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Posted: 7/19/2010 10:24:08 PM EDT
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Hey everyone. I am new here. I decided to join because while looking into the possibilities of building my own AR , I stumbled into this board, and after looking around realized the wealth of knowledge this board and it's members contain, and with me doing planning on doing my first build, I know I can use any help and suggestions.
This is not going to be a speed build, as I will be buying the parts as the money becomes available. I just hope to have it done by Christmas. I am planning on starting my build the first of August by ordering my lower reciever first. I will than order parts to build off of this. My set-up so far and as of right now is going to be: -Tactical Innovations T15 Stripped Lower Receiver -DPMS Lower Receiver Parts Kit -MagPul MOE Trigger Gaurd -Tapco T6 Stock -DelTon Upper Assembly / 16" Mid-length Heavy Barrel Kit w/ a flat top upper and M4 Feed Ramps -Pro Mag Rear Flip-up Sight -Multi Reticle Reflex Sight w/ Illumination -PMAG Magazine If I go with this kit, I am looking at a total price(excluding shipping and taxes) of about $825 I know some of the items I can find cheaper, I just based the prices of a quick search to get an idea. Anyways, I will keep updating this thread as new things come up and stuff starts getting done. I am still trying to plan the gun out, so if you have any suggestions or have used any of the mentioned parts, let me know. Thanks! |
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Good luck with your first build, i am actually new to the forum and doing a varmint 204 build. I have not used any of the parts you have on ther except the Magpul stuff.
Definatly go the PMAG route, you will not regret it, and i find that all the MOE stuff is awsome. Look into the Magpul MIAD Full grip kit, it is a modular grip that you can customize to your hand, and one piece even has an integral trigger guard. I just bought one and love it keep us updated and post picks along the way. Good Luck 
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For $799 (minus a significant discount, if it's still good) you could buy a complete rifle that was of much higher quality - the Spikes midlength or M4. Granted, it wouldn't have the "Multi Reticle Reflex Sight w/Illumination", but you can pick up Primary Arms red dots for around $80.
As for the individual parts: The Tapco stock is cheaply made and 3oz heavier than a quality milspec stock assembly (and no, it's not 3 oz stronger, the weight is in completely useless areas). Pro Mag stuff is junk, nothing more to say. DelTon products lack consistent QC and the midlength HBAR will be 8-10oz heavier than a government profile midlength, up to 14oz heavier than a lightweight midlength. Does that come with a bolt carrier group and charging handle? DPMS LPKs are not of the greatest quality, individual parts are OK, but better stuff can be had for a similar price. Really, all you would be "building" is the lower, if you still want to do that, you can get a quality upper and skip the crappy add-ons, get a good LPK and a decent lower and stock, "build" that, and go shoot. |
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Quoted:
For $799 (minus a significant discount, if it's still good) you could buy a complete rifle that was of much higher quality - the Spikes midlength or M4. Granted, it wouldn't have the "Multi Reticle Reflex Sight w/Illumination", but you can pick up Primary Arms red dots for around $80. As for the individual parts: The Tapco stock is cheaply made and 3oz heavier than a quality milspec stock assembly (and no, it's not 3 oz stronger, the weight is in completely useless areas). Pro Mag stuff is junk, nothing more to say. DelTon products lack consistent QC and the midlength HBAR will be 8-10oz heavier than a government profile midlength, up to 14oz heavier than a lightweight midlength. Does that come with a bolt carrier group and charging handle? DPMS LPKs are not of the greatest quality, individual parts are OK, but better stuff can be had for a similar price. Really, all you would be "building" is the lower, if you still want to do that, you can get a quality upper and skip the crappy add-ons, get a good LPK and a decent lower and stock, "build" that, and go shoot. Hmmm... good points. I really want to build my own gun, so I would rather not buy a complete one. Not only do I want to build it to say I built it, but to keep in my family as an heirloom that gets passed down. After reading your post, I am actually thinking now of purchasing all parts individually instead of in kits. This will take me longer I think, but I could use better parts and if I install all the individual pieces myself, than I