My first AR build - trying my best to keep budget in mind

T

Tugnum

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Fraser Valley
So after 7+ years of saying I will get an AR, I finally began to build one. One important part was to keep the budget under control as best I could :runaway:. My original options were:

- Norinco
- NEA 10.5 or 12.5
- Core 15
- Custom Build

In the end I decided to build instead of buying as if I bought an AR I would be changing parts (stock hand guards, buttstock, etc) anyways, which would drive the price higher. My budget goal was to keep it as close to a NEA with all parts bought.

To date, here are my costs (shipping/taxes included):

Saskatoon Gun Works - $375
Aero Precision lower
DPMS LPK
DPMS buffer assembly
D&H mag

EE from CGN'er - $150
Used upper receiver w/ charging handle (believed to be DPMS)

Wolverine Supplies - $575
11.5" Green Mountain 5.56 barrel
Daniel Defense clamp style low profile gas block
Carbine gas tube
Daniel Defense F/A bolt carrier group

Amazon.COM - $112.65
GRG 10" Free Float Quad Rail

Canada Ammo - $145
Trace TR-551 Optic


I haven't received the items from Wolverine Supplies, as they are waiting for some of the items (End of February... hopefully)

The GRG Free Float rail appears to be very similar to YHM Diamond Series (uses same beefy barrel nut)

Items I still have to buy are:
- Muzzle Device (UNDECIDED - looking for advise with budget in mind)
- Buttstock Magpul MOE or CTR (Does the extra clamp actually make a difference?)
- Vertical grip
- BUIS

I will add photos of my progress ASAP.

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Cheers
 
I've got a shopping list very similar, can't wait to see your pictures

I had a chance to handle both and I'm going for the CTR purely because I like the solid feel. And in this price range, I don't think you can go wrong.

Curious as well to hear your thoughts on the TR-551
 
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Here are some quick photos of the parts I have at this time.

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You missed out, the NEA lowers were on for $125 in late November. I got one for myself to start my build. DD LPK as it was only a bit more than DPMS. NEA 12.5" heavy barrel, Spike's tactical upper.

That's when things got in short supply, apparently due to panic buying in the US and therefore no resupply up here. Finally got a BCG ordered a couple of days ago, NEA F/A for $178 from SFRC. One Shot Tactical and SFRC have been the best suppliers, and a few parts from Questar as well.
 
UPDATE:

All parts and tools bought, now just waiting for them to arrive.

- Muzzle Device: I went with the NEA Hybrid Brake from TSE
- Buttstock: I went with a Magpul MOE from TSE
- BUIS: GRG from Amazon.com
- AR Wrench: GRG from Amazon.com

So after parts, tool(s), BUIS, Optic, mag, taxes and shipping the total is: $1,584.97

My planned build, which was $1,490 (with estimated shipping and taxes, also DID NOT include sights, optics, magazine(s), or tools).

Once all my parts arrive, more photos will be posted, and then of course a range report.

Cheers
 
UPDATE:

Change of parts...

The 7 week ETA for parts were changed to Unknown ETA.

I went looking and found:
NEA had a 10.5" barrel, carbine gas tube and gas block all in stock

THEN

I stumbled across the last DPMS bolt carrier group at SFRC!!!!

Today is an awesome day... March 20th will be even better (day after parts arrive)
 
You should also get your hands on something that will either hold the receiver... or in higher preference the locking lugs. So that you can apply some torque to the barrel nut. (Brownells #080-000-637WB)
 
I remember building one for less then 1200$, I use to shop around on the EE and get take offs parts, or painted product people didn't want because it was painted and built my self a pretty good AR.
 
Did you import the aeropercision lower? I thought in canada the barrel had to be 18", just asking i just moved here from the states and im looking to do a build.
 
For the muzzle I would of recommended the Dlask XB5. It's not a break but that's what I use on my 11.5" and I like it. It's not loud so it's range friendly, and the gun has little recoil to begin with. That NEA hybrid should do the job nicely too.

