First AR. Perhaps Build?

mattf87

mattf87

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Okanagan, BC
So I have decided to jump into the AR world of things. I am considering going the built route. I would like to keep it around 2000$. Looking around at some of the sponsors sites it looks like parts may be pretty hard to source right now? I really like the Noveske and Vltor uppers and lowers. I would like it to be pretty accurate, how does say a 12" barrel compare to say a 16 or a 14.5?? What barrel would you guys recommend? I would like to do it right the first time and not regret buying parts I don't like later. Would you guys go piston or DI? Any other tips would be appreciated, I know there is a lot of topics about peoples first builds etc but they are all different and would be nice to just look at one and not go through the search function that brings up a bunch of non related stuff.

OR, would I be better off getting a built rifle in the 2000$ range? Just lots of times you can get better quality for the same price if you're willing to do the work of sourcing parts and doing it yourself.
If I were to buy a factory one what one would you recommend?

Update on page two.
 
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You will need to shop around and buy from a few different shops to get everything you need.
I would suggest a nickel boron bolt carrier group and don't go less than 12 inches of barrel, not for accuracy but for noise. Short barrels are just as accurate as long barrels as long as you compare similar quality barrels. Increased length only increases muzzle velocity. Once you get to 10 inches or less the muzzle blast gets pretty intense without a linear compensator.
I also prefer a 1:8 twist and a wylde chamber if you have a choice. Very versatile.
You will also need to buy the right tools if you want to be able to do it right which will increase the build cost.
Unless you want a bench only gun watch your barrel contour, heavy barrels look cool but increase forward weight quickly.

I would buy a built rifle first and become familiar with the platform then when you get bored with it build your second one. Not many people stick to only owning one AR. Chances are that if you like the rifle you will end up with 2 or 3 of them.

Good luck
 
I am actually doing a build as my first ar. Have learned a ton. The most I portably thing I've learned it to pick up parts when they're available. After waiting 6 months for a lower receiver I jumped on everything else. It's also a tone of fun.
 
I'm in the middle of building my 1st one as well.
It's my 1st AR also and I'm happy I didn't just buy a complete.

Much more satisfying to assemble it with your own hands.
Learning a ton too on how the parts all fit and work together.
 
Buy it.

Pick up something like a DD from Wolverine or a BCM from Arms East. One stop shopping.

Just get ammo and shoot.

If you build your first, you will always wonder if it is done right. Then keep on changing stuff to make it better.

Buy your first so you have a standard to go by, you can learn what you like and don't like and go from there when you build a rifle.
 
Shorter barrel less velocity more muzzle flash. If you want accuracy you can look at the Dlask Arms uppers he makes them can use differen't brands of barrels ect since he uses the blanks to make them some are better then others but they cost more because of it. I bought a match barrel for a 45 acp rifle and it was night and day compared to the factory barrel. So it depends on what you want.

With barrel length you can go as short as 8.5 inch but anything over 50 yards becomes harder to hit because the bullet starts to drop more. 14 is the middle ground between 16 and 12. It really depends do you want a compact easy to swing around rifle easy to handle or do you want more range?

not my video but the mini moose is tiny I held 1 it's almost 2 small I went wow this is small and light weight.


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I would personally buy right now. Just with the market and the way it is finding parts. I put off my 10.5 build due to this factor. I'd be pretty pissed if I had an nearly finished rifle but couldn't shoot it cause all I was missing was a gas block or something silly.
 
Seems like parts are really hard to find and would be a long ordeal and probably get expensive ordering one part at a time and paying shipping on each one. If anyone has any nice custom built rifles (noveske, pws, vltor etc) or a nice factory rifle they have layin' around in this $ range, give me a pm :)
 
I got a PWS 14.5" - and I ended with 14.5" because Questar ordered/imported the wrong one. I wanted a 16".
As suspected, I find 14.5" louder than 16".
After my first range trip, I decided to install Geiselle SSA-E (again, wanted to install the DMR, but order got mixed up again).

I got VX5 Patrol on it with Burris Pepr QD.

I LIKE IT!
 
mattf87 said:
What do you guys think of the PWS mk112 or mk114? Anyone have any experience with them or heard anything good or bad about them?
Click to expand...

I own a Mk112 and a Mk109 (9.75 inch in 300 blackout). PWS makes amazing rifles. Very accurate, my 112 will outshoot my Swiss Arms classic green with American Eagle 55gr. Never had a single failure that wasn't ammo related (300blk handloads figuring out what powder to use for mid to heavy projectiles).
If you want one rifle that will be all you ever need PWS could be it. My 112 is too short to use a brake on though. There is a lot of muzzle blast with a brake and a short barrel. I just swapped to a linear comp from Allen Gunworks and it's much better.
If I had the money I would buy another one in a 14 inch just because I like them so much.
The only thing that could use an upgrade is the trigger but it isn't that bad and both of mine are still factory.
 
So I found a rifle and purchased it. It is a Noveske Recon 16" rifle, this is my first AR and I am pretty damn excited. Does anyone know how long the CFO is taking for transfers in BC right now? What is your guys experience with your Noveske rifles? And its worthless without pics so here is one for now. Ill post more when I get it in my hands!

IMG_3695.jpg
 
I have a scope I am going to put on it. Its a Leupold Mk4 2.5-8x36 mr/t. I think it should work good with this setup. I am pretty excited and hope the BC CFO doesn't take along time to transfer.
 
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