AR Builds -- What Parts Did You Choose and Why??

I never really understood the "ghost gun" thing ... If you want a gun ... any gun, without paper, just go to a gunshow an buy one from an individual walking around with one for sale.

I personally hate the term ghost gun. It's clearly an anti gun term to scare the public.

As for 80% fire arms. To me the issue isn't about hiding from big brother as they can even be traced unless you're buying one via cash in person from an individual. (Credit card records, store records etc)

The issue is learning how to build a fire arm. Making it HARDER to trace is a benefit if CA style laws become more common.

Also exercising a right is important to me. We have the right to build an AR and the more people doing so shows it's not just nuts, criminals and those with something to hide
 
At first, that chart made my head hurt ... glad we don't have anything like that here!
 
The other lovely thing about an 80% lower is it's a perfect "excuse" to buy a milling machine :D

I could prolly do it on the drill press, but why side load the spindle bearings that were not made for that... A milling machine is handy to have and this is a great way into deep-pocket milling :)
 
I got Rockwell 21-100 mill off Ebay 15 years ago for $2k
2 years ago I got a Bridgeport off Ebay for $12k. Making a V block 2-25-2017.jpg
I could have lived with the Rockwell for my amateur gunsmithing, if it has auto feed and DRO like the Bridgeport.
Don't underestimate how much trouble it is to get a 2000 pound mill into the shop.
But if you use it a lot, like I do, it is worth it.
 
Finally finished my first AR308 after almost a year of buying piece by piece. Hoping to take it to the range this weekend.
Part List
Barrel: Faxon 20” 4150 QPQ rifle length
Muzzle: Fortis RED
BCG: Faxon Nitride
Charging Handle: BCM/VLTOR Mod 4
Jack%2010%20a_zpsojoj2dqo.jpg

Handguard: JL Billet 15” Angle-cut MLOK
Stock: Luth-AR Modular w/buffer assembly
Trigger: Rise Armament RA-140 3.5lb
LPK: CMMG Mk3
Pistol grip: Magpul MOE K2+
Receivers: Sharps Bros. Jack 10 lower / Spikes Upper
Cerakote: FDE Battleworn
Optics: Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40 (ordered)
Scope Mount: Nikon M-308 (not shown)
 

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@Devilfrog, that lower looks mean! Love the paint job on it. Looks like it'll be a solid build. Let us know how it shoots when you get it to the range!

Took a peek at Faxon. Sounds like they make quality stuff. I'll keep them in mind for my next build. And those modular stocks... nice, but pricey.
 
@MrSpiffy
Thanks, this build was a bit of a splurge but I'm very happy with it so far. The receivers are very solid and fit perfectly. I've used Faxon barrels on a couple builds and they certainly do quality work, especially for the money. Will post my range report soon!
 
Receivers: Sharps Bros. Jack 10 lower / Spikes Upper

I thought only Spikes made the Jack 10/308 receiver, or did Sharps Bros do the Cerecote? I only ask because when I bought my Jack 10 lower it came from Spikes with the upper; as a set ...

Some of the ones I'm seeing with the custom paint to make the skull more pronounced, like yours, make me think wish I'd waited or perhaps send it to some one that can give it the look that make the details really stand out ... as mine is, these are 6.5 Creedmore and 223, they are kind of on the plain side.

P8110086.jpg
 
I thought only Spikes made the Jack 10/308 receiver, or did Sharps Bros do the Cerecote? I only ask because when I bought my Jack 10 lower it came from Spikes with the upper; as a set ...

Some of the ones I'm seeing with the custom paint to make the skull more pronounced, like yours, make me think wish I'd waited or perhaps send it to some one that can give it the look that make the details really stand out ... as mine is, these are 6.5 Creedmore and 223, they are kind of on the plain side.
Sharps Bros actually produces the Jack, Hellbreaker, and Warthog, Spikes handles the sales end (they're both engraved on lower). It's the same upper / lower set, perfect fit.
Love how the cerakote came out (done locally by KiloDelta tactical). I have a Hellbreaker too that's plain, may have to coat that too! lol
I like how you have that red accent on yours!
 
