Keyboard Jockey Attempts Two AR-15 Builds

Cubo de Sangre

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@plutonium
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***Updated 12/20/2019***

I like guns. I'm not mechanically inclined. The AR seems like the most versatile tool in the history of self-defense. I decided to build one from scratch. The problem is I'm indecisive and I've got champagne tastes. That means I need to build at least two rifles so that I can better sample the options. My goal isn't to build the most cost-effective rifle. It's to build what I want, taking into consideration aesthetics and practicality more so than price.

I've begun with the lowers. So far here's what I've got for parts. I'll update as I add or switch out. Pictures of the parts and build process to follow.

Even if you don't follow the thread let me know what you think of the builds. Good or bad, I'm curious to know your opinions.

And because photobucket sucks dogshit, you probably won't see most of the pics. Fuck them.

FINISHED

(***Note that I switched out the lower at the end of the build. The lower this one replaced will be used in Build #5.)


LOWER

Stripped Lower: Spike's (No Logo)
Buttstock: ACE Skeleton stock
Sling QD Attachment: ACE UMPB
Trigger: Franklin Armory BFS Binary
Trigger Guard: TacFire
Grip: Ergo Suregrip Ambi
Bolt Catch: Phase 5 Tactical EBRv2
Safety Selector: Franklin Armory (BFS-Compatible)
Mag Catch: Norgon Ambi
Mag Release: Seekins Precision
Buffer Spring: JP Tuned & Polished
Front/Rear Takedown Pins: Strike Industries


UPPER
Stripped Upper: MAS Defense Slickside
Barrel: Voodoo Innovations
5.56x45, 16", Mid-Length, 1:7 Twist, .750 Gas Block, Government Countour, 4150 CM, Melonite
Muzzle Device: Omega Manufacturing Faux-Suppressor
Bolt Carrier Group: AIM Surpluss
Handguard: AR15 Solutions 15" Free Float Tube
Handguard Wrap: 3M Vetrap
Charging Handle: Stag Arms
Gas Block: Omega Manufacturing Micro Screw-On
Optic: Aimpoint H-1 Micro
Optic Mount: LaRue QD Low-Rise
Optic Cover: Tango Down

(**** Pictures show Raptor charging handle instead of the Stag standard GI. Future modifications could include filing down some Battle Arms safety lever to fit the BFS cam, treating the bolt catch logo with Aluminum Black, and similarly covering up the Aimpoint markings.)


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For those not familiar with the Franklin Armory binary trigger, here's a guy showing what it can do.



FINISHED

LOWER

Stripped Lower: Black Rain Ordnance Fallout 15
Buttstock: Magpul PRS
Recoil Adapter w/Pad: M/P with Pachmayr Large Field Pad
PRS Monopod rail cover modified to accept riser w/monopod
Monopod: Accu-shot 3.75"-4.65"
Mini Riser: Yankee Hill Machine 1"
PRS QD Sling Mount: Parker Mountain Machine
Buffer Tube: Black Rain
Buffer Spring: JP Silent Capture
Trigger: Geissele SSA-E
Trigger Pins: KNS Anti-Rotation Pins
Grip: Ergo Suregrip Lefty
Front Pivot/Rear Takedown: Tactical Supply Biohazard Pins
Bolt Catch/Battery Assist Device: Phase 5 EBRv2
Safety Selector: Battle Arms BAD-ASS (Long Crank / Short Crank)
Magazine Catch: Norgon Ambi
Magazine Release: Seekins Precision
Lower Pin & Spring Kit: CMMG


UPPER
Stripped Upper: Black Rain Ordnance Fallout 15
Barrel: JP 20" .223 Wylde
Charging Handle: Rainier Arms Avalanche
JP Enterprises Thermal Dissipator
Muzzle Brake: VG6 Epsilon
Muzzle Brake Attachment: VG6 CAGE Device
Bolt Carrier: JP Low Mass
JP Bolt Carrier Pin Package
Handguard: JP/V-Tac 12" Free Float
JP Front Sight Rail
JP 2" Rail
JP QD Sling Swivel Mount
Front & Rear iron Sights: Knight's Armament Micro 600 meter
Gas Block: Syrac/Black Rain Adjustable Low Profile
Gas Tube: Spike's Tactical
Forward Assist Assembly: Strike Industries
Ejection Port Cover: Tactical Gear Junkie
Bi-pod: Accu-Shot Atlas with QD Lever
Scope Mount: Bobro QD
Scope: Leupold Mark IV


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EDIT: This is addictive. Here's some other builds inspired through all the trial and error. #6 is still in progress but the others are done (more or less :D).