can honestly say that I built it. Plus, I can truly customize every single part of the gun. Ok... so my thoughts now, are too just get the lower reciever built. I want to make a strong and reliable one that will be a workhorse of a platform to build off of. Grant it, there are some parts on my list I want to stick with like the trigger gaurd, but with the knowledge on this board, I am sure I can build an extremely reliable and acurate gun using different parts and accesories. So... for a lower assembly, I am seriously leaning on the Tactical Innovations lower. I like the clean look of it as well as the bullet icons for safe and fire. From the little I have found about this lower, it seems it is made extremely well. I would like to somehow have my family crest put on the lower eventually and I think the lack of a large company logo on this receiver, gives me the best option of doing this. As far as a parts kit for the lower... well... I saw a 1911 styll grip on an AR the other day, and I really want to go with that style grip now. That being said, should I still buy a complete parts kit, or should I buy the parts individually? BTW... if I do this project slowly, price really is no option, as long as it isn't rediculously expensive. Since this will be a gun that will hopefully stay in my family for generations, I want it to be reliable. |
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Go with building you own from parts. Build both the lower and upper. With the directions on this board it's a piece o' cake. Minimal tools needed outside what is typically found in most garages. I just needed to buy a multi-tool and a block for the upper but also opted to buy a barrel vise when I built mine.
It can be easier on the wallet too if you keep your eyes open for great deals on parts which one finds from time to time. If you happen to change your mind later about a part, or just want to upgrade the barrel, make a repair or whatever, you already have the tools and knowledge. I found that building totally from parts is very satisfying. All-in-all it's one of those things where you finish and think "That's it?" Anyways whatever you decide good luck and enjoy... |
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If you go with a build, I'd get a Daniel Defense LPK for an extra $10. I think I am either going to go with the Daniel Defense, or Rock River Arms. I noticed that RRA offers a 2-stage trigger with their kit for a little more money, but just what is the advantage of having this over a single stage? Also, has anyone else used the Daniel Defense Kit and if so, how do you like it? |
If you don't mind me sharing my opinion. I'd just buy an assembled upper set up the way you want it. I've built up several lower assemblies because it's fun. Not as much to screw up 
Your choice of Tacitical Innovations is a excellent choice. You'll be pleased with it. DPMS (& CMMG) LPKs are run of the mill, Stag, Bushmaster and DD are better, RRA I recently used was a bit more expensive. If you want to use a custom grip like a Pearce Grip (1911), MOE, MAID or Hogue grip you can get a LPK without a pistol grip from M&A Parts. I'll warn you, the Pearce grip is a hand full. The MOE is my favorite. The Magpul trigger guard looks kool but I prefer the RRA winter trigger guard. Less permanent. Instead of the Tapco T6, I'd go with a Magpul mil spec MOE. Rather than a DTI upper, I'd spend a little more and get a Spikes Tactical upper. Instead of the Pro-Mag rear sight I'd spend a little more and get a Magpul or a MI The PMags are a good choice, personally I like old Colt or used H&K mags I go with a single stage trigger at first, you can always go with a two stage trigger later. |
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Quoted:
If you don't mind me sharing my opinion. I'd just buy an assembled upper set up the way you want it. I've built up several lower assemblies because it's fun. Not as much to screw up
DPMS (& CMMG) LPKs are run of the mill, Stag, Bushmaster and DD are better, RRA I recently used was a bit more expensive. I go with a single stage trigger at first, you can always go with a two stage trigger later. +1 DPMS triggers for the most part are sloppy. Spend the extra few bucks and get a Bushmaster or even the RRA kit, I've built several rifles for myself and others with various kits and find the trigger can make a difference in accuracy. Good Luck |
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So after numerous reviews and looking farther into ecah system I have decided that my lower will consist of a stripped Tactical Innovations lower with a Daniel Defense LPK. For a stock I am considering going with MagPul MOE.
Will hopefully be ordering the lower receiver next week! |
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