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Posted: 1/13/2015 2:56:17 AM EDT
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I'm currently building my first rifle and wanted to get a few outside eyes looking in on what I've purchased thus far, for some reason I feel like I'm completely overlooking something.
My goal is accuracy at 100to 150 yards which shouldn't be an issue imo. Home defense/range plinking 5.56/.223. Reliability, honestly I probably won't shoot more than 1000 rounds a year out of it. Below are things I've purchased, I understand I can get cheaper in most of it but these are things through my limited research that I've liked so I picked up and couldn't find anything anyone had anything bad to say about. Spikes tactical zombie stripped reciever Spikes tactical enhanced lower parts kit Spikes tactical buffer tube and st-t2 buffer Spikes tactical battle trigger Spikes tactical dynacomp 2 Spikes tactical lightweight nickel boron bcg Spikes ambi safety selector Umbrella corp ambi charging handle Magpul bad lever Magpul moe sl hand guard Magpul moe sl stock Magpul k2 grip Magpul gen3 10/30 magazines (10) Rad lock bullet button I have shot carbine and want a carbine myself so I've decided on that but am lost as if there's a better or worse direct impingement system to use. I'm decided on 16" barrel length. Everything listed I already have I'm pretty sure I'm alright with magpul mbus pro rear sight and the standard a2 front. I'd like to get proficient with open sights before getting any kind of red dot or anything. I like the hammer forged spikes barrel but don't see or know diff in it and another companies with like specs. And I'm not apposed to a prebuilt upper minus bcg and charge handle obviously . Thanks in advance for any tips or warnings even on things I've already picked up. This is my first build and first post I'm completely open. Ps I'm a lefty so am open to other things that will help me shooting left handed as well. |
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Welcome to the website brother Californian There's just one item on your list that I wanted to comment on. Everything you have listed looks good, I'm not the best various parts comparison person. I'm a bit of a Colt snob. I'm a little better at tinkering than making different parts manufacturers configuration decisions. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes and uses. I'm also a lefty.
The Radlock bullet button. Okay you're going to make a fixed magazine build. There are a few different fixed magazine options. With the Radlock, you use a small screwdriver to turn a screw 180° to change the function of the magazine release button from requiring the use of a tool to release the magazine to a standard push button. Depending on which way the screw is facing it effects the rifles legal status from a legal fixed magazine build to an illegal detachable magazine assault rifle. (unless you remove all the evil features) even if you're using a limited ten round magazine. Personally I wouldn't allow my freedom to be at risk and subject myself to arrest and everything that goes with that depending on which way a screw is facing. You could have the screw turned the right way and it could mysteriously get turned the wrong way and you could get in big trouble. I use the standard bullet button on my fixed magazine builds for that reason. They have worked fine for a long time now without function problems. They are inexpensive about $15.00 with the tool. Unless you're going to use the lower as a detachable build, dual use lower, you may want to consider using the standard bullet button. You'll find lots of useful information and friendly helpful people on the site for any questions you may have. I'm sure others will be along soon to comment and make suggestions on your parts list. Again, welcome to the site, and happy shooting. -W |
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The lightweight cArrier really isn't there for being light, it was a purchase that I got cheaper than the normal nickel boron carrier so I jumped on it. I figured the difference after seeing both weighed wasn't enough for me to worry about it being lightweight, but when listing it I used the lightweight name to differentiate it from the standard one which I didn't get. As for the heavy buffer, again it was part of a large parts purchase that was a package at a better pricing and I hadent heard anything bad so I jumped on it.
As for bullet button it's a cheap piece , I do have a normal one, and the rifles not completed yet so this is another reason I've posted with suggestions. I probably won't use the rad lock after more consideration. Any thoughts on things I may consider for my use, that I may have overlooked. |
| I see you're looking for a barrel. With the type of shooting you described a generally accurate, durable, quality barrel should do. There's a barrel sold under a few different names, I think FN makes it and it's made of machine gun steel, hammer forged and has a chrome lining twice as thick as standard chrome lining. That should do the trick. It may come in several different profiles take your pick. Lightweight, M4, or Gov't. That's the barrel I would recommend. Of course, I'm no expert. Have a nice day. -W |
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in reply to the last bit of help on the barrel selection.
this looks like a pretty good deal considering i have a BCG and charge handle Palmetto Upper Barrel: A proprietary blend of Hammer forged chrome molly vanadium made by FN that is referred to as "Machine Gun Steel" by virtue of its required use in FN's M249 and M240 weapons. The hammer forging process work hardens the steel, making it more durable. In addition, the chrome process for the bore allows for a lining almost twice as thick as a standard M16 for enhanced durability. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, with a 1/7 twist, M4 barrel extension, and a carbine-length gas system. The M4 profile barrel is Mil-spec phosphate coated, High Pressure tested and Magnetic Particle inspected. Barrel is finished off with an F-marked front sight post with sling swivel, standard handguards and an A2 flash hider. Upper: Forged 7075-T6 A3 AR upper is hard coat anodized black for durability. Featuring T-marks, these upper upper receivers are made for us right here in the USA. Each upper is assembled to order with US-made parts, and test fired to check gas function. Does not include bolt carrier group or charging handle. |
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Yes, that's the barrel I meant.
