My first AR build. (update 4/19/13)

[gasman]

Decided to do my first build. Check around last week for a stripped lower but could not find one locally but J&S in Oly was getting some in this week. They had a couple of lower parts kit so I grabbed one before they were gone. Called them on Friday and they got them in but were asking $300 for each  so I ran over to Ammo Surplus and Tactical and they had some still and only for $140  : tup: SO i picked one up, thought of buying two but I really have no need for it so I just stuck with getting the one. Grabbed a buffer spring and buffer but they were out of the standard tubes. I spent yesterday calling and checking the local gun shops for a buffer tube but had no luck, so i ordered one from Midway USA.

Put the lower together yesterday with my son and it was not as hard I thought it would be. I checked out some youtube videos before hand and that helped with the process a lot.

I plan building a 5.56 with a 16" barrel but still have to decide wich brands to get with the upper parts and barrel. still doing my research 

Any suggestions from those experienced AR builders out there 

[Machias]

I'm getting ready to do a build as well.

[huntlakewood]

Cant wait to see what it looks like.

[huntlakewood]

Pics we want pics come on pics

[gasman]

Pics we want pics come on pics

Here you go.

Still need the buffer tube to make it a complete lower.

[Biggerhammer]

A 7 or 8 twist barrel, screw the 9 twist.

[cwuwildcat]

A 7 or 8 twist barrel, screw the 9 twist.

Why?  I've got a RRA 20" 1:9.  Want to know the heaviest bullet for long distance shooting?

[carpsniperg2]

I really like the 1:8 myself. Gasman one thing you will find from any of the guys that have built more then 1 or 2 ar's. IS change that grip out. That is one of the cheapest upgrades that will make that gun feel so much better in your hand. Either a magpul or my fave ergo. For 20-30.00 you will be amazed by the feel of the simple upgrade.

[mountainman]

I really like the 1:8 myself. Gasman one thing you will find from any of the guys that have built more then 1 or 2 ar's. IS change that grip out. That is one of the cheapest upgrades that will make that gun feel so much better in your hand. Either a magpul or my fave ergo. For 20-30.00 you will be amazed by the feel of the simple upgrade.

Ergos on all mine. Like Carp said, Huge difference in the fit and feel!
 

[actionshooter]

I run 1-8 in my 3-gun rifles (and almost everyone who competes). Its an excellent twist for shooting most weight bullets. I'll shoot 55s out to 200 and then switch to 69s for longer range and the accuracy is spot on.

[huntlakewood]

Nice thanks for the pic

[Machias]

Pics we want pics come on pics

Here you go.

Still need the buffer tube to make it a complete lower.

Over here in VA I saw this exact set up for sale yesterday for $1200.  Crazy right now.

[Jim the Plumber]

A 7 or 8 twist barrel, screw the 9 twist.

Why?  I've got a RRA 20" 1:9.  Want to know the heaviest bullet for long distance shooting?

Your 9 twist will easily handle the 69's and most will also shoot the 77MK's, 77 Nosler CC and Hornady 75's.
 You will get people that don't actually shoot heavies decrying the 9 twist.

[cwuwildcat]

A 7 or 8 twist barrel, screw the 9 twist.

Why?  I've got a RRA 20" 1:9.  Want to know the heaviest bullet for long distance shooting?

Your 9 twist will easily handle the 69's and most will also shoot the 77MK's, 77 Nosler CC and Hornady 75's.
 You will get people that don't actually shoot heavies decrying the 9 twist.

You think I could get them out to 300 yards?

[gasman]

Pics we want pics come on pics

Here you go.

Still need the buffer tube to make it a complete lower.

Over here in VA I saw this exact set up for sale yesterday for $1200.  Crazy right now.

I would sell it for $1000 right now.

Any takers 

[carpsniperg2]

A 7 or 8 twist barrel, screw the 9 twist.

Why?  I've got a RRA 20" 1:9.  Want to know the heaviest bullet for long distance shooting?

Your 9 twist will easily handle the 69's and most will also shoot the 77MK's, 77 Nosler CC and Hornady 75's.
 You will get people that don't actually shoot heavies decrying the 9 twist.

I really have never had any luck. I have shot a lot of rifles with 1:9 and never been able to get those heavy bullets to shoot. Well sure they shoot but nothing like the lighter bullets do in the 1:9. I have ran them from 16"-24" and not had any luck.

