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.

[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.

[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.