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Posted: 3/22/2013 9:08:37 PM EDT
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First AR build, (First AR in general) I am wanting input and/or opinions of what I have started to configure. Also, am I forgetting anything? I was going to just buy a BRO rifle, but got to thinking about modifications I would be making and the cost, I can build my own with what I want for less; considering the mods I would make to a $1,850 of the shelf BRO. I know that some hate BRO and some don’t, but I’ve researched a lot on here and that goes for pretty much any thread on here (Personal preference Except for the Geissele Trigger, seems everyone agrees on that.) Gun will be used for Hog hunting/Varment and target toy, feel free to tell me what you like or don’t like.
Lower: Black Rain Stripped lower (Like the milled billet, very clean transitions) = Mine is on back order DPMS LPK w/out Trigger Group (I hear I don’t want anything precision from them lol) Battle Arms Ambidextrous Safety Selector KNS Non-Rotating Pin Set MAGPUL A.S.A.P BCM Castle Nut BCM Buffer Tube BCM Action Spring BCM “H” Carbine Buffer MAKO Israeli Defense Pistol Grip MAKO M4/AR-15 Stock Geissele SSA Trigger Upper: Black Rain Stripped Upper (Like the milled billet, very clean transitions) = Mine is on back order Black Rain Fluted 16’ Barrel 1:8 Twist Black Weapons Armory Flash Hider (BWA X-Comp) Black Rain Mid-Length Quad Rail BCM Gun Charging Handle Fail Zero BCG MAGPUL B.A.D. Lever MAGPUL RSA Sling MAGPUL MBUS Front and Rear MAKO Vert. Grip/Bipod Eotech Red Dot (Suggestions?) Magnifier (Suggestions? Want a 5x, from my research Eotech doesn’t make a 5x?) Missing anything? Open to comments or suggestions, I have everything except for the main components (Upper/Lower and optics) |
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Well,
Sounds like you've done some research... I don't use black rain often, but they are first rate...I've only used thier lowers like 2-3 times I can remember, but I honestly don't remember the roll marks... Dpms, well, I've had a few issues with thier stuff, and thier local to me...but I don't use them anymore at all...but just check the lpk and you'll be fine... B.a.d. I have thier bas ass and on later builds the bad cass withe the dovetails are excellent... Kns, no rotate pin set...I'm not a fan, not going to hurt, but regular pins assembled properly will never fail...but too often they or should I say the springs are installed poorly... Magpul ASAP, run it on 95% of my builds...if you don't like the rattle of the loop dip it in some plastidip...or spray on rhino liner... BCM...gtg On the buffer...I'll give you a suggestion...get a regular, heavy 'h', 'h2' even one heavier...keep all them if your going to be building more rifles later... The best way to time an ad is through the mass of the action...not through variable gas blocks, etc...but simply changing a buffer can and does change a ill tempered gun into a first rate weapon...FYI Fail zero, run them exclusively....and thier hammers as well... Only other things, Be careful that you don't buy the "pts" buis's from magpul they are cheap air soft gear...they should be labeled as pts... As for the options, I'd say if this is your first personal at, get to know her, she'll let you know what you need... Care and feeding of an ar is ongoing...you will start out at point a and shoot for point b...but more often than not end up somewhere else down the rabbit hole... Seriously, get it running smooth, and run it with irons, or buis, and see what it feels like, I have weapons that I was going to build out as a "coyote" rifle, that ended up as something I use to punch holes into paper at 500+ meters...and it doesn't even have a light on it... The gun you start out with will "speak" to you and tell you what it's role will be and how to get there... No two guns are the same, only about 10% will ever become a tried and true weapon, and of those only a few will be the right weapon for you...this is just how it works... I have a bunch of rifles, only a few ever get to the weapon stage, and even less ever get brought out to live with me as a gtg weapon... With this being your first build you think this is irrational...but once you build that gun, break it in, work with it, get it running smooth, cycling perfect, the sprong from the buffer spring makes the perfect note every time you pull the clean crisp trigger, and send sub moa groups all day long...you then have a weapon...then your will expand the envelope of this weapons roll...first longer shooting, maybe 3gun work, etc...then and only then once you've k own everything there is to know about this weapon will you know what I'm speaking of... I've had weapons that run great, but don't feel good to me...sometimes they get sold, sometimes they get rebuilt as something else, sometimes they become just a range gun...that is fine they are all used and are all treated with respect... So, I don't see anything wrong with your