AR-15

[scoyoc5]

heres a link to check out...

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=121&t=573213

[Gearhead1940]

How much is a cheaper AR-15 lower unit?  I could then build it up in a later time.

Just saw an S&W stripped lower at Bullseye in Tacoma for $130 and they had 7-8 assembled lowers (RockRiverArms?) with collapsable stocks going for in thr $400 range. Last gun show at Puyallup I saw about 12-18 lowers in the $140-200 range. 

www.rainierarms.com deals primarly in lowers, it shoud give you a better idea of what they are going for.

[FALFire]

No reason to avoid the newer Plinker Plus model form Oly, it's a good unit. The older model Plinker used a cast receiver but the new ones all use Forged stuff.

http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=50&category_id=7&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

Then i stand corrected.  Did that solve their cycling issues?
Travis

That's a pretty broad statement. Are you talking about one particular Oly Arms Plinker or about every AR15 that Oly ever made?

Lots of AR's have cycling issuses regardless of brand. I've seen many Bushmasters, Colts, Rock River Arms and DPMS with cycling issues, mostly Bushmasters though. Even the very popular Armalite AR10's suffered major cycling issues with the first generation mags. The most common cycling issue with any AR15 is the magazines. You get good mags, they cycle pretty good.

There have been many threads on Predator Masters and AR15.COM where custom built AR's from Mike Milli had cycling problems. Lots of new AR users and reloaders use incapatible powders, cheap mags or junk ammo and they end up with...you guessed it.

About 15 years ago I had an AR10 custom built by JP Enterprises and that thing would'nt cycle for crap. That was an $1800 match grade target rifle built by some of the best AR guys in the business and I couldn't get more than 3 or 4 rounds out of it before it would hang up. Later when the new Gen II mags came about it cycled 100% but I had already sold it to a friend by then and now he is very happy with it. Once the 1994 gun ban went away, manufactures were able to produce and sell improved high capacity mags that have significantly improved the reliability of AR's including the flood of new calibers you see available these days. This is one of the very reasons so many people are buying up mags by the cases to stash once the new assault weapons ban goes into place when and if it ever does.

All I can tell you is the Plinker models from Oly used to be made from cast aluminum, as a matter of fact, all OLY AR15 uppers and lowers used to be just cast aluminum. Remember SGW? Oly Arms left the Plinker model last on the upgrade list mainly to keep the overall cost down but it was costing them in replacement forged lowers on warranty repairs so they finally upgraded. The standard these days is forged aluminum across the board and now some are showing up with custom billet uppers and lowers. 

I hope this helps those that are not up to speed with AR's, there are way too many rumors out there that are passed on by others that never really know what they are talking about, instead just merely continue to pass on bad info.

[Fishhunt223]

Thanks for the info.  I am still iffy on the plinker model.  More than likely, it wouldnt affect anyone on here anyhow.  I know that olympic arms barrels are top quality.  They offer some of the only broach cut stock barrels on the market and at the best price.

So with all of these new variants, do they use milspec ar parts?  Does anybody have any experience with the 6.8?
Travis

[FALFire]

Most parts are milspec until you get into the oddball calibers but still, most lowers and uppers will accept most mil-spec small parts.  There are commercial and mil-spec buffer tubes that may or may not interchange with all adjustable stocks and commercial bolt carriers and then of course you have certain fire control groups that are commercial only. Once you get into the WSSM, 450 Busmaster, Grendel based barrels and bolts, then of course, they are not likely to be mil-spec. Wildcat calibers are not used by the Armed Forces so I would think it would be safe to assume that they are commercial only. I wouldn't get to hung up on mil-spec only stuff, as most of the commercial stuff is as good or better. Unless of course you are going into battle with said weapon and need the ability to swap parts from another likewise firearm.

What do you want to know about the 6.8? I have built 4 or 5 and, although I'm not an expert, I may be able to help answer some of your questions.

[ICEMAN]

Thanks for the info.  I am still iffy on the plinker model.  More than likely, it wouldnt affect anyone on here anyhow.  I know that olympic arms barrels are top quality.  They offer some of the only broach cut stock barrels on the market and at the best price.

Travis

I love my plinker plus. Good enough for me.

[RailRob]

I know of at least one in spokane, not sure of price....

[byrdman]

These guys are not one of the more popular brands, but for the price I would buy one of these if I needed more lowers right now.

And yes, they are forged...
 
http://www.essentialarms.com/

[Fishhunt223]

These guys are not one of the more popular brands, but for the price I would buy one of these if I needed more lowers right now.

And yes, they are forged...
 
http://www.essentialarms.com/

The usual price for most lowers is around $100, you just cant find them in stock right now.
Travis

[gage_06]

I just got home from the WAC show in MOnroe and there were several private party AR's available (that would be your best bet), SNS arms out of Snohomish makes a real decent one and they tend to be affordable. There was a 20" bull barell at the show for $1000 OBO. I have one and am real happy with how it shoots. You can do better with adjustable triggers or even the two stage triggers, but then the price goes up. There was an Olypic arms ultramatch there with Leopauld scope and bipod for $1500. and some high priced bushmasters. The next WAC show will be in puyallup I believe the weekend of the 25th. The nice thing about WAC shows, is that you have to be a member to buy and sell and you have to pass a background check to be a member.

[madmack76]

one nicething to think about with olympic arms go look at there warrenty if something breacks its covered

[huntnphool]

one nicething to think about with olympic arms go look at there warrenty if something breacks its covered

Ya, either that or you go to prison.

[madmack76]

what?

[madmack76]

not quite understanding you comment huntingpool

[jeepasaurusrex]

Check out SNS Industries in Snohomish. 

http://www.snsindustriesinc.com/