It BEGINS!!!!.....again....another Ar-15 build

Status
Not open for further replies.

LoonWulf

Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2010
Messages
17,979
Location
Hawaii
A friend of mine came by the other day to steal the last of my .458 supplies after he heard I'd traded my AR away. He commented that I'd be building another one before too long, and I replied that it wasn't likely, I'd given all my AR parts away either with the gun, or to another friend of mine whos doing a build.
He then proceeded to rummage thru my spare parts bins, came away with a set of Talley rings, and some other random stuff lol.

Well bout a week later he dropped by to give me some meat. He also brought along a set of ATI poly hybrid uppers and lowers. I gave them back after looking them over and he stopped me. He goes " Naw this set is for you, I want you to build it out"
When I asked why, he said "cause you'll find a problem before I will, and I don't want it breaking on ME"
Which started a totally different argument.
Admittedly I'd seen these a few days earlier and had considered buying a set, but like I've said before I'm not a huge fan of actually shooting Ars. The one exception are short, light, carbine builds......I haven't found another platform that does THAT combo quite as well. Too bad about that pistol grip tho :D

So I ended up with another AR receiver set and, supposedly, no AR parts.
After some digging I found some random parts, carbine buffer, grip, recoil spring, freefloat tube and barrel nut.... and a rifle buffer, I've never built a rifle stocked AR....
I found takedown pins in the parts bin at one of my local Hangouts.
But lacking the rest of everything, I asked @GunnyUSMC if he had any spares, cause well....have you SEEN his shop cleaning thread? And he was already sending me a mag for my SKS.
He was nice enough to assemble an LPK for me, which is a huge help, and much appreciated!

Another friend of mine provided a eBay "no name" pencil barrel he bought on a lark, turns out it's a PSA "Freedom" barrel, which is pretty cool.
That and the fact that the upper and lower are relatively light, dictated a light weightish build. I'm also trying to do it as cheaply as possible, in a reasonable time frame, as that fits the premiss of the cheaper hybrid upper/lower combo.
It was honestly luck that had it go this way, not that I'm complaining any lol

That brings up something a friend of mine likes to say...cars, guns, significant others, seems to apply well most times.
Fast, Good, Cheap, you can only have 2....
This build is Fast and Cheap, id never try fighting with this, or even use it for anything more serious than light hunting.

To that end here is the current components list, currently on hand or on order.

ATI Omni Hybrid upper and lower set, 65

PSA 16" pencil barrel, 75

LPK from Gunny, 35 THANKS GUNNY!!!!

Ebay handguard I found in my car parts bin...go figgure...35 is what i paid for it i think.

Ebay Adjustable Gas block .625, that .625dia is a pain to find parts for. I ended up going with this block because, 1 i liked the way it looked, and 2 I bought a light weight BCG and reduced power buffer spring. 42

Light weight BCG from https://www.righttobear.com/ Admittedly I got there cause i forgot the creek in "bear creek ar-15 " 100

Reduced power buffer spring, 15

I found a random old HEAVY stainless carbine buffer in one of the parts bins, this one i bought a while back off ebay for my .458 build, and lost it. Never needed it anyway. 15 bucks if i remember correctly.
I weighed this thing and it was 7.5oz, not being pinned i popped the end cap off and a shower of lead shot went everywhere.
I weighed it again and was just under 6.5oz. Looking inside there appeared to be some sort of insert inside, so i drilled a hole in it and tried to pull it out, which failed. I ended up drilling the whole thing out. It appears to either be lead or solder.
With all of it out the buffer weights about 3.5, with the shot i could find put back in its 4.4ish. Ill probably play with it a bit, if it dosent seem like it will work ill buy a standard buffer later.

Trinity Force 6 position buffer tube, and Alpha carbine stock. 25 for both, These are basic parts, Ive used them on a couple builds, and for the cost they are pretty decent. The one thing Ive noticed is that the pins holding the adjustment lock pin on the stock are soft and WILL deform given a chance. I now just replace them as soon as i get the stock.

