First AR-15 Build

[WMW0505]

First time poster, long time reader.

First off I would like to say thank you to all of the contributing members of this forum. I've found a cache of knowledge here time after time on many different subjects.

I decided about 4 months ago I would like to purchase my first semi-automatic rifle and have been researching ever since. After all of my searching on forums, manufactures websites, and handling many different AR variants I had my mind set on a Daniel Defense XV EZ from Bud's in Lexington, Kentucky (which is about 45 minuets from my house).

Well they went out of stock tonight and generally when things go out of stock at buds they don't come back in for a while.

So I'm at a fork in the road, should I buy a DD upper and mate it with a complete lower from another manufacture, RRA maybe? or should I search for another complete rifle of similar quality and price?

I have a feeling that most will say that a DD upper and quality lower will be just fine. So I suppose my real question is as follows.

Are there any other manufactures that produce a rifle of similar or better quality as the Daniel Defense XV EZ for a price tag of just over $1,000.00?

I'm open to any comments/suggestions/questions.

Thanks for reading.

 

[kwelz]

Other companies in the same price range would be BCM, LMT, and Colt. All can be had for about the same price. Check out gandrtactical.com.

 

[Flintknapper]

All of your accuracy in going to be in your upper, so yes...you could purchase any quality lower...and do just as well IMO.

The lower literally is just something to attach the upper to and houses the firing group.

So as long as you get a decent fit between the upper and lower and install (or buy a lower with) a GOOD trigger, you can't go wrong.

Good luck with your project and post pics when get it!


Flint.

 

[Buck Kramer]

I think you are getting too caught up in name brands. Can you say exactly why you are paying double the price of a PSA/Del-Ton, even a RRA? Anything above 800 will give you a diminishing rate of return IMHO.

 

[FlyinBryan]

ive not owned these but have heard right here that palmetto state armory is every bit as good if not even better than the colts, d.d., bcm, and lmt rifles.

its suprising considering their prices but if im not mistaken every single part on them is as of high quality as those above and tested as rigorously as well (individual hpt, mpi, etc,,,)

ive also read in several places that certain models of their barrels are manufactered of a grade of steel that actually surpasses the colts, bcm, d.d., noveske, etc,,,

m240 barrel blanks or something like that? someone chime in here?

 

[Buck Kramer]

^^^ they call it machine gun steel, but you are correct about the m240 barrel blanks.

Quote: "Barrel: A proprietary blend of Hammer forged chrome molly vanadium made by FN that is referred to as "Machine Gun Steel" by virtue of its use in FN's M249 and M240 weapons."

I love my PSA. Just do a quick search on here. You will find as much positive PR about PSA as you will negative PR for Century. (a lot)

 

[FlyinBryan]

thats it buck.

 

[viper7342]

As far as an Upper Receiver goes.

You might want to consider a mid length upper from Spikes Tactical, These uppers contain all Mil Spec parts and AIM Surplus has them in stock, here's the link if you're interested. http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.a...id-Length+5.56/.223+Upper+Receiver&groupid=55. Maine Tactical has the complete rifle in stock with Carbine Length Handguards. The link for this one is http://maine-tactical.com/Spikes-Tactical-ST-15-M4-LE-Carbine-with-Rear-Magpul-Sight-STR5025-M4S.htm.

 

[WMW0505]

Buck, in your opinion who makes the best upper for the money? I am looking for a 5.56 NATO chamber with a chrome lined chamber and barrel, 1/7 twist, M4 feed ramps, and MP tested. I picked the DD XV EZ upper due to the fact that it comes with a cold hammer forged barrel (if that's necessary or just desirable I'm not for sure). It also comes with their EX CAR Rail in place of the hand guard. I thought that was pretty good for $800.00.

But if you're saying that I can get just as much value for a complete set up for that much I'm all ears...err eyes.

 

[WMW0505]

Viper, do you have any experience with this rifle? Looks to be a pretty good deal.

 

[Buck Kramer]

Barrel length 16"
Hammer Forged Barrel
Machine Gun Steel
5.56 Nato Chamber
1 in 7" twist
Double-thick Chrome-lined bore and chamber
M4A1 profile
M4 feedramps
Forged upper
T-marks
Full auto bolt carrier
Carpenter 158 Bolt
Magnetic particle inspected bolt


http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...pers/psa-16-hammer-forged-m4a1-cmv-upper.html

There ya go, all your specs, minus the rail for $389.95 (on sale) they have mid-length uppers to the same specs also.

I havn't been in the AR game long enough (AK guy) to make a brand suggestion, but for the money this would be my choice...

Heres a family pic of the PSA dissipator I built...(waiting on a different BUS and just threw that one on)

 

[WMW0505]

Good thing I decided to post something before I purchased.

Thank you for your help.

-William

 

[viper7342]

Viper, do you have any experience with this rifle? Looks to be a pretty good deal.

Actually, I don't have any experience with this rifle, I just looked at the specs for the rifle you mentioned and since I had been considering the mid length version, I knew it had all the basic requirements and thought I would pass the info along. And, as you said, it looks like a good deal.

 

[Tex4426]

I am currently in the middle of my first AR build and I have done tons of research..I have pretty good gun knowledge and now know more about an AR than i will ever need to know... I suggest do it right the first time...i did alot of searching and found parts from ebay, gun broker, and rock river, this is what i have in my so far $1150.00...

I started with a RRA stripped lower($88..locol gunshop), put in a NM 2 stage trigger with parts kit($125..gunbroker), added a mil spec magpul ACS 6 position stock with buffer kit($135..Ebay), purchused the kit and stock seperate, utg sniper grips($22..ebay), Mako magwell grip ($25...ebay), that is my lower.

The upper is currently on order at RRA , it is standard A4 receiver, 20" stainless heavy barrel, match grade with wylde 223 chamber, 1:8 twist, air gauged and cryo treated, full length free float quad rails, BCM gunfighter charging handle with large latch, and chrome bolt carrier ($755 to your door)..optics, scope mount, and other accessories up to you..This gun is suppose to be guaranteed 3/4 inch moa or better with match ammo...from reviews ive read it shoots cheap stuff almost as well (better than an inch with the cheapest 5.56 Nato crap)

you can save money by going with alum. tube, standard charging handle, more basic barrel, less expensive stock, basic trigger but do it the way you want it the first time or you will end up selling that one and building another. I recommend building from scratch so you can get what u want instead of buying a gun for 800 and buying different grips, stocks, handgaurds, etc.

Then after u build it u can buy uppers in differnt calibers...my next will be a 22. (cheep to shoot), and a 458 socom for deer hunting.

good luck and happy building