semi-custom truck gun?

[fly boy]

I don't know if there is such a thing, but my question for the forum is..... Is it plausible to have a semi-custom plinker 5.56 for a budget build? I was going to just buy a PSA rifle kit, but decided, is it possible to shop around and get something a little upgraded? I already have a lower, so here would be the list of needs....

budget: $550ish
Wants: Nickel Boron BCG or equivalent, Stainless barrel, low-profile gas block,
Optional if budget allows: BCM gunfighter Charging handle or something similar
later on down the road add-ons - bitchen looking flash suppressor (subjective I know, sorry).

Thanks.

[ray1970]

If you're just talking about putting an upper together, you can meet your criteria for around $500. I recently put a couple of uppers together with stainless barrels, pinned gas blocks, ALG Defense handguards, Rainier receivers, and BCG's from Aimsurplus. Total cost was under $500. You can add a bit more to that price if your lower is stripped and needs to be finished out.

[Great-Kazoo]

It's possible, i don't consider your list to be a custom build. Just items other than offered with on line packages. The bbl & bolt carrier will put you over $2-250. That's 1/2 your budget.

IF it's a truck gun outside of function for your piece of mind. Why drop $$$ on it? Keep it cost effective and functional.
Here's everything minus the lower. DSArms has good deals.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-stainless-mid-length-1-7-freedom-rifle-kit.html

[Joe_K]

Brownells is running a special on a complete Aero Carbine (minus the handguard, and stock)
The specs are all Mil Spec except it has a mid length gas system, and a low profile gas block.
Buy a MI ind. Gen 3 Free float rail, add sights, and a light, pick up a $20 stock and your done.

[ray1970]

The specs are all Mil Spec except it has a mid length gas system, and a low profile gas block.


And the barrel isn't chrome lined per mil-spec either.

[Joe_K]

And the barrel isn't chrome lined per mil-spec either.
True, although Nitriding is an arguably better all around finish.

[ray1970]

True, although Nitriding is an arguably better all around finish.
Wasn't referring that it was inferior. Just not military specifications.

Keep in mind, mil-spec doesn't necessarily mean the best. It just means the best the government is willing to pay for that they feel meets their needs.

[fly boy]

If you're just talking about putting an upper together, you can meet your criteria for around $500. I recently put a couple of uppers together with stainless barrels, pinned gas blocks, ALG Defense handguards, Rainier receivers, and BCG's from Aimsurplus. Total cost was under $500. You can add a bit more to that price if your lower is stripped and needs to be finished out.


It's possible, i don't consider your list to be a custom build. Just items other than offered with on line packages. The bbl & bolt carrier will put you over $2-250. That's 1/2 your budget.

IF it's a truck gun outside of function for your piece of mind. Why drop $$$ on it? Keep it cost effective and functional.
Here's everything minus the lower. DSArms has good deals.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-stainless-mid-length-1-7-freedom-rifle-kit.html

I only said "truck gun" because I'm not looking for a precision shooter. Yes I want to be on paper at 100yards, but I don't need to be sub-moa either. Something for fun, and looks nice.

I was looking at the PSA's and that's why I had to post the question. I like the Nickle boron BCG and stainless bbl for looks and maintenance. But I also wanted a low-pro gas blocks so I can put optics on it if I wanted without the interference of the front sight

[Great-Kazoo]

I only said "truck gun" because I'm not looking for a precision shooter. Yes I want to be on paper at 100yards, but I don't need to be sub-moa either. Something for fun, and looks nice.

I was looking at the PSA's and that's why I had to post the question. I like the Nickle boron BCG and stainless bbl for looks and maintenance. But I also wanted a low-pro gas blocks so I can put optics on it if I wanted without the interference of the front sight

Any OTC upper will give you COM, sounds liek it's the item you seek. Most if not all will do 1-4" MOA, less off bench with bags.

Here's a RDS, great co-witness with stock front & fold down rear. Gives one the option of BUIS or RDS.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-ar-f3-flatop-fastfire-sight.html

With a magnified optic say 1-4x, you look right through the front sight. Never noticing it's there. The spouse runs this with stock / A2 front sight post.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-mtac-ballistic-cq-1-4x24-riflescope.html

[fly boy]

Any OTC upper will give you COM, sounds liek it's the item you seek. Most if not all will do 1-4" MOA, less off bench with bags.

