First Big Budget AR-15 Project

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MadcapMagician

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Thunder Bay, Ontario
For the CGN minds. I'm going to shortly purchase my first AR-15 platform.

I went through all the usual ideas. Build my own. Buy a Norc and upgrade. But I've settled on purchasing a good quality platform and a good optic.

I'm lucky to be in a position to spend a little more than average on their first AR. My total budget for rifle and optic is between $2500.00 and $3000.00.

The guidelines for what I'm looking for:

14.5" (open to a 10.3" )barrel.
.223/5.56
MK18 style fore end (I don't want a standard Colt round fore end. Don't like the look)
Not opposed to USED but prefer NEW
Prefer colours shown in DD links below

So far my first choices are Daniel Defense. Below are the links for the rifles I was looking at:

https://danieldefense.com/firearms/carbine-length/daniel-defense-m4a1-mil-spec.html

https://danieldefense.com/firearms/carbine-length/daniel-defense-mk18-mil-spec.html

So the questions I have is are there any better options for brand and model in that price range? There are so many manufacturers and different models out there it's hard to find a place to start. I know Daniel Defense is a solid product with great warranty and customer service.

The next question is an optic. I would like to stay away from the "Aimpoint" style optic as I think they are ugly as hell. I like the look of ACOG's, Eotechs style pieces. Elcans are an option as well. But everyone of those (except the Eotech) are a crapton of cash.

SO. What else is out there? Options? Suggestions?

Last I apologize. I know these type of threads pop up every other day. I've literally been through 20 pages of threads on AR's and didn't find the custom options I wanted in my price range.
 
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For that price trust me you will be way happier building your own

You will get every part custom to your preferences and with your budget you can buy certain parts that will make your like and gun easier and run easier

Eg adjustable gas blocks
Fluted barrels
Nickel boron coated BCG 's
Billet uppers and lowers,
Match grade barrels and differant finishes I Gould go on forever

Not to mention your going to throw out all the furniture on the gun and replace them with BMC magpul ect
 
Contact Wolverine... They may be able to give you a timeline when your models will be in. All the DDs I've seen run flawlessly, you'll likely not change the furniture out, as the stock DD stuff is top notch.

You'll still have sufficient funds for good optics, and have the peace of mind you have a great quality AR backed by warranty in the most unlikely circumstance of needing it.
 
You make a good point CraigNConnor. Which site sponsors are the best options for the components? During my phase of wanting to build my own I had purchased a DD Lower Parts Kit so it's a start. Unless there are better options.

But I guess we will see.

CraigNConnor said:
For that price trust me you will be way happier building your own

You will get every part custom to your preferences and with your budget you can buy certain parts that will make your like and gun easier and run easier

Eg adjustable gas blocks
Fluted barrels
Nickel boron coated BCG 's
Billet uppers and lowers,
Match grade barrels and differant finishes I Gould go on forever

Not to mention your going to throw out all the furniture on the gun and replace them with BMC magpul ect
Click to expand...
 
I'll contact them and see what the options are.

Phat Eagle said:
Contact Wolverine... They may be able to give you a timeline when your models will be in. All the DDs I've seen run flawlessly, you'll likely not change the furniture out, as the stock DD stuff is top notch.

You'll still have sufficient funds for good optics, and have the peace of mind you have a great quality AR backed by warranty in the most unlikely circumstance of needing it.
Click to expand...
 
They actually have them IN STOCK:

http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/ProductDetail/DD1111771_DDM4-M4A1-5.56-Nato-14.5"-Milspec+-Brown

One option you may wish to think about: if there is ANY possibility you may shoot in the US (e.g.: competition) you will want to get a 16 inch rifle so you may take it in. 14.5 inch rifles are NFA Class 2 down there, and us Canadians are not allowed...

If that isn't a consideration the 14.5 or 10.5 will do you well!

BTW: Wolverine offers a LEO and Military discount if this apply...
 
I have that exact same DDM4A1 in mil spec plus and it is slick runs great I was going to do a few things to her but once I got it and whent to the range I found out its perfect right out of the box. Trigger is one of the beat factory triggers I have shot. Finish is top of the line and and shoots lasers all day long. You cannot go wrong with either of those 2 DDS
 
Hey Phat Eagle

I never planned on going into the states. So i don't think that's too much of an issue. Unfortunately I don't qualify for any discounts. Thanks for finding that for me. If all else fails I know they have that one now. Just goes to show how good my search skills are :p

Phat Eagle said:
They actually have them IN STOCK:

http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/ProductDetail/DD1111771_DDM4-M4A1-5.56-Nato-14.5"-Milspec+-Brown

One option you may wish to think about: if there is ANY possibility you may shoot in the US (e.g.: competition) you will want to get a 16 inch rifle so you may take it in. 14.5 inch rifles are NFA Class 2 down there, and us Canadians are not allowed...

If that isn't a consideration the 14.5 or 10.5 will do you well!

BTW: Wolverine offers a LEO and Military discount if this apply...
Click to expand...
 
Unless you run a supressor or handload. Adjustable gas block is like unicorn dust....looks pretty but completely useless
Madcap..there is a guy on the ee now selling a used DD mk18 rail
 
Hey Jerry,

Which barrel length do you have? And for those with experience how much of an accuracy difference is there from the 10.5" barrel to the 14.5" barrel?

