talk to me about building my own AR

[gorcorps]

My buddy picked up a Ruger sr-556fb this past weekend for ~$1500.

I was able to put 20 rounds through it and it's a sweet gun. However I'd rather not pay so much for something I won't be able to use often. So I'm hoping I could get something of reasonable quality for around $800-1000.

What I like about the Ruger:
-piston system
-shoots 556 and 223 (though I've heard that should be true for all modern 223s regardless of if they say it or not... not sure if that's true)
-4 sided rail w/ adjustable side
-flip down iron sights (don't care for the fixed handle-like system)

What I plan on getting later:
-a 22lr bolt and mags
-optics


So AT, what should I be looking at for just the assembled gun including iron sights? I'd like to spend closer to $800, but can to go $1000 if needed. This isn't including extra optics or 22lr bolt yet.

 

[nick1985]

Just buy a good mid-range rifle and be done with it.

For 800ish I'd recommend a Stag

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36_800

 

[gorcorps]

Only the higher end Stag models use piston, so I might as well just go with the Ruger to end up with what I want.

 

[schneiderguy]

Gas pistons are overrated in ARs. You're adding weight and reducing accuracy for questionable reliability improvements.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzfm4pYhIyY

A good direct impingement AR-15 can do that. I doubt you'll be firing 900 rounds in a 10 minutes through your AR

IMO get a Colt 6920 (the gold standard for ARs) and be done with it.

Pick up a Colt 6920 upper + complete lower of your choice ($250ish) and you've got a mil-spec AR15 for under $1k. Or they sell complete 6920's for around $1k I believe (we can't have Colt lower receivers here in CA so I'm not up to date on the pricing of the complete Colt guns in "free" states D

I'd trust the reliability of a 6920 over a gas piston Stag or Ruger, personally.

Alternatives to the Colt would be a BCM or Daniel Defense, both should provide the same level of quality and might save you $50-100 or so.

 

[Prong]

There's no "standard" for the piston systems. So if you go that route, you're stuck with that manufacturer for replacement parts, unlike the universal interchange of parts with a standard gas system. For about a 1K, you can get a pretty sweet Rock River rifle that will shoot pretty good. As far as the 5.56/.223 interchange, you want a .223 Wylde chamber--it'll take both cartridges.

 

[nick1985]

Gas pistons are overrated in ARs.

this

 

[gorcorps]

:hmm: I don't know... the thought of eliminating incredibly hot corrosive gas still sounds like a good design.

I do like that Colt upper though. 1:7 twist would be nice

 

[schneiderguy]

:hmm: I don't know... the thought of eliminating incredibly hot corrosive gas still sounds like a good design.

I do like that Colt upper though. 1:7 twist would be nice

It's not corrosive unless you're shooting corrosively primed ammo (I don't know of any .223/5.56 that is)

It is hot though

IMO if you want a gas piston gun get an AK.

 

[nick1985]

:hmm: I don't know... the thought of eliminating incredibly hot corrosive gas still sounds like a good design.

I do like that Colt upper though. 1:7 twist would be nice

Ohhhh pleaseeeeeee


Just clean your rifle after you fire it. If you plan on being in week long firefights then MAYBE piston is better, and that's still debatable. For your uses, paying the premium for a piston AR sounds like a complete waste of cash. Get a DI rifle.


:awe:

 

[Scarpozzi]

I got my uppers from del-ton.com......they were really good quality for the money.

 

[nick1985]

I got my uppers from del-ton.com......they were really good quality for the money.

I think S&W makes those.

I could be wrong though.

 

[olds]

shoots 556 and 223 (though I've heard that should be true for all modern 223s regardless of if they say it or not... not sure if that's true)

It is not.

 

[olds]

:hmm: I don't know... the thought of eliminating incredibly hot corrosive gas still sounds like a good design.

It doesn't eliminate the gas, it just moves it.

And it you are going to get a .22 bolt, check the bolt instructions before you get your trigger. With the CMMG bolt, they recommend that you run the unnotched trigger.

 

[Analog]

I built my own lower, then bought a match grade 1:8 SS upper. Unless you have special tools, I'd leave the upper to someone else.

 

[olds]

 

[olds]

https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&single=true&gid=5&output=html

 

[edro]

What happened to the good ole days of just Colt, Armalite and Bushmaster?
There are so many AR-15 companies now a days.

Why has there been an AR explosion the last 20 years?

 

[qliveur]

Because the federal crackdown's a-comin'.

 

[LookBehindYou]

What happened to the good ole days of just Colt, Armalite and Bushmaster?
There are so many AR-15 companies now a days.

Why has there been an AR explosion the last 20 years?

Because everyone wants their cool looking ar with the rail system and all the cool attachments so they can think they are spec ops or something...


<------Misses his M4 with aimpoint red dot, an/paq 4, tac flashlight, forward grip, and tac sling

 

[Texashiker]

Just buy a Spikes Tactical complete rifle, and be happy.

http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z/st15-m4-le-carbine-p-387.html

Spikes uses mil-spec parts and comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

[JDMnAR1]

I was going to recommend Spikes (beat to the punch by Texashiker) or BCM (http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/). If you don't want to wait on a complete rifle due to backorders, pick the upper you want and mate it to the lower of your choice.

ETA: Also check out Palmetto State Armory (http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/) if you decide to go the upper/lower route - they have aggressive pricing and have been getting good reviews.

 

[pontifex]

I built a lower and bought a complete upper. Spike's lower and upper.

Just get a lower marked 5.56 and you can shoot both 5.56 and .223

 

[Lalakai]

lol the infamous "chart" by Rob_s....that pissed off alot of folks. but it's a good reference chart.

If you want to build your own M4, you need to consider your wallet and what you will be requiring/needing of the platform. "Needs" range from simple plinking, all the way to SHTF situations (one step below zombie attacks). Piecing it together can be alot of fun and will save you money if you opt to build a higher level platform. I put mine together for approx. $1100 (without scope), and it will function at the "Zombie" level; if you want to know the stress test, send me a pm. It will help immensely if you spend some time at a couple forums; go there and just listen/learn. Most of the questions have already been asked and if you dig a bit, you will find your answer.


http://www.m4carbine.net/
http://forums.officer.com/showthread.php?81462-So-you-want-to-buy-an-AR-15-huh

good luck and keep us posted on how the project is going

 

[Lalakai]

edit.....the difference between the 5.56 and .223 is the rated case pressures. The 5.56 round will fit in a .223, but it will generate a significantly higher pressure and may damage the firearm (and operator). you can safely shoot .223 in a 5.56, but not the other way around. There are also differences in the breeches that may cause the 5.56 to lodge, in the .223

 

[edro]

edit.....the difference between the 5.56 and .223 is the rated case pressures. The 5.56 round will fit in a .223, but it will generate a significantly higher pressure and may damage the firearm (and operator). you can safely shoot .223 in a 5.56, but not the other way around. There are also differences in the breeches that may cause the 5.56 to lodge, in the .223

Were older ARs .223 only? Everything on that chart is 5.56.