Since the braintrust of this forum has been invaluable, I figured I should post an update on this A2 project.
Last week I was reminded of this weekends gun show. I decided I would let my trip there help me figure out my next AR project, this A2 or my M16A4 clone. For whatever reason, I have been unable to find a USGI A2 stock (I have no such trouble finding utg Chinese knock offs). So not finding one of those this weekend, and only being able to pick up one lower at the show (would have gotten another, but didn't go back this aft), I decided to do the A2!
Here's where I'm at on it. I still need to pick up a barrel and associated parts, BCG, and charging handle....all easy enough. I do have two sets of furniture (and who doesn't have a pile of A2 grips?).....which leads me to where I'm taking my sweet time getting at.
I did decide to build a fixed stock carbine. And as I said, I have two sets of furniture for it. The regular set consists of standard handguards, and an A1 trapdoor stock. The other is standard Magpul MOE, both rifle stock and handguards. I'm leaning on going with the regular set, but if anyone can change my mind to the Magpul, I'm up for it. And even if I put one set on tonight or tomorrow (what I'm doing when not "working"), it's not like it's hard to change.