Building my first AR

wixx

wixx

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Southern Alberta
I have purchased a omni gen 2 stripped lower, and plan on slowly building this to learn as much as I can. I need help deciding on a Calibre though. I was thinking the standard .223 or maybe going 7.62x39.

So my question is, which calibre should I choose?

I am on a bit of a budget but don't like to think of all the cleaning with corrosive.

Any and all advice is appreciated.
 
Cleaning the corrosive isn't too hard, but it does need to be done immediately and diligently.

That said, x39 ARs can be a little finicky. I have a fair bit of experience and still needed to muck about with enhanced firing pins and upgraded hammer springs to get it to run (fairly) smooth.

I'd encourage you to go with a 5.56mm for you first build. Parts are more readily available and they're easier to assemble a reliable package.
 
I'm not an expert by any means (about to start my first build though), but from what I have read, the bolt face for a 7.62x39 is thinner around the edges, because of the larger head diameter. This was part of the reasoning for the 300 blackout.
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Seems like it would be a lot easier to shear a locking lug on the 7.62x39... That and cleaning.
 
If you're going to be building it, I'd go 556 simply for the vast number of parts available. Being on a budget, you're more likely to find a good deal on a 556 barrel or BCG on the EE than you would a x39 counterpart. Plus mags, to my knowledge you need the x39 magazines, I'm sure the list goes on.
 
Thanks for the advice, 556 does seem to make a little more sense. Now here's another question who has a sudgestion For what barrel wrench or AR tool a beginner should get to make my life easier?
 
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wixx said:
I have purchased a omni gen 2 stripped lower, and plan on slowly building this to learn as much as I can. I need help deciding on a Calibre though. I was thinking the standard .223 or maybe going 7.62x39.

So my question is, which calibre should I choose?

I am on a bit of a budget but don't like to think of all the cleaning with corrosive.

Any and all advice is appreciated.
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For your first build I would suggest the 5.56 over any other caliber. It's the standard in the AR rifle with plenty of cheap ammo and parts. The 7.62 is a fine caliber that is also cheap to shoot, however more experience is needed to deal with its idiosyncrasies in the AR. This is an AK cartridge that has been adapted to an AR so stick with the tried and true 5.56.
 
I have a NEA built lower using a DPMS Lpk and a NEA 14.5" upper in 7.62x39. I also have a DPMS Oracle in 556. Cost wise, I send more 7.62x39 down range using Dominion Arms (LCW) from CanAm I bought when it was on sale for 200$/case. It ends up cheaper to shoot than my Beretta 92.
 
Patt08 said:
I am just going to start my first build this winter. Missed the PWS ones, but ordered a spikes tactical Spartan stripped lower from questar. Hope it's alright.
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I used a Spikes lower from Questar for my race rifle. Good finish and everything was spec. Still going strong after three years and almost 20k rounds.
 
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