Posted: 1/17/2012 2:05:44 PM EDT
|
I was planning on just buying a complete assembled rifle from Palmetto State as my first AR. They have been outta stock for a few weeks and it got me thinking that it may be more fun and cost effective to build my own. How hard is it to do if I buy a rifle kit, lower and lower parts kit(that's all I need right) if I buy it all from Palmetto? Is there a cost advantage? Thanks guys!!
Edit: First lower assembled 
Thanks for all the help guys and convincing me to build!!!! It was a lot of fun....just waiting for my upper now Paul |
|
I assembled my first one from nuts and bolts and the first on can be tricky. You just need to do a lot of research, figure out exactly what you want, put it all on paper and see if its going to be cost effective. I built a damn nice Spikes for $1200 for my first one, less the optics, and It's exactly how I wanted it.
ETA: Just remember after the first one its hard to stop 
|
|
Do it yourself!
I ordered the M4A1 hammer forged chrome lined kit w/ MOE furniture......589.99 and a lower from CMMG 90.00 Watched a video on youtube and built it under 30min. Total cost for under 700.00. This was also my first Ar to build and buy....actually easier thank it appears. |
|
Quoted:
K. I'm starting to get excited about this. I'm looking at PSA's lower parts kits though and am really confused  I'm having a hard time telling the difference between all of them. Is the one that's $45 good or is it worth it to spend more on a different one? Why?Depends if you're fine with the basic kit or not - Personally I like the MOE lower parts kit - It comes with everything you need to build your lower receiver (You would just need to supply the lower receiver) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/build-kits/moe-lower-build-kit.html Here's a helpful build video. Literally walked me through my first build. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXgMtyQI888&feature=related |
|
Quoted:
K. I'm starting to get excited about this. I'm looking at PSA's lower parts kits though and am really confused I'm having a hard time telling the difference between all of them. Is the one that's $45 good or is it worth it to spend more on a different one? Why?I just put a standard PSA LPK in a lower ($45), my other rifles have the enhanced Spikes LPKs ($165) and honestly I cant tell a differnce IMHO. |
|
Quoted:
Another question I can't figure out. What is the difference between this kit and this kit. The first one says that it is Hammer Forged with machine gun steel. Does that mean the other isn't? Also says that it is double chrome lined, how much of a difference is that? I'm not a smith or an expert on barrel manufacturing and there are some guys here that know a lot more about this than I do. But, the hammer forged barrel is probably thicker walled and heavier that then the light weight. For what you’re probably going to be doing the light weight would be fine. You would probably get a little more longevity out of the double chromed barrel, but once again, for your purposes you will probably never wear out the light weight. |
| Hammer forging is how they put the chamber and rifling in the barrel. If it is the same barrel profile it might possibly weigh a few grams more, but I doubt it. It should last a little longer but no one has ever ran tests to see how long. It also in theory will shoot straighter when hot. Again I am not sure there is a significant difference or not. For your first build you might want the cheaper option. I think the cheaper one was MP/HP tested so it should be good to go. |
|
You guys are the best. Thanks for not giving me a hard time bout all the questions.
I've read through the informational thing in the FAQ a bunch of times but I still didn't understand everything. I've also looked around the internet but I don't always find what I need either. You guys are awesome. The gun community has some of the nicest people I've ever met Paul |
|
Quoted:
You guys are the best. Thanks for not giving me a hard time bout all the questions. I've read through the informational thing in the FAQ a bunch of times but I still didn't understand everything. I've also looked around the internet but I don't always find what I need either. You guys are awesome. The gun community has some of the nicest people I've ever met Paul To put simply. The hammer forged barrels are suppose to last longer - So you can shoot me rounds through them, and still maintain accuracy. Quoted:
Quoted:
do yourself a favor and pickup some roll pin punches if you don't have any. rear takedown tool is nice, but not necessary I've got a set of pin punches but are roll pin punches different? Same thing. Just make sure the punch set you purchase doesn't have a sharp end. They should be flat punches. I picked up a set of punches from Walmart for roughly $6 - I used the punches more for alignment in my build. A nice small rubber mallet, or bronze mallet is extremely handy as well. Also I found that an automatic punch will aid you greatly in putting in those pesky pins for the trigger guard and bolt catch. 