I had seen these. FN Barrels . At $319.00 for the complete Palmetto factory assembled upper I think that's a very good choice. I have no personal experience with them but it looks like a good deal. Similar uppers may be available from other dealers too. -W |
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thanks again for the recommendation, looks like that will be my next piece to grab up. with a rear sight.
kinda weird thought, i want the weapon to be light but, i prefer a metal Magpul rear sight over the polymer and i dont even have a real reason other than its metal. |
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Well, I'd recommend a mid-length gas system over a carbine every day (and twice on Sunday) for starters, so that would not use the SL handguard as its not yet available in mid-length.
Also, I recommend the Raptor charging handle, its the best that this lefty has tried. 
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Quoted:
My charging handle pretty much is the same thing as a raptor and is made by the same people Any personal opinions on what you don't like about a carbine? And what you like about mid length. Umbrella = Raptor with someone else's name. Carbine gas system is proven and works.... but midlength is a softer impulse and more reliable extraction. I'd pick mid all day long unless I was stuck on a specific barrel/handguard choice that didn't allow for it. |
| the hand guard i have wasnt really expensive, 35~ dollars i think i paid, i waste more than that on crap all the time so if im doing something thats detremental to the life of my weapon im more than open to lose out on a handguard and use a regular MOE til i can get an sl in the proper configuration. |
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Quoted:
Umbrella = Raptor with someone else's name. Good to know, thanks...there are a few that do that, didn't know Umbrella did too. 
Yes, the mid-length shoots smoother than a carbine length and is just as reliable, and provides a longer radius for your back-up sights. |
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Quoted:
Good to know, thanks...there are a few that do that, didn't know Umbrella did too.
Yes, the mid-length shoots smoother than a carbine length and is just as reliable, and provides a longer radius for your back-up sights. Quoted:
Quoted:
Umbrella = Raptor with someone else's name. Good to know, thanks...there are a few that do that, didn't know Umbrella did too.
Yes, the mid-length shoots smoother than a carbine length and is just as reliable, and provides a longer radius for your back-up sights. is the longer radius always something to think about or only shooting out to certain distances? Also is this only a factor with using iron sights or if i use an optic am i going to have the same deal? |
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Palmetto does have some good deals on uppers (I have one), though BCM has a great sale going on right now...free BCG and GunFighter comp with a 16" middy upper.
Thats a great deal on a great product, even if you do already have a BCG. Some of BCM's barrels are also FN cold hammer forged.
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I just noticed you have a DynaComp, so the BCM combo really wouldn't help, lol.
Also, the ambi safety is good, but be ready for it to possibly poke you in the hand near your trigger finger. I have found that every full-length 90* ambi safety does this to me, so I use only short throw levers, preferably with a selection of lever lengths. Some of those are pricey, some not so much. I have a pricey BAD-ASS-ST, a cheaper Noveske/Magpul, and an even cheaper Strike Industries. All work well, but my favorite seems to be the Noveske/Magpul even though the levers are polymer...and if they were not Magpul polymer, I would have never considered it.(OK, I'm a Magpul fanboy  )
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| The dynacomp, what are we trying to improve with the bcm combo? Please don't be bashful about the dynacomp. Im very happy with my current spikes bcg and umbrella charge handle though. As for the safety, I can see what your saying but will probably have to try it out built before I can make a definitive choice. |
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Nothing at all wrong with the DynaComp, its great.
The BCM combo was just a good deal on some good kit, but you already have what would be the "extras" in that combo, so you wouldn't really gain anything with it. One of the Palmetto uppers would work well for you, like this one. |
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Quoted:
Nothing at all wrong with the DynaComp, its great. The BCM combo was just a good deal on some good kit, but you already have what would be the "extras" in that combo, so you wouldn't really gain anything with it. One of the Palmetto uppers would work well for you, like this one. Why's it cheaper than the carbine I linked? |
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I really don't know why the one you linked would be that much, though it is CHF, but its still a standard M4 (thin barrel under the handguard).
The one I linked above is not a CHF barrel, though it is still made by FN, so that will save you some cash...it will work fine for your intended use. If you really want both a carbine length and a CHF barrel, take a look at this one here, it is an M4A1 barrel, which is heavier under the handguards than the standard M4, and costs less for some odd reason. I have one of these in a 14.7", great barrels. |
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I did think about a 14.5 with my dynacomp permanently fixed on it to get up to 16"
I don't really wanna waste a good part though as I've seen a couple other muzzle devices that are interesting. I'm already thinking about buying a carbine and mid length since they are so cheap :) |
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