AR Sponsor
Posted: 8/23/2016 4:21:31 PM EDT
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Hello guys/gals,
I have always been a fan of the AR platform from when I was a kid playing shooting games. My first rifle purchase was of course, the infamous Ruger 10/22. I started out purchasing a Rock River Arms Flat top upper receiver for about $620, kinda pricey and over priced but at least I got the most expensive part out of the way and a quality upper. I then started piecing all the required pieces to complete the build. Rock River Arms Flat Top Upper Receiver Mid Length Gas System (16" barrel) Stag Arms Lower Receiver Anderson MFG Lower Parts Kit BCM Buffer Tube Kit Magpul MBUS (Rear for now, front coming soon) Standard AR15 Mid Length Guards (soon to change) Standard AR15 A2 Front Sight (soon to change) Magpul CTR Stock Magpul MIAD Pistol Grip CA Bullet Button (of course) Magpul PMAG Gen3 Soon to come: AT3 15.75" Quad Rail (or maybe a different style) Magpul Front MBUS Low Profile Gas Block Magpul Trigger Guard So far im about $1000 into this build and when its all said and done, im looking around $1500 total. Took me 2 hours to build the lower. It has brought me great satisfaction that I built this AR15 my self, without purchasing a complete one off the wall. I love the feeling of building it myself, plus the knowledge that comes with it. If you guys have any recommendations on 15+ inch quad rails and a low profile gas block, that would be awesome! Im not exactly made of money, nor do I make a lot of it. I started this build in mid August and I just finished my build today (8/23/16) Any recommendations and critics is welcome! Thank you for viewing. pictures coming soon! |
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I went with aero precision for my 15 inch hand guard. It was the cheapest quality hand guard I could find. Its is currently on its way to me.
http://www.graniteridgeoutfitters.com/ has some decent prices on Aero stuff. And, they shipped it pretty fast. I don't know much about the AT3 but i looks good. If you need a quadrail..probably stick with the AT3 Also, you may want to looking into a muzzle device. I won't deprive you of all the hours of looking at you tube videos. But, there are a couple decent ones for around 30 dollars. Congrats on building your own AR. It is a good feeling isn't it :) One suggestion... Next time build the whole AR. You maybe have wasted some money on the upper because you ended up replacing the hand guards and A2 site. My complete build, which is similar to yours, including iron sites came to 1099 dollars. Just for reference to my build: AR15 build: Lower parts kit: ($40.00 DPMS bought at camp perry) Bravo Company (Buffer *H*, spring and buffer tube $75.90) lower reciever (Aero Precision from ADCO.firearms $84.73) Triger Guard (DPMS MidwayUSA $13.00) **Wasted money because a trigger guard came with the B5 systems** AR15 Assembled Upper Receiver - Anodized Black (Aero Precision *BLEM* on sale $82.84) Rock River Bolt carrier group (ADCO.firearms $105.00) (2) Lancer Systems L5 AWM Advanced Warfighter Magazine, 30 rd ($41.00 MidwayUSA) Ballistic Advantage 16" 5.56 BA Hanson Mid Barrel w/ Lo Pro $184.00 BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle MOD5 Small Latch AR-15 $49.95 VG6 Precision Delta 556 Muzzle Device $51.99 Aero Precision Stainless Steel Gas Tubes, Size:Mid-Length $15.99 Aero Precision AR15 15" Quantum M-LOK Handguard - FDE Cerakote (w/ BAR Barrel Nut) $134.99 B5 Systems BRAVO 3-Piece Furniture Kit - FDE $79.99 Aero Precision AR15 Flip-Up Sight Set $139.99 Total: 1099.37 |
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Thank you for your reply.
I was very interested in building it complete, piece by piece, but with all the new guns laws in CA, I was afraid I wasnt going to finish my build in time, turns out I did it in less than 3 weeks :) Plus I didn't want to use any parts or pieces that may be banned and end up becoming a felon over night. I wasnt aware that you cannot upload pics with a post so here is a quick pic of my completed AR15. Yes, its very satisfying knowing that I built it myself! 
