AR questions

[Newguy1]

I am looking to get a AR-15 but I want some specific attributes. I want a heavy 16-18 inch or so barrel (flash suppressor not necessary), skeleton stock, flat top, with fold down front and rear sights… will I have to buy it in pieces or is there a one the shelf model like this one?

I have used, quite often, a LE Colt CAR and a military M-16 so I am pretty familiar with the platform.

I am looking at RRA, but I am not sold on that brand.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

Are you handy? Is possibly assembling the entire rifle an option for you? Do you have the tools? What is your budget for total rifle and/or parts?


PS, I'm in Clearwater..

 

[AK103K]

Something like this?

http://www.armalite.com/sales/catalog/rifles/m15a4_carbine.htm

Mine looks like this,

I dont like the sliding stocks, so I put an M16A1 stock on it.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

I'm very, very impressed with my RRA by the way. Not that you have to take my word or anything, but I campare it in quality to a Bushmaster M4A3 I sold last year. Very very nice rifle. The Wilson bbl is top notch! Of course, nothing compares to the Colt M-16A2's we trained on in basic. They were very rough, very worn, and still I was able to qualify marksman no problem. Of course that was the USAF and not the USMC.................

 

[Newguy1]

I really like that Armalite. How close to the MSRP was it? What kind of accuraccy are you getting?

 

[AK103K]

I paid just under $800 for the one in the above pic. It came without sights. It shoots like a decent AR. I dont normally shoot at a bullseye type target, but I get groups in the 3-4" range using the Aimpoint and GI surplus ammo from field positions on an IPSC silhouette.

I also have one of the M15A4(T)'s with a 16" SS free floated match barrel and a real nice match trigger. It will put my reloads all into a tiny little hole if I dont look at the group before I'm done. It shoots about 2" with the GI ammo. I got it used, with the removable iron sights for $1000.

 

[Lebben-B]

The only bit that you may have problems with is the skeleton stock. Most ARs will come with either a collapsible stock or a fixed A1/A2 type stock. There's a couple of after market skeleton-style stocks, like the Ace stock that are available. It's not a hard or long procedure to replace a stock/buffer tube, tho.

 

[wdlsguy]

If you don't mind assembling the lower half yourself, you might consider buying a rifle kit from Del-ton. Del-Ton allows you to customize practically everything. The upper half comes fully assembled. You would need to buy a stripped lower separately.

 

[rra_casper]

RRA recommendation

I have to jump in here, if only to recommend a dealer with whom I have had very good experiences.

I bought my AR from RB Precision (rbprecision.com), and it was a breeze. They have a good relationship with RRA, and can get you pretty much anything you want, in any configuration, for a reasonable price, and quickly. I bought an assembled RRA lower from them; they put an ACE skeleton stock (which I love) on it for only $40 extra. I also bought an Elite A4 package upper from them, and it runs like a watch.

Judging by the selection of other products they carry (DD, ARMS, YHM, etc.), they would be able to hook you up with a flat-top and flip-up sights as a package with no trouble, and have it on your doorstep in less than two weeks for less than $550.

Also, I've had good luck with the mid-length gas system and handguards on a 16" CAR barrel, for what that's worth. Huzzah for a better sight radius.

 

[..]

Why a heavy bbl? Easiest thing to do is buy a complete lower and upper to avoid the tax on a complete firearm. If you build from scratch you'll spend more on tools than you'll save.

 

[Newguy1]

wdlsguy I don't kow enough about the proper nomeclature to order, but it seems like a great way to get what I want. Did the "lower kit" come with all of the guts? I am looking for something like the one on the upper right (except that I don't want the verticle front grip).

What lower did you go with?

 

[jem375]

I bought a complete 20" A2 upper from DPMS for $300 and later bought the complete lower with a AP4 6 position stock and JP trigger installed for $330, so the complete rifle cost me $630. So for me, the best way to assemble a rifle was to look for deals on complete uppers and lowers.

 

[wdlsguy]

Did the "lower kit" come with all of the guts?

The rifle kits come with everything you need except a magazine.

I am looking for something like the one on the upper right (except that I don't want the verticle front grip).

Which kit are you referring to, the 16" M4 Rifle Kit, the 16" Rifle Kit, or the 20" Rifle Kit?

What lower did you go with?

I went with a Stag.

 

[Newguy1]

I was talking about the one next to the the banner on the upper left (not the upper right ), right next to the company name. I am really looking for a "clean" upper that has flip up front and rear sights.

 

[Newguy1]

Dont Tread on Me,

I am semi-Handy, but I don't have any of the tools required to put one together. I am looking to spend no more than $900 or so, but I would rather spend a little more if required and get a good reliable/accurate carbine.

Have you had good luck in putting together you own?

Thanks

 

[wdlsguy]

I was talking about the one next to the the banner on the upper left (not the upper right ), right next to the company name.

Gotcha.

I am really looking for a "clean" upper that has flip up front and rear sights.

Here is my 11.5" Del-Ton carbine with YHM flip-up front and rear sights. It also has a couple of YHM scope risers.

 

[lamazza]

This is where I got my Bushmaster-(last on page)
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Bushmaster_Rifles.html

 

[GunnySkox]

I slapped my AR together for about 850 bucks, including the tools I had to buy (a punch/hammer set and three roll pin punches).

I paid 120 for a DPMS lower, and then ~550 for a Del-Ton 20" rifle kit (the 50 extra was getting a chrome lined barrel. Would've been 580, but they didn't have the chrome BCG in stock), then 80 to get a Cav Arms rear sight and an XS same-plane aperture.

The lower was fantastically easy to put together, and once I got past the jitters of doing so (I thought for SURE that I, being an idiot, was going to snap a roll pin, lose a detent, or crunch something expensive up), it was downright fun.

AR15.com has some really good tutorials on how to put together a lower.

~GnSx

 

[Newguy1]

That is exacltly what I am looking for.... would you mind posting the parts list for that last rifle. The only thing I would do differently is the buttstock, I would like to go with the ACE skeleton Buttstock assembly. Thanks for the help in working out this project.

 

[wdlsguy]

Here is what I ordered:

Wilson Arms 16" Heavy 1x9
Standard Bolt & Carrier
4 Position Buttstock-Green
Standard Charging Handle
No Detachable Carrying Handle
A2 Flash Hider
YHM Flip Up Front Sight gas Block
CAR Gas Tube
A2 Grip-Green
CAR Handguard with Heat Shields-Green
Standard Lower Parts Kit
Flat Top Upper With T Marks

I also ordered a Flip Up Rear Sight by YHM.