Figure it's time to get a build thread going...

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Figure it's time to get a build thread going...

Posted: 8/19/2014 12:16:25 AM EDT

...you know, since my AR is around 50% complete already. If there was an award for procrastination, I'd wait until tomorrow to pick it up

Anyway, I'm [slowly] building an all-purpose rifle, with something of a 3-gun bias to it, but without the low-mass reciprocating parts 3-gun rifles typically have. Here's what I've got so far:

- Anderson lower, with the rear takedown detent tapped for a 4-40 set screw and the takedown detent spring shortened the length of the set screw

- CMMG LPK, with their trigger serving as a placeholder until I can get my hands on a Geissele when it will get moved over to an AWB-era Armalite my dad had

- A1/A2 receiver extension, action spring and buffer

- BCM Mod0 grip

- Magpul MOE trigger guard, held in place with 3mm button head screws

- BCM KMR13 rail and keymod sling mount

- Bushnell 30mm tube red dot in Burris rings (bought used for $20, serving as a placeholder for a low- to mid-range red dot or a used Aimpoint PRO)

Here's what I'm looking to do for the rest of the rifle:

- CMMG 16" midlength, medium taper SBN/Melonited barrel

- quality stripped upper (brand TBD based on availability and price) built up with standard parts

- AIM Surplus NiB bolt carrier group

- M.A.G.S. EFX-A1 stock

- BCM Mod4/5 charging handle

- ideally a V7 Weapon Systems titanium gas block (Ti expands less under heat than 4150 Chromoly does, so as the barrel heats up the seal between the gas block and the barrel will get tighter, not looser), otherwise whatever low-pro gas block is the flavor of the day or whatever the local custom-AR shop recommends

- undecided on muzzle device, leaning towards a Dynacomp or a Griffin M4SD Comp or Flashcomp though. not looking for a full on brake or anything too blasty, I like my range-mates and don't want to shake their fillings loose

- eventually a custom brass catcher and misc. Keymod accessories, because I like making my own things in CAD (I'm an engineering student) and getting them 3D printed

other than the stock and the charging handle, nothing in the "to be purchased" list is set in stone, but it should give some indication where I want to go with the rifle. based on that, anyone have any suggestions? thanks!

Posted: 8/19/2014 12:34:15 AM EDT

[#1]

We like pics.

Posted: 8/19/2014 10:31:49 PM EDT

[#2]

ask and ye shall receive!

that isn't the optic's permanent home, it's just sitting there waiting for me to get off my lazy ass and buy an upper receiver lol

Posted: 8/20/2014 2:46:21 AM EDT

[#3]

Looks like a lightweight build

Posted: 8/20/2014 10:01:58 PM EDT

[#4]

it is going to end up being fairly lightweight, but hopefully it will end up balanced pretty well (balance point closer to the magwell or the grip) due to the A1/A2 length receiver extension and the heavier-than-A2 stock, plus the feels-like-it's-made-of-air BCM handguard to make it handle a bit quicker, which should help if I ever end up doing a 3-gun match with it. all that being said, going full weight-weenie light wasn't the intention, it's more a byproduct of BCM choosing a very lightweight material to make an excellent handguard design out of, and my unwillingness to tote around a bull barrel'd rifle for more than about 3 minutes

Posted: 8/20/2014 10:52:18 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
...you know, since my AR is around 50% complete already. If there was an award for procrastination, I'd wait until tomorrow to pick it up

Here's what I'm looking to do for the rest of the rifle:

- ideally a V7 Weapon Systems titanium gas block (Ti expands less under heat than 4150 Chromoly does, so as the barrel heats up the seal between the gas block and the barrel will get tighter, not looser), otherwise whatever low-pro gas block is the flavor of the day or whatever the local custom-AR shop recommends
- undecided on muzzle device, leaning towards a Dynacomp or a Griffin M4SD Comp or Flashcomp though. not looking for a full on brake or anything too blasty, I like my range-mates and don't want to shake their fillings loose

based on that, anyone have any suggestions? thanks!

