AR 15 build questions

[jrebel]

OK....I am building a few AR's and have many questions.  Figured I would just start a thread and ask some of the experts.  I will be the first to admit I know very little about AR's and until recently have never owned one. 

PLEASE LEAVE OUT ALL COMMENTS ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND STUFF THINGS BEING OVER PRICED, ETC. ETC. ETC.  I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT AND I HAVE THE ABILITY TO FIND PARTS, AND WILL PAY WHAT I NEED TO PAY.

Thanks

First questions

1.  As I look online at parts the list of distrubuters is endless.  How do you know or how can you find out if these distributers and their parts are reputable?

2.  What is the difference in a trigger (two stage vs. single stage)?  Is it necessary to have one over the other for a standard M4 build? 

I have many more, but do not want to overwhelm everyone so I will wait and see what kind of response I get on these two.

Feel free if anyone else has questions to please ask here....I am sure I can learn from others questions.

Thanks

Johnny

[CementFinisher]

1. For questions about reputable brands or suppliers look to ar15.com.
2. A good single stage has zero creep, crisp letoff, and minimal overtravel.  A twostage is going to have intital takeup phase with very light weight then it gets to the second stage and heavier weight and breaks like glass when you pass it. 2 stage is considered more reliable and safer. single stage considered more acurate to shoot.

[jrebel]

Thanks for that information.  I am searching that the ar15.com site now and boy oh boy is it extensive. 

Has anyone ever used:

model1sales.com ??

[thinkingman]

1. For questions about reputable brands or suppliers look to ar15.com.
2. A good single stage has zero creep, crisp letoff, and minimal overtravel.  A twostage is going to have intital takeup phase with very light weight then it gets to the second stage and heavier weight and breaks like glass when you pass it. 2 stage is considered more reliable and safer. single stage considered more acurate to shoot.

Agree on item 1
Disagree on item 2...I think a two-stage is at least as accurate as the best single.
Model1 has a decent reputation.
Palmetto State Armory and Del-Ton are OK, too.
The suggestion of using AR15.com as a resource is a good one.
Lots of build videos on Youtube, too.

[thinkingman]

Coincidentally, I just got a Rock River LPK including the two-stage for $149.
That's a good deal BEFORE the craziness.
(patting myself on the back)

[motg9_6]

i recently ordered a gun from model 1 sales. cancelled the order a few weeks later because of no response (im sure its due to over demand currently happening). was able to get everything of way better known quality else where for my build. read several reviews about their customer service being garbage and product being ok, but not great either. hope this helps

[motg9_6]

midwayusa.com  has an abundance of information for building it would help to familiar yourself with that site can be tricky at first but great once you know it.

[jrebel]

So I am looking at an AR15 complete upper new.  It states it comes with an M16 BCG.  Does this sound right?  What is the difference between an ar15 and m16 bcg and are they interchangable?

will a mil spec lower take both gas and piston driven uppers?  I am interested in the gas, but this is just a curiosity question as I learn?

sorry if this is a silly question.

Johnny

[CementFinisher]

Dirrect impingment and piston have no bering on lower selection. mainly colt and a select few other manufacturers fun small pin or large pin. that is the only thing that will affect upper to lower mating. yes an m16 bcg will work in your ar. It has a full circle or more mass opposite of the bolt. it is for full auto but is not a related to nfa parts. Only the lower and LPK are nfa related.

[jrebel]

Thanks, that helps tremendously. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Might correct me, but I don't think AR lowers are mil spec.  They would need to be milled and drilled to function with the m-16/m-4 sear.  Basically a mil-spec AR lower is an m-16/m4 lower.  Some AR lowers can accept other milspec parts though (like buffer tubes).  Anyone know if this is right?

[CementFinisher]

Might correct me, but I don't think AR lowers are mil spec.  They would need to be milled and drilled to function with the m-16/m-4 sear.  Basically a mil-spec AR lower is an m-16/m4 lower.  Some AR lowers can accept other milspec parts though (like buffer tubes).  Anyone know if this is right?

the buffer tubes are different but will both work on any mil spec lower. the threaded portions are the same. the obly difference between ar15 and m16 m4 lowers are the select fire portion and the milling of fire controll portions

[jrebel]

Another silly Question....Is a 16" barrel legal in washington? 

Wilson Barrels...what is your opinion?

Thanks

[JimmyHoffa]

yes, 16 inch is legal. I think Wilson is fine.  They make some good match barrels.

[CementFinisher]

you can go down to  a 14 in barrel with most flass hiders or comps pin and welded. making the the barrel overall 16 inches