Im not using a forward assist since the bcg lacks serrations, and i wasnt willing to buy an 8 dollar plug. SO, I tried poking random things in the hole (so much fun) and found that the butt end of a x284 case (wish i had a .450 bushmaster) fits perfectly. I sanded and painted one of my older 6.5-284 cases and stuck it in there. If it pops out Ill probably apply some glue to keep it in better (or i could make an extension and pin it), but it holds pretty well. I have to put a shell holder on it and pull it out with a vice grip...the paint will add some grab as well.

I also decided that a port door would be pretty pointless on something like this so im not spending any money on one of those either. Id gone as far as considering grinding off and the mounts and polishing them, but they arnt obtrusive, and id hate to go to all the work for the little cosmetic improvement (or not) it would provide.


I still need to get a mid length gas tube, and a charging handle, im pretty sure i can get them locally and since i forgot to order them when i ordered the BCG, thats what ill try first.

Im feeling brave, and Im thinking ill give it either a matte black, to gloss red fade, or a red, black, (insert third, and or 4th color here) cammoish pattern like i used on my B&C stock.

Ill upload pictures of the parts and the build as it goes along. Im hoping to be done in a couple weeks at the latest.

The recievers, I'll post more in-depth pics during the build.
IMG_20180504_075630660-2672x2004.jpg

IMG_20180504_080204664-2672x2004.jpg

IMG_20180504_080213176-2672x2004.jpg


Barrel
IMG_20180504_143109053-2672x2004.jpg

Other stuff
IMG_20180504_185639313-2672x2004.jpg

IMG_20180504_191805885-2672x2004.jpg

IMG_20180504_191759985-2672x2004.jpg
 
Last edited:
The "bullet button" is a nice touch!
Yeah, I was rather proud of that one :D

So let me get this straight.. You sold off/gave away your previous rifle(s). Did the same with your spare parts. Swore off the platform pretty much as a whole and you're still building another one?!?!
Sheesh, no wonder I have so many... :rofl:

This thread is why I have never bought an AR. I know I would keep building them. They are connector sets for adults.

It's a sickness I tell you, a SICKNESS!!!!!
But seriously, this is the last one....I swear! *Bag of cheeseburgers, shakes uncontrollably*
 
You should have told me that you needed a dust cover and gas tube, I would hav shipped them with the other parts.
If that volcano hasn’t given the post office any trouble, you should have the package tomorrow.

Thanks Gunny, I'd already decided I wasn't going to use a dust cover when we were talking, and I'd ment to buy the gas tube with the bcg. I'd picked out a nice melonited one, just somehow forgot to actually click "buy", only noticed yesterday when I looked at the confermation email that it wasn't on there.
Besides you did me a huge favor putting the LPK together for me.
I'll check out the post office tomorrow, hopefully the parts will be there and I can assemble the lower at least.
 
The one AR I have I put together with a PSA kit, not fancy, but it works well. Just wish I'd gotten a thinner, lighter barrel. And lighter everything else. I got it before the floor dropped out of AR prices, but still was only $430 complete. But light it is not.

LoonWulf, are you close enough to be affected by the eruptions? Hope all goes well there.
 
I can’t form an opinion on these eruptions. It’s bad that it’s tearing stuff up, but it’s kinda nifty when it naturally repaves the roads... LW if you need anything else just shout.
 
I’m looking forward to seeing more of it AND maybe pictures from a hunt? I’d settle for some pictures of the meal actually, but seriously, take lots of pictures for us! Hope the ground stops shaking soon so your neighbors get back to normal life.

Just ordered a lower and a few parts last night for a first build with the idea of getting all my kids both involved more in shooting and encouraging responsibly. Each of the six will earn their parts doing chores and participate in their build.
 
