Legionnaire
Contributing Member
And we will need the pics ...
Welp, I bought a stripped lower
- Thread starter gobsauce
- Start date
I finished it yesterday, found out that a hemostat is excellent for holding that pin for the bolt lock. Marred the lower with a brass punch, that's whatever.
Definitely need to tighten that castle nut a bit more before I go to the range.
I did buy a "blem" kit, but I don't see any blems. I did see some brass residue on the BCG, but I'm guessing that they test fire their stuff.
Building it was fun. If (or should I say when ) I swap out parts, I'll try and make a little kit I could send someone wanting to do the same.
Anyways, here's the mostly final result.
Still need a rear, but I'll get to that eventually.
Definitely need to tighten that castle nut a bit more before I go to the range.
I did buy a "blem" kit, but I don't see any blems. I did see some brass residue on the BCG, but I'm guessing that they test fire their stuff.
Building it was fun. If (or should I say when ) I swap out parts, I'll try and make a little kit I could send someone wanting to do the same.
Anyways, here's the mostly final result.
Still need a rear, but I'll get to that eventually.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Good job!
Pretty sweet setup. I shot pins and springs all over the shop when I put my first 2 lowers together. I found them, but just by luck. Do you plan on an optic? How much does it weigh as it is now? I'm preparing to assemble my light weight FDE rifle, but it might not be as light weight as I'd hoped.
Lo-Profile
Member
I have two Spikes Tactical stripped lowers and uppers I bought about 3 months ago that haven't been built yet 
DustyGmt
Member
I wish the 17° straight vert grips were more prevalent when I was on a building spree. Doesn't take a whole lot of money to swap em out but I would have definitely opted for the K2 or BCM. One thing is certain, a good quality trigger is a must. I leave one with a mil spec trigger so I can remember why I spent the extra few bucks. Geissele G2S or LaRue MBT for $100 ish. A good enlarged bolt catch if you want to spoil it. I don't know if there is a big difference in quality for the detents,springs,safety lever, etc. I've used some LPK's from PSA and some from Windham and S&W, I don't see or feel a big difference. Buffer, buffer spring and triggers is where I really feel a quality difference for the lower.
rdnktrkr
Member
Thats why I suggest using a banana box inverted with the sides opened up, you can see through the hole in the bottom and the box catches flying objects. I gave my box away to a friend and he loved it, then he gave it away and built another, I would say my first box has built 10 or 12 lowers and my second one has helped build 2 and still going strong, AND they are free at the store.
I have purchased "lost parts kits" for spare parts but a couple years ago I just got a LPK w/o fire control and put it in my range bag with an extra BCG (it has saved a couple of friends day)
The problem with one AR is they multiply like feral hogs and you wind up with a full safe, they are addicting, I also like the metal flip up sights, I found some at a local swap meet and gave away my plastic ones.
Riomouse911
Member
I still have three lowers in a safe that are awaiting some sort of assembly.
Someday…
Stay safe.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
'Murica!
Don't forget to stake the buffer nut after you get it tightened.
Don't forget to stake the buffer nut after you get it tightened.
I have an optic, but I need a riser. I have a riser somewhere, I took it off my S2K, but I seem to have lost it. Never been a fan of optics, but who knows.
As for weight, I dunno. I'll weigh it later and get back to you.
@DustyGmt I guess none of the ARs I've shot had a standard grip, it feels weird. I'll try printing one and seeing if I like it better. Since it's just a range toy, after all.
Thank you all so very much for alerting me of that iron sight. Just sent a PM!
I have a question, my rifle has a bayonet lug. I'm not really interested in mounting a bayonet (but maybe I will , who knows ), is there anything else I can put there?
I have a question, my rifle has a bayonet lug. I'm not really interested in mounting a bayonet (but maybe I will , who knows ), is there anything else I can put there?
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Several companies make things like this-
Attach anything from lights to lasers and bipods.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
To mount a bayonet, you'll need a sleeve that fits behind the flash hider like this-
Thats because the military M4s with a carbine gas system use a 14.5" barrel and civvy guns are 16".
Thats because the military M4s with a carbine gas system use a 14.5" barrel and civvy guns are 16".
Last edited:
DustyGmt
Member
It would help if we kind of knew your overall vision for the gun. Like if you did an image search for a carbine that strikes your fancy, how you would like it to be set up, I'm sure people could give you a range if options from inexpensive(not cheap in quality) to mid range. One thing I would definitely do is set aside a few bucks for a decent trigger (ALG QMS $50ish, LaRue MBT $100ish or Geissele G2S $120ish) would be my picks for a trigger.
The next important thing you'll want is a better charging handle (Strike makes one that's decent $25ish, BCM Gunfighter $50ish-$80ish(ambi) and probably the most popular The Radian $80ish and Geissele Charging Handle is also nice, $100ish. Of course all these items ebb and flow, sometimes if you hunt or wait for just about any holiday you can save 15%-20% or get free shipping.
Lastly, a good sling, like a Magpul or a Blue Force Gear or a Trex Arms are all good quality. I have some sub $50 slings I've used in the past and they are holding up well but the ones mentioned above are what the cool kids and pros are using.
I can more than make due with a standard Mil spec T6 stock like you have but if you want something a lil more refined the BCM, B5systems or just a good ole Magpul (many models) are all popular.
