My first AR build

[crathbone78]

I am starting my first AR build. Ive wanted one for a long time and finally have a little extra money to start building one. I spent 12 years in the Army shooting different platforms, so I'm very familiar with them.
I'm wanting to build one the way I want as inexpensively as I can. So far, I have ordered a complete lower with Magpul MOE furniture from PSA for $169, and an Integrity Arms 16" midlength Melonite SOCOM barrel for $129 https://www.customar15.net/shop/bar...om-barrel-wylde-chamber-5r-18-twist-5-56-223/
I haven't been able to find much about the Integrity Arms barrels, but what I did find has been positive and figured Id take a chance at that price.
I also want to have a free float hand guard and use folding iron sights, until I can afford a decent red dot. I also want to upgrade the trigger and get a Vortex flash hider, but will use standard a2 for now. I plan on buying one of the $39 PSA stripped uppers, and the premium PSA BCG.
Any ideas and opinions are welcome. I'm really trying to spend around $100 for the handguard. I want it slotted for venting and the ability to attach rails for a front sight post, flashlight, and sling mount. I don't like most of the quad rail versions. It looks like it wouldn't be comfortable to grip. I don't have a problem buying used. I am also wondering if it would be better to mount the front sight to the gas block, instead of the handguard, for accuracy issues? Don't know if this would be a factor or not. All ideas are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[DougW]

You have a lot of questions in your post. Start out simple and research on the web for different ideas on the way to configure your rifle. You have a lot of good idea's in your post, so move slowly and you will be pleased with your finished rifle. I have built 20 rifles and my current 5 don't cover all the options I want to include. You will come across a lot of options that will intrigue you, and the good thing is that you can always change out your configuration.

 

[henschman]

If you want a good modular free float handguard, I really like my Midwest Industries SS Gen 2. It comes with a sling/bipod stud and 3 rail sections, including one with a QD sling swivel socket. They make the new Keymod and Mlok versions too if you prefer (no accessories included)... which I personally do not.

Yes, mounting the front sight to the gas block is preferable to mounting it on the handguard from an accuracy standpoint, particularly if you ever use sling-supported positions. A shooting sling will pull on the handguard slightly... enough to cause some pretty serious POI shift if you're pulling the front sight along with it. A lot of guys see the irons strictly as a backup in case the main optic goes TU, and don't really care about this issue. For me it depends on the rifle, and how much I plan on shooting with iron sights with it.

 

[Inebriated]

You have a lot of options.

The barrel sounds awfully similar to the barrel that initially came on the S&W M&P Sport. That was a solid barrel for the money, so if that one you linked is similar, it'll likely give you at least $129 worth of service. Since it's stripped, it'd be no problem adding a BCM or MI low profile gas block ($45) and gas tube ($13) to work with the free-float handguard of your choice. For your budget, the ALG Defense EMR is likely the best way to go. It's a great handguard, and only $110. Add $20 for the rail section for your front sight, and from there, you can use M-LOK light and sling mounts, so no need for a rail section to bolt something to... it'll just mount to the handguard. Also, the Premium BCG is a smart move, and the stripped upper only needs less than $50 in parts to complete ($6 dust cover assembly, $16 forward assist assembly, and $25 charging handle). Say you added Magpul sights ($40 rear, $30 front) and an A2 ($8), you'd be completely finished at right around $590. Not bad for everything, and you can easily space that all out.

The only thing that stands out to me, is that, for slightly more, you could get a complete BCM mid-length LW upper for $440 right now, with a free BCG and comp. All you'd have to do is add a $25 charging handle, a rear sight, and the handguard of your choice. Having the A2 FSB does change your handguard choices, but a 9" free float would still fit... Something like the Midwest Industries 9" M-LOK would get my vote, as it already comes with sling mounts and is only $150. So if you did that and used the Magpul rear sight, you would be at $655.... About $65 more than what your other build would be, but with a barrel that is worth $180 more than the one that you linked. I think that's a killer deal, and something that I felt was worth mentioning.

 

[crathbone78]

Thanks guys. The barrel shipped today, so I'm excited to see how it looks. I think im leaning toward a 12" rail, and I saw some carbon fiber ones I'm going to look into. I think im going to rattle can a camo paint job when I get it put together. Ill post pics, as the build comes together.

 

[carbine85]

You made a very good choice in barrels meaning the mid length, 1:8, and wylde chamber. I don't know anything about the brand.
I have the Midwest Industries G2 hand guard and really like it.
UTG has some nice free float hand guards. Several manufacturers are using them. It's not the paintball stuff anymore.
Rock River makes a good 2-stage trigger. The Varmit and match triggers are both pretty good.

 

[crathbone78]

I got the lower and the barrel yesterday, and there is a gun show this weekend, so hopefully Ill have most of what I need to finish my build tomorow.

 

[crathbone78]

I got a Field Sport 12" handguard and a upper with forward assist and dust cover installed. Spent $140 at the gun show.
Ive still got to get the gas block and tube, BCG, charging handle, flash supressor and sights, but its getting close to finished, at least for now lol.