View Quote

Unless you'r trying to get as light as possible, the titanium gas block does nothing for you other than lightening your wallet. I know they have a "cool factor" so if that's what you're going for, whatever... Same with the muzzle device. Unless you have specific needs (like running a suppressor, taming the kick, etc) it's pretty hard to beat an A2 FH esp. for the price.

Posted: 8/21/2014 10:09:36 PM EDT

[#6]

just to get the rifle going, I'll more than likely end up with a steel low-pro gas block and a cheap FH, but I do definitely want to switch to a comp at some point since I would like to give 3 gun a try with this rifle (my build seems to lend itself to that, other than going for a M16 BCG and using a rifle length buffer and spring and all, which is the exact opposite of the way most dedicated 3-gun rifles are set up)

Posted: 8/30/2014 4:17:28 PM EDT

[#7]

bumping this for (minor) progress in the build, picked up another CMMG LPK (this time with trigger group) to have a trigger to stick in my lower and spares for the rest of the pins and springs, and I settled on the Magpul MOE rifle stock over the MAGS EFX-A1. I busted my collarbone about a week ago so this build is taking something of a back-burner to getting myself healed up, but I did slap the Armalite upper on my lower and ran a mag or two through it, just to christen the lower

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1465140_10152712299298987_1787839220540303089_n.jpg?oh=e68c36f21288c7b3adbc96ec94d7049f&oe=5477928D&__gda__=1416703207_2dcfc5c5fa1ece3900f48df9609896e8

I am shooting it still wearing the sling on my support arm...testament to how soft shooting and easy to handle an AR is I guess! and yes, that is a flat top upper with a carry handle...and a rail adapter for the carry handle

don't ask me why, it wasn't my call lol

Posted: 8/30/2014 4:20:00 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
bumping this for (minor) progress in the build, picked up another CMMG LPK (this time with trigger group) to have a trigger to stick in my lower and spares for the rest of the pins and springs, and I settled on the Magpul MOE rifle stock over the MAGS EFX-A1. I busted my collarbone about a week ago so this build is taking something of a back-burner to getting myself healed up, but I did slap the Armalite upper on my lower and ran a mag or two through it, just to christen the lower

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1465140_10152712299298987_1787839220540303089_n.jpg?oh=e68c36f21288c7b3adbc96ec94d7049f&oe=5477928D&__gda__=1416703207_2dcfc5c5fa1ece3900f48df9609896e8
I am shooting it still wearing the sling on my support arm...testament to how soft shooting and easy to handle an AR is I guess! and yes, that is a flat top upper with a carry handle...and a rail adapter for the carry handle

don't ask me why, it wasn't my call lol

View Quote

nice looking rifle op! Where about in va are you? Always looking for fellow members near me in central va!

Posted: 8/30/2014 4:37:02 PM EDT

[#9]

I'm from the general Richmond area, ironically (based on the bucks that are going into this build at this rate anyway...) this build got started by hearing about one of the guys at Hopkins putting together a functional AR for something absurd like $400 OTD and my buying a stripped lower to build up along the same lines...then I decided to slowly piece it together and now I'm gonna have probably $800-1000 in it by the time all is said and done. but, it'll hopefully be a damn sight better than any complete AR in the same price ballpark!

Posted: 8/30/2014 4:50:26 PM EDT

[#10]

I have yet been able to build a budget gun. The one I finished a few weeks ago was $1500 less optics and the current build will be about $1375 once it gets back from coating. Im sure it can be done much cheaper, but I always want better.

Good looking build though.

Posted: 8/30/2014 5:09:43 PM EDT

[#11]

primary has the charging handle you seek on sale right now

https://www.primaryarms.com/Bravo_Company_5_56_223_Charging_Handle_Mod_4_p/bcmgunfighter4.htm

Posted: 8/30/2014 5:47:39 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm from the general Richmond area, ironically (based on the bucks that are going into this build at this rate anyway...) this build got started by hearing about one of the guys at Hopkins putting together a functional AR for something absurd like $400 OTD and my buying a stripped lower to build up along the same lines...then I decided to slowly piece it together and now I'm gonna have probably $800-1000 in it by the time all is said and done. but, it'll hopefully be a damn sight better than any complete AR in the same price ballpark!

