The idiot's guide to the AR-15 rifle (or an idiot building one)

adaman04 said:
PENENPITSU, as far as lowers go, most of them are pretty good. There are more brands out there than I could name. Billet is a lot of hype IMO.
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Thanks for clearing that up. I've been learning a LOT about AR's today, and can't wait to start building my own. For lowers, I'm going to start looking for a cool custom one like:

CJ%20Lower_LRG.jpg


So basically what I got from the M4 chart for uppers (Thanks for the informative posts Matthewdanger) is to stay with the good companies because they have good BCG's: Colt, BCM, LMT, Noveske, and Daniel Defense. I believe that Colt's are on the ban list here in CA, so BCM and Daniel Defense are going to be my realistic choices for a good upper. Noveske are just so freaking expensive.

It's just a waiting game for me, as some manufacturers have crazy sales, like a complete Daniel's Defense Upper with rails for $699.99. Too bad they sold out in like an hour, hehe.

http://shop.peachstateguns.com/product.sc?productId=673&categoryId=67
 
I would steer clear of knock off rail systems. I rather have plastic handgaurds then a knock-off rail for a couple reasons. One is purely ethical. If I came out with a product and someone introduced a cheap (quality and price) replica I would be more than a little upset.

Also rail systems like the DD Lite rail replace there barrel nut with one specific to the rail system. I wouldnt feel comfortable securing my barrel to the upper with the nut from a knock off company.

I build/have rifles because at some point I might NEED them, and when I do I don't wanna worry about the parts I put on them failing.

Thats just me though.

BTW I run DD rails on all my rifle and have no plans to change. After having handled and played with most rail systems on the market I honestly believe they are the best and worth the money. I've often said I dont mind spending money, but I hate to waste it. If I didn't believe they were that much better I wouldn't spend my money on them. YMMV though,
 
Perhaps one of these days I'll go for the big priced rail, but as a mere college student It'll do for now.
 
This thread got me itching to get out the ARs and do some routine cleaning/maintenence, swap some parts around and pop in Magpul Dynamics AOTTC II. :D
 
Jake Bauer said:
Perhaps one of these days I'll go for the big priced rail, but as a mere college student It'll do for now.
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You don't have to spend a ton on a rail these days. Troy is making some very affordable units (both free float and non free float).
 
matthewdanger said:
You don't have to spend a ton on a rail these days. Troy is making some very affordable units (both free float and non free float).
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Which affordable Troy free float rail are you referring to? Have a Link? I like the looks of those magpul MOEs but heard they rattle a bit and aren't free float..
 
I have 2 AR's and just like shotgunner I have started to assemble the 3rd. I picked up a stripped lower (right after you know who got elected...) and thought well at least I have the extra receiver "rifle" in my name. I picked up a stag lower parts kit and A2 stock (thank you very much CT assault weapons ban) and it is waiting for an upper half. I am hoping to win one at the NRA Tactical Law Enforcement 3 gun this year as top prizes are LaRue stealth uppers... And you can only win 1, ever. Last years winners are not eligible for the grand prize this year, so now my chance improved from "no" to "probably not". Years ago I attended the Colt AR15-M16 armorer school and the hardest thing was installing and or removing the gas block pins and front sight post. I have never had to install a barrel into an upper but that was a pain as well. There is a ton of info on D.I.Y. rifles all over the message boards expecially AR-15.com forum and M4 carbine.net, ect, ect. Good luck all
 
Jake Bauer said:
Which affordable Troy free float rail are you referring to? Have a Link? I like the looks of those magpul MOEs but heard they rattle a bit and aren't free float..
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I don't want to "deal spot" but there are good prices to be had on the MRF-DI rails which are drop in non-free float rails. I love them. They are pretty light weight, very well made, rock solid, and have QD sling swivel attachment points.

The Troy Extreme Battle Rails are also a very nice option for free float rails.

If one were to shop around online a bit, these rails could be found for just a bit more than YHM products.
 
i just watched THE HURT LOCKER very good movie! anyways they have some awesome rifles in it. what would something like this cost to build?
the_hurt_locker23.jpg
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Those are pretty simple rigs you are looking at probably 800, I haven't checked prices in a while, so it might be off a bit, but if you aren't in a hurry you can spread that money out over time and be proud to say you built it. Shoot I forgot about the aimpoints that price doesn't include one of those.
 
It can get expensive when you get into the rail systems as well but if you want something just simple and to save money but still want your forward grip, the magpul MOE handguards accept a few small portions of rail that should hold just about anything you will NEED.

P.S. it gets very addicting and will make you wanna buy anything and everything, my suggestion is to ask trusted/experienced people's opinions before a major purpose to save you money and time. I went through a lot of gear and guns trying to find what I wanted.
 
bmw4life1 said:
thats not to bad, id have no problem spending 800 to build a rifle. thanks
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They will cost more than $800 unless you use the lowest priced components you can find (which I don't reccommend) and even then $800 might be a stretch with rails and optic.

Also, I would caution you on using movies for a basis for your gun purchases. Those rifles in particular appear to have fake Aimpoints in mounts that are too low to actually use correctly. The slings are also mounted incorrectly. The way they are mounted will interfere with the charging handle. Movies are goofy. Do real research at a place like m4carbine.net (like Rancid Sumo suggested).

Jake Bauer said:
Thanks matt, I Like these Midwest Industries rails I found.. http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Midwest-Industries-MI-T7-p/mi t 7.htm

How are those yankee hill rails? they're pretty cheap.
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Either of them will work. For the price, I prefer the Troy rails, if you actually need rails. One thing to consider is the ease of mounting a sling on the Troy rails. In order to mount a sling on the MI or YHM rails you will need an expensive sling mount ($20-$50). On the Troy rail there are places designed to accept a push button QD sling swivel which can be purchased for about $12-$15.

Just remember, that sometimes buying cheap is more expensive in the long run.
 
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