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I think you overpaid quite a lot for what you got, but take it as a lesson learned this time, ask here before you buy. Follow the deal threads and buy when stuff is on sale.
Also move your rear sight back as far as it can go For posting pictures, go to your photo sharing sight, right click on the image you want to share, select "copy image url," come to arfcom reply screen. Click on the 4th button over from the right that looks like a picture, and paste in the copied url. |
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Quoted:
Thank you for your reply. I was very interested in building it complete, piece by piece, but with all the new guns laws in CA, I was afraid I wasnt going to finish my build in time, turns out I did it in less than 3 weeks :) Plus I didn't want to use any parts or pieces that may be banned and end up becoming a felon over night. I wasnt aware that you cannot upload pics with a post so here is a quick pic of my completed AR15. Yes, its very satisfying knowing that I built it myself! https://postimg.org/image/67uyd6gq3/ 
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I had it as far back as it can go but it seemed to me that the sight was slightly blocking the charging handle, I didn't want an obstruction or object not allowing me to properly grab and pull the handle.
Thank you for your thought, its appreciated. Ill try it again and see how it goes, maybe ill buy a different one, such as an extended. I know a lot of the stuff I bought was over priced but some of it I can't have shipped to my zip code, so I'm forced to support the local gun stores, which isnt a bad thing. |
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Quoted:
I had it as far back as it can go but it seemed to me that the sight was slightly blocking the charging handle, I didn't want an obstruction or object not allowing me to properly grab and pull the handle. Thank you for your thought, its appreciated. Ill try it again and see how it goes, maybe ill buy a different one, such as an extended. I know a lot of the stuff I bought was over priced but some of it I can't have shipped to my zip code, so I'm forced to support the local gun stores, which isnt a bad thing. It's fine, go ahead and move it back as shown in the pic above. Lengthens sight radius making it potentially more accurate and makes room for an optic (which you haven't bought yet, but you will). Extended charging handles are easier to grab. You've thought about getting one, so that means you will. Welcome to the sickness. You know that money you're not made of? You'll find ways to make more of it to support your new habit. 
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I just finished my first lower with my grandson. I went with a APF blank lower, PSA enhanced trigger and lower springs, and completed APF upper. Homestate manufactured parts. Fun Lego project.
Prices and parts availability vary day to day. If you end up a couple of hundred $ one way or another, you had the satisfaction of doing the lower yourself. A year or two from now the $ are forgotten. If you get the itch to build again, next time you may start with a different upper on your existing lower. Enjoy your gun. It looks to be a nice choice. BTW, Did you stake your Castle nut? |
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Quoted:
The good: First AR Quality components Bad: Castle nut backwards California Price is very high I got my first AR right after Sandy Hook and paid $900 for a PSA premium. Is what it is. Thank you for pointing that out! I didnt notice it til just now. When I got the extension tube kit, the back plate was on backwards so I had to flip it around, i guess i didnt notice i put the castle nut on backwards. Thank you! Oh yeah, I have been looking at a ton of parts to make this build my own and add my own personal touches that will truly make it mine. $$$ for a new hobby, screw the car scene. lol Heres another picture before i fix the castle nut. 