http://www.amazon.com/SE-Automatic-Center-Punch/dp/B000YR7XRM/ref=sr_1_2?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1326908477&sr=8-2 Make sure you pick up a stock wrench as well - Otherwise you won't be able to tighten the castle nut. http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/midwest-industries-ar-stock-wrench.html Quoted:
Another question I can't figure out. What is the difference between this kit and this kit. The first one says that it is Hammer Forged with machine gun steel. Does that mean the other isn't? Also says that it is double chrome lined, how much of a difference is that? You get a reduced life out of the light-weight barrels. But the advantage being is that they're lighter. Some people build light-weight set-ups where a light barrel is vital. I would personally go for a hammer forged barrel. One extremely important word of advice - If you're going to order the lower receiver and a build kit from Palmetto Armory make sure you place TWO different orders. Otherwise they have to charge you an 11% federal tax. So order the lower receiver first, place and pay for the order. Ten minutes later you can place an order for the build kit. 
|
|
Are the standard handguards from PSA aluminum or something? I kinda like the look of the mock dissipator ones and I like the idea of the longer sight radius but I can't tell if I like it with the moe handguard
Edit: Also, are the flash hider's on the 16" uppers removable? They aren't pinned on like the 14.5" right? Are they just threaded on? Edit again: Also, when do you think the next sale on stripped lowers will be? I wasn't this far ahead in my planning when they were on sale for Christmas 
|
|
Quoted:
Are the standard handguards from PSA aluminum or something? I kinda like the look of the mock dissipator ones and I like the idea of the longer sight radius but I can't tell if I like it with the moe handguard Edit: Also, are the flash hider's on the 16" uppers removable? They aren't pinned on like the 14.5" right? Are they just threaded on? The standard hand-guards are plastic with an aluminum heat shield inside. I personally prefer the MOE handguards, they're lighter and easy to mount accessories on - But again, that's a personal preference. Mock Dissipators are extremely neat. They feature a middy gas system that's extremely reliable but offer you rifle length sight radius. Yes, the flash hiders on the 16" uppers are removable. They're threaded on, and you can change out the hider. On the 14.7" uppers the hiders are pinned to make them legal length of 16" total. |
|
Quoted:
Are the standard handguards from PSA aluminum or something? I kinda like the look of the mock dissipator ones and I like the idea of the longer sight radius but I can't tell if I like it with the moe handguard Edit: Also, are the flash hider's on the 16" uppers removable? They aren't pinned on like the 14.5" right? Are they just threaded on? Edit again: Also, when do you think the next sale on stripped lowers will be? I wasn't this far ahead in my planning when they were on sale for Christmas Look around EE for a used lower. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Are the standard handguards from PSA aluminum or something? I kinda like the look of the mock dissipator ones and I like the idea of the longer sight radius but I can't tell if I like it with the moe handguard Edit: Also, are the flash hider's on the 16" uppers removable? They aren't pinned on like the 14.5" right? Are they just threaded on? Edit again: Also, when do you think the next sale on stripped lowers will be? I wasn't this far ahead in my planning when they were on sale for Christmas Look around EE for a used lower. Why? 
Mine as well purchase a brand-new Palmetto lower receiver and assemble it yourself. That way he can learn how the lower functions, and he'll be able to replace any broken parts in the future. Not to mention that the finish will match the upper better.
I would assume they're not going to be on sale any time soon. $80 isn't bad, they're quality lowers. |
|
Depends if you're fine with the basic kit or not - Personally I like the MOE lower parts kit - It comes with everything you need to build your lower receiver (You would just need to supply the lower receiver) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/build-kits/moe-lower-build-kit.html Awesome, I think I'm going this route |
|
Quoted:
Depends if you're fine with the basic kit or not - Personally I like the MOE lower parts kit - It comes with everything you need to build your lower receiver (You would just need to supply the lower receiver) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/build-kits/moe-lower-build-kit.html Awesome, I think I'm going this route I think you'll like it a lot. I personally prefer the MOE stock over the standard M4 stock. The grip is a massive improvement as well. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Are the standard handguards from PSA aluminum or something? I kinda like the look of the mock dissipator ones and I like the idea of the longer sight radius but I can't tell if I like it with the moe handguard Edit: Also, are the flash hider's on the 16" uppers removable? They aren't pinned on like the 14.5" right? Are they just threaded on? Edit again: Also, when do you think the next sale on stripped lowers will be? I wasn't this far ahead in my planning when they were on sale for Christmas Look around EE for a used lower. Why?
