C5rider
Member
Debated long and hard as to build or buy an AR. I see the prices are back to around normal (with some good buys to be found) and I've started shopping for complete rifles. The all-black didn't do anything for me so, I think about the additional cost of changing furniture, etc. Now, the cost starts to creep significantly, and I'll have a bunch of bits sitting around not being used. Remember, the reason I'd change them is because I don't LIKE them. 
So, then I think about assembling one. The benefits were that I could build it EXACTLY like I wanted. Now, the issue is that I've not received my AR-decoder ring and for a guy who doesn't dwell in the SOCOM halls of fame, how would I know if the parts I'd be assembling would be compatible? I know, research, research, research.
I have a day-job, a growing family and I can keep pretty busy on my own without throwing the attempt of getting a doctorate in AR assembly so, buying a complete gun or assemblies starts to rise to the surface as a good route to take. But, can I find an upper and lower assembly that is built with my tastes in mind? With some patience, the answer is yes. I've always liked Dark Earth grips and stocks, and doubt that I'd ever find myself fighting off bad guys in a sandbox somewhere, so a forward assist and dust cover wasn't necessary. Plus, lighter is always a plus. I found a complete Palmetto State lower with Dark Earth furniture for a good price. So I jumped on it. Even shipped and tax, tag and title included at my FFL, it was cheaper than at the LGS.
For the upper, I searched around and found one that had what I wanted, without a lot that I didn't. It DOES still have the forward assist and dust cover, but having it there isn't a deal breaker. It has a 1:8 barrel that isn't an M4 profile. I just don't see me launching any grenades any time soon so the "M4 notch" in the barrel just didn't appeal to me. Maybe it's my "traditional gun" roots starting to surface.
I also didn't desire a "flash hider". Never worked security at a mall so I'm not sure that it was necessary for me. Not poking at anyone, just would rather not have it on my rifle. I wanted a smaller scope or optic, so a front sight wasn't necessary or desired but I know there needs to be a gas block up there anyway, so if it served as a nice spot for a bi-pod, that's a plus! No need for a rail on top of it, but at least it wouldn't stick up into my view!
I found what I was looking for in a Surplus Ammo & Arms complete upper assembly. It has a Heavy Barrel, a Dragon's Head muzzle brake (no flash hider), Magpul Dark Earth hand guard, Mid-length gas system and a nickel boron bolt carrier, which I thought was a nice touch to snazzy up the ol' girl and bring it one step further from a "nasty black rifle".
Anyways, I found what I was looking for without having to swap around a lot of other parts. I still have room to add on or change some things and, I didn't have to break the bank to do it. The reviews on the components I've chosen all appear to be positive, so I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with the way it will all fit and function and the combination is initially assembled by folks who DO know what they're doing! I just received the upper and I'm still waiting for the lower to arrive. Once it does, I'll have a chance to take it out for a range review. Till then, I get to stare at the parts. Thanks to this thread, so do you!
Hope you like 'em!
So, then I think about assembling one. The benefits were that I could build it EXACTLY like I wanted. Now, the issue is that I've not received my AR-decoder ring and for a guy who doesn't dwell in the SOCOM halls of fame, how would I know if the parts I'd be assembling would be compatible? I know, research, research, research.
I have a day-job, a growing family and I can keep pretty busy on my own without throwing the attempt of getting a doctorate in AR assembly so, buying a complete gun or assemblies starts to rise to the surface as a good route to take. But, can I find an upper and lower assembly that is built with my tastes in mind? With some patience, the answer is yes. I've always liked Dark Earth grips and stocks, and doubt that I'd ever find myself fighting off bad guys in a sandbox somewhere, so a forward assist and dust cover wasn't necessary. Plus, lighter is always a plus. I found a complete Palmetto State lower with Dark Earth furniture for a good price. So I jumped on it. Even shipped and tax, tag and title included at my FFL, it was cheaper than at the LGS.
For the upper, I searched around and found one that had what I wanted, without a lot that I didn't. It DOES still have the forward assist and dust cover, but having it there isn't a deal breaker. It has a 1:8 barrel that isn't an M4 profile. I just don't see me launching any grenades any time soon so the "M4 notch" in the barrel just didn't appeal to me. Maybe it's my "traditional gun" roots starting to surface.
I also didn't desire a "flash hider". Never worked security at a mall so I'm not sure that it was necessary for me. Not poking at anyone, just would rather not have it on my rifle. I wanted a smaller scope or optic, so a front sight wasn't necessary or desired but I know there needs to be a gas block up there anyway, so if it served as a nice spot for a bi-pod, that's a plus! No need for a rail on top of it, but at least it wouldn't stick up into my view! I found what I was looking for in a Surplus Ammo & Arms complete upper assembly. It has a Heavy Barrel, a Dragon's Head muzzle brake (no flash hider), Magpul Dark Earth hand guard, Mid-length gas system and a nickel boron bolt carrier, which I thought was a nice touch to snazzy up the ol' girl and bring it one step further from a "nasty black rifle".
Anyways, I found what I was looking for without having to swap around a lot of other parts. I still have room to add on or change some things and, I didn't have to break the bank to do it. The reviews on the components I've chosen all appear to be positive, so I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with the way it will all fit and function and the combination is initially assembled by folks who DO know what they're doing! I just received the upper and I'm still waiting for the lower to arrive. Once it does, I'll have a chance to take it out for a range review. Till then, I get to stare at the parts. Thanks to this thread, so do you!
Hope you like 'em!
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