another thread asking for advice on first AR build

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

Hi all, first post here and new to ARs in general. I’ve spent hour and hours lurking, and found m4carbine.net to be full of the most helpful information out there when it comes to this platform.

I’m just now getting the AR bug after 25 years of building and shooting bolt guns with a few pistols mixed in. I have a Stag lower that I recieved as part of a trade and looking for advice on this build. I’ve been blown away with all the options and different directions you can take on the builds. Keep in mind that I’m in California so it needs to have at least a 16" barrel and be legal for me to own.

Anyways, I’m not too picky, just want the ULTIMATE DO-IT-ALL AR… I just want a light-weight, indestructable, bet your life on it reliable, accurate/ precise shooting rifle. I plan on using a 1-4x scope or magnified optic, but that’s another thread…

I’ve been looking hard at some of the Noveske and BCM compete uppers, but not limiting this build to those brands, and I am clueless about handguards and furniture. Also, very interested in the Gissele type two stage triggers, but I’m worried a little about reliabilty and durability.

Any advice is welcome and greatly appreciated. I’ve learned tons of good info from this site and looking forward to suggestions.

Thanks

Squirrel of Death

*edited to fix spelling

2

If you are looking at BCM, their new KMR uppers are great. I have one, and the ELW barrel shoots really well. What I like about choosing BCM, beside their quality and being a Wisconsin company, is how much you can choose from on their site, CHF barrels, LW, ELW, Govt’ Profile, different lengths, and SS options.

I would not worry about the Gissele triggers, and for a general purpose AR, I would get the SSA.

As for scopes, I would look at Vortex 1-6x, Leupold MK6, and their VX-R Patrol 1-4x.

3

There isn’t really a ultimate do all that fits all of your requirements. Durable usually calls for a chrome lined barrel while precision usually calls for SS for example. That said I would probably look for a med profile, chrome lined, free floated, 16" mid length as a good compromise of your stated goals.

4

If you want to tick off more of your boxes at least consider building your upper. Many new rail systems make it so easy to build the upper you literally have to be a retard to **** it up. They typically include any special tools and many require minimal indexing work to allign things. BCM even dimples their barrels to easily accept set screw gas blocks. You can have Rainier Arms or Adco or the like pin your gasblock for $30 or so plus shipping if you want to be hardcore. If you use ROCKSET you shouldn’t have any problems with a screw or clamp type lo pro gas block.

All you’ll need tools wise is a vice, an upper receiver block, some roll pin punches (and some starter punches if you are smart) as well as some regular hand tools. Also some grease for the barrel nut and some ROCKSET from silencer shop for the gas block screws if you don’t pin. People get all worked up, but it’s not that much stuff and you WILL use it later on. Ar15s multiply.

For your criteria I’d go with something like…

BCM SS 410 16" 1/8 mid gas Recce barrel

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Recce-SS410-Barrel-with-Mid-Length-Gas-p/bcm-brl-ss410-16-8.htm

$309

These barrels are a good compromise between toughness and balls out accuracy.

13" Geissele mk8 M lok rail

http://geissele.com/super-modular-rail-mk8-mlok.html

$300

If you are short on cash an ALG EMR Mlok rail is good to go

13" or 15" $120 - 145 depending on top rail version

http://algdefense.com/ergonomic-modular-rail-emr-v3-m-lok.html

I like MLOK vs key mod. The purse swinging is silly so this is just an option and my opinion.

Bravo company or Colt Upper receiver

$119 - 150

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Upper-Receiver-assembly-M4-Flat-Top-p/bcm4-ur-m4.htm

Bravo Company BCG

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-Carrier-Group-MPI-Auto-M16-p/bcm-bolt-carrier-group-auto-mp.htm

$169

one of the best. I prefer Colt BCGs or assembling my own from Toolcraft carriers and USGI ( FN or contract “mpf” “mpe” ) bolts.

Daniel Defense Lo pro GB

I use the clamp type if it isn’t pinned.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XDD9091&name=Daniel+Defense+Low+Profile+Gas+Block+for+.750+Dia+BBL&groupid=590

$60

And I like the BCM Mod 4 CH

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm-gfh-mod-4-556.htm

$45

Then you need the small parts and a muzzle device. An A2 flash hider is a good starting point if you aren’t sure about comps etc.
Middy gas tube $ 15
Port door assembly $9
Foward Assist assembly $16
A2 flash hider $8

Again it’s something to consider. You can build a banging upper. The knowledge base out there is so deep, like I said you have to be a retard to **** it up. You can take your time, you have no bottom lines or distractions, so QC isn’t a problem during assembly.

