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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First build for first AR (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/20/2015 10:49:19 PM EDT
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I am wanting to complete my first build. I have been looking at complete guns, and recently decided to build one. My budget is around 800 dollars and I realized that I can build a gun for cheaper than buying a complete one. All of the components that I wanted in a gun was going to be 1k+ in a complete gun.
So far I am looking at the following. I want to make sure that I am not missing anything or getting something that would not pair well together. Complete lower: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/2416/category/4282/ Upper (depending if others come in stock) http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/barreled-upper-assemblies/psa-16-ss-mid-length-5-56-1-7-sqr-hybrid-upper-no-bcg-or-charging-handle.html BCG: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-Carrier-Group-MPI-Auto-M16-p/bcm-bolt-carrier-group-auto-mp.htm Charging Handle: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm-gfh-mod-4-556.htm' Those would be the basics. I would also add sights (probably flip ups from magpul.) Is there anything that I put that would not work together or anything that does not look right? |
Welcome aboard
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BCM BCGs are expensive and arguably the same as any other quality milspec BCG. Get the AIM Surplus BCG and save a few bucks especially if you are on a budget. okay, like I said I am open to ideas. I took a look at their BCGs. Seems like they have 3 different ones at different price points, Any of them better than the other? |
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I would get the basic standard phosphate on for $80. There are endless debates about what is better - NiB, Nitrate, C138, etc... They should all work fine. okay, added that one to my favorites so that I can keep an eye on it. Anyone have an opinion on the upper? |
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Upper is fine but not something I would get. Not a fan of the SS barrel and the SQR is a heavy rail if memory serves me right. Been I while since I researched it. Not sure what I would recommend until I understand what you want to do with it. basically it will be a range gun. Potentially a little bit of coyote hunting with it, but I don't see doing that very often if ever. I want a 16 inch barrel because I want to stay about that mid length size. I would also possibly look to doing some classes with it with a couple friends (not sure of this though). |
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Welcome.
That isn't a bad upper providing you get a well assembled one. It is recomended that ANY upper from PSA be gone through before firing. That includes checking torques, gas block alignment, headspace, etc. Let's just say not every upper of theirs is of the same build quality. I personally have a sweet spot for Stainless barrels. I have two uppers right now that are 416SS & will have two more shortly. Stainless will last a plenty long time for your intended usage. Some guys prefer Nitrided or Crome barrels. Have had a few nitrided & have a 300BLK in Nitride now. Each coating has its advantages. The rail on that upper looks nice but I have no experience with it. If you like it then get it. If you end up not liking it then get a different guard later that you would like to try. This stuff is not set in stone when assembling components. Their MI G2SS uppers I have tried & have been GTG. Good rail at about the same price for the complete upper. That upper with a $100-150 BCG & $45 CH will be $525-575+ Ship if applicable, ready to fire. Be sure to remember to factor in mags & ammo into your budget. |
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Welcome. That isn't a bad upper providing you get a well assembled one. It is recomended that ANY upper from PSA be gone through before firing. That includes checking torques, gas block alignment, headspace, etc. Let's just say not every upper of theirs is of the same build quality. I personally have a sweet spot for Stainless barrels. I have two uppers right now that are 416SS & will have two more shortly. Stainless will last a plenty long time for your intended usage. Some guys prefer Nitrided or Crome barrels. Have had a few nitrided & have a 300BLK in Nitride now. Each coating has its advantages. The rail on that upper looks nice but I have no experience with it. If you like it then get it. If you end up not liking it then get a different guard later that you would like to try. This stuff is not set in stone when assembling components. Their MI G2SS uppers I have tried & have been GTG. Good rail at about the same price for the complete upper. That upper with a $100-150 BCG & $45 CH will be $525-575+ Ship if applicable, ready to fire. Be sure to remember to factor in mags & ammo into your budget. Appreciate the information! I ended up going with a different lower than I listed before. I do like the upper. I think I might just stick with this one unless something else comes available by the time I go to order. I do like the stainless barrel, but it is not something that I am seeking out in a gun specifically. |
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I would get the basic standard phosphate on for $80. There are endless debates about what is better - NiB, Nitrate, C138, etc... They should all work fine. I hate to be "that guy", but if you can't even get the name of the steel right that the majority of AR bolts are made of, why are you giving advice on this? For your information, there are differences as well between the Aim Surplus and BCM BCG's, mainly in the testing of the bolts (at least with the Aim BCG's I've seen). |
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I have been looking at other upper options at first I thought that this was out of my price range, but once I added the price of the BCG into the upper I was looking at I realized it does not make too much of a difference. Plus I feel as this upper would be better quality. Thoughts?
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-YHM-p/bcm-urg-mid-16-yhm12.htm |
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Good upper. YHM makes good rails.
Have you ever used a quad rail? I'm guna leave this right here for ya. Still have to add a BCG & CH to this but.... Bling Bling http://aeroprecisionusa.com/aspx/store/productdetail.aspx?pid=318 |
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Are there special rails that you have to buy if you want to attach to a keymod? I am not opposed to the key mods actually.
EDIT: Did a little more looking around. Makes sense on attaching now comparing the 2 uppers between BCM and Aero which would you say is better? |
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Both are excellent quality.