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Quoted: It's fine, go ahead and move it back as shown in the pic above. Lengthens sight radius making it potentially more accurate and makes room for an optic (which you haven't bought yet, but you will). Extended charging handles are easier to grab. You've thought about getting one, so that means you will. Welcome to the sickness. You know that money you're not made of? You'll find ways to make more of it to support your new habit. Quoted: Quoted: I had it as far back as it can go but it seemed to me that the sight was slightly blocking the charging handle, I didn't want an obstruction or object not allowing me to properly grab and pull the handle. Thank you for your thought, its appreciated. Ill try it again and see how it goes, maybe ill buy a different one, such as an extended. I know a lot of the stuff I bought was over priced but some of it I can't have shipped to my zip code, so I'm forced to support the local gun stores, which isnt a bad thing. It's fine, go ahead and move it back as shown in the pic above. Lengthens sight radius making it potentially more accurate and makes room for an optic (which you haven't bought yet, but you will). Extended charging handles are easier to grab. You've thought about getting one, so that means you will. Welcome to the sickness. You know that money you're not made of? You'll find ways to make more of it to support your new habit.  |
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Quoted: So after much consideration on purchasing a free float rail, I have decided to ditch my original thought with the AT3 Tactical 15.75" Quad rail and go with the BCM KMR Key-mod rail in 13" for my 16" barrel on my rock river arms upper. Any thoughts? Good choice. |
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Quoted:
So after much consideration on purchasing a free float rail, I have decided to ditch my original thought with the AT3 Tactical 15.75" Quad rail and go with the BCM KMR Key-mod rail in 13" for my 16" barrel on my rock river arms upper. Any thoughts? I've never used a key-mod so I can't give an opinion one way or the other on the mounting system, but for myself I'm really liking and switching mine over to M-Lok. fI you stick with key-mod, everyone has good things to say about everything BCM makes from what I've read. |
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You can save yourself some money by simply shaving the front sight post down and keeping the rest of it attached as your gas block. You just cut the delta ring off to get it out of the way. All it takes is a dremel. Any ugly cuts will be hidden by the handguard. If it is pinned to the barrel like a standard A2 sight, that is one of the most reliable gas block setups. I recommend going with a handguard that is compatible with your existing barrel nut. Check out Midwest industries. I have their lightweight handguard and it is sweet.
You can also save money by skipping the magpul trigger guard. I know they look cool but that is about the only thing you'll get out of it over your standard trigger guard. But hey, they do look cool so go for it if that's what you want to spend your money on. RRA is good, proven stuff. You'll have a sweet shooting rifle especially once you get that barrel free-floated. |
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I think the BCM Keymod would be perfect. I don't want to start a Mlok V Keymod debate but the way I figure it is I don't hang a lot of shit on my rifle anyways and the BCM rail comes with a sling mount and 2" piece of rail anyway. I'll probably get an Mlok later just so I can say I embrace diversity.
You will love the way BCM rails mount and they are pencil thin. |
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Update **************
Took her out to the range the other day. Shot 100 rounds through her and had a blast. I noticed the barrel getting very hot so I decided to give it rest and stop. Let her cool down and through her back in the case and went home. The first couple shots, the trigger wasn't resetting and after that it shot perfectly fine, I think the trigger assembly needed to be broken in. No hiccups or jams after that. I was shooting 223 Remington that i picked up for a great price. $14/50 rounds. I also got a Dagger Defense red dot optic today in the mail, once I stack up on more ammo I will go back to the range and test my new optic. Cost me about $50 shipped to my house. Since im a new member, I got next day delivery for free. Other than that, the rifle shot amazing well. Very accurate, but I was only shooting out at about 10 yards. I believe this may have been pre-zeroed at 25+ yards because it kept shooting roughly 2 inches below my target. Once I get my posture and technique down, I want to start doing precision shot practice. I really want to be proficient at shooting accurately and comfortably. Heres some pics with the new optic. 
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Glad you are enjoying your move into the black rifle. Put a target out at 25 yards and shoot for groups onto a few dots to get a real idea of how it is shooting. Continue to move the target out as far as your range permits over time.
Do you have more than one magazine? If not you should get at least a second. When you get that second practice getting the empty mag out and a fresh one in quickly. I know it can be hard with the CA rules but it is more important for you than free state folks to get the mechanics of swapping out down pat. |
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Whats up guys,
Been awhile since my last update. I previously mentioned that I was in the market for a quality free float rail and have decided that the AT3 tactical quad rail wasnt for me. Im so glad I made that decision because I recently received my BCM KMR Alpha 15" free float keymod rail in the mail! This thing is truly light! Literally feels like nothing when I hold it up. Feather-weight for sure! http://50.6.73.68/picit/1474138185.0928.jpg Heres a pic of the bcm kmr which im sure all of you have seen thousands of times. old to you, new to me! I just dropped off my upper and the rail at my local gun shop to have them install it. |
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Update!!!!
Got my BCM Rail installed and sighted it in with the magpul mbus and a dagger defense red dot. http://oi68.tinypic.com/2uf91mq.jpg |
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