While howlnmad and I were discussing AR parts and builds over in the "what have you bought" thread, I had an idea to start a thread about AR builds. This could be a place to talk about your build, post pictures of what you have, talk about the best (cheapest) place to buy parts, or just talk about AR whatever!! I know there are other members who are in various stages of a build.
Last month I built an AR and I am now in the middle of building another one. The one I built last month was a retro style with the old triangle hand guards, but I couldn't find a A1 or A2 upper that I could afford so I used a flattop and a removable carry handle to get the "look". The one I am working on now is going to have a 20 inch barrel with quad rail with free floating barrel. All I like to be finished with the upper is the gas tube and the flash hider. I have not touched the lower yet. I will put up a picture or two on the upper a little later.
They're TOO addictive... My 'Mrs.' wants me to build her an upper in a big bore, but between .50 Beowulf, .458SOCOM, .450Bushmaster etc... just don't know which caliber to go with...
TE="NPGunsmith, post: 1265248, member: 62960"]They're TOO addictive... My 'Mrs.' wants me to build her an upper in a big bore, but between .50 Beowulf, .458SOCOM, .450Bushmaster etc... just don't know which caliber to go with...[/QUOTE]
Got the wife to finally sit down and shoot one of the AR's, she's been shooting pistols for the last couple years but had never shot a rifle. Let her use the first one that I built on a New Frontier polymer lower, after she shot the bull out of the 50 yard target she told me "I kinda like this one!"
I have another lower arriving tomorrow to build me a replacement for that one...I'm pretty sure it's "hers" now!
Well, I had another polymer delivered BUT I'm going to return it and not build another from New Frontier if their quality control sends out crap like what I just received. The threads for the buffer tube are folded over almost like someone started to install a buffer tube and cross-threaded it. I'll just order another Anderson's, they are offering them up for cheap as they are marked as .223/5.56, not multi-caliber like the new ones all are.
I have built a couple New Frontier AR's for customers and had to clean out every hole in the lower receiver because the parts fit so tight they barely moved. The selector was hard to move, so I cleaned out the holes for it and got it to move freely, but then it wouldn't snap into position when on fire or safe. Found out I had to chase the hole for the selector detent because it was too small for the detent and didn't allow it to move up into the groove in the selector. IMO that is too much work for a receiver that will "Accept all mil-spec parts."
I never ran into that problem with the selector. Magazine catches from both DPMS and PTAC didn't fit into the slot, the hole was drilled too high in the lower just a tad. Casting flash on the top surface wouldn't let the upper come all the way down. My first two went together pretty easily, that third one...if I didn't go through about every cuss word ever invented I'd be surprised. I sent the "warranty replacement" lower back today, still think I'll sell it when the NEW 'replacement' arrives and swap all three over to Anderson lowers' since I can get them for $50 shipped right now.
The price is defenately right on the Andersons. I haven't finished the one I'm building but everything went together smoothly and operates as it should.
Had to bring this thread back to life. After finally finishing some long over due projects, I decided to get back to work on my rifle build. Ordered the buffer, tube, spring and delta pack. They should be here this week. That leaves the bird cage, BCG and charging handle. Hopefully be posting pics this weekend.
I've got one lower assembled, the wife is dragging her feet on putting hers together, wants to "wait until she has all the parts to finish the rifle"...I think she might be throwing a hint at me
Just finished my first build. Pretty much all Spikes Tactical with exception to ATI rail, nose cone, grip and stock and Syrac Ordnance adjustable gas block. Bought most of the parts on ebay, cheaperthandirt.com and primaryarms.com.
They may be cheaper than everyone else right now but just wait until the time comes when a strong discussion of gun control comes up and see what happens to their prices. They are the biggest gougers I have ever seen.
I used to buy a good bit os "stuff" from CTD but the day I got their catalog with an advertisement for a plain aluminum AR-15 magazine on the back cover for $99.99 was the day I quit buying from them.
I have to agree, GD - CTD are opportunists who won't hesitate to gouge decent folks if there's any chance they can get away with it. On the other hand, though, when I was looking for a BAR, I placed (and paid for) a preorder from another supplier who sold me the BLR, and after I didn't hear from them for over a year, I bought it from CTD, simply because they had several in stock. The price was comparable, the service excellent, and I can't really complain. My "preorder" is still on file with the other company, and after three years I still haven't heard from them.
I'll continue to use CTD when they have stock that I can't get elsewhere, at a price I don't find to be unreasonable. Other than that, there are plenty of better, more ethical sources out there.
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