My build - would like your opinion on parts

[mchaley]

I'm trying to build the best rifle at the cheapest cost. What do you think about this list? Any suggestions?



Updated Build:
Deleted
Lower Parts Kit from G&R Tactical - $82
BCM M4 stock kit - $74.95
H-Buffer - $22.95
=$179.9

Added:
MOE Lower build kit - $149
YHM Lightweight Tactical Free Float - Carbine - $99.95
Gas blocks (2)
"F" front sight


Changed:
Handguard cap [to] round



Build Components

Definite parts (but still open to other suggestions):
Stripped lower:
Spikes Tactical stripped lower - $100.50 (shipping included)

Barrel
Daniel Defense M4 Carbine 16" Cut Rifled Barrel (1:7) - $169.99
** Chrome lined, 4150, 1:7 twist

BCM handguard cap - Round - $3
** Delete if Free Float is chosen

MOE Lower build kit - $149
**Includes Mil-Spec MOE Stock, MOE grip, MOE Trigger Guard, CMMG Lowers Parts Kit and Mil-Spec buffer tube assembly.

BCM forward assist assembly - $13.95

BCM ejection port cover assembly - $5.95

BCM AR-15 charging handle - $22.95

BCM barrel nut - $8.95
**Delete if Free Float is chosen

BCM delta ring assembly - $10.50
** Delete if Free Float is chosen

BCM gas tube (Carbine length) - $13

BCM crush washer - $2.25 (currently out of stock)

Upper:
BCM stripped upper receiver w/ M4 feed ramp - $85.95

Flash hiders:
BCM flash hider - $8

Bolt Carrier Group:
LMT Bolt Carrier Groups - Auto - $130.00




Undecided:

Sights:
Magpul MBUS REAR Back Up Iron Sight - BLACK - $55.05

Magpul MBUS FRONT Back Up Iron Sight - BLACK - $37.95
Front Sight Base F - Milspec for Flat Top Uppers - $29.95
**Would I need a gas block for the base F front sight?
****If so, would the YHM low profile gas block work or would you opt for the PRI gas block with top rail?


Gas Block (w/rail):
PRI Gas Block With Top Picatinny Rail - $64.95
YHM Low Profile Gas Block - short version - $21.95


Rails/handguards:
BCM handguards - $22.95
**Magpul MOE Enhanced Handguard ($28.49)
Free-Floating options
YHM Lightweight Tactical Free Float - Carbine $99.95
**add YHM handguard cap if chosen
**** Do I need the YHM-9484-A End Cap for YHM Free Floats 15/16" or the YHM-9484-A End Cap for YHM Free Floats 1-1/16"?



Grand total = ???

Plus shipping...

Question:
**** Do I need the YHM-9484-A End Cap for YHM Free Floats 15/16" or the YHM-9484-A End Cap for YHM Free Floats 1-1/16"?


**Would I need a gas block for the base F front sight?
****If so, would the YHM low profile gas block work or would you opt for the PRI gas block with top rail?



Notes:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To make things cheaper, look at the Aero Precision lower/DPMS parts kit $119.99
+ Mil spec buffer tube assembly, MOE stock, grip, and trigger guard.

VS

Mil-Spec MOE Stock, MOE grip, MOE Trigger Guard, CMMG Lowers Parts Kit and Mil-Spec buffer tube assembly. - $149
Spikes Tactical - $89
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Getting rid of the delta ring ($10.50), barrel nut ($8.95), and the handguard cap ($3) would give me $22.45 + the MOE handguard ($28.49) = $50.94. For $49.01 more I could have the YHM Lightweight Tactical Free Float + $18.95 for the cap.

 

[ESQ]

There is no downside to M4 ramps. They might aid in longer or soft nosed round feeding, so for 6 bucks, go for it and then don't worry about it!

But remember, if your receiver has M4 cutouts, you MUST have M4 cutouts in your barrel extension!

Spend your big dollars on a good barrel and bolt/BCG. Those are heart of the gun.

A M16 BC isn't 'necessarily' more durable or reliable depending on make. I.e. an S/A and F/A LMT BCG differs only in the little extra notch at the rear in the S/A carrier (so it can't trip an auto sear). But other makes of S/A carrier might not be equal.

Get a milspec trigger if this is going to be a defensive gun at all. Get a two stage if you want a tighter target shooting range gun.

The F/A BC is, however, heavier by about the difference in buffer weight steps, so that is something to consider when deciding on your buffer.

Don't put a s**tty airsoft FF tube out front.

Try out the furniture, if you can, before you buy it. Get what fits/feels good and lets you reach all controls without moving your hand around.

Don't skimp on your sights if they are going to be your primary. I don't see an optic listed. Go for a removable carry handle or something like an adjustable LMT rear sight and a fixed front sight post if you're just running irons.

All completely MHO, of course

 

[mchaley]

I should mention that this will be my first build and my first AR. I'm excited but man is this confusing

 

[mchaley]

There is no downside to M4 ramps. They might aid in longer or soft nosed round feeding, so for 6 bucks, go for it and then don't worry about it!

I'll add that to the build, thanks!

But remember, if your receiver has M4 cutouts, you MUST have M4 cutouts in your barrel extension!

