Greetings folks.
It's been nearly 10 years since my last AR build. I have recently slimmed out my firearm holdings to a satisfactory point, and need to fill a slot for one AR15 in 223/5.56 (everyone needs at least one). I have a good idea of what I may very well do, but wanted to bounce it off the sounding board here and see what ideas/issues/etc I may not have thought of before I sink in the money to get the build moving.
Brief history on the last build, done while living in NY State so it was a neutered (post-ban) 16" carbine system, fixed stock, picatinny gas block / forearm / and flattop upper. Upper/lower from Stag arms. Colt BCG from the EE. I used it for a range shooter, tried a scope, red dot (aimpoint chi-clone), light, bipod, etc etc. Slapped on and took off various accessories until I got an offer from a buddy to buy the rifle that I couldn't refuse. Sold it and haven't built another one since.
This brings me to today. Plan is to build one AR15 that I will have around to occasionally take to the range, if things get stupid/bad out there it might (read: doubtful) need to be used for the all around carry rifle, home defense, hunting, zombies, looters, and any other ridiculous scenario out there. So basically it will go to the range, maybe used to shoot at Necco wafers at 100yds, but doubtful it would ever be put into any real service.
So based on that, I was planning to make a more modern version of the A2. Finding an A2 upper (not a flattop with added handguard) may be hard. Will end up using a 20" Govt Profile barrel with the front post sight/bayonet lug, and adding Magpul hardware all over. MOE Rifle stock, Handguard (MOE or MLOK), MOE Grip, and the trigger guard. I am thinking this allows for attachments if I later felt I needed to put a rail or three onto the rifle, and keep the overall uniform look from one vendor. Planning also to get one of the Ontario OKC3S bayonets for a just in case setup, why not they look useful. Since I won't need to pin the flash hider, I have the option (and wife approved) to get a Gemtech Trek to add on if I feel like it later, so will just go with a basic birdcage FH for the foreseeable future.
I've already gotten a Grey Ghost Precision 'Cornerstone' lower, and put it together with a PSA Lower kit with the Magpul bits. So I am looking for any good reasons to go with a 16" carbine, or a 14.5" etc and other choices, versus running with the 20" rifle setup.
Also to note, no plans to ever run reddot/holo sights, astigmatism causes a bloom.
Pics for clicks, the lower I'm running:
Planned similar build look:
I welcome any thoughts or ideas, thanks!
It's been nearly 10 years since my last AR build. I have recently slimmed out my firearm holdings to a satisfactory point, and need to fill a slot for one AR15 in 223/5.56 (everyone needs at least one). I have a good idea of what I may very well do, but wanted to bounce it off the sounding board here and see what ideas/issues/etc I may not have thought of before I sink in the money to get the build moving.
Brief history on the last build, done while living in NY State so it was a neutered (post-ban) 16" carbine system, fixed stock, picatinny gas block / forearm / and flattop upper. Upper/lower from Stag arms. Colt BCG from the EE. I used it for a range shooter, tried a scope, red dot (aimpoint chi-clone), light, bipod, etc etc. Slapped on and took off various accessories until I got an offer from a buddy to buy the rifle that I couldn't refuse. Sold it and haven't built another one since.
This brings me to today. Plan is to build one AR15 that I will have around to occasionally take to the range, if things get stupid/bad out there it might (read: doubtful) need to be used for the all around carry rifle, home defense, hunting, zombies, looters, and any other ridiculous scenario out there. So basically it will go to the range, maybe used to shoot at Necco wafers at 100yds, but doubtful it would ever be put into any real service.
So based on that, I was planning to make a more modern version of the A2. Finding an A2 upper (not a flattop with added handguard) may be hard. Will end up using a 20" Govt Profile barrel with the front post sight/bayonet lug, and adding Magpul hardware all over. MOE Rifle stock, Handguard (MOE or MLOK), MOE Grip, and the trigger guard. I am thinking this allows for attachments if I later felt I needed to put a rail or three onto the rifle, and keep the overall uniform look from one vendor. Planning also to get one of the Ontario OKC3S bayonets for a just in case setup, why not they look useful. Since I won't need to pin the flash hider, I have the option (and wife approved) to get a Gemtech Trek to add on if I feel like it later, so will just go with a basic birdcage FH for the foreseeable future.
I've already gotten a Grey Ghost Precision 'Cornerstone' lower, and put it together with a PSA Lower kit with the Magpul bits. So I am looking for any good reasons to go with a 16" carbine, or a 14.5" etc and other choices, versus running with the 20" rifle setup.
Also to note, no plans to ever run reddot/holo sights, astigmatism causes a bloom.
Pics for clicks, the lower I'm running:
Planned similar build look:
I welcome any thoughts or ideas, thanks!
