Budget Build + review (blackthorne+Aero Precision+primary arms)

Dealers/ Manufacturers/ Regional/ Info Trash
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I’m currently building a couple of AR’s and I figured I would post a review here of how things are going and of the quality of the products. As stated in the subject it is indeed a budget build. My goal is to build a functional reliable AR on the cheap (well cheap for an AR). I’ve built one rifle before using almost the same parts I’m going to be using on these and had only one issue with it I resolved easily. Aside from finding some super great deals on used stuff in the forums, there isn’t a cheaper way to build than this, believe me I looked for a while.

Alright time for the reveal. I have two Blackthorne 16" A3 m4 kits. Yup I said the dreaded B word. My first rifle as stated early was built on one of these kits and the only problem was an out of spec mag latch I replaced for $5. I got the kits in the mail today. The uppers look in good condition( uppers wrapped in foam everything else in bags), no marks, Cerro forging marked uppers, and I believe the barrels had a 2 stamped into them near their base under the hand guards (they were far under and hard to see) and the front sight posts were stamped with an F. The FSP was also properly lined up with the reciever, no tilt that I could see. The bolts looked brand new and had a thing film of oil on them. The LPK’s looked standard, cheap looking roll pins, but other than that fine. The stock kits are six position stocks. I’m not sure if they are commercial or mil-spec, but they look sturdy. Assembly of the lower won’t happen till later in the week, the recievers I ordered haven’t come in yet. I should mention I ordered these kits on a thursday and got them the next monday, so shipping was prompt (and included in the price).

These are going on Aero Precision Lowers. Also I bought a couple of the primary arms quad rails + magpul xtm covers. The rails looked great, no blemished, the machining was clean (not rough like I’ve read else where). The are a two piece clamp together style rail. The bevelled edge slips into where the base of the hand gaurds would go and it has rounded spots that have it index to the barrel nut and prevent it from turning left or right. The front of the rails go on the outside of the handguard holder at the front sight post. After installing put in the four supplied screws with the supplied allen key and your good to go. I would recommend some lock tight on the screws. I also suggest waiting to put the rail covers on until after its installed. I got a little eager and installed them right away and had to take them off (when not on the gun the xtm covers are a PITA to remove from the rail). Overall I highly recommend the rails. The only thing I noticed that I thought I would mention about them is that on my uppers they where off be like .5 mm. Looking down the reciever from the back the right side of the quad rail was .5 mm above the rails on the receiver itself. Its not a large amount and doesn’t move so I don’t think its an issue. Like I said unless your going to war I highly recommend this rail. To round out the rifle itself I also bought a matech BUIS. Its the same BUIS I used when I was in the army and I got a great deal on ebay. I bought two used Matechs for $35 a piece, which is a great deal on a reliable name brand sight. Other people don’t care for them but I think they are fine.

So for all who are interested here is the low down on the cost:

Aero Precision Lower $69 + $10 ffl transfer
Blackthorne Kit $419
Primary Arms Quad $50 (with shipping added in)
Matech Buis $37 (with shipping added in)

Grand total $585 (or if you want to go super cheap $535 without the rails)

Not to bad, now just to cool some flames. I can feel people getting mad already I didn’t drop over a grand on this build, and most likely it will be just fine. This isn’t my primary AR. I have an AR built on a spikes lower with RRA LPK and 2 stage RRA NM trigger, moe grip, magpul aluminum enhanced trigger guard, new matech BUIS, Eotech 552, and I’m waiting on the Addax ZK 16" GPU I ordered.

Later this week when the lowers come in I’ll review some more and perhaps post some pics, if anyone has any pic requests let me know.

Yetisoldier

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Keeping the bottom feeders in business are you?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=site%3Awww.m4carbine.net+blackthorne&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

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Did it ever occur to you that instead of building a bunch of piece of shit guns with piece of shit accessories and parts sourced from shady or substandard manufacturers that you could have built a single quality rifle? I’d rather have an LMT standard carbine or stripped dowm BCM middy with MOE grips shooting A2’s than anything of the garbage listed above.

Blackthorne = Shit
Primary Arms = a little better than airsoft
Addax Gas Piston Upper = total waste of money

For the money you have spent on 3 Blackthorne uppers and all the shit to go along, as well as the meh optics and Addax GPU, you could have purchased a decked out rifle from a respectable manufacturer.

EDIT: How does this even contribute to this thread? Nobody here is interested in a bottom of the barrel budget build, much less one that hasn’t been shot.

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The Aero Precision lower is quality. MaTech buis is ok. The rest… bleh

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Did you read the rifle I already have? Its definetly not a piece of shit, and I definitely have spent way to much money on it. Not everyone needs to drop a grand or two on an AR. Many people would love an AR, but aren’t gun enthusiasts and couldn’t justify spending over a grand on something that will most likely on get shot once a month if that, or maybe they want an AR they can beat the shit out of and not worry about it.

BMW’s are definitely better than KIA’s but sometimes you only can afford the KIA. I knew these flames where coming with this post. I want to show that you can or maybe can’t build a decent functioning rifle for range duty or plinking. After I get them together I’ll shot them this weekend and if they both blow up I’ll concede they are junk, but if they don’t then it was money well spent. I have a feeling they will be just fine. I’ll let everyone know either way since its an honest review, and then people can take from it what they may.

Also, I started this thread about a budget build and thats what its about, also YOU may not be interested in a low cost build, but alot of people are. Also I chose the Eotech over an aim point Pro, because that is my preference. the rifle is set up for relatively close range shooting and thats what eotech is good for. Also why get so emotional? They are just guns.

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Also, I don’t get the google search link. All I did was post here and at AR15.com. If its searchable through google then all the threads here must be.

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This is not AR15.com