They call it, THE THING (AR build from odd parts laying around)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - They call it, THE THING (AR build from odd parts laying around)

Posted: 1/23/2015 10:06:16 PM EDT

Don't know if to put this in the retro or A2 forum, but since the upper is A2, goes here I guess.

In progress build using some oddball parts I had around. Had to purchase a few things. Definitely a budget build.

DPMS 11.5 1/9 chromed BBL with a pinned and welded 5.5 flash hider (special at Brownells)
A2 FK upper.
A1 Buttstock
A1 pistol grip

I found some slim carbine handguards, but they have no heatsheild. But I found some Rock River dual shields M4 type handguards. Not sure which I will actually use.

Still scrounging for a lower, BCG, riffle buffer tube, and some odds and ends for the lower parts kit.

Kinda looks old Colt commando like.... well except the rifle buttstock.

So do I call it a ribine, or a carifle..... lol

Posted: 1/23/2015 10:40:16 PM EDT

[#1]

A Novak Spud lower in X2 gray would like pretty sweet under that upper.

Posted: 1/23/2015 10:54:24 PM EDT

[#2]

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A Novak Spud lower in X2 gray would like pretty sweet under that upper.

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Those seem to be hopelessly back-ordered.

Probably end up with a PSA blem or something.

Posted: 1/24/2015 12:03:31 AM EDT

[#3]

Nice. I debated long and hard about buying one of those DPMS barrels. Have resisted the urge so far, but your build makes me think I should go ahead and but it anyway.

Posted: 1/24/2015 12:08:00 AM EDT

[#4]

Brownells says the barrels are unchromed, but myself and another got chromed ones.

It's possible they have both. These seem to be unused barrels from DPMS Panther carbines.

Posted: 1/24/2015 11:38:10 AM EDT

[#5]

It looks like a 630 and a 6530 fell in love and had a baby. Cute little bugger though; you could refer to it as the Commandling!

Posted: 2/1/2015 8:25:57 PM EDT

[#6]

More parts keep showing up.

Yes that is an A1 rifle buffer... from 1969 lol

I want to keep the Upper all A2 and the Lower mostly A1

I think the long term plan is once this is finished, to split the lower and upper into two guns. The A1 lower would be mated with a retro M16A1 upper, The CAR A2 upper would be mated with an M4 type lower with the collapsible stock.

Posted: 2/4/2015 11:33:43 PM EDT

[#7]

I remember some of the guys with the carbine put the early non-trap door stock on them.
Less moving parts to make noise, less parts to catch on stuff, more stable when shooting.
Most of the time I just carried the M-79 and didn't worry about it.
What every you want to do, some one, some where carried it like that.
One thing I found was if it could be modified it would be.

Ron

Posted: 2/4/2015 11:43:34 PM EDT

[#8]

It will be interesting to see how it handles. I went with the A1 because it's shorter then the A2 stock by a little bit.

When I set that barrel next to my A2 HBAR Bushmaster with an A2 stock, I could tell the thing was going to look buttstock heavy. Funny what less then an inch can do at times.

I now have everything on order except the stripped lower.

Posted: 2/8/2015 3:26:56 PM EDT

[#9]

I really like it when people dig into the parts boxes and just build something.

Thanks for all the pictures and ideas.

I try to do this a few times a month just for fun.
Sometimes I go back a take out some I built a while back and just change them up with different parts.

Thanks again.
Ron

Posted: 2/8/2015 9:33:36 PM EDT

[#10]

Got the A1 grip, go for the A1 hand guards, too and watch heads splode!

A1 grip > A2 grip

Posted: 2/8/2015 9:53:49 PM EDT

[#11]

Do they make triangle hand guards for the carbine gas system?

Posted: 2/8/2015 9:55:39 PM EDT

[#12]

Yes they do I guess, but they need the triangle piece. My flash hider is pinned and welded.

http://www.jsesurplus.com/a1trianglecarbinehandguard.aspx

Posted: 2/9/2015 5:14:24 PM EDT

[#13]

Getting closer

Posted: 2/9/2015 10:28:28 PM EDT

[#14]

Posted: 2/10/2015 12:14:29 AM EDT

[#15]

I like it!

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http://www.fototime.com/3CF6D471ED86653/medium800.jpg

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Posted: 2/10/2015 1:32:50 PM EDT

[#16]

It's alive.... IT'S ALIVE, THE THING LIVES!!!!!

Posted: 2/11/2015 8:51:01 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's alive.... IT'S ALIVE, THE THING LIVES!!!!!

http://inrd.gotdns.com/gunpics/THETHINGISBORN.JPG

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Not quite there yet, you forgot one very important item.

Go shoot that THING...........

Congrats on your build, looks nice.

CD

Posted: 2/11/2015 10:57:33 AM EDT

[#18]

I like it, let us know how the DPMS barrel shoots, I've been eying that bad boy lately but can't pull the trigger

Posted: 2/11/2015 5:12:55 PM EDT

[#19]

Any chance you weighed the barrel before putting it on?

I am wondering how close it came in weight to a 16 inch pencil barrel.

Posted: 2/11/2015 7:07:54 PM EDT

[#20]

My guess is the fixed stock will help balance out that barrel.

I like that carbine. It's definitely a mish mash, but looks good.

Posted: 2/11/2015 8:04:26 PM EDT

[#21]

2lb.14oz give or take.

Posted: 2/12/2015 2:12:50 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
A Novak Spud lower in X2 gray would like pretty sweet under that upper.

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^+1 this

Posted: 2/12/2015 2:18:46 AM EDT

[#23]

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Whats the story with this pic? Noticed the "project delta" in the lower left?

Posted: 2/14/2015 7:48:00 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's alive.... IT'S ALIVE, THE THING LIVES!!!!!

http://inrd.gotdns.com/gunpics/THETHINGISBORN.JPG

View Quote

I wish people wouldn't post stuff like this - almost every time it makes my bank account get a little (or a lot) lighter and my wife gets irritated or worse. So I ordered one of the barrels from Brownells today and a stripped upper from Natchez. Decided to go A1 instead of A2 though, probably will order furniture and pick up a stripped lower next week.

OP: when I get the barrel how can I tell whether it's the chrome or non-chromed version?

Thanks...

Posted: 2/14/2015 8:09:45 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

I wish people wouldn't post stuff like this - almost every time it makes my bank account get a little (or a lot) lighter and my wife gets irritated or worse. So I ordered one of the barrels from Brownells today and a stripped upper from Natchez. Decided to go A1 instead of A2 though, probably will order furniture and pick up a stripped lower next week.

OP: when I get the barrel how can I tell whether it's the chrome or non-chromed version?

Thanks...

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
It's alive.... IT'S ALIVE, THE THING LIVES!!!!!

http://inrd.gotdns.com/gunpics/THETHINGISBORN.JPG

I wish people wouldn't post stuff like this - almost every time it makes my bank account get a little (or a lot) lighter and my wife gets irritated or worse. So I ordered one of the barrels from Brownells today and a stripped upper from Natchez. Decided to go A1 instead of A2 though, probably will order furniture and pick up a stripped lower next week.

OP: when I get the barrel how can I tell whether it's the chrome or non-chromed version?

Thanks...

Mine says in big letters behind the pinned and welded FH "Chrome Lined"