Build questions..

[def90]

Currently all of my rifles are FALs or AK74s. Thinking about getting an AR just because. I see that you can currently get a Bushmaster ORC rifle for anywhere from $450 to $550 after a $50 rebate from Bushmaster.

http://www.bushmaster.com/firearms/xm-15.asp

If I picked one of these up I would want to replace the handguards and buttstock at a minimum and then would need to add iron sights.

For a handguard I would be getting a MI 15 inch free float at roughly $190, (might also need to get a low profile gasblock if it is not possible to mill or grind down the one that is on the rifle $50?)
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/MI-15-inch-Gen2-SS-Series-One-Piece-Free-Float-p/mi-ss15g2.htm

Possibly a Battlelink Minimalist Stock at $60:
http://www.missionfirsttactical.com/Products/Battlelink-stocks/BATTLELINK-Utility-Stock_5

And for iron sights I would be looking at the Daniel Defense (or something similar) fixed iron sights at $73 and $61:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Daniel-Defense-A1-5-Fixed-Rear-Sight-p/dd-11002.htm
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Daniel-Defense-Fixed-Front-Sight-p/dd-04013.htm

All in all I could be in it at around $984 plus misc. taxes and shipping..

Is there anything pre-built that would come close to this price wise? Am I heading the right direction?

[MarkCO]

With the very low prices, it is hard to beat many deals out there...but you can still go complete parts pick (custom) if you are patient. We have several customers who go buy a lower, shop for some parts and come to the shop to build out their AR using a barrel, upper receiver, handguard and gas block from us. They are often in the $900 to $1100 range and they end up with a much more accurate AR with the parts they want.

IMHO, if you want one for a truck gun, spare, etc., then buying one of the $500 to $600 complete ARs, and leaving it that way it came is a good idea. Stripping off $200 worth of parts to put on $400 worth of upgrades right away does not make sense to me.

[def90]

OK, that's some of the feedback I am looking for. Thanks!

[KS63]

I think MarkCO nailed it there. With the prices and availability of quality parts on the market, build what you really want. You'll be happier.

[def90]

Ok, in the FAL building world you only have 2 choices, DSA and Coonan, everything else is junk. The AK building world isn't much different. When I look into AR parts there are an unlimited number of vendors. How do you decide which lower and which upper/barrel combo will do the job?

I've decided that I am going for a minimalist build.. A tube with iron sights that shoots bullets, extraneous stuff hanging off the sides will not be used at the moment.

sent from a soup can and some string..

[MarkCO]

Lowers are pretty much there as a bowl to hold the parts. For the most part, so are upper receivers. However, the ID of the receiver extension and the threads of same are important for accuracy. The only one I have found to be consistently the best are the JPs, which is what we use, we just sell them a bit cheaper. If the best accuracy potential is not a big deal to you, then any of them you can get at a good price will do, and in most cases, will still deliver acceptable accuracy.

For the barrel, you have to consider recoil impulse, accuracy, longevity and reliability. Mixed in with that is the use, or non-use of adjustable gas. I won't use it and prefer to get a barrel with a gas port that is sized for what I want to do, or small enough that I can drill it out to tune the load(s). You have to remember it is a system and all the parts interact.

[ray1970]

It's all about what you want. I'd rather have a stock Colt 6920 for that money than a modified Bushmaster.

[BPTactical]

It's all about what you want. I'd rather have a stock Colt 6920 for that money than a modified Bushmaster.


A pre 2008 Bushmaster will hold its own against a 6920 any day. Post 2008 Bushy cannot hold a candle to either of the above, modded or not.

[ray1970]

A pre 2008 Bushmaster will hold its own against a 6920 any day. Post 2008 Bushy cannot hold a candle to either of the above, modded or not.

The OP referred to one of the new "optics ready" carbines. That's what I based my comment on. I'm definitely a fan of the older Bushmasters. They stayed true to the design while Colt was screwing around with non-standard pins sizes, heavily modified bolt carriers, etc.

[BPTactical]

The OP referred to one of the new "optics ready" carbines. That's what I based my comment on. I'm definitely a fan of the older Bushmasters. They stayed true to the design while Colt was screwing around with non-standard pins sizes, heavily modified bolt carriers, etc.

Well dagnabbit, I shoulda done red tha whole thing!
Modern Carbon 15? Same class as the old Carbon 15 IMHO from what I have seen.
I would take a 10/22 first.....

[def90]

Thanks for the online and offline responses, I appreciate the help!!! :)

OK.. went to Machine Gun Tours and spent some money on an Anderson lower and a Spikes lower parts kit.. Most of it went together, mag release button spinning onto the mag catch was super stiff and while in the process of running the button onto and off of the release a few times to loosen it up enough to get it onto the lower I managed to twist the through bolt off of the catch side.. :O

Next purchase is a buffer kit, stock and pistol grip. Going with the Bravo Company Gunfighter grip and BattleLink stock above. Looking at the Bravo Company buffer kit.. how do I determine the buffer weight? 5.56 ammo plus 16 inch barrel with mid length gas system.. With the little research I have done it sounds like I would go with the Heavy?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6LKznYC0k6U/VDsLjTO8h6I/AAAAAAAACz4/oTcfMCnOSw0/s800/IMG_20141012_162638_456.jpg

[sportbikeco]

Whatever buffer comes with your stock kit should be fine, heavy buffers are a fix for full auto with a short gas system.