My first AR Build

[js8588]

Just completed my first AR-15 build.

Full parts list:
JP Enterprises flash hider
POF hooded front sight
Spikes Tactical mid-length melonite gas tube
Ballistic Advantage gas block
Daniel Defense 18 inch S2W 18 inch 5.56 barrel
Midwest Industries 18 inch G3 Light Handguard
Lantac upper receiver
Colt carry handle rear sight
Geissele Super Charging Handle
Young Mfg.side Charging bcg
Eisenach Arms nitride gas key (the Young mfg gas key would not fit the gas tube)

Rainier Arms Ultramatch billet ambi lower
Seekins bolt catch
2A Armament mag catch
DSG Nitrided takedown/pivot pins
KNS anti-rotation trigger pins
Radian Talon safety
LaRue MBT trigger
Magpul MOE Rifle Stock
1 inch Magpul recoil pad (added LOP)
White Oak Armament buffer tube
223Handguard 5.2oz rifle buffer
Tubbs flatwire recoil spring
Hogue grip

Graphite Black Cerakote.

Just need a sling & light.

Overall, I'm really happy with the way it came out. It's a little heavy (8.6lbs according to the bathroom scale), but feels solid and balances well. I'm 6'2 and 190lbs so the weight doesn't bother me any.

Looking forward to seeing how she shoots but I doubt I'll make it to the range before next Monday.

 

[troy fairweather]

thats a change from your cz's lol looks good.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Congrats and welcome to the cult, um I mean club.

Seriously, I hope you had as much fun as many of us do putting it together, and are planning your next build or six (or more).

I don’t know about others but I think I enjoy putting them together more than I enjoy shooting them!

Anyway, can’t wait to hear how it shoots.

 

[Chuck R.]

Congrats and you got the thread title right:

My first AR Build

 

[js8588]

I have another 5 or so in the works.

 

[js8588]

thats a change from your cz's lol looks good.

Browning's, but pretty close

 

[adcoch1]

That's a nice, good looking, well thought out rifle! Congrats on your first, and here's to the rest you'll build!

 

[FL-NC]

Looks nice! Let us know how she shoots. If you have any issues, plenty of people here to help you trouble-shoot. Now its time to shop for glass!

 

[js8588]

Looks nice! Let us know how she shoots. If you have any issues, plenty of people here to help you trouble-shoot. Now its time to shop for glass!

Leaving this one irons only. I have a couple others I'm working on that'll be scoped.

 

[brasscollector]

I have another 5 or so in the works.

That should get you off to a good start . Then you will need one in a shorter/longer/heavy barrel, then a different color. Gotta have one just like the first but with an optic, then a lightweight build...

 

[If1HitU]

That looks awesome congratulations!

 

[<*(((><]

That can’t be your first one! That parts list hails from experience! Nice choices all around that should be a SOLID AR.

 

[<*(((><]

I have that same handguard it’s sweet.

 

[js8588]

So, there seems to be a contention out there based on feedback that my front sight may be on backwards. Here's a picture of just the sight. Opinions?

 

[Tommygunn]

Well, it looks backward compared to a similar shape UTG sight of mine .... but does it really matter?

 

[FL-NC]

Leaving this one irons only. I have a couple others I'm working on that'll be scoped.

If that's the case, you could cut back that carry handle to cut down on weight. 1 screw is plenty to hold the sight on the upper. Also, if you change your mind later and want to add a red-dot, you can co-witness with most AR mounts.

 

[BSA1]

Congratulation on joining the AR Cult, er Club.

Don't get to hung up on the parts you used on your build. You will most likely be changing them. I have changed the BCG and FCG on my first AR and am planning on changing the buttstock. It's a Lego thing.

Also js8588 comment about having another 5 or so in the works is spot-on. I stopped by my LGS yesterday to pick up AR Lower #5 and I don't have any definite plans for it...yet.

 

[AlexanderA]

Many of the elements of this build are far from the standard. I'll give you kudos for uniqueness, but it seems to me that a "first build" would be close to what the army issues. What we have here is an "advanced build."

 

[entropy]

Nice looking rig.

 

[alfsauve]

I especially like the dual charging upper. Ymmv, but on my dual I don't even think about using the rear handle. The side charger is so handy and convenient.

 

[AlexanderA]

I especially like the dual charging upper. Ymmv, but on my dual I don't even think about using the rear handle. The side charger is so handy and convenient.

This particular side charging handle eliminates the dust cover. A side charger with a dust cover can be made, however. The Armalite AR-180 had just such an arrangement.

 

[js8588]

While I was pondering whether or not my front sight was backwards, I noticed it was marked "2005T" as opposed to the "2005" on the item on POF's web store...hmmm.

A note to their customer service Department confirmed my suspicion that they sent me the wrong sight (gas block height instead of rail height) but they were "happy to exchange it for the right item" and they apologized for their mistake.

Well, I had to ship it back to them on my dime ($3.50, but still, THEIR mistake, not mine). USPS has made 2 attempts so far to deliver the returned sight to the address POF provided but have been unable to do so thus far so I'm still waiting to even have the correct one shipped my way.

I sent another note to their CSR today and he apologized again saying he should have told me to request a prepaid shipping label as part of my RMA.

Over the Black Friday weekend I ordered an Inforce Gen 2 800 lumen light for it from Primary Arms (about $94 shipped) and a Proctor sling ($24-ish from OpticsPlanet).

Wonder whether my sight will get here before my other new parts make it.

 

[LoonWulf]

Very cool!

 

[js8588]

Very cool!

Heh wait until you see the one I'm just finishing up for the wife...

 

[someguy2800]

I love me a side charging AR. I have 3 and am working on 4 and 5. Planning phase on 6, 7, and 8. This is getting out of hand lol.