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Posted: 6/20/2004 3:10:17 PM EDT
| I am planning my first AR build. I want it to be as accurate and reliable as possible. Is there any parts to stay away from? Which bolt carrier is better chrome plated or chrome lined parkerized? Any ideas or insight will be appreciated. |
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I used and recommend Rock River Arms. Great bang for the buck! But also look at Bushmaster and Colt of course, DPMS, and Armalite. LMT has some GREAT stuff! I've heard alot about Mega and Stinger lowers and all of it is good. I built mine using all RRA parts though. Very reliable and accurate! Have fun! -Hershey |
ARE there any parts to stay away from? Sorry, had to. Anyway, avoid all things Vulcan or Hesse. I couldn't tell you about which bolt carrier is better though, sorry. If you are going for competition-like shooting a good 2-stage trigger would serve you well. Avoid anything but forged (Except for Cavarms lowers, which are polymer). Bushmaster and RRA are awesome, and the various kits (M&A, Model 1, J&T) are OK as well. Here are some good lowers: Stag Arms lower Mega lower Both are $89 shipped, and I haven't heard a single bad thing about either. Good luck. |
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I have used them all, it really does'nt matter as long as you use mil-spec. parts. Colt is for sure the best, but you will pay dearly for the parts, their construction, fit, and finish are superb. The others are very close, but try to get the upper and lowers from the same manufacturer, I have seen some that have slightly different anodizing finishes. Example: RRA uses a rather rough, very flat black anodizing, whereas Bushy has a more satin smooth finish, you will see a difference when pinned together, but if that is not an issue to you, who cares right. I am sure all the anodizing is done to mil-spec, but one company's idea of matt black can be different from anothers. Most upper and lower receivers are forged by the same one or two foundry's in the U.S., then the respective gun companies machine the holes into the receivers or contract a job shop to machine the receivers to mil-spec blueprints, they then send them out to any number of plating/anodizing shops to apply the mil-spec finish. Yes, there are a couple of places to stay away from, and avoid cast (weaker) receivers as well, a chrome plated carrier is good, easy to clean and slicker, but DO NOT use a chrome plated bolt, I have seen these crack, break, shatter, and until they figure out the hydrogen embrittlement problem, do not use them, mil-spec black works just fine if the gun is put together right, the same goes for the M-4 feed ramps, not necessary unless you have other issues with the weapon, i.e. a lot of full auto fire with dirt, sand, bent magazines, banged up receivers, never cleaning the weapon etc. I know the military uses them, but my guess it's for the above reasons, not for accuracy. Accuracy? go with stainless barrels, accuracy a little cheaper? go with chromoly barrels, long life and easy to clean? go with chrome lined. RRA is definately the best deal going right now, their lowers are always tight (good), but I have had to file the rear lugs on some other mfgrs. uppers to make them fit right, there is nothing wrong with this, as the fit is always super tight when done. Just order some aluminum black to recolor the lug when done fitting (about .003" on each side does it). Good luck |
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