First Build - 20" A2

[Airspace]

Hi Guys,

The AR bug has bitten and I'm on a mission to build my own. I would like to go with pretty much an M16A2 copy.

My plan at the moment is:
TBD Stripped lower
FN M16A2 surplus upper assembly
Bushmaster lower parts kit
A2 stock kit from RRA
TBD BCG (Colt, RRA, others?)
USGI mags (already have them)

Does anyone have any input on this build and which stripped lower and BCG to go with? This is more of a budget build so I'd like to keep unnecessary costs down. Don't get me wrong, I'm willing to pay for quality so if the Colt BCG is far better I'm willing to spend the extra $50. All this gun is going to be used for is informal shooting and some range time.

Thanks!

[ray1970]

My two cents....

Sounds pretty good.

I would skip the the Bushmaster stuff. They aren't what they used to be. They recently changed ownership and quality had gone down hill from what I hear. Personally, I like the Daniel Defense lower parts kits. They are a little more money than most of the others but they are solid and reliable.

Don't go cheap on the BCG either. It is the heart of a reliable rifle. I run Bravo Company BCG's in all of mine but there are other good ones out there as well.

With all of the modern do-dads and what-nots available for these rifles, I still love the looks of a standard A2 rifle.

Good luck. [Awesom]

[ray1970]

If you do a little internet searching for Bravo Company's "Filthy 14" rifle you'll see why I trust the BCM products to perform.

I found it...

Here's a link.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/50367872/filthy14-oct10

[20X11]

Seems I read that Colt and FN are the only bolts fully tested with a "proof" round before shipping.

[Skully]

I agree with RAY on the BCG and the Lower parts kit, make those your "expensive parts"

This rife is yours, make it the way you want it to look. The addiction when fully hits will have you going through multiple setups on a single rifle and multiple rifles consistently. [Coffee]

[ray1970]

I know my BCM bolts are mag particle inspected and high pressure tested. Having a bit of an NDE background, I have a full understanding of mag particle testing and it's use to detect surface and sub-surface discontinuities in ferrous metals. I have no idea how the bolt is "high pressure tested" though.

[Airspace]

Thanks for all the input, guys!

This is probably going to take a little while to figure out exactly what I want in my A2.

It sounds like the Bravo Company BCG is the one for me.

[DANGERTASTIC!]

Thats gonna be a cool build for sure. My first rifle was a 20" HBAR A2 upper. It was so crazy accurate it was ridiculous. Shooting OFFHAND at 200 took almost zero effort.

IMO, I would go with a DD LPK no question. Also, your BCG is the heart of your rifle.....so make sure its gonna keep ticking.....go with a BCM.

I would never run anything RRA, but I know they make a cool looking A2 stock.


Every single upper I own is BCM, all of them with BCGs as well.

My carbines eat anything I feed them.

Goodluck on your build! Dont rush it! And post lots of pics and a write up!

[dwalker460]

LMT BCG.

[BPTactical]

Some swear by the MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspection AKA Magnaflux) inspected BCG's. Realistically for a casual shooter it makes no difference. Spend your money once, and spend it right.

[Airspace]

Okay, so here's the revised plan for now:

Still undecided stripped lower
DD LPK
Surplus FN M16A2 upper assembly
A2 stock completion kit
Surplus A2 stock
Bravo Company M16 BCG
Surplus 30-rd mags with magpul followers

Isn't it great that our government sells its citizens "assault rifle" parts and complete battle rifles? Ain't no place I'd rather live!

[ray1970]

Okay, so here's the revised plan for now:

Still undecided stripped lower
DD LPK
Surplus FN M16A2 upper assembly
A2 stock completion kit
Surplus A2 stock
Bravo Company M16 BCG
Surplus 30-rd mags with magpul followers

Isn't it great that our government sells its citizens "assault rifle" parts and complete battle rifles? Ain't no place I'd rather live!

I love the new plan. Should be a nice rifle when you're all done. If you find that FN surplus upper let me know. Some of the best barrels I have had were made by FN.

The lower is really a matter of personal preference. With modern CNC machines there are a number of places to get quality, mil-spec lowers. I'm partial to the Spike's Tactical lowers but don't let that influence your decision. Actually, if I were putting together an A2 rifle I would probably use a Surplus Ammo & Arms lower. Not sure why. I guess having the word surplus in the name on the lower just seems kind of neat on an old school AR.

