Thinking of an AR build (semi-budget).

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Inebriated

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Well, I have been thinking of an AR15 build for a while. I want something to shoot 5.56, and I know I want an M4 style, and I know I like Stag (have shot several Stag AR's and planned on a Model 3 for a while). Now, I am doing this over time, and every thing is subject to change, but I do want a good plan. So how's all this sound to you guys? Do you guys see anything in particular that I may be missing? Focus more on the parts list than the brands. I just want to make sure nothing is missing.

Stripped Lower
- Spikes Pirate - $99 OR Stag - $135 OR Palmetto State Armory - $80 (all depends on my mood upon purchase)
Lower Parts Kit
- Stag - $66
- Spike's Buffer kit - $62
Stipped Upper
- Stag A3 Flattop - $119
Upper Receiver Parts
- Stag BCG and Charging handle- $133
Barrel & Parts
- Stag 16" M4 1/9 Chrome-lined - $150
- Birdcage Brake - $35-$50
- BCM Gas Tube - $13
- Stag Railed gas block - $35
Furniture
- Magpul MOE Kit - $104
Sights
- Magpul MBUS Sights - $89

That will total right under $900, and it's all the parts of my choosing.
Opinions are appreciated!

EDIT - and the tools to do a build are pretty much covered. I know a few people who build 'em, so I should be set there.
 
Web retailers are offering Colt 6920's for around $900 these days, is it really worth doing it yourself with price points dropping like this?

(I can totally understand building up a specialty rifle, but if your goal is an M-4 style carbine you are right at the price of a new 16" carbine by several mfg's)
 
Web retailers are offering Colt 6920's for around $900 these days, is it really worth doing it yourself with price points dropping like this?

(I can totally understand building up a specialty rifle, but if your goal is an M-4 style carbine you are right at the price of a new 16" carbine by several mfg's)
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Yeah, but I don't want to buy a factory AR. I want the familiarity that comes with building it, and I want certain things that aren't much extra to replace on a factory AR, but are still an extra cost. I want to do it right from the get-go. And if I'm right at the price of factory AR's, then that's even more incentive to just do it myself.
 
The Stag parts are nothing special and would be far down my list of parts to choose.

- Birdcage Brake - $35-$50
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Do you mean a brake, or do you mean an A2 flash hider? The A2 hider costs about $8.

- Stag Railed gas block - $35
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Why this gas block? What is your goal? Magpul MBUS won't work on a railed gas block due to heat issues, and most other front BUIS are intended for receiver height, not rail height which is generally lower.

As already mentioned, a NEW, FACTORY Colt 6920 is around $900, and it would be many times the rifle you are proposing to build. Factory assembled Stag rifles only run $700-800, and are somewhat overpriced at that. If you really want to build, a Del-Ton kit would be equal or better in quality and cost only $500-600 depending on options.

Do you already have a full set of AR tools, or access to them? You will need an upper receiver block, barrel nut wrench, standard punches and rollpin punches to do this right. If you don't own and can't borrow you're looking at close to $200 in tools. If you went with the Del-Ton kit, the upper is completely assembled and you would only need the rollpin punches (not absolutely necessary but highly recommended) and an AR multitool wrench for the castle nut ($25 or so).
 
The best billets I have are FA and SI matched solid billets with one piece oversize trigger guards. Spikes and Noveske also have nice ones. Colt, Stag, DTI, RRA, Bushmaster do not even come close in quality but this is not that important, specially for first or budget builds.
What is really important is the internals. Get a nice BCG with a nice bolt and a decent barrel. Everything else is second priority. Obviously if you have a system with a trigger group that does not work then that is your first worry.
Think if you would like a 2 stage trigger, RRA makes a really nice one for $80-90 online.
A while back I even had a Delton kit built and I was pleasently surprised to see a mil spec carrier and bolt and a nice heavy barrel. It runs like a charm. In this case I got the upper from them that is perfectly gassed for the group it came with.
There are some very decent kits out there.
Lots of legos to build that is for sure.
 