I have a 20" rifle barreled upper with a full length gas system. And, to make this one featureless in Cali, I'll be using a Hera CQR stock. That requires a carbine buffer tube. So I'll either be in the market for a Vltor H6 tube (slightly longer, and don't know if compatible...) and kit, or just the buffer and spring kit from Damage Industries for the std tube... One or the other will allow this assembly to proceed forward :)

Sort of a civilian Cali version of the USMC A5 retrofit concept.
 
Just picked up an Anderson lower at the gun show today for a good price!

It's going to be the foundation of my "budget" 3 gun rifle build.

The plan is to watch sales for the best value parts to see how I can build it at the best price with good parts!
 
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I also picked up a LPK from PSA that had the ALG trigger and Magpul MOE grip. I haven't started putting things together yet but did test fit the grip on the lower and I really like it. Now I have large hands and can see this grip being a bit large for someone with small hands. For me though it feels very nice!
 
Just picked up an Anderson lower at the gun show today for a good price!

It's going to be the foundation of my "budget" 3 gun rifle build.

The plan is to watch sales for the best value parts to see how I can build it at the best price with good parts!
With as depressed as AR parts are right now it's hard to believe you could do a "value" build cheaper than you could buy a complete gun ... Isn't the "value" Ruger AR about $350 - $400 right now?
On the other hand I'd think you could do a really nice build for what a "value" build would have cost about the same time last year ... or at anytime pre-election
 
With as depressed as AR parts are right now it's hard to believe you could do a "value" build cheaper than you could buy a complete gun ... Isn't the "value" Ruger AR about $350 - $400 right now?
On the other hand I'd think you could do a really nice build for what a "value" build would have cost about the same time last year ... or at anytime pre-election

It depends on how you define value.

Yes really cheap AR have flooded the marked and many are excellent guns, so they're a great value for what they are. Inexpensive basic guns. But if you want a better trigger, a free floating hand guard, a barrel longer than 16" or something else a bit nicer then they're not such a great deal. Want the gun for a specific purpose then the choices are buy what's on the market or build it.

In my case the lower I'm building is going to be about $200. Sure I could get a PSA one for about $120-$130 but I wouldn't get the better trigger, better pistol grip and stock. Nor the knowledge of building it! So IMHO it's a value.

In the future I may swap out for an even better trigger. Does that make my build less of a value build? Or is learning worth something? To me financially it's not as great a value but knowledge wise it'll be worth it.

As for your other point. Personally I think we will see prices low for a year or two and then as the herd thins things will pick up. If Trump does bad and it looks like he won't be elected then I can even see prices going up closer to the election. But right now I don't see much more of a drop for good parts.
 
It depends on how you define value.
<snip>
As for your other point. Personally I think we will see prices low for a year or two and then as the herd thins things will pick up. If Trump does bad and it looks like he won't be elected then I can even see prices going up closer to the election. But right now I don't see much more of a drop for good parts.
Ah ... you've picked the best time in the last 20 or so years to pick your parts, and you're right, it won't last forever ... You may want to stock up on ammo too as these times (prices) are far too rare to let slip past by thinking they're here to stay ... It's why we have people that panic when things start to dry up, prices skyrocket and people hoard ... The recent 22LR shortage comes to mind. I never imagined bulk 22LR ammo at .10+ per round, .40+ / 9mm, .60+/ 223 and .80+ / for 308 ... When I started shooting 223 surplus was 10cents a round and it was reloadable!

