Well here is my custom build, although I think it would be more appropriate to call it a collection of parts that were on sale
I wanted to build a general purpose SHTF/Home Defense/Plinker Carbine
Started off with an LAR Lower Receiver
DPMS LPK
KNS Anti Rotation pins, I know a lot of people say they are useless, but I figured $30 was cheap insurance
VLTOR Basic modstock - trying to find some good cleaning tools/supplies to fit in the tubes, any sugestions?
LMT Auto BCG
Magpul MIAD Grip
Magpul OD Green Enhanced trigger guard
Tapco Intrafuse Sling Plate - Didnāt see any negative reviews, only time will tell if I screwed up on this one
Spikes Tactical ST-T2 Buffer
DS Arms Chrome Lined 1:7 twist 14.5 upper with a Phantom flash supresson perm installed.
So far I have only had a chance to put about 60 rounds through my carbine so far. I was very dissappointed at first because my first 4 rounds didnāt extract causing a double feed. I was able to clear them and after the first 4 rounds I had no issues at all.
Since those pics I added a BCM Gunfigher Charging handle with a mod 4 latch, and a magpul BAD Lever.
I also have a KNS 0.04" extended front sight post. DS Arms doesnāt use F stamped front sight posts, and it was shooting prettly low on my first session.
Its the DSA, DPMS, Tapco parts that make it a plinker. You should not use this rifle for protection. Put a few thousand rounds through it and you will see why these parts are inferior.
I would recommend a backup LPK in case a spring or something breaks or is outta spec on the lower. Make sure the castle nut is staked, keep it wet, lose the red dot and shoot the shit outta that rifle with the carry handle, or get a quality back iron sight.
It might help to make sure the chamber is good for 5.56.
No offense but this build does seem a little problematic based off of what parts are listed. The LMT bolt carrier group should be good and the H2ish buffer is too, same with the Magpul parts and some other components. But itās true that the lower parts kit you mentioned is very concerning, upper too. Almost any other kit would have been better, an RRA kit for $55 would have been a better choice but a kit from a higher end manufacturer would have been a much better choice.
I have had extentsive experience with DPMS LPK they arent very well made from my experiece so FWIW I would have to agree with this one ā¦ even if its a āplinkerā I would def replace the LPK with a better one ā¦ someone mentioned RRA, great LPK mine has over 10k rounds runs like butter.
Iād expect it to work much better than anything DPMS makes. And for $55 plus shipping you still have to find a trigger but hey, good AR triggers are only about $20-30 and youāve probably spent around $1000+ already so itās not a big deal. It even comes with an A2 grip that will probably never be installed because Magpul pistol grips arenāt pricey and are generally more comfortable for most shooters.
Grand total including the extras like the magpul xtras and gunfighter charging handle I spent about 800. I waited to order stuff until it was on sale, and some stuff was given to me. With out the xtra stuff it would have been about 700
If you replace the barrel with a Daniel Defense youād probably still come under $1000. Or you might try to sell the upper, just keep the charging handle and bolt carrier group of course. That way you could buy a BCM upper from G&R Tactical with your choice of handguards, except a DD Omega 9" since thatās out of stock, and probably still spend less than $1000 on your first AR.
Hwikek, maybe I have missed something, but has the quality of Thompson Center barrels taken a nose dive in the past few years?
The fact DSA uses Thompson Center barrels was one of the reasons I wasnāt too concerned about using these uppers.
It all depends on whether those barrels have the proper testing done and are made from the right steel. If so then they should be fine but even if they donāt as long as the upper has M4 feed ramps you can replace the barrel with a DD or Noveske one if you so desire. If itās 4140 it will probably work for anything that isnāt a combat environment. Itās just that hammer forged barrels are generally better and a BCM upper with a hammer forged barrel isnāt much more than an upper without. But if the barrel is at least chrome lined it should be good.
The gun you have will likely serve all the uses you built it for. I checked the ds arms website, and they claim it is chambered for 5.56 nato. If you have the means to check, do it and be sure. Itās 1/9 twist, while not optimal for the most expensive ammo, should handle 55 and 62 grain ammo just fine. If you are not firing on full auto, the upper will last you thousands upon thousands of rounds.
Buy a spring kit from G&R and replace the ones from your stag kit with them. Keep them as backups.
Like I said before, make sure your castle nut is staked, oil it and shoot the fuck out of it. Your rifle will not disolve in the rain or mud. While shooting the fuck out of it, if something doesnāt work, fix it. Once you have 3k rounds thru it, you will know if you trust it as a defensive gun. Until then, just get some training and shoot it. If you canāt stand not having a bcm or dd or colt, sell it and buy one of those. If you donāt care, shoot the gun till its broke and then buy one of those. (Oh, and lose the red dot)
Why are people telling the OP to replace his LPK and/or lower?
These are some of the lowest stress parts on the carbine.
Iād be looking to get rid of that barreled upper first.
Why? Because the OP has already had issues with it.
I highly doubt that is a true 5.56 NATO chamber.
OP, sell the upper on TOS and use the funds to buy a BCM upper.
The only thing he really needs if he wants to improve the rifle, are BUIS REAR, and a nice optic, otherwise the rifle is fine for what he wants it for, anything else more than that is an investmentā¦ and if you wanted a ābetterā trigger I would get a RRA trigger or something along those lines.