FINISHED

LOWER

Stripped Lower: Anderson Manfucaturing
Furniture Kit: MDI / Magpul (Reaper Black Stock, Hanguard, VFG, Trigger Guard, PMag)
Buffer Tube: Omega Manufacturing
Buffer: Omega Manufacturing
Buffer Spring: JP Tuned & Polished
End Plate: Tapco
Trigger: Rock River Arms National Match 2-Stage
Grip: Ergo Ambidextrous Reaper Black
Takedown/Pivot Pin Set: Laser's Edge Studio
Safety Lever: Battle Arms Development
Magazine Release Button: Seekins Precision
Bolt Catch / Battery Assist Device: Phase 5 Tactical EBRv2
Lower Spring Kit: Strike Industries
Magazine Catch: Norgon

UPPER
Stripped Upper" Aero Precision
Barrel" Colt .556 x 45, 14.5", w/Front Sight Block and Barrel Nut, Handguard End Cap, YHM Phantom Flash Hider Welded
Bolt Carrier Group: Crosshill Technologies Black Nitride
Delta Ring Assembly: Omega Manufacturing
Gas Tube: Omega Manufacturing
Handguard: Magpul Reaper Black
Charging Handle: Rainier Arms
Ejection Port Cover Assembly: Tactical Gear Junkie
BUIS-Rear: Magpul Reaper Black


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FINISHED

LOWER
Stripped Lower: Anderson Manufacturing
Furniture Kit: Magpul MOE
Buffer Tube: Omega Manufacturing
Buffer: Omega Manufacturing
Buffer Spring: JP Tuned & Polished
Trigger: Rock River Arms National Match 2-Stage
Trigger Guard: TacFire
End Plate Sling Adaptor: AR-Stoner
Grip: Ergo Suregrip
Takedown/Pivot Pin Set: Squirrel Daddy
Safety Lever: Stag Arms Ambi
Magazine Catch Assembly: AR-Stoner
Bolt Catch: AR-Stoner
Battery Assist Device: Troy
Lower Spring Kit: Strike Industries

UPPER
Upper: Anderson Manufacturing
Charging Handle: Omega Manufacturing
Barrel & Gas Tube: Daniel Defense 5.56x45, 16", 1/7 Twist, Carbine Length Gas, Cold Hammer Forged, Phosphate
Muzzle Device: Miculek Muzzle Brake
Bolt Carrier Group: Crosshill Technologies
Hadguard: Magpul
Handguard-Cap: LBE Unlimited
Delta Ring Assembly: Omega Manufacturing
Vertical Foregrip: Magpul
Gas Block: Omega Manufacturing
Forward Assist Assembly: High Standard
Ejection Port Cover: Sabre Defense
Ejection Port Pin, Spring, Clip: Mammoth
BUIS-Rear: Magpul MBUS
BUIS-Front: Yankee Hill Manufacturing


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FINISHED

(***Note that this also takes standard AR magazines. There's a mag-well adapter that holds the belt-fed links. Drop it out and slap a magazine in.)

LOWER
Stripped Lower: Spike's Tactical Multi-Cal Red Spider Logo
Stock: ACE Skeleton Stock Standard
Buffer Spring: Ares Defense
Buffer: Spike's Tactical T2
Trigger: Franklin Armory BFSIII Binary
Trigger Guard: Spike's Tactical
Grip: Ergo Ambi Sure Grip
Front Pivot / Rear Takedown Pins: Battle Arms
Safety Lever: Franklin Armory
Magazine Release Button: Seekins Precision
Bolt Catch: Ares Defense
Magazine Catch: Norgon Ambi
QD Stock Attachment: ACE UMPB

UPPER
Upper Receiver: Ares Defense MCR-037
BUIS-Front/Rear Set: Ares Defense
Barrel Handle: Ares Defense
Vertical Foregrip: G.P.S. Grip-Pod #02
Optic Elcan Specter OS 3.5x


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Here's the company's promo video. Unfortunately this isn't full auto, but the trigger is the new Franklin Armory BFSIII binary. That means that when you flip it to what would be the full auto position It fires a round when you pull it and fires a round when you let go. :eek:

Yes, that's legal. And in case you missed it, the earlier version of this trigger is in build #1. :cool:




FINISHED

LOWER
Stripped Lower: Spike's "The Jack"
Buttstock: Magpul UBR
Trigger: BFSIII AR-S1
Trigger Pins: KNS
Grip: Ergo Suregrip Left-Handed
Bolt Catch: Battle Arms Enhanced
Safety Selector: Battle Arms BAD-ASS (Long Crank / Short Crank)
Mag Catch: Norgon Ambi
Mag Release: Seekins Precision
Rear Takedown Pin: Colt
Front Pivot Pin: High Standard
Sling: Specter Gear Viper Gen 2


UPPER
Stripped Upper: Blitzkrieg Tactical
Barrel: Black Rifle Arms 7.62x39 Mid-Length Gas
Barrel Nut: Colt Manufacturing
Muzzle Device: Heritac Octacomp
Bolt Carrier: Davidson Defense
Bolt Assembly: Black Rifle Arms
Enhanced Firing Pin: Black Rifle Arms
Front Sight Gas Block: A.R.M.S. Inc.
Gas Tube: Voodoo Innovations
Handguard: A.R.M.S. Inc.
Charging Handle: Rainier Arms
Forward Assist Assembly: Strike Industries
BUIS-Rear:A.R.M.S. Inc.
Optic:Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x
Optic Mount: Vortex Cantilever Mount


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Upon further consideration the scope got shit-canned.


