AR-15 Build and questions

Taman

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For the longest time I wanted to do up a nice AR build. But I procrastinated about it for literally years and got caught off guard by all the changes to US export laws. So for the past two months, I've started working on finding and ordering all the stuff I want for this rifle. Interestingly enough, the only things I havent been able to find in Canada are the optic mounts. Pretty much everything else is either already here or on order/shipping.

The base rifle I'm starting with is on order:

- Sabre Defence 16" Mid-Length Gas 5.56 Flat Top
Mr Wolverine said:
SABRE DEFENCE - XR15 Carbine details as supplied by Wolverine Supplies
MPI Bolt Yes
Pressure Test (HPT) Bolt Yes
Shot Peened Bolt Yes
Black extractor Spring Insert Yes
Properly Staked Gas Key Yes
Milspec Barrel Yes (MIL-B 1159)
MPI Barrel Yes (Part of above requirement)
Pressure Test (HPT) Barrel Yes
Chrome Chamber and Bore Yes
1:7 Rifling Twist Yes
5.56 mm Chamber Yes
M4 Feed ramps Yes
“F” Front Sight Base (FSB) Yes
Taper Pins at FSB Yes
Parkerize Under FSB Yes
Interior of Bolt Carrier Chrome lined Yes
Type 3 Hard Anodic per MIL-A 8625 Yes
Anodized to UK Military Standard directly equivalent to US Milspec
Rear Sight Yes
Staked Castle Nut No

Options:
“H” Buffer
Milspec Receiver Extension (milspec buffer tube)
M16 Bolt Carrier

So I'm changing to/adding the folowing:

- Troy front and rear flip up sights
- LaRue 12" free float railed handguard
- LaRue low-profile gas block
- Magpul XT panels on bottom and sides, ladders on top
- Smith Vortex flash suppressor
- Magpul MIAD
- PMAGS (of course)
- BFG single point sling and a Vickers two point
- Trijicon ACOG TA31F in a LaRue (also because I couldnt decide, Aimpoint CompM4 in a LaRue with a 3x magnifier in the LaRue rotating mount)
- Tango Down vertical grip (might switch this for a KAC or a LaRue FUG)
- I've got a green laser thats going into a LaRue offset mount
- As for the stock, right now I've got a milspec CTR and a Troy OEM M4 reciever end plate with push sling mounts. Although I'd change this in the unlikely event I manage to locate an M93, UBR, or SOPMOD

So here's what I'm wondering:

- I'm not expecting sub moa accuracy. I wanted something that would be reliable and eat almost any ammunition I feed it. It should be effective with 55gr all the way up to 75gr, should it not? Would a .223 Wlyde in a 1 in 8 twist with polygonal rifling be better?

- I'm unclear on the barrel profile designations. Government, Medium, HBAR, etc. As far as I can tell, the base rifle would have a medium profile/contour(?) where it tapers to a narrow diameter under the handguards and then increases in diameter to 3/4" at the FSB and stays close to that up to the muzzle. Given that I'm free floating it, wouldn't I want a barrel that tapers to 3/4" and remains relatively consistent? (think along the lines of the noveske N4 barrels) If anything I'm thinking it might look better. What kind of barrel profile would that be? Mr Wolverine, is that kind of change available?

- I can't decide which I'd rather do; the TA31F or the Comp M4 with the 3x magnifier on the fancypants rotating mount. At this point I'm kinda thinking both, and just use whatever I feel like that day.

- I havent even thought about what would be a good flashlight setup

- Are there any strong opinions on the vertical grip? Ive got a Tango Down Mk46, and there's a LaRue FUG (supposedly) on the way. I dont mind the way the KAC one looks but I'd imagine its as hard to find as the LaRue and there probably wouldn't be any advantage over the other two.

Before you post "Why wouldn't you just do it on a Stag?", I hear nothing but good things about AEI but Stag doesnt make a middy 16".

Thoughts? Opinions? Experience? Similar Project? Trolls/Flames?

Edit: Removed offending adjectives from thread title and first lines
 
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I wouldn't call that a "hilariously excessive AR build".

When i saw the title of the thread i was expecting something along the lines of Nerf football launcher attachment, a katana used as a bayonet or at least... 2 AR15's bolted together to make some sort of AR30 black rifle monstrosity.

I suppose we just have different understandings of the phrase "hilariously excessive"
 
I wouldn't exactly call purchasing a complete rifle a "build" ;) ...you're simply upping the "Look Cool Factor," aka...pimpin' yo' AR! :D Should make for a really nice finished product though! Have fun modding your new bangstick! That's what you have to love about the AR system; endless options and combinations.:dancingbanana:
 
I wouldn't exactly call purchasing a complete rifle a "build" ;) ...you're simply upping the "Look Cool Factor," aka...pimpin' yo' AR! :D Should make for a really nice finished product though! Have fun modding your new bangstick! That's what you have to love about the AR system; endless options and combinations.:dancingbanana:

LCF is definitely a better description of what I'm doing. Thank you :)

I'm actually pretty surprised no one has anything to say about the barrel/twist/light setup... :confused:
 
Da nada!:) I've got rifles with 1:7, 1:8, 1:9 & even 1:12. They all shoot pretty well. Obviously the faster twists handle the heavier bullets better. Your choice of a 1:8 should make for a fine compromise. The Wylde chamber is supposed to be pretty good too. I can't really comment on it, as I've never owned a rifle so chambered. Haven't heard anything bad though.

As for bbl. contours, it all depends on what kind of look you're going for. It seems to me, you're leaning more toward a military type finished product, so you'll probably be happiest with a stepped or M4 type cut bbl. Should you so desire, you can add something like the Cobray grenade launcher to the project later if so desired. I'd stay away from a heavy contour, otherwise you're going to end up with a 13-14lb rifle with all the extras added to it.

Can't comment on flashlights as I've never mounted one/owned one intended to be mounted on a firearm. While I don't mind pimping up my toys, I could never justify dropping $400-$700 for a flashlight/mount that could never be used, since my range closes at dusk and I can't forseen any night time room clearing in my future. But that's just me! :) Each to his own! ;) That said, the Surefire set-up in a LaRue mount seems to be pretty universally popular.

As for stocks. Go for the LMT SOPMOD. Best stock on the market IMHO.:cheers:
 
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