Mine as well purchase a brand-new Palmetto lower receiver and assemble it yourself. That way he can learn how the lower functions, and he'll be able to replace any broken parts in the future. Not to mention that the finish will match the upper better.
I would assume they're not going to be on sale any time soon. $80 isn't bad, they're quality lowers. Did I say anything about an assembled lower? No... I didn't. I just assumed that at this point everyone who was reading understood that the conversation has been about stripped lowers. He seems concerned about money that's why I mention EE. He might be able to find a BRAND NEW STRIPED LOWER that someone want's to get rid of for a little less than retail like I have done several times. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Depends if you're fine with the basic kit or not - Personally I like the MOE lower parts kit - It comes with everything you need to build your lower receiver (You would just need to supply the lower receiver) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/build-kits/moe-lower-build-kit.html Awesome, I think I'm going this route I think you'll like it a lot. I personally prefer the MOE stock over the standard M4 stock. The grip is a massive improvement as well. Just to make sure these are the only parts I would need to complete the build. One Two Three If this is complete this is the build I think I'm gonna do plus a Troy Mideval Flash Supressor and a Troy Folding BUIS Paul |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Depends if you're fine with the basic kit or not - Personally I like the MOE lower parts kit - It comes with everything you need to build your lower receiver (You would just need to supply the lower receiver) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/build-kits/moe-lower-build-kit.html Awesome, I think I'm going this route I think you'll like it a lot. I personally prefer the MOE stock over the standard M4 stock. The grip is a massive improvement as well. Just to make sure these are the only parts I would need to complete the build. One Two Three If this is complete this is the build I think I'm gonna do plus a Troy Mideval Flash Supressor and a Troy Folding BUIS Paul + a rear site and your GTG |
|
Ordered my stripped lower receiver, moe lower parts build, and troy folding rear sight for my very first AR build. Super excited. Unfortunately I may have to wait a bit for this
Thanks for everyone's help!! |
|
Quoted:
Ordered my stripped lower receiver, moe lower parts build, and troy folding rear sight for my very first AR build. Super excited. Unfortunately I may have to wait a bit for this Thanks for everyone's help!! You didn't forget the rear site, did you? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ordered my stripped lower receiver, moe lower parts build, and troy folding rear sight for my very first AR build. Super excited. Unfortunately I may have to wait a bit for this Thanks for everyone's help!! You didn't forget the rear site, did you? no, he didn't. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ordered my stripped lower receiver, moe lower parts build, and troy folding rear sight for my very first AR build. Super excited. Unfortunately I may have to wait a bit for this Thanks for everyone's help!! You didn't forget the rear site, did you? no, he didn't.  Thanks. I went with the troy over the magpul because I plan on using this as my primary sights for a good long while til I can afford an aimpoint or eotech. Then, it will fall back to it's original role as a back up but in the mean time I wanted something that could take the constant use. Not that magpul couldn't(everything I've heard all their products has been top notch). Hopefully I made the right choice.
|
|
Remember, google is your friend. Youtube videos when assembling.
Depending on how you look at this, it will be cheaper for you. You can build exactly what you want for cheaper than if you bought exactly what you want already assembled. But you can find quality rifles for lower than what you'll end up spending. If you can, you'll be happier building. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ordered my stripped lower receiver, moe lower parts build, and troy folding rear sight for my very first AR build. Super excited. Unfortunately I may have to wait a bit for this Thanks for everyone's help!! You didn't forget the rear site, did you? no, he didn't. Thanks. I went with the troy over the magpul because I plan on using this as my primary sights for a good long while til I can afford an aimpoint or eotech. Then, it will fall back to it's original role as a back up but in the mean time I wanted something that could take the constant use. Not that magpul couldn't(everything I've heard all their products has been top notch). Hopefully I made the right choice.
