AR-15 BS Thread

In many cases this is not bad advice. Those cases include:

1. The "build one to have one" guy. To him "parts are parts", he's more interested in having something to look at, post pictures of on the internut, and something to brag about to the fellas at work. And with that, it's true that it really doesn't matter if it's and Olympic or a Colt, a YHM or a Larue, a CAA or a Magpul, a Primary Arms or an Aimpoint. Because it really doesn't have to function beyond looking cool. So you might as well buy whatever parts look the coolest at the lowest price, slap them all together, and go shoot the typical 200 rounds/year, slowfire, from a bench, that most AR owners actually shoot.
2. The "I've spent some time with the platform and I know exactly what I want" guy. He's paid his dues, used the basic carbine, learned to shoot and shoot well with the iron sights, got a nice callous on his finger from the A2 bump and the gap (and knows what I mean when I say that), and generally shoots rings around the guy in #1 above when he does show up at a match or a practice night. He has identified his actual end-use, he's gone out and done a bunch of it, and he's established the shortcomings in his current carbine that he wants to address in his new one.

If you're not either of these guys, building is typically a bad idea. You don't know enough to know if you're buying good parts or bad, you don't even know for sure how you're going to use the thing (because you haven't done it), and you're likely to fall for the "good enough" scam simply because you don't know better. You are far better off buying a basic, complete, factory gun and getting out there and shooting the hell out of it to learn how to use it, how you will use it, and what stock parts you find lacking doing same.

 

i got the S&W M&P LOWER. with the SPIKES TACTICAL UPPER.

 

yeah we have 2. i think one is a colt( don't quote me on that) and they both have 20" barrels and one has a collapsible stock. and idk what the brother has, i know he is building
a custom one still needs stuff. but the one that he uses idk.

 

good to know. i decided to build my own based on price vs. value. my main uses will be familiarizing myself with the platform, how it works, etc. and plan to train on tactical use of the weapon (videos, and eventually go to classes)
researched for almost a year
here's my build:
Spike's stripped lower
PSA MOE LPK
LMT 16" Complete Basic Upper
Spike's Carry Handle
Total: $755 plus shipping

how'd i do?

 

hahaha man, you guys are jumping my shit. Take a deep breath!

I just went to one of the "ABC" sites, picked a basic 20" stainless "varmit rifle" and it has almost a 1400 dollar price tag on it. Any of you guys that have spent 2, 3, 4K on a teir one rifle know that same 20" stainless varmit rifle can be built for less. If you spent that same 1400 bucks on a build, you know you could build a higher quality rifle.

That regular run of the mill plinker can be built for less! Anyone care to disprove that? We clearly have some experts on the forum. Save the new guy some money who is thinking about getting his first Evil Black Rifle! He doesnt need a Camp Perry bench rifle or a black ops CQB rig that if he cuts corners on he might go home in a body bag...

No need to sensationalize the discussion. No where have I said that Larue, American Defense, Nightforce, Aimpoint are not in a league of their own. There are no better. I never referred to any of the Teir 1 equipment. I said the vast majority of these off the shelf rifles built by the popular mfgs.... Again, take a deep breath!

 

Why would anyone need to take a breath? I've been batting away internut ignoramuses for so long I do it in my sleep sometimes.

I see now from you post thatyou have a dual problem. The first is that you don't know shit. The second is that you haven't yet realized the first.

 

You are right. There is a third group. Call it 1.5. Like yourself hthey realize the benefit of starting out simple and resist the urge to buy a bunch of accessories they don't need and won't use based solely off of internut reviews and they use some savvy online shopping to acquire the parts for a basic gun to start out on.

I think you did fine. Follow it up with ammo, mags, and training and you'll be well on your way!

 

I can tell you something the piston (ACR and SCAR) do that the AR variants dont... they dont have a hole in the upper for a changing handle that vents smoke in your eyes with a silencer attached. My piston LWRC and Gas Buster charging handle combo dont work to stop that. I have considered going to one of those platforms to fix that issue.

I have been able to try other patforms that dont vent gas or smoke in that area like the F2000 with a silencer and its a dream to shoot... though I am not a fan of the F2000... its a pig.

 

I'm getting ready to most likely get a S&W M&P15 i've heard nothing but good thing and have been told they will eat any cheap ammo.

 

GTFO! No way is that a reason to change platforms, complaining about a little gas in the face is priceless.

 

I got started building my Ar15. I ordered a DPMS lower friday so now im on to the upper.

 

just finished my franken AR.....and already planning my next one

 

I think I am going to retrofit my MK12 with some new furniture for the girlfriend, keep it light weight and simple while she learns to manipulate and use it.

 

LMT 10.5" upper
LMT BCG
Troy TRX
Troy fixed front sight
LMT fixed rear sight (chopped carry handle)
Aimpoint ML3 in GG&G canteliver mount
Innova light in a KZ offset mount
IWC QD Rotation Limited Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT
Cavarly Arms CAV-15A Lower
Magpul Miad
Magpul CTR
Vicker's padded sling

 

Sick looking rifle Matt!

 

Looks damn good, Matt! I just sold a gun and now im planning my next AR build.

A suppressed BCM 14.5" middy

 

Thank you Josh and Kevin, I like it too.

 

That is one badass looking gun, Matt.

 

Thanks Paul.

 

Have you had any problems with your 10.5" rifle?

I've been thinking about maybe just going with a real sbr and adding a suppressor later down the road. I just dont know what size I would go with. Ive read the 12.5" is suppose to have a good dwell time and run a bit smoother.