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Posted: 2/21/2012 7:35:41 PM EDT
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Been creepin in the shadows for a few weeks now and figured I would finally join up to give some support and meet a few like minded individuals.
So to start I have a BCM, BFH 16" LW middy with an A2 FSB (which is where some of the questions will start), a BCM BCG, charging handle and a magpul CTR stock. I just need to fill in the middle. I've done a lot of research over the past 3 months, but it has been just that, reading. Questions: 1. A friend of the family owns a gun store and said he could get me a Sun Devil Mfg lower for $109. Might not sound like a good deal to some, but in Cali, Stag, S&W and spikes are all priced around $170-200 at the gun stores I visited. My question is who has had experience with SD and your opinion. I know 6061 is more malleable, which is why they use that for typical billet as opposed to the 7075, which the harder Al could be more brittle. (probably a bigger debate that's been done before). I saw some of the "Hippies" Sun Devil lowers on here and that made me want one bad. Also a side question for down the road is a short opinion on hydro dipping. Preferably from people whom have had it done. Durability, fading and what not 2. What's a good brand of low pro gas blocks in the LW .625 size? Was thinking of cutting down my A2 FSB to fit a Troy Alpha 13" rail because it's pinned, but a) what type of paint should I use to paint? Heard alumahyde was no good. And b) what would be the ramifications of not getting my A2 back on square? My finished build should include all of the above, plus a geissele SSA-E, ERGO sure grip and some magpul flips ups to get it started. Probably a nice piece of glass on the rails sinceit will mainly be for shooting paper and the occasional varmint. Sorry if this was long winded and/ or a bit scatter brained. |
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Welcome to the forum.
The lower you pick is up to your personal taste. The closer to current military made materials is considered to be better, so 7075 gets the attention. Pick a receiver that the manufacturer stands behind for any warranty issues. Getting off spec trigger holes or the magazine well opened up is not worth fixing yourself if you get stuck with a (rare) bad lower. If you want to cut down the A2 front sight base, just leave it in place and cut away. Finish grind or file the FSB to the desired shape to get it to fit your hand guard/rail system. There are some DIY videos on youtube showing how its done. Leaving the FSB in place helps avoid possible gas system leak issues later. I have had good luck with Alumahyde. Follow the preparation instructions about degreasing, slightly heating the metal and use light misting coats to get a good coverage. It does take a bit to fully cure, but is easy to touch up at a later date if needed. Keep looking at the rifles folks have been posting around the site, there are some good things being done. |
| Thanks for your input. I've seen some of the videos online. I think one guy who bashed alumahyde even stated he didn't let it cure for the recommended amount of time. I tend to be a meticulous person when it comes to how I do things, so I want to take my time and do it right. |
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