Last edited:
The one AR I have I put together with a PSA kit, not fancy, but it works well. Just wish I'd gotten a thinner, lighter barrel. And lighter everything else. I got it before the floor dropped out of AR prices, but still was only $430 complete. But light it is not.

LoonWulf, are you close enough to be affected by the eruptions? Hope all goes well there.

Yeah, I went round and round with my AR for a couple years, probably built 7 uppers for it, and the only ones I really felt fit me and what I do we're the light weight 556, and the light 6.5
Tho I LOVED the .458 and it was most fun to shoot.
Neat thing is you don't like something, it's not too expensive to change it out....course then you end up like so many of use with piles of parts....or more ARs.

Besides the sucky air quality we're doing fine, we're a ways off from the volcano...tho I guess according to Fox it's effecting Oahu residents:eek::D

I can’t form an opinion on these eruptions. It’s bad that it’s tearing stuff up, but it’s kinda nifty when it naturally repaves the roads... LW if you need anything else just shout.

Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it. I've got everything lined up besides the gas tube and charging handle. I'll go drive around today and see if I can find them.

I feel bad for the folks who have lost their homes, and had their property wrecked by the lava. But it IS an interesting force to watch, it's slow and inevitable, this is assuming it's not pyroclastic and all hell brakes loose. When it's slow moving people will sneak up and poke stuff in it, just to have souvenirs, at the same time it will eat anything that's in it's way......
I've stayed away from this outbreak, we did sneak in to the last one a few years ago to watch it for a while.

I’m looking forward to seeing more of it AND maybe pictures from a hunt? I’d settle for some pictures of the meal actually, but seriously, take lots of pictures for us! Hope the ground stops shaking soon so your neighbors get back to normal life.

Just ordered a lower and a few parts last night for a first build with the idea of getting all my kids both involved more in shooting and encouraging responsibly. Each of the six will earn their parts doing chores and participate in their build.

Im not 100% sure what I'm going to use for optics on this one. Probably put my trs-25 on it, so I should be ready to take it out soon as I get it built and function tested. If possible I'll try get some hunting done with it.
We've got another cow hunt coming up in June, but I want something a little larger for those, hopefully I'll have my .375 ruger finished by then, I'm just waiting on the barrel.
If I do the Lani mouflon season, It could go with me then I think.

I like the idea of having kids do thier own builds. I think youve got a good plan there! ARs are like Legos, you can't just watch someone else play with them lol.
 
Parts came in from Gunny, as did the gas block, and I picked up the gas tube and charging handle. Those were 17 and 25 respectively.

The kit gunny sent has WAAAAYYYY more stuff than a regular parts kit.

Only thing he didn't have was a plunger for the bolt catch, so I made one from brass stock.

IMG_20180507_113957429_LL-2004x2672.jpg IMG_20180507_112413415-2672x2004.jpg IMG_20180507_120242739-2004x2672.jpg

For some reason I forgot to take a picture of of the actual finished piece.
 
AR's are insidious; I swore them off after the Army and went with an AK, and one still found it's way back into my safe last fall, (trade with my son), then I picked up a lower at a show, and built that, (Pistol that I posted in the AR Pistol Noob thread recently) , and another lower found it's way home with me from Fleet Farm recently from being on sale-that one will be an M16A2 clone.
 
Yeah, I went round and round with my AR for a couple years, probably built 7 uppers for it, and the only ones I really felt fit me and what I do we're the light weight 556, and the light 6.5
Tho I LOVED the .458 and it was most fun to shoot.
Neat thing is you don't like something, it's not too expensive to change it out....course then you end up like so many of use with piles of parts....or more ARs.

Besides the sucky air quality we're doing fine, we're a ways off from the volcano...tho I guess according to Fox it's effecting Oahu residents:eek::D



Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it. I've got everything lined up besides the gas tube and charging handle. I'll go drive around today and see if I can find them.