It's already looking like Trump won't win another election ... He can't seem to keep his foot out of his mouth and is alienating his own party!
Sharps Bros actually produces the Jack, Hellbreaker, and Warthog, Spikes handles the sales end (they're both engraved on lower). It's the same upper / lower set, perfect fit.
Love how the cerakote came out (done locally by KiloDelta tactical). I have a Hellbreaker too that's plain, may have to coat that too! lol
I like how you have that red accent on yours!
I wish I'd held off a bit longer and gotten one with the ceracoat'ed face, that IS striking!
The red is actually a heat-sink, works kind of like fluting but I think is actually more effective ... Its available in several colors at JP Rifles
 
Ah ... you've picked the best time in the last 20 or so years to pick your parts, and you're right, it won't last forever ... You may want to stock up on ammo too as these times (prices) are far too rare to let slip past by thinking they're here to stay ... It's why we have people that panic when things start to dry up, prices skyrocket and people hoard ... The recent 22LR shortage comes to mind. I never imagined bulk 22LR ammo at .10+ per round, .40+ / 9mm, .60+/ 223 and .80+ / for 308 ... When I started shooting 223 surplus was 10cents a round and it was reloadable!

It's already looking like Trump won't win another election ... He can't seem to keep his foot out of his mouth and is alienating his own party!

I wish I'd held off a bit longer and gotten one with the ceracoat'ed face, that IS striking!
The red is actually a heat-sink, works kind of like fluting but I think is actually more effective ... Its available in several colors at JP Rifles

Well I'm switching from factory ammo to handloading. But yes, I'm with you. Since I started shooting I've kept all of my brass. I also would buy two boxes of ammo for each I buy. I also pick up any brass around me when I hit the range. So the idea is to slowly and steadily build up my supply.

As now that I'm handloading I order twice the components that I shoot. I'm not sure what the right amount is but I can tell you I'm nowhere near where many here have stocked. So while I wish I could buy more slow and steady is better than nothing plus it adds up.

I'm doing the same with my ARs. I have one and am in the middle of building another but would really like a few more. I'm thinking a picking up a few stripped lowers when money allows is a good idea as they're small and easy to store. Plus I found a FFL that has them at an excellent price! I'm watching for specials and sales on the rest of the parts so will likewise get them as budget and opportunities come.
 
My first AR was pinned together from a PSA upper and lower. The upper came with a Vortex 1X scope and a lower parts kit, so I had those parts just laying around. I found a great deal on a first-quality Anderson lower with a fixed trigger guard and decided to dump those unused parts into it. I bought a PSA EPT trigger group for it, and shortly thereafter snagged a SOTA mid length upper, 16", free float.

AR #1 has the Vortex optic, FDE Magpul furniture, a Surefire light and an ALG ACT trigger; it's my "please go away" carbine. AR #2 was given a Burris 1-7X scope, and shoots surprisingly well for a Frankenrifle, so it will be my javelina hunting rig.

If there's a common thread to the rifles, that theme would be "economy." I spent as little as I could while still still getting exactly what I needed.
 
My first AR was pinned together from a PSA upper and lower.

.....stuff not related to reply .......

If there's a common thread to the rifles, that theme would be "economy." I spent as little as I could while still still getting exactly what I needed.

PSA must be our crack dealer. Give us a sample buy pinning an upper and lower together. We're happy for a bit. Then it's a stripped lower. Then were AR junkides!!!!

I'm with you on economy. I think those of us are into building our own look for it. It's part of the high of building. Finding that part at a good price.

It's funny but when I read your post I thought that there are a few types of AR owners. The guy or gal that goes and buys one shoots some and has it. People like us, then all sorts up to the other end where we find the guy or gal who buys nothing but a Daniel Defense, Colt or other high end one and thinks that anything less is "junk" and not worth their time.

If find it funny as you, I and the other folks in this thread all know or are learning which parts are quality, which are all alike, and which aren't so good. Hence the value and some of the fun of the build.
 
Not sure how to answer this, we have three AR15's.

CAR15; cuz I have always wanted one so I buiilt one from an Anderson lower, DPMS lower parts kit, A1 upper, surplus 11.5 in pencil 1/12 twist barrel with welded BM fake moderator to be legal. Surplus A1 front sight tower/post, surplus Colt CAR forend, grip and stock. Usually only use GI surplus 20 round mags.