Here's a RDS, great co-witness with stock front & fold down rear. Gives one the option of BUIS or RDS.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-ar-f3-flatop-fastfire-sight.html

With a magnified optic say 1-4x, you look right through the front sight. Never noticing it's there. The spouse runs this with stock / A2 front sight post.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-mtac-ballistic-cq-1-4x24-riflescope.html

it is the few items I do seek, hence the "semi-custom". I was worried about the a2 front sight being in the way if I put on a red dot or holographic on it. Maybe I will run into sportsmans and see if they have any a2's I can personally handle and make me change my mind (currently very hung up on the low-pro gas block).

I have:
DD multi-cal stripped lower
Grip, mid-length handguard, butstock

Shopping list:
5.56 SS BBL
Nickel Boron BCG - OR CHROME
oversized charging handle - similar to a BCM gunfighter

Remaining items:
What would you suggest?

[Great-Kazoo]

it is the few items I do seek, hence the "semi-custom". I was worried about the a2 front sight being in the way if I put on a red dot or holographic on it. Maybe I will run into sportsmans and see if they have any a2's I can personally handle and make me change my mind (currently very hung up on the low-pro gas block).

I have:
DD multi-cal stripped lower
Grip, mid-length handguard, butstock

Shopping list:
5.56 SS BBL
Nickel Boron BCG - OR CHROME
oversized charging handle - similar to a BCM gunfighter

Remaining items:
What would you suggest?

Buying something from the Honest Hamid 2016 optics or upper, Spring collection.

[n2877]

When you say buttstock I assume that means the buffer tube, buffer, and buffer spring as well. If so just a descent optic. I even found some 45 degree offset pop up iron sights for back up for $20.00 on ebay. There some no name brand but they work so far so well. As far as a flash hider a found a black rain ordnance flash suppressor on sale I think I payed around $65.00 for it. There are deals to be had if you take time and search the old Web for them

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[fly boy]

When you say buttstock I assume that means the buffer tube, buffer, and buffer spring as well. If so just a descent optic. I even found some 45 degree offset pop up iron sights for back up for $20.00 on ebay. There some no name brand but they work so far so well. As far as a flash hider a found a black rain ordnance flash suppressor on sale I think I payed around $65.00 for it. There are deals to be had if you take time and search the old Web for them

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just the plastic stock. I will need a tube, spring, and buffer.

Thanks for the tip. I am going to take a few months to piece it all together. I found a .223 wylde barrel to buy, but they were out of stock, so I am going to pick up a PSA upper, gas tube, and gas block.

[n2877]

I love my psa upper. I even got my bcg from psa and so far know issues. I couldn't be happier unless I had triple burst and full auto options

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[Guylee]

Wasn't referring that it was inferior. Just not military specifications.

Keep in mind, mil-spec doesn't necessarily mean the best. It just means the best the government is willing to pay for that they feel meets their needs.

Always cracks me up when people say mil-spec like it's some crazy high quality or something.

[Joe_K]

Mil Spec has more to do with parts interchangeability, and durability. At least that's how I understand it. Of course budget plays into it, but Mil Spec is definitely IMHO a minimum standard that a Citizen should shoot for when looking to build or purchase an AR-15.

[ray1970]

Mil Spec has more to do with parts interchangeability, and durability. At least that's how I understand it. Of course budget plays into it, but Mil Spec is definitely IMHO a minimum standard that a Citizen should shoot for when looking to build or purchase an AR-15.
I agree. Sort of.

It's just difficult for the average Joe (myself included) to know what is or isn't as good or better than mil spec. Especially when it comes to some of the metals used. Keep in mind the materials that were specified to be used haven't changed since then 1960's or 70's. Does that mean there aren't materials today that would work equally as well or better than the originals? I doubt it. In fact, I would bet there are much better suited materials these days for items like bolts, barrels, etc. I even believe several very prominent manufacturers use some non spec materials in some of their parts as an improvement over the originals.

