One AR-15 just one

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Horseman, I bought a used Smith & Wesson M&P15 several years ago now.

I did one mod to it. I put a Velocity trigger set in it.

I bought it lots of ammo at first. I saved my brass. Now I reload. :D
 
Put together, make sure all the parts fit, and make sure it works. Not true of my PSA build. If it is good, shoot it. I would upgrade the trigger. My PSA trigger was rough. Another thing to consider upgrading first is the bolt. Mine was out of spec. Many people have good luck with PSA, but many of thier parts are blems and rejects from elsewhere so beware.
 
D2wing.....What is your authority for the statement "but many of their parts are blems and rejects from elsewhere" refering to PSA and their offerings. I am a long time customer of PSA and have at no time had a blem that was not posted as a blem ( ask any recipiant of a blem part if they can in fact find the blem), I do try to restrict my purchases to "premium" . Of the thousands of dollars I have spent with Palmetto I have sent only one part back, an upper receiver that was the wrong one, a correct receiver was shipped when i gave them info yhat the mistake was deposited at UPS.
I would not buy from a seller who substituted " blems and rejects from others".
 
If you're only going with one, why go with the M4 Melonite Freedom upper? It's kind of an economy offering, and if I'm only going to have one, I'm going a step above economy and getting something a little closer to ideal.

I'd pick something in a midlength - because it is better balanced for a 16" barrel and doesn't bang working parts around as hard. The rifle will theoretically last longer and be more reliable.

I'd also take something chrome-lined. In PSA's offerings, I might go with one of the FN "Machine Gun Steel" barrels with 2x thick chrome lining. I doubt you'd wear that out without some effort.

Furniture and fire control group I'll leave to you - you might change them out eventually anyhow.
 
Well a month ago at a pawn shop I spied a DPMS 3G2, mint cond, $500. Bought it of course. Never been fired. Match trigger, off set buis, stainless barrel, magpull furniture.

Put an AR Colt 4x scope, mounted low, and dang it really shoots. Hope to get a USMC ACOG on it one day.

If need be, it would be my only one.

Deaf
 
D2 wing, Where did you go? You made a statement that i would like to have you expand as to the source of your information. If one is to bash the integrity of a company surely there is a foundation to those statements. I have no intent to attack you personally, just trying to find out the basis of " many are blems and rejects from elsewhere so beware" so that i do not buy such inferior parts.
 
I splurged a bit on my AR build and sprung for a Del-ton two stage trigger in mine. Much better than the stock mil-spec trigger and I would recommend that if you are only going to have one AR. Finding a video to install it is a bit PITA if you aren't familiar though.
 
Get a good trigger and you are good to go

I have put a number of these together - Being of M1 vintage I add a two stage trigger and they shoot like match grade due to their design. The only thing wrong is I live too close to California. A speeding ticket could ruin your day.
 
If I were to have only one AR-15 it would be either a KAC, LMT, or Noveske.
I own 2 Noveskes and a Stag 3G currently and I have no complaints from any of them.
 
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Build what you have, then go shoot it. A lot.

"Buy ammo. Use up. Repeat."

THEN look at what modifications/additions you'd like to make.

That's my advice, and the advice of a few others here in your thread.

Good luck.

:)
 
Well guys I have built it so far I've only put 40 rounds through it everything works as planned thanks for the thoughts and tips
 
O.K., guys, I've looked at this thread and others, and have considered building my first AR from a Palmetto kit, but then, I look at the Smith&Wesson and Ruger guns for nearly the same price, and wonder "Why?"
That is, unless somebody can come up with factual, convincing arguments against a couple of reputable, first class arms manufacturers' offerings.
Then buy ammo, and shoot it! 10,000 rounds?:what: Who has a relative in the ammo business? ;) Shoot it 1-200 rounds to be sure everything works, store ammo, and shoot enough to keep skills current.
All I might add would be a Magpul stock, a couple of extra mags, and a red dot sight.;) I don't like fat dots, and the new Leupold Carbine sight with its 1 moa dot looks very intriguing!

Just sayin':)
 
As to why... If I were to break a spring or part in my lower, I have the knowledge to replace it myself having assembled the lower. That knowledge may be very valuable in the future.
 
O.K., guys, I've looked at this thread and others, and have considered building my first AR from a Palmetto kit, but then, I look at the Smith&Wesson and Ruger guns for nearly the same price, and wonder "Why?"
Click to expand...

Two reasons pride of owning something you built yourself and if the Ruger or Smith isn't in the exact configuration you want.
 
Or you can build em' yourself or buy them whole, I have done both. You cannot beat some of the lower level rifles for the average guy. Delton, S&W, Colt Expanse, Bushmaster etc, etc, are great for shooters who are not sending a thousand or two down range each month. I have rifles that cost three times as much as my ATI Omni or Optics ready Bushmaster that really shine if you are demanding the maximum out of them, however shooting 500 rds or less a month the cheapies work just fine.
Aero now has offerings of whole rifles or build it yourself and i have found their parts to be top notch, a person should shop, compare quality of parts, and CS of company before investing. Remember, the rifle is just a part of the package...Ammo, lots of ammo, and mags before fancy sights and stuff.
 
Are there still two standards, or were there ever?

At one time, the late guru of "survival weapons", Mel Tappan, offered the opinion that guns produced for the "civilian market" were not tough enough to survive a prolonged firefight, whereas military surplus rifles/pistols were.

What about that? That was said more than 40 years ago, and then, It would probably not be unrealistic to say a Browning Semi-automatic rifle might not be as rugged as an M-14. Given that our M1As or ARs will probably never see the severe usage military weapons are subjected to, is there a marked difference in the length of service we can expect from our self-built or purchased rifles as opposed to those which are issued to the military? :confused:

The question may be moot, because except for a relatively few fortunate individuals who can own Title 3 weapons, the semi-auto versions of the rifles will probably last longer, because we can't afford to shoot the amount through them that the military will.
 
For those who can't or don't want to spend $200+ for a custom trigger, if you're buying from PSA I would recommend purchasing their enhanced fire control group.

The trigger that came with my PSA kit worked, but that was about it. Scratchy, long, and just about everything you don't want in a trigger. I took a chance for $29 when PSA had their "enhanced polished nickel plated fire control group" on sale. What a difference for just $29! Smooth with a crisp let off. Highly recommended for function and price. No, it doesn't have Geissele shivering in their boots, but it is a major upgrade for so little.
 
Speedo, You are quite correct on your PSA enhanced trigger report. I have some expensive triggers and a couple of GI ones but most of my everyday shooters have either the ALG ACT (Geisslee $69)) or PSA Enhanced fire control groups ($30 on sale). A decent trigger turns a mediocre rifle into fun shooter, particularly if trying to print some tiny groups on paper.
 
BCM = Bravo Company Manufacturing or Bravo Company USA?
Click to expand...

BCM (bravo co. manufacturing)assembles their complete rifles, lowers, and uppers. BC USA is the retail side. They sell a lot of different brand uppers, parts, mags, etc. including the BCM house brand.

Same company, but different roles or maybe divisions I think.
 
ny32182 said:
The specs look decent, but if I could only have ONE, I would just buy it assembled from a "tier 1" company, add your choice of sights, and call it good.
Click to expand...
^^^^^
This .... I have a KAC Stoner SR25 Match and SR-15 E3 Mod1 and they will likely be the last to go even though I have built some expensive AR's they will never hold their value the way a Top Tier gun will.
 
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