Rifle Kits...Where to Buy? Upgrades? Suggestions?

I think I'm going to order an AR-15 rifle kit (complete upper) once I am able to get my hands on a stripped lower receiver. I have taken a look at Model 1 and Del-Ton rifle kits. What other websites or manufacturers have them?

Do you have suggestions or preferences on quality and the manufacturer or distributor?

I will probably upgrade the standard rifle kit a little bit when ordering. What upgrades would be worthwhile? Free Floating Handguard? Gas Blocks? Charging Handle? Rails? Uppers? Flash Hiders? Grips? I know that personal preference is a big key to upgrades...but, I welcome your thoughts on what you like or what you don't.

Any other suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks!

delton will be one of the cheapest and is very good quality.

As far as "upgrades" as you mentioned, it's all personal preference.

Free floating handguards are nice, there are a lot of aftermarket forearms to choose from.

If you aren't running a front site base, you'll need a gas block obviously. I have no experience with them since my rifles have the FSB in place.

Standard charging handle is fine, you can always get one with an extended latch if you so choose.

Rails are the same thing as the forearm/handguard. Again, if you plan to run a VFG, light, ect you'll want a forearm with rails. Standard carbine or midlength plastic rails are fine as well, you can add a VFG to them with an adapter if you want.

When you choose an upper, i recommend getting a flat top, that way you can add optics later. Of course when you do an upper, M4 feed ramps, twist rate, chrome lined, F marked site, ect are all things to look for and consider.

I like the A2 birdcage myself, but again there are many options for flash suppressors and muzzle breaks.

The standard A2 grip doesn't fit MY hand very well, so i added Magpul's MIAD to my rifles. They have interchangeable front and backstraps which are nice. They also have a core cut out of them for a spare bolt, batteries, ect.

As for other suggestions:

Get a nice sling that fits YOU. I run a 2 point on one rifle and a single on another. A good sling is like a holster, so get something that works for you.

I also don't really like the standard M4 stocks. They wobble, and on my 2 point sling I attach it to the stock with a QD swivel. I'm running the Magpul CTR like many others, very sturdy stock.

I personally like a vertical grip. Some people don't, others use the magwell, it's a preference thing. LaRue and Borbro (sp?) make nice QD VFG's. Tangodown also makes a very nice grip. Just get one that isn't wobbly and you should be fine.

Above all, my advice would be to get yourself to a club shoot (with your own ammo) and shoot some rounds through some of the members rifles. Everyone runs a different setup then the next, and it's the best way to see what YOU like. Most members here are happy to let others shoot their rifles, and it's something you should take advantage of. AR parts and accessories are expensive, so if you can get it right the first time you'll be much better off for it.

Talk about some great information. Thanks!

For the moment, I'm thinking about getting a mid-length rifle with the flat top and removable handle. (I just like the handles. Don't know why.) Eventually, down the road, I'll look into good optics. Also was thinking about getting the chrome lined barrel. I had no clue about the flash hider or gas block, though, and what to get. I was thinking of going ahead and putting a hand guard with rails so that I can one day put a front grip on it or use a bipod. I didn't even think about the sling factor until you mentioned it. I'll probably get one once I get the rifle.

And, as of right now...I was thinking of ordering from Del-Ton. Seems to be a lot of people happy with theirs. Here's the one I'm thinking of getting: http://www.del-ton.com/ProductDetail...uctCode=RKT104 Unfortunately, I'll be waiting for 2-4 months for it to come in. :( Oh well. Thats what I get for not planning ahead.[Bang]

I am not going to wait on getting the magazines for it. I'll probably buy 3 or 4 within the next week, if I can find them.

Thanks for you comments and help! [Beer] If you have more, please feel free to keep adding them. I'm learning alot.

Great choice on the midlength gas system, both of my rifles are middys.

I started out with a flat top receiver and a detachable carry handle myself. After the first few times out, irons just didn't do it for me anymore. I have an Aimpoint on my primary rifle which i love. I also picked up an EOTech for my secondary rifle that i haven't shot yet (but i have shot an EOTech before). Both great red dot optics, i recommend you shoot both when deciding on optics down the road as they are by far the most popular red dot sights on the market.

The thing about detachable carry handles are they can run you $50+ for a new one. If you think you might want to go optics down the road and are on a budget, that money could be better spent on a BUIS (backup iron sight) right now. Once you add optics, that handle becomes obsolete and then you'll want/need a BUIS which is another $50-140 down the road. Just something to consider. Ask me how i know, i've got a carry handle sitting in my parts drawer now :D

Just be patient and buy what you can as you go. Slings, forearms, VFG's, stocks, ect ect are all items that can be added on later. Get your lower and upper when you can, and work on the rest as you learn more about the AR platform and what you like. Mags, ammo, lowers are what you want to focus on right now. Don't stress it, you have time.

Tomorrow is the club shoot day, you should drop by the South Site or the North Site depending on where you live and meet some of the members and pick their brains about AR's. It's a little overwhelming at first, trust me i remember. It doesn't help that you're in panic mode right now, so just slow down and read up as much as you can. Here and AR15.com are excellent resources.

I'm leaving town for several weeks. I'd say that is pushing me to figure out what I want to order more than Obama. (I'd like to put in an order before I leave, that way I'll be too busy to really think about it and impatiently wait.)

Say, if you have the handle...want to sell it? That would save me money. [Shy] Just IM me. (If you don't...then thats fine.)

In the mean time...I'll look at the BUIS, that you are suggesting, but that'll probably wait. And I'll try to find where the club shoot is. (I'd be in the south site, probably.)

Thanks!

If you're still looking in a few months shoot me a PM. I'm just kind of holding onto it for now because i have a lower sitting here that is begging to be built into a complete rifle :D

They aren't hard to find used here or on arfcom, so i don't think you'll have a problem getting one at a decent price. But as i said, you would probably be better served with a BUIS. Unless you're building a KISS rifle and want the carry handle look specifically, a BUIS just gives you more options down the road for adding optics while keeping the ability to shoot irons as well as a backup if your optic goes down.

The shoot locations are listed here on the forum, you should check it out. Tomorrow is the shoot day, if you have time stop by and introduce yourself and fondle some evil black rifles! Nothing will motivate you more than getting your hands on one....heheh

ETA: I'm hoping to hit the North site tomorrow, still deciding. More people show up at the South site anyways, so you'll have a better chance of running into people there anyways.