Thinking of building an AR

kamagong

kamagong

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Jan 13, 2001
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I'm thinking of building an AR. In the past I've wanted one, but was limited because of CA's inane gun laws. I have since discovered that it is legally permissible to build one here, assuming of course that I follow the rules and make sure that it is a California-neutered model.

My AR will be a carbine, I don't want a full length rifle. That'll come later in the form of a Service Grade CMP Garand. I know I need to buy the parts, but I'm not sure exactly what I need. From what I gather, I can get a stripped lower, stock, full upper assembly, and a lower parts kit. The only part that needs to go through an FFL is the stripped lower. Rock River Arms sells a complete rifle kit, minus the stripped lower. The kit containes a carbine stock, lower parts kit, and a flat top upper. I think I'll go that route to make my project a little easier.

Here is where it gets interesting. RRA sells two kit models. One has a chrome lined barrel, the other is non-lined. Any advantages to the chromed bore other than increased corrosion resistance? I seem to remember reading somewhere that chromed bores are a little less accurate.

Thanks for the help guys.
 
The chrome wears better over time. Chrome has been used in 2 stroke engine cylinders for that reason for years, although Nikocil and now ceramic bores are making headway.
 
chrome bores will take a sustained high rate of fire and retain some accuracy over 4150 bores. I have several chome bores that are Match grade.
 
If you're not already a ranked competitor in search of a match rifle, don't worry about any accuracy difference between lined and unlined. You won't notice it. I never did either. It's largely hypothetical anyway.

Other than that, lined wears slower, cleans easier, tolerates heat better, and is an overall better choice for most shooters. I wish it was an option on more platforms.
 
Ive been building one out of odds and ends over the past couple of years, keep buying things and putting off buying more parts, and much like yours I plan on it being a carbine.

I am going to go for the chrome lined because the cost of overseas cheapo ammo is a fraction of the brass Made in the USA stuff, and is much more dirty.
The difference between 1/4" and a 1/2" group at 100 yards really dosent matter because the cheapo stuff might shoot about 4-6" patterns at that range, which btw is still minute of bad guy. I can clean it and put better ammo in it, and I may, but I also want the ability to shoot the cheap over seas stuff that may or maynot be somewhat corrosive.

I know that the barrels purchased for the AR can do sub moa stuff, but the rifle built, as well as the practice needed to use it correctly, not to mention the hundreds if not thousands of rounds I need to get that good, are just out of my reach.

I plan on building it for fun and having fun with it.

I hope you are visiting AR-15.com because they have a surplus of information on this sort of thing.
 
Is a wealth of information and it was instumental in getting the info out there that allows one to build a completely legal AR from parts. A few X-mases ago I bought a stripped lower to build a dream 6.5 grendel, but then the decided that that kind of money is better spent in saving for a down payment on a home:(
I still have it and will build that Grendel someday.
I think that they even host local 'build your own stripped lower parties'.
Check them out.
 
Some folks don't like the AR15. I'll leave them to their opinions. I love mine! My Bushmaster has never let me down.

HPIM0513.jpg
 
chrome lined are a little less accurate. The trade off is a little better wear resistance and ease of cleaning. I think most people like the non-lined. It's not like the non-lined are impossible to clean, and you'll probably never shoot a barrel out.

You can also get different barrel weights which may actually be a more important choice. The thicker ones are a little more accurate and heat up less over long strings of shooting. They make the balance weird though. The featherweight barrels are nicer if you're doing to be carrying the thing or doing up drills or whatever. A 16'' featherweight barrel has almost exactly the same weight and balance as the m4's 14.5 inch government profile barrel. The government profile is this funky thing where it's thin under the handguard and thick outside of it with a notch a couple inches from the end to mount a grenade launcher. I wouldn't worry about the no-bayonette lug CA thing as you can't put a bayo on a 16" barrel and they're basically obsolete anyway, especially for a civilian.
 
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