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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Old Guy's DIY AR15 Bullpup Project (not everyone's idea of a rifle for sure) (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 7/27/2023 8:48:46 PM EDT
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Ok, I've got plenty of spare AR parts so I started on a project. With the web talking about AR 'pistols' with arm 'braces' pros & cons etc. I could only figure the advantage would be close-quarters manuvability being it's a more compact firearm. The shorter pistol barrels loose alot of velosity & are much louder with big blinding muzzel flashes so I wasn't tempted. A SBR (with it's $200 stamp) has much the same issues. So...a short bullpup project (with a 16" barrel) seemed like the path for me. |
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The main job is (of course) the lower. I used a budget standard mill spec lower with an ordinary old trigger (no 3# light pull number) and got a blem 80% lower to modify for my front trigger & grip setup. The flat steel 'linkage' bar glides on 6 'ball-top' brads instead of flat surface sliding on a flat surface. The 6 points of contact add very little friction. The bar slides between 5 round bushings to maintain alignment. A set screw adjusts the forward travel of the bar with an assist spring to free the main trigger 'reset' function between bolt cycling. The plastic enclosure makes the completed bullpup lower one piece. It secures as normal with the two pins but also has a securing mount at the front that attaches to the forward grip. The (cut-down) original old grip of the 'rear' lower group is the internal support for the (now) butt stock. The recoil tube is on top of my shoulder (about 1" higher than normal) so from the sholder to the barrel tip is about 24". The upper is all basic free floating barrel setup with a leather cheek pad on the rail & a red dot optic on a 1" riser. The forward grip doubles as the 3rd securing point for the longer lower unit. The finished extended trigger set up is working very well  but if anyone thinks the trigger pull is as easy & smooth as a normal AR well...let's just say a bullpup AR15 won't make you a 'happy camper'.Personally, this isn't going to be my go to Target rifle or Hunting rifle. It will be a fun plinking rifle. I'm finishing it up in the next day or two so I'll take some pictures then. |
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Quoted: OK, I don't remember how this forum lets me load images... the icon doesn't let me load from device... help. |
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OK, well the link shows up & works to see the pic but it doesn't show the pic in my post... oh well at least you can see my project. I admit the recoil tube resting on the shoulder is not the norm (except for a bazooka) but it really doesn't feel that wierd when the butt stock is against my shoulder. It really makes for a very compact gun when aiming around at 'targets'. I'll get a general idea at the (controlled) gun range but out at the ranch plinking will be alot more fun. |
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I've set up & tried the link with Google photo hosting & Icedrive hosting... both link addresses I've used. As soon as I post the link address shows up & works but after a while the link address is gone. If I just text the address in the body of the post then it's not a link but can be copied & pasted to go to the pics. Wierd !! Edit Post: OK, forget these attempts |
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Quoted: Well, Thank you so very much 'withoutremorse42' I won't need to post anymore pics to show what it looks like so I won't be loading you up with reposting work. Again, Thank you for your help. Not a problem, only took me a few seconds. Happy to repost any more pictures you take of this, it's a very cool project. |
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Now that is pretty cool. My next step would be a bufferless upper and make black walnut furniture or something that looked like bakelite! |
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Well I took it to an outdoor gun range to check it out. Everything works fine no function issues. Was on the 50 yd range & saw the red dot optic would be a good choice for 25yd & less close-quarters shooting but not great for 50yd target shooting. Maybe it was just because this was my first experience with this type of non-magnifing optic. I shot 60 rounds today & can see how much fun it will be off the range plinking. A fun project gun.
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Quoted: Very cool OP, it is nice to have an itch and be able to scratch it yourself. Oh, and one more vote for "swap in one of the bufferless uppers" - the FM offering with forward side charging (kinda HK-ish almost sorta) could be interesting.... After putting more rounds thru it I've ordered a side charger upper (not a bufferle$$ one) from Bear Creek. I will be less prone to touch my cheek to the 'rear' charger handle & it's a cleaner right side. The buffer tube location isn't as distracting as I thought it might be, infact after a while it feels more 'normal'. Because of this I knew I'd be plinking more with this rifle so I decided to go with the side-charger upper. When it arrives & I swap it out I'll post new pics. |
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Quoted: After putting more rounds thru it I've ordered a side charger upper (not a bufferle$$ one) from Bear Creek. I will be less prone to touch my cheek to the 'rear' charger handle & it's a cleaner right side. The buffer tube location isn't as distracting as I thought it might be, infact after a while it feels more 'normal'. Because of this I knew I'd be plinking more with this rifle so I decided to go with the side-charger upper. When it arrives & I swap it out I'll post new pics. I believe this is the final version. With most of the gun's weight behind the grip & with the recoil tube resting on my shoulder I can't believe how light and agile it feels.  
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Quoted: Have you published your STL files? That's a damn good attempt at an Iranian AR clone. As mentioned in my post's title I'm an "Old Guy" and had to lookup what an STL file is... "STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems." So to answer you're question (Have you published your STL files?)... No I have not. (BTW, I'm not out to assist Iranian research either.) |
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Quoted: As mentioned in my post's title I'm an "Old Guy" and had to lookup what an STL file is... "STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems." So to answer you're question (Have you published your STL files?)... No I have not. (BTW, I'm not out to assist Iranian research either.) Quoted: Quoted: Have you published your STL files? That's a damn good attempt at an Iranian AR clone. As mentioned in my post's title I'm an "Old Guy" and had to lookup what an STL file is... "STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems." So to answer you're question (Have you published your STL files?)... No I have not. (BTW, I'm not out to assist Iranian research either.) Don't worry, the Iranians already fielded an AR based bullpup some 20 years ago. If you published your STL files, other folks could print your bullpup adaptation pieces. |
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Quoted: Don't worry, the Iranians already fielded an AR based bullpup some 20 years ago. If you published your STL files, other folks could print your bullpup adaptation pieces. Made everthing old school with no 'printed' pieces but would have been alot easier if I was more tech-minded
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Quoted: Made everthing old school with no 'printed' pieces but would have been alot easier if I was more teck-minded Quoted: Quoted: Don't worry, the Iranians already fielded an AR based bullpup some 20 years ago. If you published your STL files, other folks could print your bullpup adaptation pieces. Made everthing old school with no 'printed' pieces but would have been alot easier if I was more teck-minded Bravo Zulu. |
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I love the diy project. I was actually thinking about a similar project but using a .22lr bolt and dedicated 20" .22lr barrel to eliminate the need for buffer and keep OAL legal. I only need 2 things to make it happen: time and money  How is the gas with your face so close to the ejection port on a DI gun? |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Old Guy's DIY AR15 Bullpup Project (not everyone's idea of a rifle for sure) (Page 1 of 2)
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