AR Sponsor
Posted: 4/28/2012 6:43:57 PM EDT
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Hello all, I've read alot from this site and have learned alot as well!
I was in the market for an AK pattern rifle for a SHTF scenerio and for just having fun, but once I started finding out that I could build my own AR the way I want for the same price of a decent AK I would just build one. I just went to the Monroeville Gun show here in Pittsburgh and have handled MANY different AR15s. I also have two friends who build their own on a more tactical shorter platform, and another who is starting to build his now and it seems he wants a more longer range tac-driver. And I feel as if I prefer the longer platforms over the shorter "tactical" ones. I am thinking of just making an A2 style AR. I haven't decided if I want to go with optics or not but figure I should make up my mind so I can chose my upper. Anywho, I have been told that most lowers are the same, and it really is more of a "Who DOESN'T make a good lower" over a "Who makes the best lower" situation. I have found a Del-Ton complete lower sans butt-stock for $180 and will probably head that route, granted I will need the buffer assembly as well. As for uppers, I found a place at the gun show that makes a complete upper, specifically I can get an upper that is only lacking the bolt and carrier group for $350(barrel, foregrip, upper receiver, gas tube, ect all included) The barrel is a chrome lined Mossberg and is in the HEAVY configuration. I am not yet certain if I want a 20" or 16" barrel at the moment and will be doing more research on the matter. I am told that the full length gas tubes will lead to a more reliable weapon, and for the ranges I would use the 20" there will be no difference in performance of the firearm. As for the weight of the heavy barrel, I am 6'4" and frequent the gym often so a slightly heavier barrel will not be an issue to me. I am still looking up bolt and carrier groups to purchase for the upper, as well as what butt stock I want, pistol grip, trigger guard, ect. I think what I am aiming for is a more traditional open combat system over a urban/tactical one. The country I am surrounded by is more open and hilly, with copious amounts of forests and feel as if a open terrain combat rifle system would be more adept for the situation I may find myself in if SHTF. I already started my AR build today by buying three P-MAG 30-round magazines (as recommended by my friend, for a gun I don't have....YET!) Any guidance and comments on the matter will be highly appreciated! I am very excited to get to work on this project and no longer be left out of the AR loop with my SKS or Vector UZI when me and my buddies go shooting. 
***Edited the magazines I bought, originally stated Promag, but they are Pmags*** |
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Welcome to the forum.
If you are not planning on mounting optics, go with an A1 or A2 upper receiver. The A2 has windage and elevation knobs on the rear sight. The A1 has windage only on the rear sight, and you need to depress a detent to turn it. The elevation adjustment done by screwing the front sight post in or out (A2 can also be adjusted this way). Personally, I prefer the A1. The sight adjustments are a little trickier, but I don't worry about someone else fiddling with the settings and throwing my rifle out of zero. If you want a longer gas system but a shorter barrel, there are mid-length gas systems available on 16" barrels. Nickel-boron bolt carrier groups seem to be the latest rage in the AR world. I have no experience with them, except that I have seen the term thrown around a lot lately. My standard black BCG's have worked fine for me. |
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IMO get a 20" A3 upper (flat top receiver without the M4 cuts) and pick up a used good quality detachable carry handle off the equipment exchange here. This will give you the A2 you want with the option to throw a scope on there later if you decide you want to shoot with more precision.
I have a 20" upper that started off as a A2, and it worked fine, but I felt limited on my options so I put a A3 upper on it and a carry handle and it's pretty much the same, but I know I want a scope on there later. 20" rifles are nice. The shoot smooth with hardly any recoil and with your idea for a HBAR barrel it should make for a very soft shooter. You say you are in good shape and that's great, but if you are doing a lot of long range shooting, put a bi-pod on the stock hand guards and that set up will not jump when shooting. I LOVE NiB coating. I have several fire control groups done by WMD, but I have held back on the NiB BCGs. I have regular M16 BCGs from Spikes and Palmetto and they have been great. I also have a hard chrome from Spike's but I think they stopped selling them. |
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Thank's guys, I have a phobia of anything used when it comes to any type of firearm, hence why I refused to get a WASR AK, ect.
I think I will go with the flat top complete upper and just get a a detatchable carry handle on it (I have seen many online with great reviews in the 50-100 dollar range) I'll ride out with that until I can save the money to get a good 4-power set of optics on it and also pick up a rear flip detachable sight for a backup. I also think I'll go with a BCM bolt and carrier group to go on the rifle, the company who I would be getting my complete upper from DOES include the BCG if you add on another $125, but I am not sure what brand they are using at the moment so I will investigate that. Actually I do believe I have found all the parts I need to build my AR! I will order my Del-Ton lower tomorrow after work (pay day!) and the next pay I will order my complete upper since that is probably the biggest financial cost of the rifle. Thank's again for the help and I will keep you updated! Any other advice/comments as I go about this build would be highly appreciated! |
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Decided to go with a PSA stripped lower, actually TWO of them (one to hang onto in the event of another AWB), from what I have seen on the boards they're a quality lower that is inexpensive. Going to also order a rifle buffer assembly for my now Carbine (16" Mid length) build.
Any recommendations on trigger assemblies? Trying to go mid price range on my first build. I eventually plan to upgrade parts in the future as I see fit but want to go kind of easy for my first build. |
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For a mid priced fire control group, the ALG sets look nice. The ACT is the NiB one and the QMS is the standard finish. That company is a part of Geiselle and are tuned to have little to NO creep and a nice clean break. Brownells sells them as well as Palmetto.
Spike's battle trigger isn't a bad deal either. On the higher end of middle there is the GEISSELE SSA for around $170-175 (Brownells has them in stock for $177). I do not have one, but they get GREAT reviews. |
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