[Jim the Plumber]

A 7 or 8 twist barrel, screw the 9 twist.

Why?  I've got a RRA 20" 1:9.  Want to know the heaviest bullet for long distance shooting?

Your 9 twist will easily handle the 69's and most will also shoot the 77MK's, 77 Nosler CC and Hornady 75's.
 You will get people that don't actually shoot heavies decrying the 9 twist.

You think I could get them out to 300 yards?

300 yards , yes, easy.
We shoot out to 600 with 18" 9 twist 5.56 AR 15's using 77 MK's over 23.5 Ramshot TAC.
You can use the 77Nosler CC's or 75 Hornady with the same powder charge.
Carp, are you using the 69's? They shold spin up easy in the 9.
Very surprising if you can't get a true 9 twist to shoot the 69's. Most will shoot the 77's as well.

[carpsniperg2]

Yes I run a lot of sierra's in all my 22 cal guns. I have tried the the 69 77 and 80 all in the hpbt match flavor. 1:8 was night and day difference in my groups. Ran the loads threw several guns as I have shot them threw 1:9's 1:8's and 1:7's. I just have not seen a 69 load that shot good enough to match the 1:8's

[Bean Counter]

Is it going to be a coyote gun or for the end of the world?  Answer will dictate suggestions.

[gasman]

Is it going to be a coyote gun or for the end of the world?  Answer will dictate suggestions.

Not really, I got a .25 wssm for that.

It will be mainly a plinking gun, but I might take it for yote.

[gasman]

Ordered my upper from Midway and it was in the mail box when I got home from duck hunting today 




But the tiny, tiny C clip flew off on me and now I cant find it  gonna stop and see if I can find one, dont think it should be to hard to find 

[Tom Tamer]

I was astounded you found a lower at the end of Dec. after all the freakout going on with all panic buying.

[gasman]

this waiting sucks 

Barrel came in last week, gas block, tube, and fore grip are waiting for the rest of the parts to come in to be put on 

Tomorrow is the day that the rest arrive 

[Wea300mag]

I know the feeling. I've been waiting almost 5 months for my Alexander Arms complete upper in 6.5 Grendal.

[gasman]

Got the parts today 





And one BCG away from going to the range.






But I still need to decide what sites to go with 
Dont know if I want iron sites or red dot scope     May be both 

[christopheri]

Nice looking rifle.

[mountainman]

Nice build Gasman! Now your hooked!!

[mountainman]

A 7 or 8 twist barrel, screw the 9 twist.

Why?  I've got a RRA 20" 1:9.  Want to know the heaviest bullet for long distance shooting?

Your 9 twist will easily handle the 69's and most will also shoot the 77MK's, 77 Nosler CC and Hornady 75's.
 You will get people that don't actually shoot heavies decrying the 9 twist.

You think I could get them out to 300 yards?

300 yards , yes, easy.
We shoot out to 600 with 18" 9 twist 5.56 AR 15's using 77 MK's over 23.5 Ramshot TAC.
You can use the 77Nosler CC's or 75 Hornady with the same powder charge.
Carp, are you using the 69's? They shold spin up easy in the 9.
Very surprising if you can't get a true 9 twist to shoot the 69's. Most will shoot the 77's as well.

[gasman]

Nice build Gasman! Now your hooked!!

Yes I am and wife loves it too. I made it light weight and now she wants it or for me to build one for her 

[Biggerhammer]

Throw on a set of BUIS and the put a red dot on it or, amber. Let me know if your interested in anything Trijicon , such as a RMR. I can get you a smoking deal!

[mountainman]

Nice build Gasman! Now your hooked!!

Yes I am and wife loves it too. I made it light weight and now she wants it or for me to build one for her 

 

[Bean Counter]

But I still need to decide what sites to go with 
Dont know if I want iron sites or red dot scope     May be both 

Sweet looking gun so far. I like EOTech for an optic when using BUIS (backup iron sights). While Aimpoint's Micro T-1 is impressively light weight and small, I find the overall sight picture to be too crowded with its much smaller optic than the EOTech.

However, you said that this would be a plinking and possibly coyote gun, so I'd probably forego the iron sights all together. I'd probably look into a fixed, 3x Trijicon ACOG.   

[JohnVH]

cool, building these things is addicting, if I could afford it Id built a bunch of them!