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Page AR-15 » Build It Yourself
AR Sponsor: bravocompany
Posted: 3/13/2011 11:07:33 AM EST
Hi all, I've been lurking around the last couple of weeks trying to absorb as much information as I can about ARs and what it takes to build one.  Overall I've been pretty amazed at how comprehensive this sight is!   I haven't shot much of anything for a few years now, even then it was mostly clays and some pistol, but I'd like to build a general use/SHTF rifle.

So far I think I'm looking at something like a  16" with iron sights and relatively KISS.  I do have a couple of questions.

Lowers seem pretty straight forward, I think I can pick up something in town for about $100, but is a billet lower dramatically better?  

I see a lot of rifles with collapsible stocks, I assume this is to adjust length of pull?  I prefer the looks of the standard A2 style stock, I am 6'5" so I doubt it's too long for me.

I've been looking at the Del-ton dissipator because I like the longer sight radius but is there a disadvantage?  It seems like the dissipators are not as well represented as the other AR configurations.

The 22LR upper/conversion looks very interesting (I suspect it will take a few rounds to shake off the rust and 22s are just down right fun) will a dissipator upper work with a 22 conversion?  I suspect I might just go with a dedicated upper anyway but I'm not sure, there seems to be conflicting opinions on how bad it is to shoot 22lr through a 5.56 upper.


Link Posted: 3/13/2011 11:18:34 AM EST
[#1]
Well My recommendations as follows.

forged is fine ... if you want to spend the extra cash for billet go ahead but there are no real performance enhancements on the billet... its really about looks.

A2 Stock go for it

mid length gas system with that front end will work instead of the dissapator set up....
Link Posted: 3/13/2011 11:19:57 AM EST
[#2]
Here is the only thing you need know about the AR platform.

You ready?

Nothing you do is wrong!  There is no wrong way to configure your own AR. I've shot dissipators in the past and they were just fine. It's all about what you want. Billet or not, no big difference. Some times the billet models will limit some small accessories due to the cut. No biggie if it's what you want.
Link Posted: 3/13/2011 11:25:07 AM EST
[#3]
Quoted:
Hi all, I've been lurking around the last couple of weeks trying to absorb as much information as I can about ARs and what it takes to build one.  Overall I've been pretty amazed at how comprehensive this sight is!   I haven't shot much of anything for a few years now, even then it was mostly clays and some pistol, but I'd like to build a general use/SHTF rifle.

So far I think I'm looking at something like a  16" with iron sights and relatively KISS.  I do have a couple of questions.

Lowers seem pretty straight forward, I think I can pick up something in town for about $100, but is a billet lower dramatically better?  

I see a lot of rifles with collapsible stocks, I assume this is to adjust length of pull?  I prefer the looks of the standard A2 style stock, I am 6'5" so I doubt it's too long for me.

I've been looking at the Del-ton dissipator because I like the longer sight radius but is there a disadvantage?  It seems like the dissipators are not as well represented as the other AR configurations.

The 22LR upper/conversion looks very interesting (I suspect it will take a few rounds to shake off the rust and 22s are just down right fun) will a dissipator upper work with a 22 conversion?  I suspect I might just go with a dedicated upper anyway but I'm not sure, there seems to be conflicting opinions on how bad it is to shoot 22lr through a 5.56 upper.




Hey there. Do me a favor and use my lower tutorial found here: www.thenewrifleman.com  

Click "lower assembly". That is pretty much step by step what you will expect out of a lower build.

From what I understand a billet lower might be a tad weaker than a forged lower, but as long as your rifle is functioning properly it should never come to a point where the strength is an issue.

When you pick up a lower "in town" buy an AR15 magazine and take it with you. Insert it into the magazine well of the lower you wish to purchase and make sure it falls out easily. If it sticks the magazine well is too tight and you should go to another lower and repeat the test.


The collapsing stocks are as you said... for length of pull (and for users who own body armor ), They are fine as long as you get yourself a receiver extension and stock made to military specifications. This is not just to be kool... the properly made receiver extension will more fully engage the threading at the back of the receiver and is also a stronger component than commercial products. A A2 length stock is fine and it will save you the trouble of tuning your carbine with different buffer weights. A2 stock and buffer are about as good as it gets. It will pretty much work with every setup.

There shouldn't be any disadvantages to the dissipator build that wouldn't carry over to carbines in general. Namely the gas system is something to watch out for.
Make sure the dissy you speak of operates with a mid-length gas system. There is no reason to purchase one that uses a carbine length gas system. They both may function, but the mid length gas system should ensure a bit longer working life in your bolt group.

The .22 kit will work, just be mindful that (from what I understand) the gas port can fill with lead shavings. Blocking that will turn your AR15 into a bolt action.

Link Posted: 3/13/2011 12:17:50 PM EST
[#4]
I recently did my first AR too. I am 6'3" and I traded the M4-style collapsible for an A2 fixed stock. Its not a huge advantage, but that extra bit made the rifle much more comfortable. Traded it to a buddy of mine thats about 5'7" and runs his rifle close, everyone was happy.