I won't get into preferences for parts, but I would recommend that you get the bolt/carrier group from Bravo Company. The only other thing I'd change is that I'd lose the M4 profile barrel and go with a mid length. If you are interested in something in stainless, Ranier Arms has a house brand "Select" barrel for a bit more.
 
I want to do it right from the get-go. And if I'm right at the price of factory AR's, then that's even more incentive to just do it myself.
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If you want to do it right from the get go, why not use better parts. Stag parts are okay, but they're far from Colt, DD, and BCM quality.
Stag BCG and Charging handle- $133
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You can get a Mil-Spec BCG with HPT/MPI bolt for the same or less money from Del-Ton, PSA, and others.
Stag 16" M4 1/9 Chrome-lined - $150
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Why not get a better barrel, like a Daniel Defense, for a few $ more: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=461614

Honestly, looking at your build specs, I'd just get this PSA kit - http://palmettostatearmory.com/2551.php - and add a lower & rear BUIS of your choice. Parts are at least as good as the ones you spec'd (many are the same), and you save at least $200.
 
Inebriated said:
Yeah, but I don't want to buy a factory AR. I want the familiarity that comes with building it, and I want certain things that aren't much extra to replace on a factory AR, but are still an extra cost. I want to do it right from the get-go. And if I'm right at the price of factory AR's, then that's even more incentive to just do it myself.
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Get a Colt 6920 and take it apart. Put it back together blind folded. :neener:

Colt 6920's are going for under $1000! That's insane. I wonder if LMT is any lower?

In your build I'd rather have an M4 upper with a pinned gas block and flashhider. Then hack the front sight off for a long FF rail later on. I just like pinned blocks, and long rails. I'd also recommend using a BCM 14.5" upper and BCM bolt carrier group for builds. Still priced decent, but built very tough.
 
Just bought a very nice DPMS CMP AR15 rifle from a member here for $600. Unless you just want to build it yourself there are deals out there.
 
Z has it right. The front MBUS wont work on a railed gas block. Get a metal front sight, like the YHM flip up.

I also would get a better BDG. Daniel Defense, Bravo or Palmetto Premium. The Palmetto Premium and charging handle is usually $110.

Aim Surplus may have spikes uppers on sale.
 
The front MBUS wont work on a railed gas block. Get a metal front sight, like the YHM flip up.
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Just remember, it not only has to be metal, but the taller height for a gas block rail. I believe Midwest Industries and ARMS make specific models with that height, and there are probably a few others as well. (Note: I would never buy anything from ARMS.)

YHM makes a gas block with an integral flip-up sight if that's all you're planning to do there.
 
If iron sights are at all important I would use a gas block with a front sight and the Rock River UTE2 upper receiver. This gives you the best possible iron sights and still allow a scope to be mount as it would be on a flat top. A 1/2 inch riser can be used for scopes and a dot will co-witness.
 
I built my AR for less than $900 using a DD lower parts kit, magpul furniture and buffer kit from DSG arms for $100, an LMT upper for $400, stripped spikes lower, Magpul BUIS, a spikes F/A BCG, and a BCM Gunfighter charging handle. I just shopped around for the best prices I could find. I bought some punches and a castle nut wrench to help me put it all together and I'm pretty pleased with how it came out.
 
For starters/budget build here goes one: Delton kit with mid-lenght heavy barrel. 1:9 twist though. M16 bolt and carrier. Very accurate.
 
Wahoo - Del-Ton is currently claiming all the same "correct" specs, and they come in slightly lower. Which company am I to believe? :)
 
Z: The YHM flip up i was talking about is a gas block height sight. Since we were talking about a gas block.
 
Wouldn't a flip up attached to the gas block get extremely hot? Wouldn't that make the flip up hard to flip up?
 
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