Posted: 1/12/2011 6:52:14 PM EDT
Hey, north NJ resident here. Just finished my first build http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=515933 and although I am very happy, it cost me an arm and a leg! Of course I need to build another 
I am planning on doing a Carbine as cheap as possible maybe even getting used parts. Spikes has lowers for $99 and I saw a new DPMS lower at The Bullet Hole for a bit more. Anyone else have lowers in stock in NJ? Any thoughts about getting a used one in NJ? Feel free to PM if you have any info or suggestions. Thanks. |
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Spikes, end of story.
Just how cheap are you wanting to go? Cheap as in Chinese junk or cheap as in parts with a few miles on them you can find at the EE? Buy cheap, buy again i always see. Better to wait a little and save up for the right parts instead of throwing money down on used stuff just so you can get it quicker. JMHO Oh and how do you like those diamond sights compared to regular? |
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Spikes, end of story. Just how cheap are you wanting to go? Cheap as in Chinese junk or cheap as in parts with a few miles on them you can find at the EE? Buy cheap, buy again i always see. Better to wait a little and save up for the right parts instead of throwing money down on used stuff just so you can get it quicker. JMHO Oh and how do you like those diamond sights compared to regular? I am thinking new or slightly used lower and maybe the rest slightly used off the EE. A few scratches here and there are no big deal because I might camo the whole thing. I don't want to buy chinese junk but I would like to see how inexpensive I can go buy buying slightly used stuff. As for the Diamondhead sights, I really like them. Very easy to acquire the sight picture. They make a set of low ones that you might want to look at as well as these are pretty big. |
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You need to put a decent trigger into your first build before you start a new one. Did you go all the way to page 3 on my build page? I installed the Geissele Super Semi-Automatic (SSA) Trigger. Results on page 4. Very nice. Crap. I didn't. I have heard good things about that trigger as well. Awesome! |
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You can get a stripped lower from Palmetto State Armory for 69. I pick up a couple and they are good. Do you know if they are forged or cast? I could be wrong but I think Olympic Arms was doing some cast ones and I don't think I want one of those type. I don't think anyone is making cast anymore. |
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You can get a stripped lower from Palmetto State Armory for 69. I pick up a couple and they are good. Do you know if they are forged or cast? I could be wrong but I think Olympic Arms was doing some cast ones and I don't think I want one of those type. I don't think anyone is making cast anymore. That's good. I am going to take a look at Palmetto although I would buy a used lower FTF in NJ if I found one. |
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Quoted: http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1560.phpQuoted: You can get a stripped lower from Palmetto State Armory for 69. I pick up a couple and they are good. Do you know if they are forged or cast? I could be wrong but I think Olympic Arms was doing some cast ones and I don't think I want one of those type. Our receivers are machined on a multimillion dollar, automated, manufacturing system which enables us to produce a product of unequaled quality and value. These forged lowers are quality made using material is 7075-T6 and are marked "CAL MULTI" to accommodate most builds. Finish is Black Hardcoat Anodize per MIL-8625 Type 3 class 2. edit- they just went up $10 today but are now shipped for free |
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Do you know if they are forged or cast? I could be wrong but I think Olympic Arms was doing some cast ones and I don't think I want one of those type. I have a forged olympic receiver. Works fine besides the mags not dropping free. One of my buddies had a cast one. The buffer tube was incorrectly machined OR i bent it mortaring it in a attempt to remove a stuck case from it. Avoid those. |
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I ordered a lower from Palmetto Armory. They are $79 SHIPPED now and I think it is a good start to a budget build. I have an A2 stock/spring/tube/buffer from my first build I am going to put on this rifle, an A2 grip, the stock Double Star trigger group removed from my first build and some assorted lower parts pins and springs. I figure I can go to Brownells and get the bolt release, mag release and whatever pins and springs I am missing. I also have a metal 20rd converted to 15 for it. That just about takes care of the lower. Anybody have a used upper? Not looking for a stripped upper, I do want to get one with a barrel. First choice would be and A1 type carry handle with 14.5 barrel and NJ legal brake already on it but I will consider all others including flat tops. I do want the traditional M16/m4 type FSB on this build though for sure. Would love to do a FTF on a upper here in NJ. Or even a lower cause I have BRD now  IM me if you see any good deals on a used upper with or without a BCG/charging handle.
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I laid out all the extra parts I had from my first build and took an inventory. Although I have the trigger group I still need the bolt catch and springs, pins, the mag release and related parts, safety and related parts and grip screw and washer for a complete lower. Went to Brownells last night and got them all from DPMS for $46 including shipping and the $1.85 NRA round up. Looks like I will have this new Palmetto lower complete for less than $130 including the A2 grip, A2 buttstock, tube buffer and spring which I already had.  A far cry from my first build...
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I laid out all the extra parts I had from my first build and took an inventory. Although I have the trigger group I still need the bolt catch and springs, pins, the mag release and related parts, safety and related parts and grip screw and washer for a complete lower. Went to Brownells last night and got them all from DPMS for $46 including shipping and the $1.85 NRA round up. Looks like I will have this new Palmetto lower complete for less than $130 including the A2 grip, A2 buttstock, tube buffer and spring which I already had. A far cry from my first build...For $45, I would have ordered a complete LPK and been done with it. Also you need more mags! Ten per gun is a good start.
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I laid out all the extra parts I had from my first build and took an inventory. Although I have the trigger group I still need the bolt catch and springs, pins, the mag release and related parts, safety and related parts and grip screw and washer for a complete lower. Went to Brownells last night and got them all from DPMS for $46 including shipping and the $1.85 NRA round up. Looks like I will have this new Palmetto lower complete for less than $130 including the A2 grip, A2 buttstock, tube buffer and spring which I already had. A far cry from my first build...For $45, I would have ordered a complete LPK and been done with it. Also you need more mags! Ten per gun is a good start. !!! I see your point but figured I would used the parts I had and just fill in the rest. I think I saved $20 overall. But the whole idea with this build for me is to do it as cheaply as possible. Not including the FFL transfer I think I will have the complete lower with A2 stock assembled for $125. Funny you mention the mag issue. I have had more than a couple of rifles over the years and if I had two or three mags I was always ok with it. I never thought I needed more. But being on ARFCOM it seems I am sorely lacking although I really don't know why.  I went onto Riflegear and ordered two more of the 15 rnd NJ legal P-mags today.
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