You scored a BGC in stock ? I hope you bought lottery tickets.
 
Cool, I'm building a 7.62x39 upper, parts from all over

I should have got an extra aero lower when they were available that cheap

Another member did a budget build recently, think his came in around 1200

Keep in mind you can get a basic DPMS for $850 right now and customize
 
I bought the lower from Saskatoon gun works. The laws are a bit different up here. All ARs are restricted (official gun ranges only), and it doesn't matter what barrel length... 7.5" to 18+"
 
angus15 said:
Did you import the aeropercision lower? I thought in canada the barrel had to be 18", just asking i just moved here from the states and im looking to do a build.
Click to expand...

Semi automatic rifles in Canada with barrels greater than 18.5" in length are deemed non restricted class firearms. If the barrel is less than 18.5" then it is classed as a restricted class firearm. There are a few exceptions to this being if the firearm is a named prohibited or restricted firearm. The AR15 is a named restricted class firearm meaning it can only be used at a range. Since the riflein question is a AR15 it is a restricted class firearm no matter what the length of the barrel. Confused yet?
 
Quick review on the Trace 551... Since I am still waiting for a barrel, I threw the optic on my Cz858.... It lasted 5 rounds before showing its cheapness...

Barrel should be here soon!!!
 
Tugnum said:
Quick review on the Trace 551... Since I am still waiting for a barrel, I threw the optic on my Cz858.... It lasted 5 rounds before showing its cheapness...

Barrel should be here soon!!!
Click to expand...
Dump the Trace and see if you can find a Vortex SPARC... Only cost $219 before shipping and tax. I threw one on my CORE15 in Jan and I have 1600 rounds downrange without a complaint... It's not a T-1, but it's close!

Keep up the pics... I'm getting ready to launch on my own first build myself, so your experience is helpful!
 
I FINALLY received my NEA 10.5" barrel, gas block and carbine gas tube. The gas block had what appeared to be finish blemishes, but it will be hidden so I wasn't concerned. As for the barrel.... The barrel extension was not aligned properly. Using a clock as a reference, the whole thing was tilted left at about 58 to 59 minutes. Big enough to notice and also enough for the bolt not to engage. I was #$%^ing pissed...still am. Wait 9+ weeks for nothing for the first barrel, then an additional month from ordering this one to finally have a barrel in my hands, just to find it was screwed up.

Sent an email to NEA to see what they are going to do to fix this...

Also sent an email to Canada Ammo about the Trace Optic (yes Phat Eagle, I should of went SPARC, and still might). Canada Ammo was quick with a reply and provided prepaid return shipping to examine the optic and provide options to fix the issue.

At this point in the build, I am glad I am learning about the rifle and all parts of it. Will I do it again with all the BS I went through, no. Knowning what I know now, I would of waited for one to come up on the EE that had the parts I wanted, save some tax and be at the range shooting....

I'll add some images of the misaligned barrel extension from my phone ASAP.
 
That's a bit fishy, indeed. Either the index pin is off centre, or the index pin notch in the upper receiver is off . . . so, this could be the fault of the upper.
This is a rare occurrence, so it could go either way. Pull the barrel off and see if the index pin lines up with the gas port, and take a good look at the notch on the upper.

There is a possibility that it's not the barrel, you did buy the upper used after all. This makes me wonder if it's possible to warp the notch while torquing on the barrel. I assume you lubed up the front of the barrel extension flange where it would mate to the barrel nut before torquing.

The mis-alignment of the extension is consistent with the direction that the nut would be torqued on.

Either way, you have to pull that barrel off and examine the situation. If it's the receiver, it's buyer beware SOL, but some careful fitting could resolve the situation for you.
 
the gas port is lined up right at 12 oclock just like the indexing tab. i noticed it when i prefit the parts but didnt clue in until i torqued it down and tried the bolt.
 
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