Definitely keep us posted on how it's coming along and let us know if you need any advice or assistance.

[Beer]

[dwalker460]

FWIW, heres my recommendations, with estimated pricing-

DSA A2 upper receiver, stripped, $27.95
Ejector door/FA, springs, pins- $20 from most anywhere
Barrel nut, delta ring assembly, etc.- $25, again available almost anywhere
Barrel- I currently have Wilson, Daniel Defense, and CMMG barrels, they all shoot great. For a "first" rifle I would likely just get a 20" (I actually would do a 16'
' barrel to start, but thats a personal choice thing) barrel with fsb already mounted from DSA, SAA, etc. All manufacturers have good and bad barrels, and many- SAA, PSA, AR-Stoner, etc. are all made by ER Shaw anyway. I know most people will say to just buy the best barrel you can afford out of the gate, but for a first rifle where you are still figuring out what you will like, spending a lot of money on a "premium" barrel out of the gate then figuring out you dont like the length or weight or whatever sucks. If possible try as many different configurations- 14.5", 16", 20" heavy/light/medium etc. as you can prior to spending money.
Handgaurd- pick yer own poison on this one
Muzzlebrake- I like the standard A2, but its up to you
Lower- SAA, PSA, etc, all about the same. SAA are in stock at 89.95, plus shipping and FFL transfer fee
LPK- I just use the CMMG ones, and they work fine, cant tell the difference and few others can either. Bowers has the CMMG kits in stock for around $70
Stock- A2- I dont really have any input here as I havent looked into them at all lately.
BCG- I have a Spikes and CMMG in my current rifles, but really like the LMT BCG's and would highly recommend them. I agree with Bert though, its hard to buy a bad one anymore.

[Airspace]

I love the new plan. Should be a nice rifle when you're all done. If you find that FN surplus upper let me know. Some of the best barrels I have had were made by FN.


Ohio Ordnance has complete surplus uppers. I added one to my cart and it didn't tell me anything about it being sold out.

http://www.ohioordnanceworks.com/Parts/M16_AR15Parts.cat

[ray1970]

Ohio Ordnance has complete surplus uppers. I added one to my cart and it didn't tell me anything about it being sold out.

http://www.ohioordnanceworks.com/Parts/M16_AR15Parts.cat

"Good" condition for $335? Think I'll have to pass on that one.

I remember years ago when the military was switching from the A2 rifles over to the M4 carbine I stumbled across a dealer at a Houston gun show that literally had a barrel full of brand new FN barrels still in the wrapper. My buddies and I each picked up a couple since they were only $49. They were awesome shooters.

I know those days are long gone but I can still find better deals than the one you pointed out.

If you want some details I would be happy to shoot you a PM tonight after I get home from work. Posting from my phone is no fun.

[Beer]

[dwalker460]

man those prices are horrible!

I will be glad to help as well, and maybe you should go talk to the guys at Bowers, they have a lot of this stuff in stock and you can pick it up, look at it, and KNOW what your getting.

Also, if you want I will be glad to let you put a few rounds downrange through my 14.5" and 16" guns if the scheduling can be made to work.

[Airspace]

Yeah, I thought it was a bit high and I don't really want something all shot out anyway.

If I happened to come across a very good complete FN upper without the BCG what would be a fair price to pay?

I'm thinking about getting a used A2 upper (FN surplus or I've been offered a nice Bushmaster at a reasonable price) and a new chrome lined barrel.

I' going to be at the tanners show this weekend so maybe I'll come home with some good stuff :)

dwalker460: I really appreciate the offer and I'd love to but it sound like you're a busy person and I'm out of town a lot (leaving on Tuesday for about month) so it might have to wait until I have one of my own.

[dwalker460]

If your looking for a complete upper you should swing by Bowers and check out what they have on the shelf.

At the last gunshow the prices were underwhelming on uppers and complete rifles, literally were more than what you would pay at Bowers or online, even including the FFL etc.

If your looking at Kwandos A2 upper then buy it, its a great shooter! And it doesnt need a new barrel at all, just put a lower under it and run it!