Grendel. However, I feel like a few 10 or 20 round mags would be plenty for this rifle's purpose.

The special bolt I don't see as being too big of deal. After some quick Googling I found plenty of options.

I'm thinking maybe a 24 inch barrel, rifle length gas system. Maybe a Magpul fixed stock.

Readily available and affordable ammo is also a must. PPU, Hornady, and Wolf all make ammo for it.

 

I want a 45acp upper pretty bad right now. But I also have a 300blk and it is a lot of fun! Different from 7.62 in that the magazines cross between your AR so you don't have to buy new mags.
I want the 45acp because reloading for them is much much easier than rifle loading, and for closer range blasting it would be a real kick I think.

 

Any desire to SBR it? E-forms are turning around in less than a month nowadays. A 7" or shorter 9mm with a little RDS would be fun. Or a 10.5" 7.62X39 would make for a nasty little powerhouse.

 

Once you have two, they'll mate and you'll end up with many more ARs.

 

I keep mine separated, but they still manage to multiply, just at a slower rate.

For fun, how about an AR pistol? 10.5" is a lot of fun.

Do you have a heavy thumper? .458 SOCOM, .450 Bushmaster, .50 Beowulf all run on a standard AR-15 lower. The .450 Bushmaster is my latter half of 2016 project.

I've got a 10.5" pistol AR, and a 18" mid gas carbine (16" barrel with a 2" shark tooth muzzle brake).

Currently building a mutant XM-177 monstrosity for a light weight rifle. 10.5" light profile barrel, 5.5" muzzle brake (P&W) freefloated to a sporter upper (no FA or DC) and mated to a light weight polymer lower.

I'm eventually going to build a 9mm carbine or pistol. So a pistol caliber is another idea.

And a .300 blackout.

And SBR my pistol lower.

And get a (few) suppressor(s).

I'm going to to help a buddy get into AR's by building him a 5.56 and a 7.62x39 upper.

So, yeah, options abound. It's whatever tickles yer pickle.

 

We need a "like" button. Post #14 by Black Butte is right on the money. I had only one AR for a long time. Then I got another upper for it. The trouble started when I got a second lower for the "new" upper. It's gone downhill since. The only centerfire rifle i own now that isn't an AR is my .308 deer gun.

Between different barrel lengths and twist rates, the .223 is versatile. Add in other calibers, and it's pretty mind boggling the variety of tasks you can take on with "just an AR".

 

Well, I already have a PLR 16, so that kinda fills the role of the AR pistol. I already have a nice AK and SKS. So a x39 upper seems redundant. And if I really wanted one I would want a lower that accepts AK mags.

A pistol caliber carbine would be fun. I have been wanting to convert one of my Mausers to 45ACP.

So I guess right now its between a long range setup(likely chambered in 6.5 Grendel) or a small pistol caliber carbine. I would probably want to stick with 9mm or 45acp.

As for practicality though, the 6.5 Grendel is really tempting me. The only downside I see right now is higher costs for a barrel and bolt compared to more standard offerings.

 

My 9mm AR gets more range time than all the .223's combined. Partly because it is fun, mostly because is it is so fast, easy, and cheap to reload 9mm.

 

A month my eye. Ive done 4 in the last year and they have all taken 3+ months. Last one ( finished last month ) was well over 4 months. All trust, All e-filed. I filed one in early December I don't expect to be done until at least March.

 

A 9mm carbine...

A long distance 5.56....

Or a ultra light weight build....

 

Oh, that's unfortunate. A lot of customers have been telling us one month, so I figured that was the norm.

 

The only month Ive seen is a month from approval on snail mail form 4's until you actually get it in your hand.

Heres what reality looks like.

http://www.nfatracker.com/

 

When it comes to sub .308 cal AR's, there are really only 2 philosophies that make sense to me. Either lightweight or heavyweight.

A 6lb AR is a delight to use. A 11lb varmint/target rifle also makes good sense for its intended use. As for middle ground 7.5-9lb AR's, I just dont get it. For 8.5lbs I can carry my DPMS GII .308 with Leupold VX3 installed....

My bottom line, if it isnt a dedicated target rifle and it isnt a lightweight, its going to be a .308. If your going to carry the weight, might as well pack more punch.