build list, but build it, then work on the goodies... My all time favorite weapon has a x400 surefire on it, and a ta-31f acog on top...buis and that's it...it's basic, don't even have the rmr on there...just didn't feel right... My all time favorite sidearm is my tried and true gen2 g23...I'm trying a new gen3...and the holster is just about broken in...but the new one feels ok, but not as nice as my old reliable middle 1990's g23... So, keep building, keep improving until it feels perfect, you run the weapon like it was part of you... I'm sure many of the older people on here that have been carrying sidearms for a couple decades know what I'm saying about this... So, my two cents for today! Bret P.s. if you haven't been with a rifle or sidearm to understand this...well, come back in another decade... |
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Quoted:
First AR build, (First AR in general) I am wanting input and/or opinions of what I have started to configure. Also, am I forgetting anything? I was going to just buy a BRO rifle, but got to thinking about modifications I would be making and the cost, I can build my own with what I want for less; considering the mods I would make to a $1,850 of the shelf BRO. I know that some hate BRO and some don’t, but I’ve researched a lot on here and that goes for pretty much any thread on here (Personal preference Except for the Geissele Trigger, seems everyone agrees on that.) Gun will be used for Hog hunting/Varment and target toy, feel free to tell me what you like or don’t like. Lower: Black Rain Stripped lower (Like the milled billet, very clean transitions) = Mine is on back order DPMS LPK w/out Trigger Group (I hear I don’t want anything precision from them lol) Battle Arms Ambidextrous Safety Selector KNS Non-Rotating Pin Set MAGPUL A.S.A.P BCM Castle Nut BCM Buffer Tube BCM Action Spring BCM “H” Carbine Buffer MAKO Israeli Defense Pistol Grip MAKO M4/AR-15 Stock Geissele SSA Trigger Upper: Black Rain Stripped Upper (Like the milled billet, very clean transitions) = Mine is on back order Black Rain Fluted 16’ Barrel 1:8 Twist Black Weapons Armory Flash Hider (BWA X-Comp) Black Rain Mid-Length Quad Rail BCM Gun Charging Handle Fail Zero BCG MAGPUL B.A.D. Lever MAGPUL RSA Sling MAGPUL MBUS Front and Rear MAKO Vert. Grip/Bipod Eotech Red Dot (Suggestions?) Magnifier (Suggestions? Want a 5x, from my research Eotech doesn’t make a 5x?) Missing anything? Open to comments or suggestions, I have everything except for the main components (Upper/Lower and optics) Sounds like you're on the right track. A few suggestions that I can make are as follows: Drop the KNS pins, Mr. Geissele told me they are not recommended when I asked him last year at SHOT. I'd drop the RSA and the ASAP. I had both paired with an MS2. I tried to love the combo but I dropped it fairly fast. I'd suggest going with a Noveske QD end plate. I think the black rain rails have build in QD sockets (I could be very wrong). On a 16 inch gun when you try to use it as a single point it will end up busting your junk or knees (or at least I do and I'm 6') I'd personally drop the MAKO stuff but that's because I've never been a fan. I'm sure they make decent stuff. I'd look into a Sopmod, STR, or Emod/Imod. They will all give you great cheek weld and will help you out in the long run. If you're wanting a grip/bipod I'd go with a grip pod. But I'd probably some sort of small forward grip. This just comes down to how often you think you'll truly use a bipod on this type of weapon. I suggest LaRue index clips for a rail cover. To me it seems like they keep the heat off my hand the best and I've used most of the big name covers. With the B.A.D lever make sure to train with it. When I had one it felt very unnatural but that's because I never worked with it. I hear of guys loving them but they put the time in learn how to use them and appreciate them in that aspect. I'd ditch the red dot right now. Shoot it with BUIS and try as many different types of optics as you can. I started out with a red dot because I thought it was the must have for a rifle. I ended up with a 1-4. It suits what I do with my rifle much better. I can still shoot up close and fast and can dial it up and go for distance. Your gun will do both very well so I'd play with as many different options as you can. I'd also stay away from the cheap stuff. I'd look at EoTech, Aimpoint, Trijicon, Elcan, Browe, Vortex, Nightforce, etc. If you have to save more money for a quality optic it is well worth it in the end. Other then that I think you're in line for a great rifle. And have thought about it very hard and are going to enjoy it. I like your choice to use a quality trigger to start with. That will also help out a ton. Quoted:
