After doing several weeks of research, my current build is coming along, see below:  Please help validate or make suggestions, I'm looking to start placing orders early next week to take advantage of the deals on SmartGunner.

The plan is to have a rifle for when the shtf, plinking at the range and home defense.  I'm not too concerend about budget, but I'm not looking to go crazy and get $1,600 optics and stuff...

Optic:
Aimpoint CompML2
or
Aimpoint Micro T1

Mount:
ADM-68
or
LaRue Tactical LT660 High

Upper:
Daniel Defense Upper

Lower:
Daniel Defense Stripped Lower

Barrel:
Daniel Defense 14,5" 1:7 Lightweight Profile Mid Length Gas

BUIS:
Combo Sight Set / Troy Front Tritium and plain Rear, BLACK

Gas Block:
Daniel Defense Low Profile Gas Block

Rail:
DD Omega X Rail 12.0"

VFG:
TangoDown QUICK DETACH Vertical Grip - BLACK  
or
Magpul AFG (Angle Forward Grip)

Light:
Streamlight TLR-3 (90 Lumens)
or
Surefire's G2X (200 lumens)
or
Surefire X300 Flashlight

Butt Stock:
Magpul UBR Collapsible Stock
or
MAGPUL CTR
or
VLTOR IMod  Buttstock $160

Sling:
Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Sling
Daniel Defense Rail Mount QD Swivel Attachment Point
Daniel Defense Rear Receiver QD Swivel Attachment Point

Flash hider: I need to get to 16"
BattleComp 1.5 black Oxide
or
Smith Vortex G6A2

Trigger:
Timney AR-15 Skeletonized Trigger
or
Geissele AR15 High Speed NM Match Rifle Two Stage Trigger  

Magazine:
Magpul PMAG 30

Trigger Guard:
Rainier Arms Modified Enhanced Trigger Guard
or
Magpul Enhanced Trigger guard
or
Magpul MOE Trigger Guard - Flat Dark Earth

Rail Ladders
3 Flat Dark Earth DD Rail Ladders

BCG:
Daniel Defense Bolt Carrier Group, Complete, F/A, HP & MPI Tested

Charging Handle:
BCM Gunfighter charging handle (mod 4) Medium Latch

LPK:
Daniel Defense

Grip:
Magpul MOE AR15/M16 Grip - BLACK  
or
Magpul MIAD Pistol Grip
or
Daniel Defense ConVert Grip in Flat Dark Earth

Wow, after going through that I guess I have some decisions to make.  Any help/suggestions will be appreciated.


Thank You

I would try the AFG before you buy it. I bought one and used it shooting once. Then I bought a Larue FUG which I use as a hand stop.

Great advice, I'll get to the range this weekend and see if I can try one out. I'm prepared and realize that some of those parts will be replaced depending on feel, just hoping to reduce some of it.

-Andy

Look with that list your gonna find 40 different opinions on what ti buy.  Your choices all include good products and therefore any opinions you get are going to be what each person likes individually.  Your best bet is to just buy what you think your gonna like and if you don't, sell it on the EE and try something else.  Or buy some of the stuff on the EE like an AFG for cheaper and if you don't like it, sell it and get something else.


Your in the right direction getting the DD upper deal and a good trigger.   The rest is just fluff.

Thank you Cranked,  you're right if I get the core right the rest is just fluff...

One thing I haven't seen much discussion on is the Omega X rail, I like the idea of being 2 piece, however most appear to have gone with the Lite Rail.  I wonder why.

-Andy

I have the standard Omega rail on mine and like it pretty well. I chose it because of the rear QD mount and the slim profile. I'm thinking about using a 12" DD M4 rail on one of my next builds because it only weighs 13oz including the barrel nut.

It looks like you are getting first rate stuff (DD upper, BCM bcg, DD LPK) for the heart of the rifle, which is smart.  You can't go wrong with Aimpoint.  I'd probably skip some of nicknacky stuff to start (vertical grips, enhanced trigger, enhanced trigger guard, etc.).  Whenever I try stuff like that, I usually end up ditching it after a while.  I must have tried a half-dozen tac slings and four different triggers.  They all ended up on the EE.  Get the basic rifle put together, and then start experimenting with nicknacks.

DISCLAIMER: These are my opinions only, and are worth what you paid for them. I have owned or played with most of the stuff on your list.