View Quote

I'm out towards chesterfield/ powhatan if you ever need some help with anything drop me a pm or email!

Posted: 8/30/2014 6:31:28 PM EDT

[#13]

thanks, will do!

once I get a good (read: not bought used minus rings for $20 at Green Top) optic, the value of my rifle will probably be at, near, or above $1K... this might take a while... hard to assemble bicycles with a broken collarbone :(

Posted: 8/31/2014 3:00:39 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
thanks, will do!

once I get a good (read: not bought used minus rings for $20 at Green Top) optic, the value of my rifle will probably be at, near, or above $1K... this might take a while... hard to assemble bicycles with a broken collarbone :(

View Quote

What in particular are you short of? I can dig around my spare parts bin although it's getting a little bare right now.

Posted: 9/2/2014 1:41:16 AM EDT

[#15]

so far the only part of the upper that I've got is the BCM KMR13 and the red dot (and I think there's an old Tasco Pro 2000 reflex sight laying around somewhere that I could get an AR-height mount for if I can ever find the damn thing... the family parts bin sorta threw up on the whole house

) but I've got a CMMG 16" midlength medium taper salt-bath-nitrided/melonited barrel on order with RVAShooterSupply/Zombie Defense and I'm likely buying one of their stripped uppers also and they have as good a price as anyone on gas blocks and tubes and such... if you've got an A2 birdcage or a 3-prong/duckbill FH or BCG or something, I'd be highly interested!

Posted: 9/4/2014 11:49:19 PM EDT

[#16]

well, my barrel came in today, so at this point there's nothing else requiring armorer installation on my upper! just need a dust cover (Strike Industries, doesn't require the barrel nut to come off, thus non-armorer installation plus I like how it looks), BCG and charging handle, and of course time to get the red dot zeroed (or the requisite arm/leg/firstborn child that an AR-height Tasco Optima 2000/Trijicon RDS/JPoint mount costs... seriously WTF it's a wee little cube of aluminum with a picatinny interface cut in the bottom and two holes drilled in the top, I'm sorry but that isn't $70-90 worth of materials and machine time especially if it's being made in bulk!), but for all practical intents and purposes my rifle is GTG once I swap the Armalite BCG/CH over into my upper!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t34.0-12/10656398_10152727069723987_1156947768_n.jpg?oh=07c001ceb6ddab0a071738cfa5b48937&oe=540B407B&__gda__=1410008342_c54d950b8439a6928294fe6c5fb248ee

Posted: 10/12/2014 8:05:04 PM EDT

[#17]

it's a bit overdue, but my rifle is finally complete! or at least shootable, some components are just placeholders for the time being... weighed it and it comes out to 7.793lbs with optic, BUIS and sling, or 8.869 ready-to-go with a 30rd PMAG loaded to capacity. certainly handles lighter though, the barrel profile (think the same profile as the BCM ELW barrels, but bigger with a .750" gas block instead of 0.625") and BCM KMR13 really help shift weight away from the muzzle without sacrificing the barrel's ability to deal with heat. Enough jabber, on to the pictures!

https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10505294_10152822079953987_7180593054791152403_n.jpg?oh=723679e661f1d8e086293af50bec89db&oe=54C748C9

https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10570422_10152822080233987_2920165389241922810_n.jpg?oh=36525fefb0cab5ff0a32376ac10fcd39&oe=54AD7DCE

https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10672195_10152821420268987_815571307493649955_n.jpg?oh=4a0649e72520b153dd691583f7741243&oe=54B3FE41

and the best part, the accuracy!

https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10641119_10152821420408987_6245494287630827520_n.jpg?oh=ed61d1e69bcada73e7bcd3414268cda7&oe=54B9E7EF

that's from within the first 20 rounds that were ever shot through that barrel, shooting M193-spec 55gr bulk reloads, using what I think is about a 4MOA dot, at 50 yards, from a M4/M16 cleaning pouch strapped to the steering wheel of a golf cart, and you could cover the group with a quarter. that's all rifle, I'm normally not that good of a marksman!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Figure it's time to get a build thread going...

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