CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I've been kinda obsessed as of late. I started out this year with two AR's and thought that was plenty. What started out as just overhauling my M&P to put it on a diet has resulted in five more guns, four new steel targets and a steady stream of empty casings to mulch the yard with. @Varminterror started a thread a while back about doing a budget AR and that is what inspired my "budget" build. I didn't meet the target price point but I really never should've expected to. The first one here is what I came up with when I got the email from CDNN that they had Bushmaster 14.5" (pinned/welded) uppers on sale for $200 and BCG's for $100. Local shop had ATI lowers for $60 so I got a pair of them. The budget version of this build included a Tapco stock and buffer set for $38, a $60 parts kit with milspec trigger and A2 grip. Top it off with a SIG Romeo5 for $115 and I was at $599. Which I don't think is bad for a fully function AR with a decent optic. Still not what I'd call "cheap" because I can't leave well enough alone.
Since then, I decided to put this rifle into service and through all the other farting around with other new and/or existing guns, it got some other upgrades. The BM BCG's extractor didn't work and the gas key was not staked. I got an email about Geissele BCG's on sale and ordered one for the M&P, putting its BCG into the "budget" rifle. It also got a BCM stock and grip. I was dissatisfied with my options mounting stuff to the original MOE handguard so upgraded to the newer, longer version. The Romeo5 went on the Springfield Saint. Primary Arms had the Romeo6 on sale and one found its way onto the budget rifle. It also got a Magpul foregrip, VTAC sling, and Streamlight ProTac. I've resisted the urge to put a free float tube and flip sights on it thus far but that could change any minute. So at this point my "budget" AR is anything but.
This one is my .300Blk Aero pistol lower, with the new upper I put together with the SOLGW 10.5" barrel that @Skylerbone posted. It has a Midwest Industries 9" handguard, Velocity 3lb trigger, SB Tactical brace (was a Shockwave), Magpul grip, sling, AFG, sights and light mount. Another Streamlight dual fuel ProTac. Another SIG Romeo6. So far I REALLY like this setup. May end up swapping the smaller ProTac onto this one.
Since then, I decided to put this rifle into service and through all the other farting around with other new and/or existing guns, it got some other upgrades. The BM BCG's extractor didn't work and the gas key was not staked. I got an email about Geissele BCG's on sale and ordered one for the M&P, putting its BCG into the "budget" rifle. It also got a BCM stock and grip. I was dissatisfied with my options mounting stuff to the original MOE handguard so upgraded to the newer, longer version. The Romeo5 went on the Springfield Saint. Primary Arms had the Romeo6 on sale and one found its way onto the budget rifle. It also got a Magpul foregrip, VTAC sling, and Streamlight ProTac. I've resisted the urge to put a free float tube and flip sights on it thus far but that could change any minute. So at this point my "budget" AR is anything but.
This one is my .300Blk Aero pistol lower, with the new upper I put together with the SOLGW 10.5" barrel that @Skylerbone posted. It has a Midwest Industries 9" handguard, Velocity 3lb trigger, SB Tactical brace (was a Shockwave), Magpul grip, sling, AFG, sights and light mount. Another Streamlight dual fuel ProTac. Another SIG Romeo6. So far I REALLY like this setup. May end up swapping the smaller ProTac onto this one.