Troy backup sights are a good investment. I prefer them over the bulky plastic Magpul sights. In my opinion the Troy sights are a decent upgrade over the magpuls. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Depends if you're fine with the basic kit or not - Personally I like the MOE lower parts kit - It comes with everything you need to build your lower receiver (You would just need to supply the lower receiver) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/build-kits/moe-lower-build-kit.html Awesome, I think I'm going this route I think you'll like it a lot. I personally prefer the MOE stock over the standard M4 stock. The grip is a massive improvement as well. Just to make sure these are the only parts I would need to complete the build. One Two Three If this is complete this is the build I think I'm gonna do plus a Troy Mideval Flash Supressor and a Troy Folding BUIS Paul Yes, those three lots you linked above would give you a complete rifle, minus the rear sight - But as you've mentioned you're adding the Troy sight. Are you going to be doing a lot of indoor range shooting? The Troy Medieval Brake is awfully loud, specially indoors. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Depends if you're fine with the basic kit or not - Personally I like the MOE lower parts kit - It comes with everything you need to build your lower receiver (You would just need to supply the lower receiver) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/build-kits/moe-lower-build-kit.html Awesome, I think I'm going this route I think you'll like it a lot. I personally prefer the MOE stock over the standard M4 stock. The grip is a massive improvement as well. Just to make sure these are the only parts I would need to complete the build. One Two Three If this is complete this is the build I think I'm gonna do plus a Troy Mideval Flash Supressor and a Troy Folding BUIS Paul Yes, those three lots you linked above would give you a complete rifle, minus the rear sight - But as you've mentioned you're adding the Troy sight. Are you going to be doing a lot of indoor range shooting? The Troy Medieval Brake is awfully loud, specially indoors. Brake or Flash Suppressor? I am going to be doing a fair amount of indoor shooting. I know the Brake is supposed to be real loud but I was planning on doing the Flash Suppressor, hopefully that doesn't add noise |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Depends if you're fine with the basic kit or not - Personally I like the MOE lower parts kit - It comes with everything you need to build your lower receiver (You would just need to supply the lower receiver) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/build-kits/moe-lower-build-kit.html Awesome, I think I'm going this route I think you'll like it a lot. I personally prefer the MOE stock over the standard M4 stock. The grip is a massive improvement as well. Just to make sure these are the only parts I would need to complete the build. One Two Three If this is complete this is the build I think I'm gonna do plus a Troy Mideval Flash Supressor and a Troy Folding BUIS Paul Yes, those three lots you linked above would give you a complete rifle, minus the rear sight - But as you've mentioned you're adding the Troy sight. Are you going to be doing a lot of indoor range shooting? The Troy Medieval Brake is awfully loud, specially indoors. Brake or Flash Suppressor? I am going to be doing a fair amount of indoor shooting. I know the Brake is supposed to be real loud but I was planning on doing the Flash Suppressor, hopefully that doesn't add noise You should be fine with the Flash Suppressor - By the way, not sure if you already purchased the Troy rear sight yet - Another option is a Matech sight - They're a sturdy metal sight. They're the same sights being used by the US Army right now. The matech doesn't have dual peeps like the Troy though. It's sight up for long range, it's a 600m sight. You can find a brand-new in EE For about $35-40. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ordered my stripped lower receiver, moe lower parts build, and troy folding rear sight for my very first AR build. Super excited. Unfortunately I may have to wait a bit for this Thanks for everyone's help!! You didn't forget the rear site, did you? no, he didn't. Thanks. I went with the troy over the magpul because I plan on using this as my primary sights for a good long while til I can afford an aimpoint or eotech. Then, it will fall back to it's original role as a back up but in the mean time I wanted something that could take the constant use. Not that magpul couldn't(everything I've heard all their products has been top notch). Hopefully I made the right choice.
You certainly did not make a bad choice with the Troy BUIS, best out there right now. If your wanting to go with a break in lieu of the flash hider and your going to be doing a lot of indoor shooting take a look at a Spikes Dynacomp. Excellent performance and it’s not as ear shattering as some of the other breaks on the market. I would check with the indoor range just to find out what their policy is regarding muzzle breaks before I make a purchase. |