Super light weight M4ish: This is the wife's, 16in 1/9 twist Del-Ton pencil barrel to Anderson forged upper, Oly Arms lower with DMPS lower parts except for MagPull triger guard for wearing gloves, CAR forend, grip and stock (she liked how my CAR felt), She choose an Aimpoint PRO optic and Ma-Tech BUIS.

Then my M4 made to duplicate an issued M4; This one started off life as a factory Del-ton sporter. This only thing left of the original is the lower and forged upper. It carries a 14.5 in chrome-lined BM mil-LEO spec barrel with 2 in welded flash hider to be legal. Surplus side saddle sling swivel, surplus M4 front sight tower, surplus Knights quad rail kit, Surefire 962 with xm07 switch I picked up off a Marine. Trijicon TA01 ACOG with Ma-Tech BUIS, also have Colt M4 carry handle. Colt FA BCG, DPMS lower parts with Magpul trigger guard, Badger tach latch, CAR stock, A1 grip. This took me a while to assemble as I took my time to find as many authentic USGI parts as I could. Lots of fun bartering, trading, and dealing at gun shows, surplus shops, and various other sources. It's a touch heavy, but is my primary, goto carbine. I would like to swap the upper/lower with marked Colt M4 receivers for authenticities sake but am not willing to pay what folks are asking just for special scroll marks. Maybe someday I will.

The Army never should have sent me to Armorer's school. LOL, these things tend to never end with all the parts that are out there.
 
Per the title... I need ideas. Please post your parts lists and explain why you chose them. Also list the approximate prices if you can remember.

This thread has nothing to do with what I want or need. Again, I just want ideas.

I started with a Colt 6920 (good benchmark platform) 1200.00

Added surefire procomp muzzle break 60.00 (lose the crappy flash hider, stay on target)

Added adjustable gas block 40.00 (tune for your preferred loads, less recoil)

Added single stage CMC trigger set 175.00 (triggers are amazing)

Added some generic free float rail system 150.00 (helps grip with longer arms)
 
I know a couple of people who have gone the 80% route. I haven't seen their work yet. But one is a mechanic and very anal retentive and he's said that it took him forever because he wanted it "perfect". So I'm sure you cousin and his buddies did ok and they're right, as with anything the more you do something the easier and better the next ones come out.

I'm thinking about doing an 80% lower, but I've pretty much decided that I'm going to do a stripped lower build first. My thought is this way the receiver will be right, and I'll know how things are suppose to be. Once I successfully build the stripped lower, I'll then do an 80%.

In my case it's about learning. So first the stripped lower to learn how to assemble a lower, then the 80% to learn about the machining and such.

I've also watched a bunch of videos and read quite a bit on this so I feel pretty confident that putting an AR isn't any harder than other things I've done so I'm ready to give it a try as soon as I get the money for the parts!
There lots of videos on youtube, many are done by guys who make such horrible videos I cant stand to watch them. The best guide for lower receivers I have seen is the animated video on the CMMG site. It shows all the parts laid out for easy ID, then "floats" them up, pauses for you to get a good view, then positions the lower for best view and floats the part into position. You can pause along the way, making it simple.

Russellc
 
There lots of videos on youtube, many are done by guys who make such horrible videos I cant stand to watch them. The best guide for lower receivers I have seen is the animated video on the CMMG site. It shows all the parts laid out for easy ID, then "floats" them up, pauses for you to get a good view, then positions the lower for best view and floats the part into position. You can pause along the way, making it simple.

Russellc

Thanks
YouTube is hit or miss. As you said, some are horrible, some are excellent and many are in between.

Yesterday I completed my first stripped lower (minus the stock). I'm still in shock with how easy it was and how fast it went together. And that was taking my time and triple checking everything!

So now I'll order a stock next payday then it'll be 100% done. I'll then pull the upper off my other AR and test it. Then it's on to the upper build.

I'm enjoying this build and already looking towards the next. It really is like adult Legos!
 
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