Aaaaaaaannnnnnd......it's finished (my very first AR)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Aaaaaaaannnnnnd......it's finished (my very first AR)

Posted: 6/3/2017 7:08:53 PM EDT

I thought I'd never finish the damn thing.

Posted: 6/3/2017 8:17:49 PM EDT

[#1]

Good looking build. Want to shoot a few Sunday ? Gunman53

Posted: 6/3/2017 9:24:29 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Good looking build. Want to shoot a few Sunday ? Gunman53

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Absolutely! See you at "the farm".

Gunman53 was very helpful in providing his workbench this morning. We had one hell of a time getting the barrel nut to line up with the gas tube hole while trying to maintain torque within spec. We also had a heck of a time installing the gas tube. As neither of us own a handguard removal tool I had to take the rifle elsewhere later in the day to complete that final task (took about two minutes).

That MOE-SL carbine handguard is rock solid but there is no freakin' way you're going to be able to install it without that tool.

Both of us agreed that our next respective builds will have free-float rails.

Posted: 6/3/2017 9:45:08 PM EDT

[#3]

Nice stick! FYI, a pair of channel locks works great to remove a handgaurd, use the handles, not the pliers. There are vids on YouTube.

Posted: 6/4/2017 11:38:58 AM EDT

[#4]

Good Job. Nice rifle.

If you are going to do more builds, I would suggest that you invest in the 10" Knipex pliers that have smooth parallel jaws. Kind of pricey, but super handy for other things besides AR build work. Well, made German quality.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4OG94?tag=vglnk-c102-20

PS: They work great for squeezing in roll pins without getting hammer or pin punch scratches on the receiver. Put some electrical tape over the jaws.

Posted: 6/7/2017 4:46:14 AM EDT

[#5]

I'll look into one of those.

Posted: 6/7/2017 8:33:38 AM EDT

[#6]

Nice looking rifle Ponti.

I am sure you have a spare part hanging around. If you are already looking into the idea of including them into your next build, you officially have BRD.

You picked a good time to build. When I built several of mine in 2010, the costs were closer to $700.

Posted: 6/8/2017 2:52:55 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nice looking rifle Ponti.

I am sure you have a spare part hanging around. If you are already looking into the idea of including them into your next build, you officially have BRD.

You picked a good time to build. When I built several of mine in 2010, the costs were closer to $700.

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I have already started my next build. The BRD is strong.

Build 2 will be FDE MOE SL stock/grip/handguard with a FDE free-float rail and mid-length gas system. Look for a completion date sometime in 2019

Posted: 6/8/2017 6:53:14 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

I have already started my next build. The BRD is strong.

Build 2 will be FDE MOE SL stock/grip/handguard with a FDE free-float rail and mid-length gas system. Look for a completion date sometime in 2019

View Quote

Well, If you are going that route, order the FDE upper and lower set from Aero Precision and be really kick *ss.

Posted: 6/9/2017 4:26:25 PM EDT

[#9]

Timing those nuts even with shims in a free float setup can be a lot of fun- not. I've had a few that took more than a beer to get right. Tighten it up, knock it loose then retighten; knock it loose then retighten again- and that's with a proper wrench.

Posted: 6/11/2017 9:27:33 AM EDT

[#10]

Grats on your first AR! Nice work.

Posted: 6/18/2017 2:36:20 PM EDT

[#11]

I'd like to put together something like this as my second build. I already have the FDE Stock/Grip/trigger guard, lower receiver, and LPK parts except the FCG. Gas system will be mid-length and definitely a free-float M-LOK rail and and optic:

Posted: 6/18/2017 7:00:06 PM EDT

[#12]

Fancy- have you tried the Bravo Company Gunfighter grips and charging handle? I've been happy with mine and use the BCM med charging handle; can't recall which grip I use at the moment.

Posted: 6/19/2017 4:25:27 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Fancy- have you tried the Bravo Company Gunfighter grips and charging handle? I've been happy with mine and use the BCM med charging handle; can't recall which grip I use at the moment.

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I have a BCM Mod 4 (med) on my current build.

