I am located in California (yea, I know) and am looking to build an AR15 (DI) on a budget to complement my Stag Arms primary AR. It’s been more than 5 years since I have been in the market so consider me one step above newbie.
Currently, I receive ‘sale’ emails from PSA, Primary Arms, Brownells and Midway but would like to know if I should subscribe to any others. Starting with a stripped lower, this gun will be built with a standard LPK (later the trigger will be upgraded), Magpul furniture and a purchased upper receiver probably including the BCG. I have looked at BCM but find their prices a little high for my budget. In comparison, PSA’s prices are attractive but I question the quality of what I’m getting - not an issue w/BCM. Since this is not going to be my primary rifle, I have a couple of specific parts questions:
Which attractively priced LPK suppliers should I consider? Is there one with an upgraded trigger worth considering?
Is the finish/treatment of the barrel or BCG (eg., melonite, nickel boron, etc.) worth the extra cost?
Should I expect a significant savings in purchasing the upper w/BCG included vs equivalents separately?
Are Brownells and Midway-branded products trustworthy?
As a fellow resident of commiefornia, I feel your pain. Here is my take on the questions, I am sure someone else will chime in with a different opinion.
LPK, check out CMMG or DD for reasonably priced LPKs. Not the cheapest, but not ridiculously expensive either, and they are quality. DD is a little more expensive, and I found their triggers to be a little grittier, but to each their own. If you are going to upgrade the trigger eventually, that may not matter to you. If you want to customize your LPK, check out the cool guys LPK from weapon outfitters. You can choose things like your pistol grip, trigger guard, trigger, etc. So if you want to upgrade, might as well do it up front and not have the replacement parts. Will set you back a little more up front, but will be worth it.
Some may say yes, I say no. It makes it a little easier to clean, but I haven’t seen anything about it being more reliable. You will be hard pressed to find a BCM BCG that doesn’t work right, just keep it well lubed and it will run longer than you will. Save the money on a fancy coating if you are on a budget and just get BCM.
I know you said BCM seems a little pricey, but I say, buy once, cry once. They are currently offering a BCM CH and BCG for only 69 dollars with any complete upper. If you get a 16" upper, you also get a free Mod 0 comp. That is a $305 of parts for only 70 bucks. That is pretty significant savings right there. Maybe enough to make you give them another look over PSA.
I can’t answer this one. I have no hands on experience with either one, so my input on this would be worthless.
Good luck man. I strongly recommend you just pony up the little bit extra and get the BCM. You won’t regret it.
I stand corrected Eurodriver. I only looked the the “Cal” legal page on G&R’s website listed at $850 and “Out of Stock”. At $582, another bargain to be had. Wait a second, if Fred doesn’t get a Colt 6920, will we think lesser of him?
I had given some thought to buying a complete rifle in lieu of building one but the DROS fees, sales tax and cost of Magpul furniture made it less attractive. I have had the stripped lower for years and was looking to acquire all remaining parts outside of CA. Also, was hoping to find one or more sources of ‘value’ quality parts that I was not already familiar with.
If you are trying to build some budget rifle and you want to call it a “primary weapon” you are going about it all wrong. CA has it’s own set of special problems since you have to pay DROS and sales tax on lowers.
Since there is no dying need to get everything now (unless you know the Fear Of The Walking Dead is real and coming this Sunday) spend the extra time and money on the quality stuff.
Thanks for all the good input. Let me set the record straight, my Stag Arms is my primary weapon. This will be a backup initially. I may keep it or give it to one of my grown children. If I give it to one of them then they will probably customize it to suit their needs. As for the ALG suggestion, what is the difference between the Combat vs the Mil-Spec versions besides $20?
http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/store/product.php?id_product=23 < This, the $60 lpk from grant, the free fcg from night chief, a standard charging handle, cheap hand guards, and a mil spec reciever extension. The route I’d go anyway if I were on a budget.
I 2nd this. There are sales to be had if you are patient, you should be able to get quality parts to build a quality AR. Also keep your eye on the EE, you will be able to pick up some quality parts for less.
I have multiples of both the QMS and ACT triggers. The ACT has a coating on it, cant remember what, the QMS is simply a very clean very excellent GI type trigger. I recommend the QMS. Both are great, but the QMS does everything the ACT does for $20 less. I put an ALG trigger in all my rifles. Love 'em.
Edit: a Sionics upper would suit you well too. Have only heard good things about them.
It’s complete except for the lower, rear sight & magazine. Build it on the lower you already have, making sure you use a bullet button. This way, you have all your parts from a single source and pay for shipping once. The kit has the right barrel and the right bcg. It also comes with MagPul furniture. I’ve yet to have trouble with a PSA lpk
My experience with PSA and experiences of several other folks who have assembled rifles from PSA kits says otherwise. I did have one with feed ramp problems but PSA took care of it promptly and cheerfully. The carbine has proven reliable since in the three or four thousand rounds it’s fired since. I know PSA isn’t perfect and I know a buyer has to shop PSA carefully but the all the parts are good in the kit I linked to
Thanks for all the great info. I have a lot to review here. So many choices. I truly appreciate the clarification on the ALG trigger options as well as the PSA info from MistWolf. I’m not pressed to address this today so will be looking for ‘specials’ in the days/weeks ahead.
