First build ideas. (UPDATED 11-10-11)

AR/M4 Custom Build Forum
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Hello everybody, this is my first post to these forums, and I doubt it will be my last. I stumbled upon it a little while ago, and thought I’d give it a whirl.

Let me try to explain what I want my AR to be for. I essentially want a good all around rifle for general shooting, maybe running drills, training classes, etc… I may consider using it as a personal defense weapon in the home, but a rifle in the .223 cartridge just never seems like a good idea in close quarters. It’ll just punch little holes in the bad guy and keep on going.

I would also probably have it for a SHTF type of scenario. Nothing specific, just something that could be a one weapon type platform for anything like that. Nothing too specific, but something well rounded. I would like to be able to shoot a fairly good group at maybe 300 yards at the most.

I do not want to go higher than a 16 inch total barrel length, and I have even been dabbling with the idea of a 14.5 inch. I assume I would just have to pay the tax stamp (I live in Utah, our gun laws are awesome), and that would be it. I would like some input on that as well.

Here is what I have been thinking parts wise.

Lower:
Spikes Tactical Lower
Spikes Tactical Enhanced LPK (I have heard good things about the trigger in that one)
Magpul MIAD
Magpul Trigger Guard
Either a Magpul UBR stock or the VLTOR A5. Leaning towards the A5, because I don’t think the UBR can accept a sling plate, such as the IKICKHIPPIES SLAP plate. Not sure though
Magpul BAD Lever, depends on what others say though.

I have heard good things about Noveske and others for various Lower parts, any suggestions/ideas?

As for the Upper, I haven’t really decided if I want to build my own or order one from BCM or someone, with the specs I want. The Recce ones look pretty sick, but I do not know if there is a benefit to getting one of those/any prebuilt over doing it myself. I have some specs I am looking for though.

Upper:
14.5 - 16 inch TOTAL barrel length, depending on suggestions
BCM BCG
BCM Gunfighter
Most likely a mid-length rail system, not sure on manufacturer though.
Not sure on barrel either, I hear good things about DD or Noveske for those.

I also am not sure as to whether to go for a DI or Piston system. It seems like the majority of people go DI, but pistons seems to have their draws, but also their drawbacks. I am leaning towards DI for my situation, but any input on that would be nice.

I am also not figuring an optic into the equation right now. I want a nice one, but my first purchase will be the rifle itself, and then I will deal with the optic later.

Any input on caliber maybe? I figure .223 will be the easiest route, but with the AR platform so versatile, is there maybe a round that you might think would be better in the future?

Thanks again for reading this novel of a post.

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as a fellow utahn I’d like to welcome you to the forum. As far as an upper goes Bcm, colt, daniel defense, lmt or noveske are tough to beat, or you can contact grant at g and r tactical and he will build one however you’d like it. i’d recommended daniel defense or troy industries rails, i’ve also heard great thing on kac but I have not used one myself. you can go with a 14.5 inch barrel without going with the tax stamp if you have the muzzle device permanently attached by pinning and welding. most recommend the battle comp as far as muzzle devices go. I personally do not care for the piston. To me the piston is an ingenious solution to a non existent problem. hopefully this steers you in the right direction.

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This is your simplest answer-

Then shoot the snot out of it until you know what you want to change.

Welcome to the board. What part of Utah are you in? I lived near the Canyonlands area and I miss it

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I live up in the Ogden area.

I have thought about just purchasing a complete rifle, but I do not want to go that route. My dad has a plain jane RRA AR15, and I have shot that plenty enough to know what I want.

I like the idea of building it myself because then it is something that I essentially made. I decided what to put in it, I bought the parts, tools, learned how to do it, and did it. I do that with my computers, and it is the same concept. I figure I am going to want to build one at some point, so I should start now.

Any other help and ideas would be great.

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Since you seem to be a BCM fan, why not go all BCM (upper, lower, etc)?

C4

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Would that be a good way to go? From what I read, BCM BCGs seem to be widely used and like, as well as the charging handle. I don’t know so much about their other upper parts. Is that something you would recommend?

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Not suggesting you don’t build it yourself. Just using the picture as an example of what would be a good starting point. If you really knew enough what you wanted, you wouldn’t be asking what to build, you’d be showing us what you built. I really enjoyed building my two ARs as well my FALs.

Ogden is a nice area. Lived in Layton for about a year while working as a contractor at Hill AFB. You probably already know, Impact Guns and “Get Some” sell AR parts. Not sure what they have now as it’s been awhile since I’ve been to either store.

If you’re under 21 you cannot buy a stripped lower. Only mention so you’re not unpleasantly surprised if that’s your situation.

I can tell you from personal experience a carbine feels livelier with the CTR stock than it does with the UBR

I would suggest going with the CTR, MOE or regular M4 carbine stock. Also suggest a light weight profile barrel. A heavy barrel kinda negates the the advantages of building a carbine in the first place. Don’t forget magazines & ammo!

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Oh okay, that makes more sense. I saw the picture, then checked BCM’s sight and saw they sold it as a complete rifle and thought you meant just buy that one. My mistake.

Yeah, I know about Impact and Get Some, but I live closest to Impact. I do go to Hill on occasion though, tax free alcohol is just delightful. Haha. I am 22, if that wasn’t evidence enough of my age.

But yeah, I figured I would go for a light weight barrel, it is a carbine after all.

And maybe a dumb question, but why didn’t you go for a rail system on your carbine, or even your longer rifle? Is that just a nifty sort of rail cover you have on there or something?

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I would suggest you look at this:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M16-A4-AR15-Bravo-Company-carbine-EAG-Pat-Rogers-s/151.htm

and get an Aimpoint H-1 on a LaRue mount and you’re done!

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That actually pretty nifty, but why don’t they show the price?

Nevermind, I found it. 1995$ Bit pricey for something I won’t be building myself, it is a nice looking firearm though, that’s for sure.

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I will not be putting anything on the rifles that need much rail estate. The carbine will get a flashlight, sling and an RDS.
Don’t need any more rails for the RDS or sling.
I’m still looking at flashlight mounting options.

My precision rifle has Quick Disconnect cups for mounting a sling.

The only other thing I may mount on it is a bipod and I’m looking at a couple ideas that don’t use rails.

The forearm is from PRI and made of carbon fiber. It had rail sections mounted to it but since I had no use for them they were removed to keep weight down.

The only thing I might need more rail estate for is to push the scope forward a bit to get the eye relief right.
It needs just two, maybe three slots more to be perfect

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Huh, that does make sense. Thanks for the info man.

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You’re welcome

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Ha, no worries.

Anyone have any experience or knowledge on Spikes lowers though? They seem to be pretty decent. Or does it really matter which brand you go with, as long as it is not a total pile?

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For information about lowers, I’d suggest using the orange search button at the top. Simplest answer is a lower is a lower. I’ve had personal experience with three lowers; Colt, LRB & Palmetto State Armory. Based on a sample of one of each, I like all three.

Some knowledgeable & experienced folks have reported problems with some brands of lowers

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Thanks, you’re right, I’ll do some searching around. It does wonders.

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+1 :lol:

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Just got my Spike’s Lower in. Here are some pictures.

The lower itself seems to be done pretty well. This is my first build, so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but the craftsmanship seems pretty damned well done. I have a machinist friend that came with me to pick it up, and he commented on how nice it looked (for what that is worth).

I ordered a G&R lpk today, based on what I read here. Next will be a BAD ASS safety selector and a Geissele SSA-E.

Thanks for looking!