Optic: I prefer the T-1 over the legacy M2 or ML2, crisper dot and better sight picture, in my opinion, also longer battery life on easier to find batteries. The newer M4 is also a good choice, hard to beat 8 years on a AA battery.

VFG: I like the Tango Down grip, preferably in the stubby version, but either is ok. The AFG is nice, I have some, but I always seem to go back to a regular VFG. You are pretty much locked in to one hand position with it, the stubby Tango Down grip, you can rest your pinky and ring finger on it and grasp it like an AFG, or you can use it in the thumb break hold, or broomstick hold, or whatever and you can switch back and forth at will instantly, depending on need or shooting postion, etc. I personally feel like I have more control with a VFG, YMMV.

Light: Out of your three choices, I like the X300, high lumens, good runtime, shock proof, lightweight, most durable of those listed. You could get the remote switch adapter and put the SR07 on the 12:00 rail or the Gear Sector offset mount, either would be a nice set up.

Butt Stock: I have never used a UBR, although the weight is a major turn-off to me, it does not seem to bother those who actually use it and can balance out a nose heavy carbine. I have used the Magpul CTR/MOE, SOPMOD, and VLTOR Carbine Modstock. I prefer the SOPMOD/VLTOR cheek rest, but also like some of the features of the Mapul stocks. The VLTOR Imod stock seem to me to take the best of all these stocks and roll it into one nice package. It would be my choice.

Flash Hider: No real opinion, although $150 for a non-suppressor mount muzzle device is a little silly. Makes those $100 Blackout mounts for my M4-2000 seem like a bargain.

Trigger: For your stated intent of home defense, SHTF, and range use, the two triggers you mentioned would be less than ideal. High-speed target style adjustable with set screws and what not should not be used in a serious social weapon. In the 2-stage arena I would go with the Geissele SSA Combat Trigger. Also a Spike's Tactical Battle Trigger, or standard G.I. trigger would be a could choice for your intended use.

The rest of what you have listed, no reason to spen the extra money on fancy trigger guards, the polymer MOE unit does the same thing for much less. Also, grips are highly subjective, you should try and hold several different styles and see what you like. I prefer the MIAD over the MOE, since it can be configured however I prefer, also the insert core on the MIAD is much better made than on the MOE. That said I have no problem with the A2 grip, this is not as important an upgrade as it may seem. With gloves on its hard to tell the difference, also, resist the urge to use a really big hand-filling grip as it can make reaching the safety selector more difficult and really add un-needed distance and difficulty with gloves on.

Sound like you are building a really nice rifle, have fun and enjoy!!

My spare parts normally start morphing into more complete AR's.

Excellent, it appears I'm heading in the right direction.  Thanks to everyone this forum is great source of information!

I'm still looking for additional thoughts on the Omega X, I'm still torn between the X and Lite and even 9" versus 12"

Thanks
Andy

My notes in red above

From experience I can tell you that you won't use all of that "rail" estate.  Even on a 9", you'll have plenty of unused space.

I've used both on my rifles.  I will say that I prefer the 12" rail on rifles that I shoot prone.  The additional rail space allows me to mount the bipod further out on the rifle and for me makes it more stable.  

The weight savings between the 9 and 12 are so minute that it really boils down to intended use and aesthetics.

ArmaLite Xmas sale AR15 BCG $100.00

I think the Armalite is a decent carrier especially for $100, but I'd rather have an M16 carrier myself. If you ever find a buddy with an M16 and want to try running your upper on full auto you'll need it then.

Check out smartgunner.com.  You can get a heck of a deal on the upper you want and they will put it together for you.

I like the idea of the 12" so I can use a rail mounted front sight and have the option to mount a light at 12:00.  but honestly it seems like a lot of rail.

I've not really seen pictures of a 12" Omega X on a 14.5 bbl.

So, I talked to my local FFL about the transfer of a lower that I want to order and was told it would be a cost of $50.  Is this a normal cost or am I getting screwed?

Andy

BS, 20 bucks is more reasonable.

Look at the Gunbroker FFL list and see what you can find near you.
http://www.gunbroker.com/FFL/DealerNetwork.aspx

Yep...I have never paid more than $25 for transfers and thats in a few different places.

+2. Check local shooting boards (if you're a member of them). Dealers at my local board charges only $15 transfers for members of that particular board.

As the others have said, that is extremely ridiculous.  I pay between $10-20.