As for a 16" KISS build with irons, I did a Stag lower from a local shop ($106 after tax), an upper kit from mapartsinc.com ($521 shipped), and a Daniel Defense A1.5 rear sight ($70). Its not fancy. Its not 'tactical' but it shoots well. I hope that helps give some KISS ideas. You can very easily get a good middle of the road rifle for the same price as a bargain basement junk gun.

HTH, post pics as you do your build!
Link Posted: 3/13/2011 7:55:15 PM EST
[#5]
Thanks for the quick reply guys.  The pics on your site really do a good job of supplementing the info I've found here on AR15.com, Knife_Sniper, thanks.  

Sounds like billet is out, no real gain for the money, that jibes with my experience (I'm a bike mechanic by trade and generally billet in that industry is weaker and more expensive, albeit a little lighter).

I'm still debating how I want to go with the gas system, seems like the Del-ton might be a bit finicky, since it uses a rifle length system.  Perhaps building a mid-length dissipator would be a better idea?  I think that might open me up to complications with barrel mounting a front sight, due to differences in the ID of the FSB and the OD of the barrel?

Any opinions on rear iron sights? are the fixed mounts from Daniel Defense and Troy Industries better than flip ups?
Link Posted: 3/14/2011 5:19:32 AM EST
[#6]
Quoted:
Thanks for the quick reply guys.  The pics on your site really do a good job of supplementing the info I've found here on AR15.com, Knife_Sniper, thanks.  

Sounds like billet is out, no real gain for the money, that jibes with my experience (I'm a bike mechanic by trade and generally billet in that industry is weaker and more expensive, albeit a little lighter).

I'm still debating how I want to go with the gas system, seems like the Del-ton might be a bit finicky, since it uses a rifle length system.  Perhaps building a mid-length dissipator would be a better idea?  I think that might open me up to complications with barrel mounting a front sight, due to differences in the ID of the FSB and the OD of the barrel?

Any opinions on rear iron sights? are the fixed mounts from Daniel Defense and Troy Industries better than flip ups?


Yeah, with billet you're paying for sexiness. Nothing more.

Flip up versus fixed rear is personal preference. On my rifles with Aimpoints, I use Troy flip ups. I like them out of the way when I'm using red dots. For my rifles where I'm not using optics, I really prefer fixed sights. Actually I'm a big fan of good old fashioned carry handle sights. Again it's personal preference.
Link Posted: 3/14/2011 7:26:26 AM EST
[#7]
Quoted:
Thanks for the quick reply guys.  The pics on your site really do a good job of supplementing the info I've found here on AR15.com, Knife_Sniper, thanks.  

Sounds like billet is out, no real gain for the money, that jibes with my experience (I'm a bike mechanic by trade and generally billet in that industry is weaker and more expensive, albeit a little lighter).

I'm still debating how I want to go with the gas system, seems like the Del-ton might be a bit finicky, since it uses a rifle length system.  Perhaps building a mid-length dissipator would be a better idea?  I think that might open me up to complications with barrel mounting a front sight, due to differences in the ID of the FSB and the OD of the barrel?

Any opinions on rear iron sights? are the fixed mounts from Daniel Defense and Troy Industries better than flip ups?


As someone above pointed out, there is no wrong answer, and that is the great thing about ARs, they are all great, and they are personal. Outside of recommendations to get parts from good manufactures that use Mil-Spec or better processes you are GTG. I would highly recommend getting a 5.56 chamber and chrome on the chamber and bore. Walk away from anything that is not. That will meet your SHTF requirements, and it will make the gun last longer. While someone will chime in on the downside to chrome lining (accuracy) you arent going to see that unless you are a SUPER shooter and if you are shooting long distances all day.

Now for pure opinions... which is the heard of AR15s.
Got with a midlength gas system, and a fixed A2 FS. Go with the Magpul MBUS, save the 50 to 75 $ and buy a good mount for a good optic. Again personal opinion is that if my optic fails, I am likely dead, or about to die, or $hit is really really bad, and I will be running and shooting from the hip, so I place little importance on BUIS... But this assumes you buy a decent optic, like an entry level Aimpoint or better. I like adjustable stocks too, but that is because I like a short length of pull, but keep in mind for someone that is much taller than I am, some adjustable stocks provide longer length of pulls than A2s, but A2s provide a nicer recoil system (ie longer spring and heavier buffer) and they offer a continuos uniform cheekweld, which is nice.

Get an optic, and get a good one, with a good mount. Cant say that enough, and you will see it time and time again here, a $2000 AR with just BUIS, and then a $4000 AR with just BUIS, and then a few rich folks will have complete setups. even the budget builds have no optics. I keep a $100 optic around to go on new builds, but it gets replaced within 6 months for a high end optic and the cheap one moves to the next build for temporary duty...

Also a midlength gas system is lighter on the internal parts, and it allows you to add a longer rail down the line if you want to add more accessories.


I preach about midlengths because I had one at one time and really liked it, and when I bought my SHTF carbine, I got a carbine system rather than a midlength system and it is my only regret, but the price on my setup was way below market value so it was a steal, and the gun shots and runs great.

Have fun with it.
Page AR-15 » Build It Yourself
AR Sponsor: bravocompany
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