my first ar build

[newgunmike]

well, my first ar to be exact.(i know there are already 500 threads just like this)
ok so i have decided to build a ar-15, and i need some help with which parts to buy.
($2000 limit)
i want to build a reliable and accurate ar for target and fun shooting, and also want it to look good. the main things i know i want are, 16" chrome barrel(1:7?),chrome bolt carrier, railed hand guards, magpul pistol grip and collapsible stock, and a compensator(dntc).
now the problem is what brands should i go with, and where do i buy them from.
thanks.

also i would want flip iron sights and a decent trigger, nothing fancy.
i would like to keep this build as inexpensive as possible but good quality.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Noveske, LMT, BCM
They can be found at Bravo Company USA (except Noveske). I just popped on a 16" midlength BCM upper onto a LMT lower. Good quality for the $$

 

[Mot45acp]

Cant go wrong with Magpul. Mil Spec CTR stock kit, MOE grip is fine (same as MIAD without the options) MOE handguard isnt full railed but you can add them where needed. I like the VTAC.

Lower: get whatever picture you like.

Most non stainless barrels are chrome moly. Go ahead and get chrome lined, and M4 feed ramps. As mentioned above Bravo Company is prolly best bang for the buck they include all of these standard.

Trigger: stock is fine for a working carbine. If you want better go RRA 2 stage. Even better is Gieselle(sp?) SSA.

Sights, in my opinion is the most personal choice for the shooter. I wouldnt go flips unless you are running optics. If its your first you may have to try a few different ones before you find the ones that work for you.

With building your own you can spread the cost over several pay checks and yo get what you want. You dont have to settle for something off the shelf.

 

[newgunmike]

ok so looking at bolt carriers right now and wanted to know if this one is worth the extra $20 over a chrome, http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=326&cat=1683 .

also ive decided against the chrome barrel but i think i found one that i like, is this one good. http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-YHM-p/bcm-urg-mid-16 yhm12.htm

also, i do plan to run optics(despise iron sights).

 

[mljdeckard]

Build or buy? You can get a lot of AR for 2k these days.

Go to brownells.com and order their free AR catalog.

 

[taliv]

$2000 is quite a limit. you can buy a heckuva AR for that

fyi, magpul also makes flip iron sites you might like. pretty cost effective

other places (besides bravoco) i shop for stuff:
global-tactical (denny's guns)
e-guns
laruetactical
brownells
and of course, the arfcom EE

 

[taliv]

the complete upper in that link is a good value. will make a good plinker. they sell better barrels and better quad-rails, but i doubt you'll have reliability problems with that setup.

 

[newgunmike]

i know $2000 is a lot but i wanted that as a absolute max, i would prefer to keep it around $1500. i dont want to waste money either, which is why if im gonna build it i want to use parts that will last me a good while.

 

[Mot45acp]

The DPMS plated carriers are prone to problems. I had the chrome one and it was the only BCG I had that would not run out of the box.

Are you confusing chrome lined carrier (on the inside) with a chrome plated carrier?

For reliability (and to keep you from putting that gawd awful bolt in) I would go with the BCM add on in the link with the upper. If you want bling and about 200ish rounds to get it to run right then go with the DPMS.

 

[newgunmike]

ok, so i've decided on the upper w/add on bcg from bravo as well as the magpull miad grip and moe stock(milspec). now should i get the milspec stock or the commercial stock. if the milspec is better is this all i need to make the buffer tube. also whats the difference between standard,h2 and h3.

 

[juk]

Sabre Defence makes a heck of a setup too. Don't know if your heart is set, but Addax Tactical has some NICE stuff. Adxtactical.com

 

[mkIII1022]

i just built my first ar with 400 cash and traded a bunch of 1022 parts. i ended up with a nice shooting rifle. m4 feed ramps, i chose a chromoly barrel and bought most of my parts from del-ton and dsarms.

 

[newgunmike]

well, i ran into a small problem today, turns out you have to be 21 to buy a stripped lower. so looks as though i will have to buy a entire ar to build the one i want.

in unrelated news, i just bought a dpms ar-15 with collapsible stock and a heavy barrel for $650.

i will use the upper i have for plinking and shooting crap ammo and buy a new upper for target and long range shooting.unfortunately i didnt have enough money to get and magpul parts but i'll just buy them next week.

 

[Bullnettles]

Congratulations on your new purchase! I had no idea you had to be 21, but it makes sense I suppose since you could make a pistol...

 

[Mot45acp]

Maybe buy a complete lower with stock. Once a rifle always a rifle.

 

[newgunmike]

thats what i was thinking but oh well, at least now i have a ar-15 that i can use while i order more parts.

 

[Juice Boxes]

Geissele trigger is the only way to go that is one fine piece of equipment. Just put one in my M&P lower in under 30 minutes-best Semi auto trigger i have ever felt.

Hate too sound like a fanboy but my praise is well deserved.

Here is my current Varmint build that i am doing: (this is a different purpose rifle from the rifle you seem to want)

-M&P lower
-ASA side charging with chromed bolt
-Krieger 28in Varmatch or whatever they call it (going to have it installed by them)
-Geissele match trigger
-JP .223 wylde bolt
-magpul MIAD grip
-magpul enhanced trigger guard
-JP tactical comp
-Colt lower parts kit
-YHM extended takedown pins
-Magpul PRS stock
-Armalite A2 tube, spring, and buffer
-POF roller
-possibly Larue Handguard
-Larue Bipod
All parts are assembled with exception of POF roller, Handguard, barrel

 

[Whitman31]

I thought you had to be 21 to by a complete AR as well?

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

also ive decided against the chrome barrel but i think i found one that i like, is this one good. http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-1...16 yhm12.htm

That's the upper I got. Only had time to run about a dozen rounds through it last weekend but haven't had any problems and it appears to be high quality. Fit to the LMT lower is like they were made for each other. The bcm upper is darker than the LMT, but it's not going to be a beauty queen anyway. I also went with the BCM BCG and charging handle for an extra $145.

I thought you had to be 21 to by a complete AR as well?

Federal law (and most states) say 18 for a rifle/shotgun, 21 for a handgun (from a FFL).