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Posted: 1/21/2013 4:38:16 PM EDT
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I'm working on my first AR-15 right now and just wanted to see if anyone had any advice for anything they would change as far as my part selection.
I'm looking to build a mid to high end quality rifle that will primarily be used for plinking and home defense. I'm trying to be patient and not overpay too much for parts right now, so I realize that I will be waiting for awhile with some of these. Lower: Code Red Firearms stripped lower: $149 (Ordered ETA mid Feb) Stag Arms LPK: $66 (Backordered) BCM Mil-spec receiver extension w/ castle nut and carbine length action spring: $50.45 (Received) BCM H-Carbine Buffer: $22.95 (Received) Magpul CTR Mil-spec stock in FDE: $75.95 (Received) Battle Arms Development Ambi Selector Switch in FDE: $79.00 (Not yet ordered) KNS Gen 2 Mod 2 Non Rotating Pin set in FDE: $37.00 (Received) Magpul Ambi Sling Attachment Plate: $23.95 (Received) Magpul MIAD Grip in FDE: $27.95 (Received) Magpul MOE Trigger Guard in FDE: $8.50 (Received) Magpul Battery Assist Device: $24.95 (Received) Total: $499.70 Upper: BCM Standard 16" Mid Length Upper Receiver Group w/ Centurion Arms C4 12" Handguard: $772 (Received) I prefer a 9" or 10" handguard with a carbine length gas system, so I might sell this mid-length if one of those pops up on BCM in the next couple of weeks. BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle w/ Mod 4: $44.95 (Received) BCM Bolt Carrier Group (MPI): $179.00: (Ordered ETA Early Feb) Yankee Hill Machine Phantom - 5C2 Flash Hider: $24.99 (Not yet ordered) Magpul Angle Forward Grip 2 in FDE: $28.95 (Received) Magpul Rail Vertical Grip in FDE: $24.95 (Received) I wasn't sure which forward grip I would like more so I ordered both and will sell the one I don't like Magpul MBUS Gen 2 Front and Rear sights in FDE: $93.00 (Received) Total: $1167.84 Extra Stuff: Magpul Pmag 30 Gen 2 w/ window in FDE: $15.10each (Received) Magpul Pmag 30 Gen 3 w/ window in Black: $17.05each (Backordered) Magpul Pmag 20 in FDE: $13.95each (Received) E-Lander 30rd Magazines: $18.70each (Ordered ETA mid Feb) Magpul MS3 Sling in FDE: $47.45 (Received) Magpul Rail Sling Attachment: $23.95 (Received) Magpul Ranger Plates: $14.20 (Received) Eotech XPS2-0: $489 (Not yet ordered) I might go with an Aimpoint instead, I haven't decided yet. Thanks for any comments! Also, let me know if there are any parts i'm forgetting for a complete build. Thanks! EDIT: Updated status of a few parts |
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For your first build you did your homework. I think you chose extremely well. KNS Pins, the sling and the BAD.... personal choice but not a deal breaker. Good luck and enjoy.  Care to elaborate on the downsides to the KNS pins, the sling, and the BAD? Thanks. Quoted:
Pics? Also. It sucks. Build another one. That one sucks too. Build a third.  I'll get some pics once I get more parts in, A grip, a stock, and a couple of magazines aren't too exciting lol |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
For your first build you did your homework. I think you chose extremely well. KNS Pins, the sling and the BAD.... personal choice but not a deal breaker. Good luck and enjoy. Care to elaborate on the downsides to the KNS pins, the sling, and the BAD? Thanks. Quoted:
Pics? Also. It sucks. Build another one. That one sucks too. Build a third. I'll get some pics once I get more parts in, A grip, a stock, and a couple of magazines aren't too exciting lol No downsides to any of your choices. 
KNS Pins will bring up the debate of, (a solution in search of a problem). While they do have a place in certain applications, the vast majority of semi-auto AR's will not require them. Although they do look cool and the black pins against a FDE Lower Receiver makes for a nice contrast.
The BAD Lever.... a love hate relationship. Great for quick mag changes and mortaring free a stuck casing/round. Ask yourself if this is applicable to your style or use? There are more than a few instances of the added mass to the bolt catch causing hold back on an empty mag. You'll obviously find if this applies to your rifle soon enough. Chances are in your favor that it will function properly. MS3..... slings are like boots. Personal fit and function are unique to each. The Magpul Sling ( I had the MS2) had narrow straps, was prone to early fraying of the material and sometimes performed as an unintentional piece of Velcro. You may indeed like yours, it just didn't work for me. All in all I think you've chosen extremely well.
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Quoted:
No downsides to any of your choices.
KNS Pins will bring up the debate of, (a solution in search of a problem). While they do have a place in certain applications, the vast majority of semi-auto AR's will not require them. Although they do look cool and the black pins against a FDE Lower Receiver makes for a nice contrast.
The BAD Lever.... a love hate relationship. Great for quick mag changes and mortaring free a stuck casing/round. Ask yourself if this is applicable to your style or use? There are more than a few instances of the added mass to the bolt catch causing hold back on an empty mag. You'll obviously find if this applies to your rifle soon enough. Chances are in your favor that it will function properly. MS3..... slings are like boots. Personal fit and function are unique to each. The Magpul Sling ( I had the MS2) had narrow straps, was prone to early fraying of the material and sometimes performed as an unintentional piece of Velcro. You may indeed like yours, it just didn't work for me. All in all I think you've chosen extremely well. With the KNS pins, I figured they weren't that expensive, so might as well throw them on as extra insurance. I've read that about the BAD lever being love/hate, so again, for not that much money, I figured I would give it a try and see how I like it I read a review that the MS3 fixes the narrow straps and fraying from the MS2 as it's a completly different material, so I guess worst comes to worst I can just sell it. Thanks for all the imput!
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Quoted:
For your first build you did your homework. I think you chose extremely well. KNS Pins, the sling and the BAD.... personal choice but not a deal breaker. Good luck and enjoy. This. Those things aren't needed (except a sling but for that I would go with a 2point Vickers) I would shoot it first and then add stuff as you go. I would wait on the optic and invest more in mags and ammo because eotechs will still be around in a year. Speaking of that, and having had an Eotech, get an Aimpoint Micro. You will love it. Longer battery life and the reticle isn't as "busy." With that said you can't go wrong with BCM, I have two middy's and I won't ever use a carbine gas system on a 14.5 or 16" again. |
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I've gotten a bunch more parts, I really just need the lower and LPK to arrive (probably a few weeks out for both) and I will be good to go!
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b550/Meccathor/ar15-001_zps6df065b7.jpg |
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Did you get the BCG? Meaning has it arrived yet or are you still waiting? I jumped on the 14.5" BCM upper with a BattleComp welded on to bring it above 16" that came in stock earlier today and came with a BCM BCG, it should arrive next week I'll stick that upper on the second Code Red lower that I ordered and track down a BCG and other parts for that one once things calm down in a few months, but at least I will have one fully assembled rifle now |
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