Take a look at AR/M4 setups in Google images and you can post and get lots of good input from people here. I splurge in some places and am thrifty in others. But a good feeling trigger is important (to me) and so is a 7075 grade aluminum Charging handle is too, mostly BCM's, started with em and just like em but I like the Strike and Radian just as well. The BCG you got is probably from a mil spec supplier and is probably ToolCraft and totally fine, but having a Sprinco extractor spring and sprinco buffer spring is a worthwhile upgrade imo, but those are pretty cheap upgrades that do nothing aesthetic wise but the Sprinco spring for your buffer spring in the appropriate configuration according to your gas system (mid length or carbine) will take that annoying twang and secondary pulse you get when you fire a shot and I absolutely hate that twang so it would be a must have for me.
Sorry, it seems like a ton of information but really it's just a few hundred bucks worth of stuff you can easily order and easily install over time to refine your carbine to your preferences and help it shoot a lil better and perhaps a lil more reliability. I am biased toward PSA because I've done a couple of their kits and been really pleased, along with their business model and commitment to customer service, etc.... nice carbine.
I appreciate the effort you put into your message, thank you.It would help if we kind of knew your overall vision for the gun. Like if you did an image search for a carbine that strikes your fancy, how you would like it to be set up, I'm sure people could give you a range if options from inexpensive(not cheap in quality) to mid range. One thing I would definitely do is set aside a few bucks for a decent trigger (ALG QMS $50ish, LaRue MBT $100ish or Geissele G2S $120ish) would be my picks for a trigger.
The next important thing you'll want is a better charging handle (Strike makes one that's decent $25ish, BCM Gunfighter $50ish-$80ish(ambi) and probably the most popular The Radian $80ish and Geissele Charging Handle is also nice, $100ish. Of course all these items ebb and flow, sometimes if you hunt or wait for just about any holiday you can save 15%-20% or get free shipping.
Lastly, a good sling, like a Magpul or a Blue Force Gear or a Trex Arms are all good quality. I have some sub $50 slings I've used in the past and they are holding up well but the ones mentioned above are what the cool kids and pros are using.
I can more than make due with a standard Mil spec T6 stock like you have but if you want something a lil more refined the BCM, B5systems or just a good ole Magpul (many models) are all popular.
Take a look at AR/M4 setups in Google images and you can post and get lots of good input from people here. I splurge in some places and am thrifty in others. But a good feeling trigger is important (to me) and so is a 7075 grade aluminum Charging handle is too, mostly BCM's, started with em and just like em but I like the Strike and Radian just as well. The BCG you got is probably from a mil spec supplier and is probably ToolCraft and totally fine, but having a Sprinco extractor spring and sprinco buffer spring is a worthwhile upgrade imo, but those are pretty cheap upgrades that do nothing aesthetic wise but the Sprinco spring for your buffer spring in the appropriate configuration according to your gas system (mid length or carbine) will take that annoying twang and secondary pulse you get when you fire a shot and I absolutely hate that twang so it would be a must have for me.
Sorry, it seems like a ton of information but really it's just a few hundred bucks worth of stuff you can easily order and easily install over time to refine your carbine to your preferences and help it shoot a lil better and perhaps a lil more reliability. I am biased toward PSA because I've done a couple of their kits and been really pleased, along with their business model and commitment to customer service, etc.... nice carbine.
I'm not really going for "a look" but really just things I find convenient. I'm Looking at parts to make it ambidextrous (I just think it's a cool idea ) and a handguard with Picatinny rails.
Maybe I should shoot it first
theotherwaldo
Member
Remember: on the range or in the shop, whenever small steel parts are involved, keep a strong drag magnet handy.
I saves your springs, pins and sanity... .
I saves your springs, pins and sanity... .
DustyGmt
Member
I've got an Ambi safety on one of my guns, it's a short throw 45° safety as well, I just wanted to try it and I quite like it. I also have B.A.D levers on a few of mine and some people hate em but I like em, have used em for years and never had an issue. Don't recall hearing people having issues with them either, more so the fact that they think it's either unnecessary or don't like the fact that it travels into the trigger guard, unless your fingers are the size of a polish kielbasa I don't know why they think it would be a hindrance. To each their own.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Pretty tough to go wrong with Magpul accessories. I've had good luck with Luth-AR and FAB defense as well. Of course BCM, Knights Armaments (KAC), and POF are some of the premier boutique brands and they are all good stuff. I'm a huge fan of POFs drop-in triggers, though they are pricey.
Aero stuff is fine, as is Anderson.
Back in the day, Doublestar and Promag were known for trouble, and Radical Arms is kinda shady these days, but otherwise I dunno that there is really a "bad" AR accessories brand. Beware of anything on Amazon though, lots of chinesium knock-offs.
Lo-Profile
Member
I use a A2 style rear sight on my guns with the GI type front sights. Solid and relatively cheap.
Probably more than you want to spend but they have some nice stuff.
DustyGmt
Member
Daniel defense makes a nice fixed rear aperture sight. Simple and solid. Not sure what brand you posted here but if you buy off Amazon I'd definitely check reviews. There is alot of Airsoft grade stuff that those less in the know could mistakenly buy thinking it was good.
Lo-Profile
Member
Yeah, I forget where I got mine, had them for years.
That’s what I’m after. What brands make those?