The Aero M4E1 is one I was pondering getting in the future. Being the Aero is stainless & Wylde it would be worth the extra $ for me. The accuracy may be of added benefit. Between those two I personally would go with Aero upper because I am not a fan of quad rails & the advantages, from my perspective, of understanding the chamber differences between 223/5.56NATO & Wylde lends me to lean that way. I have tried quad rails but they are rough on the hands for extended shooting without rail covers. I have all smooth rails. One MI G2SS & 2 MI SSK-Mod rails. That being said my next three uppers will have different rails but I haven't made up my mind yet. I assemble my own uppers so if I went with the Aero upper I would get it sans barrel. |
| The more I look around the more that I seem to like this one. At first I was not sure about the key mod, but after doing more research it looks like you can add rails with the key mod as you see fit. Which I don't plan on adding accessories right away anyways (aside from sights). |
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I hate to be "that guy", but if you can't even get the name of the steel right that the majority of AR bolts are made of, why are you giving advice on this? For your information, there are differences as well between the Aim Surplus and BCM BCG's, mainly in the testing of the bolts (at least with the Aim BCG's I've seen). Quoted:
Quoted:
I would get the basic standard phosphate on for $80. There are endless debates about what is better - NiB, Nitrate, C138, etc... They should all work fine. I hate to be "that guy", but if you can't even get the name of the steel right that the majority of AR bolts are made of, why are you giving advice on this? For your information, there are differences as well between the Aim Surplus and BCM BCG's, mainly in the testing of the bolts (at least with the Aim BCG's I've seen). I did say C138 instead of C158 but the point remains the same. OP is doing somewhat of a budget build (~$800), so why spend $169 on a BCG when he can buy one for $80? Aim BCGs have worked fine for many of us and AIM stands behind their products. |
| I'm not a fan of stainless steel barrels myself. For a BCG, all you need is one that is HPT and MPI. For a barrel, I prefer a 1:7 twist per mil-spec as it stablizes a wider variety of rounds. Also, don't be afraid to check out other brands. Core 15 has rifle kits for the mid 600's. |
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Did you go with the 15" AERO? Yes I did. I ordered it. They went out of stock. So i am interested in seeing how long it will take to get it. Everyone complains about PSA, but I ordered my lower on Thursday night at about 9:30 and it was at my FFL the next friday by noon. |
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Awesome!
Get some mags & ammo & have at it. Make sure to do some reading up on barrel brake-in or ask them what they recommend. Did you go with one of their NiB BCG's? what about the CH? You have made a wise choice with that upper. They are purrrrrrty. Post up a range report when you get it together & post some pics so we can see your new baby all together. 
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| I will look into the barrel break in. I went with one of their regular BCG from aero. I got a BCM gunfighter mod 4 charging handle on sale from Midway. I got mags sitting at the house today. Just need to get some ammo and I will be all set. I will be sure to post pictures when I get it together as well as when I get out to shoot it. Thanks for all of the help! |
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There is a thread right now on barrel break in.
I just run 10-20rnds through it then clean it with a brush, then shoot it some more, & clean one more time. After that I don't bother until several hundred rounds or I start to see a change in groupings. Some guys will tell you to clean it after every shot for like 20rnds or so. Those guys are proffesional match shooters... so take it for what it's worth. First time buying ammo get a few different loads. Shoot them all & take your time with groupings, being consistent with each 10 shot grouping. You can sight it in with one load & then just test from there. Don't get cought up with point of impact vs point of aim. Your are looking to see what the barrel likes. it will tell you. You could see groups from <1 moa to 3 moa depending on the round. Once you find a load that works good, & if that is the load you want to run, then resight it. |
| Yeah, I have used one so I have nothing to go by. There are so many options out there that I think it would be a difficult decision. I kind of like the vortex scopes, but that might just stem back to only owning bolt action rifles (aside from 10/22) before starting this build. I guess it all really depends what I decide to do with this gun. For now it is just going to be a range gun that I shoot with some friends with ARs. Until I get another use it will probably just keep the iron sights (or so I think). |
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She's a beauty for a FIRST AR. note on the barrel prep/break-in. The barrel will change at somewhere between 200 and 500 rounds and you will need to draw her back in.
If you do the 1,2,3 break in [ 1 shot clean for 10-- 2 shot clean for 20 --- 3 shot clean for 30] your barrel will not experience the crazy 2-500 POI change as much. I use this method on all of my chromoly, SS and hammerforged barrels. While doing 1,2,3, as a new shooter you do a number of things that improve 2 of the 3 combat triad poins. Accuracy, Weapon Manipulation and Mindset. 1.Accuracy: you spend time learning how to mount the rifle and working on your accuracy points.( Cheek, seeing, relaxing, breathing, pressing) 2.Manipulation: though a limited amount, you are gaining repetitions of handling your rifle ( muzzle discipline, making safe/chamber check, breaking the action and reloading) Those around you will feel safer and YOU will be learning best fundamentals and be safer. Shoot that Sheeeet! I want pics~! |
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PSA is awesome.
I just bought a pistol lower and a magpul STR lower from them. Also got 5.56 ammo for 6.89/20pack during this whole bs "ammo ban scare" thats driving up prices. You can never go wrong with PSA, prices are great and quality top notch. I prefer the AXTS ambidextrous charge handle to the BCM, though I also got a BCM upper for my psa lower, good choices on both |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First build for first AR (Page 1 of 2)
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