AR Sponsor
Posted: 9/26/2009 3:46:31 PM EDT
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Evening all,
I have a few simple questions to start off if I may. I want to build my own AR. But I want it to be a tack driver. Not just slinging lead in a 2 or 3 inch group. What is it that the big manufacturers of AR's can do that I cannot? What is it that the expert gunsmith's are doing that we cannot? I'm sure there are people who do not want to build there own and instead just purchase off the shelf. I would think building your own (custom) is always better because the weapon is getting your discreet attention and not just being assembled on the line with a hundred others. I mean I can get match barrels, match triggers, and a host of other match parts. Why would my gun be any less accurate than a manufacturers that guarantees a 1/2 inch group at say 100 or 200 yds. I'll admit, I do not know very much about AR's at all and I do not pretend to. But I am going to learn as I assemble. I just do not want to go out and buy all these high end pieces and expect 1/2 inch groups(provided I can EVEN do that) and find out that there was a bunch of milling and fitting and reaming and polishing and a host of other post assembly or pre-assembly operations that I could not have done. I want to build my weapon piece by piece. Partly because it would be cost wise easier for me to do it this way. Also I can shop and learn as I go. I want to start off with an obvious good foundation. I am assuming that would be the upper and lower. I know I do want my upper and lower to be machined, not cast or forged. Can someone offer a few companies that offer those pieces as machined pieces? Thank you all for your time and allowing me to ramble. Have a nice night. Sid |
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From your post, it seems like your thinking of accuracy in the AR system as you would in a bolt rifle. In an AR, the upper receiver has very little to do with accuracy because the receiver has nothing to do with the bolt lockup like it does in a bolt gun. Your accuracy potential is going to mostly come from bolt:barrel fit, barrel machining quality, trigger, and ammunition.
Any standard forged upper is going to perform the same as a custom, one-off billet upper built to the utmost spec, simply because the bolt does not lock up into the receiver. Purchase a quality match-grade barrel with matched bolt, a good 2 stage trigger, and the rest of the parts and your quarter way to a competition or match gun. The other quarter is going to be in handloading your own ammunition to squeeze every bit of accuracy out of your rifle and the final half will be your job behind the trigger. (quality ammunition will give you the results your looking for, but if you compete it might be a good idea to get into handloading) If your building your own it helps immensely to have someone show you the ropes and lend you tools, otherwise it might be best to have a shop devoted to AR's build you one. Building your own is pretty much the same tasks a shop would do to build the gun for you. If you need to ream, polish, or grind on an AR something is wrong and the parts need to be returned. There simply isn't some magic fairy dust or gunsmith's touch. |
| Start with Black Rain Ordnance receivers. They are all machined billet...I saw their product and met with the president of the company today at a gun show in Dallas, TX. I was HIGHLY impressed. Their level of workmanship goes down to the finest of details. You will be VERY impressed as well. They are not inexpensive but you get what you pay for...every one has one of the other brands mentioned here. |
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Quoted:
From your post, it seems like your thinking of accuracy in the AR system as you would in a bolt rifle. In an AR, the upper receiver has very little to do with accuracy because the receiver has nothing to do with the bolt lockup like it does in a bolt gun. Your accuracy potential is going to mostly come from bolt:barrel fit, barrel machining quality, trigger, and ammunition. Any standard forged upper is going to perform the same as a custom, one-off billet upper built to the utmost spec, simply because the bolt does not lock up into the receiver. Purchase a quality match-grade barrel with matched bolt, a good 2 stage trigger, and the rest of the parts and your quarter way to a competition or match gun. The other quarter is going to be in handloading your own ammunition to squeeze every bit of accuracy out of your rifle and the final half will be your job behind the trigger. (quality ammunition will give you the results your looking for, but if you compete it might be a good idea to get into handloading) If your building your own it helps immensely to have someone show you the ropes and lend you tools, otherwise it might be best to have a shop devoted to AR's build you one. Building your own is pretty much the same tasks a shop would do to build the gun for you. If you need to ream, polish, or grind on an AR something is wrong and the parts need to be returned. There simply isn't some magic fairy dust or gunsmith's touch. I have almost nothing to add to this. Sights/sighting equipment are a part of this puzzle too. It is easier with a scope - just install the scope so nothing moves that is not supposed to. Iron sights are a bit more complex. They have to be matched to your target and repeatable shot-to-shot, and your visual acuity is just as important as your barrel or ammo. |
AR Sponsor