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PSA sometimes has blemishes uppers for dirt cheap. The reviews on them say the blemish is so minor to be unnoticeable, or they literally do not see a blemish . Not sure what your budget is though.
 
Upper. Noveske stamped vltor mur, Noveske 14.5 afgan barrel with whatever you want (has to be a total of 16.1") pinned and welded on. One of the the Fortis or Geissele handguards.
 
Thanks on the PSA tip but those fellas won't ship to me. I tried to pick up some parts and when I went to checkout it was a no go. I emailed asking what was up and got no reply.

As for Noveske, I'm definitely interested in their products. What's special about the afghan barrel? Does somebody sell a an upper like you describe that's pre-assembled?
 
Thanks on the PSA tip but those fellas won't ship to me. I tried to pick up some parts and when I went to checkout it was a no go. I emailed asking what was up and got no reply.

As for Noveske, I'm definitely interested in their products. What's special about the afghan barrel? Does somebody sell a an upper like you describe that's pre-assembled?

Rainier arms can probably assemble it for you for pretty cheap. http://www.rainierarms.com/ I think you add parts to cart and add gunsmithing option. I think they have a custom shop option now. I don't remember. You could just call them. I always buy from them. They have always been very helpful on the phone. Also just look through all the products. They have a ton of stuff. Pick the products you like.

Noveske mod 3 uppers are nice as well. I just like 14.5" barrels. Noveske blanks come from pac nor. John Noveske worked there until he decided to start up Noveske rifle works.

Noveske makes sub moa barrels that take a beating and chambers with extreme reliability. Tests have shown their stainless steel barrels are still sub moa at 15k rounds. You could go with a standard light lp barrel like what I have as well. They are mil spec M249 double chrome lined and will stay good for like 40-60k+ rounds.

Here is some real world testing. Included stainless and chf.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?61263-Accuracy-Evaluation-of-Six-Different-Noveske-Barrels

Some great 10 shot groups. He did some great tests. Also remember when companies say their barrels are sub moa it is usually using 3 shot groups. He is throwing down three 10 shot groups for each one.
 
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The lowers go together really quick and easy. I put mine together in college while eating a bowl of ramen on the kitchen table. Just be careful not to mar the finish when sliding pins into place.
 
The lowers go together really quick and easy. I put mine together in college while eating a bowl of ramen on the kitchen table. Just be careful not to mar the finish when sliding pins into place.

Thanks. I saw a video where the guy was using electrical tape to protect the finish when inserting pins. That seemed like a good idea. Instead of Ramen I'll situate the bong on my work space. :icon_lol:

I'm already hitting snags without even putting the first of it together. I wanted to go with the Seekins bolt catch and a BAD Lever but now I'm reading that they are incompatible. I wonder if the Troy or Phase 5 versions will work instead. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.
 
Time for some pics. Here are the main components so far. It's the Spike's lower, then the BRO lower and upper. Near as I could tell all the receivers are made in a select few places and the main difference is going to be whose rollmarks you like best. I love the spider and the biohazard logos. I picked one that needed a trigger guard and one that didn't. I kinda wish one was a Seekins with that curvy look but I'm not sure which one of these I'd replace and three builds is a bit much. :)

I'm also a sucker for the pictograms (depicting how the non-existent fun switch would work).







 
Since I'm focused on the lowers first and foremost, here's the potential battery assist devices. I realize I didn't buy a Phase 5. I might need to look into that.

 
The Spike's needs a trigger guard so how could I resist using their own (with the spider logo)?

 
Battle Arms safety selectors in every configuration they offer. I'll see what works. I'm picky because I hate the way safeties always rub on my trigger finger. Maddening.

 
The Seekins bolt & mag catches I like. We'll see how these work out when trying to also use BAD Levers.


 
I plan on using the full length ACE Skeleton Stock on the Spike's build. I didn't feel like unwrapping it. Let's call that building suspense.


 
The ambi Raptor charging handles will go on both (and my other AR's most likely)

 
I picked up this sling adapter. Not sure where this fits in yet.


 
Gotta have takedown pins. With the BRO in the house I absolutely needed to get a set with the biohazard symbol on 'em.


 
Grips. What's better than an Ergo Suregrip? The lefty is for the BRO and the ambi is for the Spike's.


 
I'm not really on to the upper yet but here's the barrel and bolt I have. It's a JP 20". It comes with a bolt, which is in the shrinkwrap (didn't feel like unwrapping it). It's heavy. I like that because it's going in the BRO build and my goal there is accuracy with minimal recoil. I'll take all the weight I can get I suppose.


 
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