I’m in the middle of that exact project now. Stripped blem PSA lower: $30 on Memorial Day sale. Stripped BCM Factory Demo upper with forward assist and dust cover: $65. PSA LBK w/ EPT trigger and B5 systems stock, grip, and trigger guard: $135. Caliber and barrel are yet to be determined. I’m leaning toward a SPR theme but availability will likely determine that. 18” barrels seem very popular. Staying in the budget requirement makes it tricky.
AR Builds -- What Parts Did You Choose and Why??
- Thread starter Mike1234567
- Start date
WooD
Member
I decided to put together a retro upper for one of my SBR lowers. Used a 11.5" barrel, with a slick side upper, and the period correct 6 hole slim hand guards. Found a early style all aluminum stock for the lower, and a A1 pistol grip. I'm on the fence with the flash hider I have. I think it looks like one of those silly pinned and welded set ups seen on a lot of non SBR rifles, may put a bird cage flash hider on it. Still looking around for the straight trigger guards I know I have, but they seem to be hiding from me!
DustyGmt
Member
I've wanted to build exactly what you have, with either a Colt, Smith or Bushmaster lower and pin n weld a 4.5" flash hider on it. What a cool looking AR.I decided to put together a retro upper for one of my SBR lowers. Used a 11.5" barrel, with a slick side upper, and the period correct 6 hole slim hand guards. Found a early style all aluminum stock for the lower, and a A1 pistol grip. I'm on the fence with the flash hider I have. I think it looks like one of those silly pinned and welded set ups seen on a lot of non SBR rifles, may put a bird cage flash hider on it. Still looking around for the straight trigger guards I know I have, but they seem to be hiding from me!
WooD
Member
My options for lowers were CMMG, DPMS, and PSA. I used the PSA lower. I have a Spikes, but it's not a SBR.
I'd love to buy one of these retro lowers from PSA and stamp it as a SBR. I already have 9 tax stamps, their starting to look at me funny when I go in to the police station to get a set of fingerprint cards done.
Charlie98
Member
I want to get an M16A1 lower from PSA... and build a clone of the M16A1's I carried in the Army, but looking at the build out cost, they sure are proud of that retro stuff. I understand it's a niche market, but jeeezzz...
Don't underestimate the cost to duplicate one yourself. I just finished this A2 that is "mostly" Colt parts.I want to get an M16A1 lower from PSA... and build a clone of the M16A1's I carried in the Army, but looking at the build out cost, they sure are proud of that retro stuff. I understand it's a niche market, but jeeezzz...
For example, try to find an A2 rear sight. If you can find one, it won't be cheap. I imagine an A1 is the same. The carry handle uppers are starting to be more readily available, but aren't cheap either.
20" Colt barrels aren't inexpensive.
It would have been FAR cheaper for me to simply buy the $950 AR15M4 on Arms Unlimited for $950. But that would have taken a lot of the fun out of it.
Maybe it would be cheaper if you are willing to use any parts, but that isn't what I was after....I'm not a cloner, but if I build one, I want it to be reliable and farily close to the part.
Charlie98
Member
Actually... I have an A2 H-bar already, I bought it as soon as I could after I got out of the Army. It's Colt everything... 
I always admired how light and handy the A1 was, even given it's limitations on the sights.... just a simple rifle. Then the military started hanging crap off them...
I always admired how light and handy the A1 was, even given it's limitations on the sights.... just a simple rifle. Then the military started hanging crap off them...
Dr. Dingus
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2023
- Messages
- 90
Sadly, I only have a midly customized AR-15. A Windham. Do you folks recommend building one piece by piece, like a high end desktop computer, or starting with a solid base, and replacing key parts? My main concern is making sure all the parts are compatible, and doing that for tons of parts is very annoying to me. The second concern is making sure the finish matches without sending it out to repaint. I've seen many different shades of black out there.
Edit: I am also tempted to buy/make an M16A1 clone.
Edit: I am also tempted to buy/make an M16A1 clone.
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WooD
Member
I want to get an M16A1 lower from PSA... and build a clone of the M16A1's I carried in the Army, but looking at the build out cost, they sure are proud of that retro stuff. I understand it's a niche market, but jeeezzz...
I decided to go ahead and order one of the H&R lowers. I was going to get one marked XM177E, but went with the M16A1. Prices wasn't too bad.
Upper and a triangle charging handle was 259.09
Barrel, stock, handguard, flash hider, and gas tube 498.88
A1 pistol grip was 30.09
Stripped lower, and LPK 243.89
I already had a couple new M16 profile bolts sitting around.
I'll have to pay $25 to my FFL when the lower arrives, and $200 to the ATF to SBR it.
Charlie98
Member
I did too... finally! I got the notification they came back in stock, so I pounced on a completed lower. Wasn't real happy with the price, but I've got one...
Now to work on the upper....
WooD
Member
Mine is pretty much finished. I did buy a new bolt for it, all the ones I have had the forward assist serrations on them. The day I got the H&R lower, I sent the Form 1 paperwork off. The next day I sent the lower off to be engraved. Got the ATF approval in 12 days.
WooD
Member
Brownells. It's 11.5" 1-12
CurlyThomas
Member
This is my shorty--taken on a cloudy day. Colt 11.5 inch chrome lined 1:7 twist upper with PSA brace lower.
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InTheSwamp
Member
Nice. What's the muzzle brake?
CurlyThomas
Member
That is a linear compensator I bought online.
Inspiration hit and availability of 18" barrels was low, so I changed direction. Blem PSA lower, blem BCM upper, Roscoe 16" mid-length barrel with F-marked front sight gas block installed by DS Arms, DS Arms BCG, Delta Ring Kit, A2 flash hider, front sight spring and detent (had a post leftover), PSA B5 Systems EPT lower build kit in FDE, and FDE B5 Systems forearm. Notice I forgot the crush washer, so that was a PSA pickup from one of their stores.
I wanted to try a Roscoe barrel, and wanted an M4 style when done, so the one from DS Arms was perfect. I prefer mid-length systems if I'm going with a 16" barrel. B5 seems a little less well known than Magpul, so I thought I'd give that a try too. I really like the forearm. It has a slimmer, easier to grip profile than my A4 clone. It didn't hurt that PSA had the B5 lower kits on sale when I bought mine last year. As it sits, it does wear Magpul MBUS rear sights, which I've always liked. Eventually I'll get a magnified optic of some variety, but I'm fine with the MBUS for now.
I wanted to try a Roscoe barrel, and wanted an M4 style when done, so the one from DS Arms was perfect. I prefer mid-length systems if I'm going with a 16" barrel. B5 seems a little less well known than Magpul, so I thought I'd give that a try too. I really like the forearm. It has a slimmer, easier to grip profile than my A4 clone. It didn't hurt that PSA had the B5 lower kits on sale when I bought mine last year. As it sits, it does wear Magpul MBUS rear sights, which I've always liked. Eventually I'll get a magnified optic of some variety, but I'm fine with the MBUS for now.
MPistone
Member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2024
- Messages
- 5
I generally build all of my ARs for a specific task - Run and Gun, mid to long range, bench rest accuracy, close quarters, Etc.
I have pretty much standardized on Aero Precision stripped lowers and uppers however and I'm a bit of a Trigger Snob so most run CMC, Rise Armament, Elf or Velocity drop-in triggers.
I have pretty much standardized on Aero Precision stripped lowers and uppers however and I'm a bit of a Trigger Snob so most run CMC, Rise Armament, Elf or Velocity drop-in triggers.