Jerry Champagne said:
I have that exact same DDM4A1 in mil spec plus and it is slick runs great I was going to do a few things to her but once I got it and whent to the range I found out its perfect right out of the box. Trigger is one of the beat factory triggers I have shot. Finish is top of the line and and shoots lasers all day long. You cannot go wrong with either of those 2 DDS
Click to expand...
 
I won't be running handloads as it's not worth loading .223 when Norc ammo is so cheap. One day I would like to convert the upper to 7.62X39 but I won't load for that either.

I've been contacted by one person selling one already so I know they're out there to be had USED.

sky52 said:
Unless you run a supressor or handload. Adjustable gas block is like unicorn dust....looks pretty but completely useless
Madcap..there is a guy on the ee now selling a used DD mk18 rail
Click to expand...
 
DD MK18 /Hilux CMR green 1X4X30... Total cost BNIB to my door 1900,00, great rig, huge fun factor and total reliability... JP.:cool:

SAM_4259_zps0uwt6if4.jpg
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sky52 said:
Unless you run a supressor or handload. Adjustable gas block is like unicorn dust....looks pretty but completely useless
Madcap..there is a guy on the ee now selling a used DD mk18 rail
Click to expand...




False!!!



Adjustable gas blocks are used by all competition shooters because every standard complete bought AR is OVER gassed, meaning the gas block lets more gas into the gas tube in turn sending the bolt back much harder than it needs to be, (creating extra recoil and muzzle rise) this is for "reliability reasons" using an adjustable gas block and tuning the amount of gas that enters the gas tube can sufficiently decrease recoil in turn making follow up shots faster and the initial shot less impulsive.
Google adjustable gas bock vids.
If your going to drop 3 -4 g on an ar why not have the finest tunes machine possible, not just pay for a name

I shop at

DS tac
One shot tac
And ctcsupplies

Cheers happy building
 
MadcapMagician said:
Hey Jerry,

Which barrel length do you have? And for those with experience how much of an accuracy difference is there from the 10.5" barrel to the 14.5" barrel?
Click to expand...

I have the 14.5 and it out shot my 16" windham and a colt with a 15.7 " barrel. I knew I was getting quality but I was pleasantly surprised with its accuracy. You will not be let down with a DD

I no longer own a 10.5 but I don't think k you will notice much out to 200, possibly out past that you may see some differences
 
MadcapMagician said:
I won't be running handloads as it's not worth loading .223 when Norc ammo is so cheap. One day I would like to convert the upper to 7.62X39 but I won't load for that either.
Click to expand...

If you are going to shoot crappy Norinco ammo, I'd say any rifle will do even with a budget of $1000-1500.

You missed out on the Palomino 7.62x39 uppers Irunguns we're dealing with, but watch his threads as I bet they'll be working on more.

CraigNConnor said:
False!!!
Adjustable gas blocks are used by all competition shooters because every standard complete bought AR is OVER gassed, meaning the gas block lets more gas into the gas tube in turn sending the bolt back much harder than it needs to be, (creating extra recoil and muzzle rise) this is for "reliability reasons" using an adjustable gas block and tuning the amount of gas that enters the gas tube can sufficiently decrease recoil in turn making follow up shots faster and the initial shot less impulsive.
Google adjustable gas bock vids.
If your going to drop 3 -4 g on an ar why not have the finest tunes machine possible, not just pay for a name
Click to expand...

I've never felt the need for an adjustable gas block on an AR and have competed for over 15 years.
Depending on the competition, most serious shooters are handloading, or have found quality ammunition that works with their rifle.
Regardless, I think drilling down to attributes such as an adjustable gas system for someone who wants to plink away with Norinco ammo is maybe just a bit overkill.
 
Yeah as of right now I won't be going into any competitions.

I want to have a quality rifle that won't break. And one that I can tinker with.

beltfed said:
If you are going to shoot crappy Norinco ammo, I'd say any rifle will do even with a budget of $1000-1500.

You missed out on the Palomino 7.62x39 uppers Irunguns we're dealing with, but watch his threads as I bet they'll be working on more.



I've never felt the need for an adjustable gas block on an AR and have competed for over 15 years.
Depending on the competition, most serious shooters are handloading, or have found quality ammunition that works with their rifle.
Regardless, I think drilling down to attributes such as an adjustable gas system for someone who wants to plink away with Norinco ammo is maybe just a bit overkill.
Click to expand...
 
I love the idea of a 10.5" but I was worried about the accuracy drop off with the shorter barrel. I won't be doing anything past 200 yards with it so it may not be an issue.

And as lame or retarded as it sounds I wanted to have a rifle as "close" to an active Military Firearm model as possible. Hence the "14.5" M4" or the MK18.

Regardless... ###y guns.

Jerry Champagne said:
I have the 14.5 and it out shot my 16" windham and a colt with a 15.7 " barrel. I knew I was getting quality but I was pleasantly surprised with its accuracy. You will not be let down with a DD

I no longer own a 10.5 but I don't think k you will notice much out to 200, possibly out past that you may see some differences
Click to expand...
 
My MK18 is very accurate to 200 metres ( max at the range) with X855 62 gr greentip, i get around 1.5 MOA all day long, way better than the Norc 2.5 MOA... JP.
 
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