Also, if we were all honest about things, the majority of us aren't deployed in some sort of combat situation and likely never will be. And if we were, the government would see fit to issue us a genuine, mil-spec model. My guess is that any properly assembled rifle using decent materials and reasonable quality control will probably serve a person well.

Maybe that DPMS or whatever won't make it to 30,000 rounds without some sort of failure. I guess if you had $12,000 or so to spend on ammo you could see how that $500 rifle holds up. Of course, if you had that kind of money to spend on ammo you might just buy a nicer rifle to begin with.

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[hurley842002]

I agree. Sort of.

It's just difficult for the average Joe (myself included) to know what is or isn't as good or better than mil spec. Especially when it comes to some of the metals used. Keep in mind the materials that were specified to be used haven't changed since then 1960's or 70's. Does that mean there aren't materials today that would work equally as well or better than the originals? I doubt it. In fact, I would bet there are much better suited materials these days for items like bolts, barrels, etc. I even believe several very prominent manufacturers use some non spec materials in some of their parts as an improvement over the originals.

Also, if we were all honest about things, the majority of us aren't deployed in some sort of combat situation and likely never will be. And if we were, the government would see fit to issue us a genuine, mil-spec model. My guess is that any properly assembled rifle using decent materials and reasonable quality control will probably serve a person well.

Maybe that DPMS or whatever won't make it to 30,000 rounds without some sort of failure. I guess if you had $12,000 or so to spend on ammo you could see how that $500 rifle holds up. Of course, if you had that kind of money to spend on ammo you might just buy a nicer rifle to begin with.

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/thread...

[SideShow Bob]

Fly boy,
you can always hack saw & grind down the A-2 front sight post, then you have a low pro gas block....... Or take to BP Tactical if you want it to look Purdy.....

[fly boy]

Thanks.

I bought a complete psa upper with the a2. I may grind it down later on.

[Joe_K]

I agree. Sort of.

It's just difficult for the average Joe (myself included) to know what is or isn't as good or better than mil spec. Especially when it comes to some of the metals used. Keep in mind the materials that were specified to be used haven't changed since then 1960's or 70's. Does that mean there aren't materials today that would work equally as well or better than the originals? I doubt it. In fact, I would bet there are much better suited materials these days for items like bolts, barrels, etc. I even believe several very prominent manufacturers use some non spec materials in some of their parts as an improvement over the originals.

Also, if we were all honest about things, the majority of us aren't deployed in some sort of combat situation and likely never will be. And if we were, the government would see fit to issue us a genuine, mil-spec model. My guess is that any properly assembled rifle using decent materials and reasonable quality control will probably serve a person well.

Maybe that DPMS or whatever won't make it to 30,000 rounds without some sort of failure. I guess if you had $12,000 or so to spend on ammo you could see how that $500 rifle holds up. Of course, if you had that kind of money to spend on ammo you might just buy a nicer rifle to begin with.

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I agree to a point. Yes the average guy/gal won't spend $12K on 30K of ammo. But seeing the vast array of currently available options out there it boggles the mind why people choose to spend close to the same amount of dollars, or in some cases more than it would cost you to buy or build a proven Rifle from a proven Mfg, or parts supplier.

I have seen at the range in the last 3 years far too many pot metal bolt catches, undersized chambers, poorly fit barrel exstensions, canted stocks, non-staked gas keys
and castle nuts, weak or wrong springs, non tested bolts, A-2 sight posts on a flat top upper, oversized gas ports, incorrectly installed FSB's/Gas blocks, wrong weight or sized buffers. Granted some of this is straight Bubba work. A lot of it is the Mfg. screw up though. You don't need to spend $1,500 to get a decent stick. But springing for a deal that's to good to be true, probably is. Will the average trigger puller see any of this? Yes. They may not be able to articulate it, or understand why thier Rifle is unreliable or inaccurate, perhaps chock it up to the range gods, Tula ammo, or the fact that "it ain't broke in yet" but if it doesn't work. It's stupid.

[crays]

$10k tops...but I'm probably not normal or average...

[fly boy]

Finally got off my lazy ass....

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