I feel bad for the folks who have lost their homes, and had their property wrecked by the lava. But it IS an interesting force to watch, it's slow and inevitable, this is assuming it's not pyroclastic and all hell brakes loose. When it's slow moving people will sneak up and poke stuff in it, just to have souvenirs, at the same time it will eat anything that's in it's way......
I've stayed away from this outbreak, we did sneak in to the last one a few years ago to watch it for a while.



Im not 100% sure what I'm going to use for optics on this one. Probably put my trs-25 on it, so I should be ready to take it out soon as I get it built and function tested. If possible I'll try get some hunting done with it.
We've got another cow hunt coming up in June, but I want something a little larger for those, hopefully I'll have my .375 ruger finished by then, I'm just waiting on the barrel.
If I do the Lani mouflon season, It could go with me then I think.

I like the idea of having kids do thier own builds. I think youve got a good plan there! ARs are like Legos, you can't just watch someone else play with them lol.
.375 is too nasty for them cows, let me loan you my .41 bh......or take the hipoint..... even this nasty black rifle isn't fair for them beasties! Seriously though, I'm ashamed of you, if I can quit smoking after 12+ yrs, you can kick this habit!
 
Are you kidding, I had to quit smoking to AFFORD this habit!

You have no idea how much I envy you that .41, I WILL have one some day.
There actually are guys that have used thier ars for cows, they work fine for the most part......
 
Are you kidding, I had to quit smoking to AFFORD this habit!

You have no idea how much I envy you that .41, I WILL have one some day.
There actually are guys that have used thier ars for cows, they work fine for the most part......
Well, we've already covered terminal shots on cows, <200 yds I'll take the lobotomy. So what loads are you testing through the gal? Accuracy? Speed? Or just functional?
 
Functionality first, if accuracy isn't there I'll move on to correct that.

Sometimes they don't hang out long enough for surgery lol
 
This will be fun to watch. I'm trying really hard to stop though I know I have at least one more left to build. Then I'll stop. Thinking about collecting and building garden hose nozzles.:D
 
Last edited:
The ARs just dont really flip my switch anymore

It's a sickness I tell you, a SICKNESS!!!!!
But seriously, this is the last one....I swear! *Bag of cheeseburgers, shakes uncontrollably*

I thought you were done with ARs...LOL.... I think I might actually have more fun building them then I do shooting them... that really is a sickness...lol
 
Last edited:
I thought you were done with ARs...LOL.... I think I might actually have more fun building them then I do shooting them... that really is a sickness...lol
So did I......
And for me I definitely have more fun planning out, shopping for, and building them.
Alot of the time the idea of the rifle changes, or evolves as I find parts I want to try. Like the light weight bolt carrier.
Otherwise this build would have been about 100 bucks cheaper.
 
I thought you were done with ARs...LOL.... I think I might actually have more fun building them then I do shooting them... that really is a sickness...lol
It is definitely more fun to build them, or work on them. A friend called the other day and said he picked up a S&W 15 Sport II for $400 but the take down pin was missing. I told him to come by the house. When he got here I checked out the gun. It was in very good shape. The castle nut was loose. The rear take down pin and spring were missing. Took a total of 10 min to dig out the parts and fix the gun. My friend had never had an AR so, we went over the whole rifle. How to breakdown and clean. Then went over upgrades that he may like to make later on. When we finished up he tried to pay me, but I wouldn’t have it. Told him I enjoyed the company.
 
ARs, bringing people together!

Good on you for getting your buddy up and running. My buddy's come by to raid my parts bins, or freezer, or both. Sometimes they bring stuff over but that's a little less common. I walked some of them through thier first builds, but for the most part it was just hanging out and watching to make sure stuff didn't go in backwards...thrice...
Honestly I don't think there's another platform you can spend so much time playing with, or talking ( arguing) about parts for. It's almost like being in a car club again, we never actually raced, we would just sit in a parking lot and yack at each other lol.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top