I have checked out BCM's grip on a Springfield Armory Saint at LGS. Felt pretty good.

d16man uses Magpul K2 grips on some of his builds and I found them to be very comfortable. I like the MOE SL grip as I have fairly large hands but short fingers. The grip is a nice compromise between thin and vertical angle.

Posted: 6/29/2017 4:43:47 AM EDT

[#14]

I completed the lower on build 2 yesterday. Carrie at PSA Farrow told me that their EPT enhanced trigger groups were on sale so I saved some bucks over buying the standard mil-spec FCG.

No Magpul trinkets on this one. End plate is Griffin Armament and the bolt catch and magazine button I'll leave stock. Saved $70 that way.

Posted: 7/15/2017 8:30:26 PM EDT

[#15]

15" rail (Matrix Arms/Chandler Hardwoods) arrived today.

(decided not to use it as it has no anti-rotation features)

Posted: 9/2/2017 1:14:35 PM EDT

[#16]

Build 2 is a barrel away from up and running....

Posted: 9/2/2017 2:29:35 PM EDT

[#17]

Primary Arms has some of their barrels on sale as well.

Posted: 9/3/2017 6:29:25 AM EDT

[#18]

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Quoted:
Primary Arms has some of their barrels on sale as well.

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Everyone seems to have barrels on sale.

I'm looking for a 16" 5.56 NATO with 1:8 twist, mid-length gas system, nitride finish with a .750 gas block journal.

PSA offers this in a "freedom" barrel for $99.

Faxon also has one for $166.

http://faxonfirearms.com/16-govt-socom-5-56-nato-mid-length-4150-qpq/

The PSA barrel is in my price range but I'd really prefer the Faxon.

Posted: 9/4/2017 1:58:01 AM EDT

[#19]

I'd save up and get what you want. There are some great barrels out there and prices are down. If I am correct PSA has acquired DC Machine in Summerville and that's who's doing the majority of their barrels now. Somebody in the know please chime in and confirm. Not a lot of info on the web about DC but have seen an older catalong and they have a pretty decent catalog of offerings/capability from their shop.

Posted: 9/4/2017 3:28:30 PM EDT

[#20]

I never knew DC Machine even existed and I used to drive past their plant all the time.

Posted: 9/5/2017 7:47:54 AM EDT

[#21]

If you need any help tipping you over the edge, we always back our product 100%.

Let us know how we can help in any way.

Posted: 9/15/2017 6:40:58 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you need any help tipping you over the edge, we always back our product 100%.

Let us know how we can help in any way.

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You win.

I'm going with a Faxon barrel from JBO. My only undecided is whether to go with a SOCOM or a pencil barrel.

Posted: 9/15/2017 9:03:38 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

You win.

I'm going with a Faxon barrel from JBO. My only undecided is whether to go with a SOCOM or a pencil barrel.

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Once you go light, you see the light...

Posted: 9/17/2017 5:37:19 AM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:

Once you go light, you see the light...

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Another possibility is the Faxon "Gunner" barrel. Although RTB is currently out of them when they're back in stock a price of $154 is doable. One-tenth of a pound heavier than the pencil barrel with reinforcement in the rear where it's needed.

Yeah, I could go for that.

Posted: 9/17/2017 8:15:18 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

Another possibility is the Faxon "Gunner" barrel. Although RTB is currently out of them when they're back in stock a price of $154 is doable. One-tenth of a pound heavier than the pencil barrel with reinforcement in the rear where it's needed.

Yeah, I could go for that.

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Exactly why we designed it!

Posted: 10/29/2017 12:29:08 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

Exactly why we designed it!

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I bit on one yesterday from Right To Bear

Posted: 11/6/2017 10:03:36 PM EDT

[#27]

And now this one's done:

Will watch the Black Friday sales for an optic but in truth I'm a bit BRD'd out right now. Building 'em isn't much fun if there's no place nearby to get range time.

Posted: 11/6/2017 10:55:48 PM EDT

[#28]

I feel your pain Ponti, I got booted from my shooting spot last week. Seems one of the property owners put a deer stand back behind the range area area and didn't tell anyone until last week, after I went and tested a new rifle. Have to wait till the end of deer season before I can go back. Doesn't feel right having to go to an indoor range to shoot ........ Gotta find a new spot in the meantime. Good lookin' build