I think it's finally time for me to get an AR

[davek]

As far as breadth goes, my rifle collection is being close to covering most of the basics.

I've got my Marlin 39M for the cheap fun .22 nich.

Winchester '94 for short range hunting/social SHTF occasions.

Yugo SKS'll do it for the commieguns.

And most recently the PTR-91 wraps up the battle rifle category (At least as soon as I get it back from JDL. The sights are a little off and they're gonna look into it)

So now as I see it, I'm lacking a semi-auto carbine, a scary black rifle, and a long distance type rifle.

I figure I can kill two birds with one stone with a 16" AR.

I realize that there are plenty of AR threads here, and I've been perusing them dilligently. I've seen the arguments about building vs. buying a name brand; how ballistics relates to barrel length; Accessories and etc.

This being the case, I have a few questions of my own.

What type of tools would I need if I were to try to build one on my own?

What's with the different barrel types? From perusing the RRA site, I see two distinct types of the 16" barrel that confuse me. One's just a regular looking barrel, and the other is an "R-4" type barrel. From looking around at other models and builds of short AR's, the R-4 type seems to be the most predominant. What makes the R-4 barrel better than a more conventional looking barrel?

Probably my most important question. The main reason I'm thinking towards an AR vs. an AK is the flexibility regarding calibers. From what I understand, you can use the same lower, and buy a different upper and you have a different rifle. Is this true? Will the .223/5.56 lower work with a 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendel, or .50 Beowolf?

That's all I can think of for now.

Thanks.

 

[ny32182]

What type of tools would I need if I were to try to build one on my own?

The tools you will need to build a lower consist of a pin punch set (can buy this individually from Home Depot, or a complete set from Brownell's), a hammer/mallet (one that won't hurt the finish would be best), some electrical tape... and when/if you order a lower parts kit, order an *extra* front pivot pin along with the kit. This extra pin will be used as a tool during assembly. You will also need a screwdriver or allen wrench to attach the pistol grip, depending on what kind of screw the kit comes with. You will need a castle nut wrench to secure the buffer tube (Brownells, etc) Thats about all you need for the lower. The upper is more complicated, and it would probably be wise to buy a complete upper.

What's with the different barrel types? From perusing the RRA site, I see two distinct types of the 16" barrel that confuse me. One's just a regular looking barrel, and the other is an "R-4" type barrel. From looking around at other models and builds of short AR's, the R-4 type seems to be the most predominant. What makes the R-4 barrel better than a more conventional looking barrel?

That "R4" barrel designation simply looks like RRA's name for an M4 profile barrel. The M4 barrel is lighter under the handguards, but heats up faster than a full heavy barrel. M4 barrels also have the grenade launcher cutout (that you can see in the picture), but this is useless to a civilian unless you plan to attach a flare launcher or something, which few people do. Primary tradeoff is weight vs. heat.

Probably my most important question. The main reason I'm thinking towards an AR vs. an AK is the flexibility regarding calibers. From what I understand, you can use the same lower, and buy a different upper and you have a different rifle. Is this true? Will the .223/5.56 lower work with a 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendel, or .50 Beowolf?

If the cartridge OAL is less than or equal to 5.56mm, there probably exists an upper and mags to fire that cartridge in semiauto through the AR-15 lower. Even for bigger cartridges, uppers exist; they just don't feed through the mag well. Everything from 22lr to 50bmg can be fired from an AR-15 lower.

 

[jefnvk]

Are you thinking about completely building it from the ground up, or buying the upper already assembled?

I built mine, but the upper was already assembled and headspaced and test fired. From my research, if I wanted to build the upper, it was going to cost me about $80-100 in specialty tools. I remember right off hand an action vise and an armorer's wrench were necessary, and I think there was some others. Handguard tool, maybe?

I did not need those having the upper pre-assembled. To build the lower, everything you needed you probably already have. Screwdrivers, hammer, etc. The only specialty tools I would reccomend are the roll pin punches. I did without, but if I build another, I am buying them. They cost lie $10 after shipping, so it isn't a big burden.

As for barrels, the R4 profile (huh, Colt must have won that lawsuit) has the cut like the actuial M4's have for attaching the M203 grenade launcher. For your purposes, it probably doesn't matter which you get.

 

[davek]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I don't plan on building the upper from scratch. I want a complete upper. I haven't even decided if I want a complete lower or not.

Just brainstorming.

 

[DMK]

So now as I see it, I'm lacking a semi-auto carbine, a scary black rifle, and a long distance type rifle.

If you want a long distance shooter, why are you looking at a 16"? A 20" is better at keeping the velocity up for a longer effective range. I'd get something with a 1/8 or 1/7 twist so you can shoot 75gr or 77gr ammo.

See here for more info:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=189353

 

[davek]

Nah...this won't be a long distance shooter. This is supposed to cover both the carbine and scary black rifle. The distance shooter will come later. It'll almost certainly be a bolt rifle.

Right now I'm leaning toward a pre-war Winchester model 70 to go under this nifty Lyman Super Targetspot that's laying all alone in my closet.



But that's for after I get an AR.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I just recently picked up a like new "scary black rifle", a 16" COLT Match
Target Competition with collaspable stock, model MT 6731. I just added
a Bushnell "HOLO-SIGHT" too this weapon, and its awesome~

 

[jefnvk]

Putting together the lower is no issue at all. If you can take apart the SKS and put it back together, you can probably put together an AR.

Here is my thread on doing it: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=136958

Here is the instructions: http://ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/

 

[davek]

Thanks jefnvk. That doesn't sound too hard.

So here's what I'm thinking right now. I'll start with a stripped STAG lower reciever (I've heard they're really good quality).

Add to that an RRA Lower Receiver Parts Kit with Standard Trigger Group. For the upper, I kinda like the mid length RRA CAR upper with a chrome lined barrel.

Finally, for the stock, I just love these skeleton type stocks.

Does this look good?

 

[DMK]

I kinda like the mid length RRA CAR upper with a chrome lined barrel.

Um, you can't have a Midlength CAR. They are two different things. The CAR is the short gas system like a military M4 but with an extra few inches tacked on in front of the sight to make it 16". The midlength was designed to be 16" and has a longer gas system and sight radius without all that extra barrel length sticking out there at the muzzle end of the barrel.

I have an RRA chrome lined midlength barrel and love it.

Other than that, sounds like a good plan! You can get a good deal on RRA stuff at ADCO