How can I check? Would a gun smith be able to do this?

Spend your big dollars on a good barrel and bolt/BCG. Those are heart of the gun.

A M16 BC isn't 'necessarily' more durable or reliable depending on make. I.e. an S/A and F/A LMT BCG differs only in the little extra notch at the rear in the S/A carrier (so it can't trip an auto sear). But other makes of S/A carrier might not be equal.
Which BCG would you suggest?

Get a milspec trigger if this is going to be a defensive gun at all. Get a two stage if you want a tighter target shooting range gun.

Mil-spec it is

The F/A BC is, however, heavier by about the difference in buffer weight steps, so that is something to consider when deciding on your buffer.

The F/A BC is heavier so I'd need a stronger buffer? I'm not sure I understand.

Don't put a s**tty airsoft FF tube out front.
Which one(s) do you mean? I've been hearing good things about the Yankee Hill FF

Try out the furniture, if you can, before you buy it. Get what fits/feels good and lets you reach all controls without moving your hand around.

Don't skimp on your sights if they are going to be your primary. I don't see an optic listed. Go for a removable carry handle or something like an adjustable LMT rear sight and a fixed front sight post if you're just running irons.

Im going to look into the Magpul MBUS sights.

All completely MHO, of course

Thanks a lot for your feedback. I'm going to work on updating my parts list for more criticism.

parts list updated.

 

[X-man]

I would suggest that you go pick up a good used AR first. Shoot the crap out of it, learn how to field strip it and maintain it and then you'd be in a far better position to decided what configuration works for you.

I really don't advise complete AR newbies to jump off into the deep end of the pool and attempt a complete build on their own. Put it together incorrectly and you've got noting but problems. Screw up the build and you have a potentially unsafe rifle on your hands. It isn't like in video games where you get to restart the game.

If you're handy with tools, you can probably put together a lower okay. However, you're going to need a receiver block and assorted other speciality tools to properly put together an upper. As another poster noted, you don't want to cheap out on your barrel either. Here is where to spend the money.

Perhaps a useful compromise would be to build your own lower and buy an upper to get you started? Whatever you do, stay away from the cheap crap like UTG, CAA, etc...buy quality and buy once. Buy cheap, you buy twice and then it isn't so cheap anymore. Colt, Noveske, LaRue, Troy, DD, KAC, even STAG, RRA, Samson are all good names to look for. Avoid the airsoft junk and low-end knock-offs. It is far cheaper in the long run to save for an extra month or two and buy quality.

 

[ESQ]

Originally Posted by ESQ View Post
There is no downside to M4 ramps. They might aid in longer or soft nosed round feeding, so for 6 bucks, go for it and then don't worry about it!

I'll add that to the build, thanks!

But remember, if your receiver has M4 cutouts, you MUST have M4 cutouts in your barrel extension!

How can I check? Would a gun smith be able to do this?

It is obvious by looking. But the seller should tell you which you are getting. If you buy a complete upper from a reputable dealer with M4 ramps, then the barrel extension and the receiver will have both. This will help you see what I mean:

Spend your big dollars on a good barrel and bolt/BCG. Those are heart of the gun.

A M16 BC isn't 'necessarily' more durable or reliable depending on make. I.e. an S/A and F/A LMT BCG differs only in the little extra notch at the rear in the S/A carrier (so it can't trip an auto sear). But other makes of S/A carrier might not be equal.
Which BCG would you suggest?

LMT or Colt are good quality and fully proofed/MPI'd. SA or FA, doesn't really matter as long as the firing pin is shrouded (LMT and Colt both do this). The tiny bit of extra weight softens the action with the FA carrier slightly, but I don't know if it is really noticeable. I have no experience with BCM as we don't see them in Canada, but I hear good things.

Get a milspec trigger if this is going to be a defensive gun at all. Get a two stage if you want a tighter target shooting range gun.

Mil-spec it is

The F/A BC is, however, heavier by about the difference in buffer weight steps, so that is something to consider when deciding on your buffer.

The F/A BC is heavier so I'd need a stronger buffer? I'm not sure I understand.

Not exactly. The buffer is a weight and so is the bolt carrier basically. The lightest buffer is a CAR weight buffer, followed by H, H2 etc. The M16 carrier is heavier than the SA carrier by about the difference between the CAR and H buffer. I'd run the M16 carrier and an H buffer for a carbine, but if your gun shortstrokes, then lower the buffer weight to a CAR buffer. They aren't expensive. If the gun has unusually violent ejection (overgassed), go to a heavier buffer.

Don't put a s**tty airsoft FF tube out front.
Which one(s) do you mean? I've been hearing good things about the Yankee Hill FF

Try out the furniture, if you can, before you buy it. Get what fits/feels good and lets you reach all controls without moving your hand around.

Don't skimp on your sights if they are going to be your primary. I don't see an optic listed. Go for a removable carry handle or something like an adjustable LMT rear sight and a fixed front sight post if you're just running irons.

Im going to look into the Magpul MBUS sights.

All completely MHO, of course

 

[mchaley]

I updated the list

As for the M4 feed ramps, the receiver would have the m4 feed ramp but where is the extension? Is that another part or does that come with the barrel?