As for the options, I'd say if this is your first personal at, get to know her, she'll let you know what you need... Care and feeding of an ar is ongoing...you will start out at point a and shoot for point b...but more often than not end up somewhere else down the rabbit hole... Seriously, get it running smooth, and run it with irons, or buis, and see what it feels like, I have weapons that I was going to build out as a "coyote" rifle, that ended up as something I use to punch holes into paper at 500+ meters...and it doesn't even have a light on it... The gun you start out with will "speak" to you and tell you what it's role will be and how to get there... No two guns are the same, only about 10% will ever become a tried and true weapon, and of those only a few will be the right weapon for you...this is just how it works... I have a bunch of rifles, only a few ever get to the weapon stage, and even less ever get brought out to live with me as a gtg weapon... With this being your first build you think this is irrational...but once you build that gun, break it in, work with it, get it running smooth, cycling perfect, the sprong from the buffer spring makes the perfect note every time you pull the clean crisp trigger, and send sub moa groups all day long...you then have a weapon...then your will expand the envelope of this weapons roll...first longer shooting, maybe 3gun work, etc...then and only then once you've k own everything there is to know about this weapon will you know what I'm speaking of... I've had weapons that run great, but don't feel good to me...sometimes they get sold, sometimes they get rebuilt as something else, sometimes they become just a range gun...that is fine they are all used and are all treated with respect... So, I don't see anything wrong with your build list, but build it, then work on the goodies... My all time favorite weapon has a x400 surefire on it, and a ta-31f acog on top...buis and that's it...it's basic, don't even have the rmr on there...just didn't feel right... My all time favorite sidearm is my tried and true gen2 g23...I'm trying a new gen3...and the holster is just about broken in...but the new one feels ok, but not as nice as my old reliable middle 1990's g23... So, keep building, keep improving until it feels perfect, you run the weapon like it was part of you... I'm sure many of the older people on here that have been carrying sidearms for a couple decades know what I'm saying about this... So, my two cents for today! Bret P.s. if you haven't been with a rifle or sidearm to understand this...well, come back in another decade... I agree with this. My main rifle started out a world away from what it ended up with. She started out as a misguided teenager and as she grew up she let me know what she wanted and what she needed and became what she is today. Now she is done and is still my favorite stick out of all the ones I own. |
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I would loose the quad rail and go with something like the troy alpha.
With accessories and sights, build the basic gun first, then shoot it. As you use it, you will be able to decide what accessories you actually need. A lot of stuff looks cool, but it's not very useful. Simple is almost always better than a gun covered in the latest tacticool gizmos. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Quoted:
I would loose the quad rail and go with something like the troy alpha. With accessories and sights, build the basic gun first, then shoot it. As you use it, you will be able to decide what accessories you actually need. A lot of stuff looks cool, but it's not very useful. Simple is almost always better than a gun covered in the latest tacticool gizmos. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile I have a troy quad on one AR and a troy alpha vtac on another. I like them both. Moving and installing items after the fact, after your rail is installed is a bear with the Vtac. I love the way the Vtac looks but for functional use I would stay with the Quad from now on. I say that owning both. I love the Alpha look but it is a lot harder move stuff around. Think carefully about that particular function of your rail. Good luck and they both look really good on a finished gun. |
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I am not seeing the following:
Gas Block or Front Site Block Gas Tube Barrel Nut Detla Pack(as needed) Maybe you have these and just did not list them. Well crap lol, I didnt even have any of these listed, any suggestions on what I should get concerning these as well? I'll be researching these right now... Thanks... Glad you pointed this out 
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Almost forgot, I want to thank everyone Sarge1400, Ar-Bret, Jon_Moy, Mbpike, Scubadilla4545, rookie421, Kilroytheknifesnob, and Lug1 for your input and responses. I will be considering all of them and continuing my research.
Note: Had no idea the KNS was not recommended for the Giessele!  Any suggestions on what to use instead?
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I will be using them, I just ordered the SSA two days ago, looks like I have a set of KNS pins with no gun to put them on...
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