As for optics there are some good ones mentioned earlier. Other low power “bang for your buck” variables to consider are the SWFA 1-4 or 1-6 in an ADM mount if you want a quick detach capability.

As for the trigger Geissele is one of the best companies on the planet. They care about their stuff. I’d go SSA as an all around option.

5

If I was looking to buy an upper right now I’d be looking at BCM and Sionics. It’s also worth noting that Sionics uppers come with their NP3 full auto BCG included. These are normally about $190 by themselves.

As far as triggers go you have nothing to worry about with a Geissele trigger. Buy with confidence.

6

This should fit most of your needs and then some.
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=752-780

Just add scope and fire away.

7

Just read any number of threads on here and you’ll be good to go.

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8

Geissele ssa or the g2s are great and won’t break the bank. Can’t go wrong with BCM.

9

If you’re looking for reliability I would go with BCM for an upper receiver. That’s what I did, they’re top-notch. I would suggest you stay away from everyone for your upgrades besides "Troy, Magpul, KAC, BCM, Larue Tactical, Aimpoint, and Surefire. If your looking for furniture, go with BCM and Magpul. Check out the BCM KMR handguards, they’re really nice. My AR is set up kinda like you want yours to be, a DO IT ALL type build, I put a Aimpoint Micro T-1 red dot on it for closer ranges and in the future I’m planning on putting a Aimpoint 3X magnifier on it for longer ranges, so that’s something to consider.

If you want your platform to be reliable, something you can trust your life with, DONT get ****! Stick with the ones I listed above and you’ll be fine.

10

Don’t over think it. In spite of the numerous options and configurations, if you’re smart, your first AR is going to look something like this

While the 16 inch carbine may not do everything perfectly, it will do nearly all of it well. The 16 inch barrel gives enough velocity to reach out to 600 yards or more and will be precise enough with good ammo to get the job done. The biggest difference between an AR configured for CQB and long range work is choice of sights. A CQB AR will sport iron sights and/or an RDS or a 1x scope. A long range AR will be fitted with a 1-6x, 2.5-10 or other comparable scope. For all practical purposes, a quality 16 inch barrel of any usable profile will work for either mission. The basic 16 inch carbine is the best bang for the buck

That’s important because until you actually start shooting your first AR, you won’t know what accessories work. For example, free float tubes are great but cost about $200 and up. Will you see enough gain in performance to justify the extra cost? That won’t be known until you actually go shoot the rifle. Start with a set of $35 Magpul handguards instead. Get the basic carbine and accessorize it according to experience instead of fashion

and it’s evolution will follow a logical path

Start with a basic carbine. Ammo before accessories. Shoot before modifying

11

Mistwolf always speaks the truth.

12

Since you’re in California, I’d look into building a featureless gun. You can’t have a flash hider, pistol grip, folding/telescoping/thumbhole stock, flare/grenade launcher, or forward pistol grip. If you have none of those, you don’t need a bullet button and can use >10rd magazines (if you have any - there’s no legal way of acquiring them, but there was never any registration of them). http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf has more information on the whole AW BS. The Thordsen Customs FRS-15 is a good option for the stock, or an Exile Machine Hammerhead grip and either a fixed or pinned stock. Yes, this results in ugly (and less ergonomic) guns but they’re more functional (especially if you have 30rd magazines around).

Most of the guns I see at the range have bullet buttons, but I just can’t stand them.

I think a BCM upper like this: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-BFH-16-Mid-Length-ENHANCED-Light-Weight-Upp-p/bcm-urg-mid-16-bfh-elw-kmr13.htm would be a good option.

13

I got my first AR from palmetto state armory. I wanted it to build it myself. I have no complaints with the quality/price and came with magpul furniture.

14

I went with a Noveske gen 3 N4 16" upper. The thing is a beautiful piece of work. However, you will pay about quite a bit more for it than a comparable BCM upper. While never having shot a BCM, I would not hesitate to recommend them. They are highly regarded in the industry. It seems like a ford vs Chevy argument to me… They were both on my list, I just couldn’t resist the Noveske cool-aid.

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