Author Topic: So... this happened. (Read 21357 times)

Raptor · « **on:** June 21, 2016, 05:00:46 pm »

So I got my first commission check from work, and figured now was as good a time as any to order a lower. Cruised over to my local FFL to inquire about how to go about ordering a firearm, and, well...

(apologies for the crappy cell phone pic)

It's a Spike's Tactical ST-15 lower. Standard emblem with pictogram selector markings. It was the very last lower he had in stock, and his out-the-door asking price was less than what Spike's lists the lower for on their website, and that's before the shipping and transfer fee. So it was a no-brainer.

I probably should've picked up a parts kit at the same time, but I didn't. I'll probably

myself for that later on, but whatever. It's a start. I did pick up a 30- and 40-round PMAG, though.

I'm thinking right now that I'll build up the lower myself and then order a completed upper from someone. But knowing me, that plan will probably chance a half-dozen times before I actually commit to something.

WeTheArmed.com

Grant · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2016, 05:33:09 pm »

Congrats. Good to at least have the lower in-hand at this point. THe rest of the parts can be acquired whenever.

Lowers easy, you can do it yourself. Lots of good quality pre-assembled uppers, that unless you want something really oddball, you're about as well off buying one.

Kaso · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2016, 07:44:10 pm »

I would say get a quote from Joe on the upper. He is surprisingly reasonable.

Raptor · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2016, 09:10:36 pm »

Picked up a parts kit while I was out running errands today. Bravo Company Enhanced LPK with their PNT Trigger group, Mod 3 Grip, and Trigger Guard. Also got a Lancer Advanced Warfighter 30-round mag. I think I'm going to ditch the BCM pistol grip for a MagPul MOE or MIAD since I have piano-player hands, i.e. smaller palms and longer fingers, and the BCM pistol grip looks a bit on the large size for me. Looking at the website, the Mod 3 is the "widest" pistol grip BCM offers. Plus, the pistol grip is black, and I'm thinking about going with OD Green furniture for the build. I'll probably go with a MagPul polymer trigger guard for the same reason because I'm kinda OCD-ish about everything matching.

Still need the receiver extension and the parts that go with it, as well as the buttstock. And the tools required to put everything together. And i'm still not sure if I'm going to build the upper myself or just buy one off the shelf or (more likely) commission GunDoc to build one for me. So I'm not sure if I should get MagPul's Bev Block or just get Brownell's lower receiver vice block. Actually, scratch that: I just checked Brownell's website, and MagPul's Bev Block is only a few bucks more than Brownell's vice block, so that answers that question.

ksuguy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2016, 09:28:25 pm »

I got some stuff over the weekend as well. Found a local guy that had Anderson lowers for $60 plus tax and got three.

Then I did some hunting for good 4th of July sales on other parts. Got this upper for $219.
http://www.cbcindustries.com/collections/ar15-upper-receiver-assembly/products/ar-15-upper-assembly-16-5-56x45-12-cbc-arms-keymod-ar-15-handguard-rail

Then got the complete lower kit with a Magpul MOE Grip and STR stock for $139.99 from PSA.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-str-lower-build-kit-black.html

Still looking for a bolt carrier group and charging handle. I was thinking I'd go with the Black Nitride one from AIM, but they are currently sold out. Toms Tactical also has one available for the same price, but I haven't been able to find reviews on them. I've heard their uppers and lower parts are ok, but nothing on the BCGs.

Not sure what I'll do with the other two lowers yet. I'm thinking a short one with pink Magpul furniture for my wife, and a full size 20" rifle on the other.

Sanguine · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2016, 12:21:34 am »

The BCM PNT trigger is great, I got a couple of them. I have a surplus of BCM pistol grips as a result of getting the parts kits. The grip is deceiving. Despite being billed as their largest, its still too small for me for most applications because of its narrowness between my thumb and index. But then I prefer to use a MIAD with the biggest backstrap installed.
Keep in mind if you plan to build your upper, you need more than the block, you need a vise and a sturdy platform to mount it on.

Raptor · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2016, 12:31:43 am »

Already have a good vice and a solid workbench courtesy of Papa Raptor. He won't mind me using them... I don't think... ;-)

Sent from my datapad using The Force.

ksuguy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2016, 09:21:00 pm »

Took a chance on the BCG from Tom's. Figured even if the quality was mediocre, it would still be an upgrade over the old non-nitride bolts I have in my other ARs and I could always swap it into one of those. Also got a set of Magpul sights. They had the set for $69.95, which is the best price I've seen online for them.

Sanguine · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2016, 05:45:49 pm »

Quote from: Raptor on July 06, 2016, 12:31:43 am

Already have a good vice and a solid workbench courtesy of Papa Raptor. He won't mind me using them... I don't think... ;-)

That's been my hangup. I need a solid workbench, not a coffee table!

Mick · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2016, 08:17:42 pm »

Have a ergo grip on my AR. I have fairly large palms and short fingers though. but I love my ergo grip.

Raptor · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2016, 02:26:27 pm »

Quick question: what buffer weight works best with a 16" mid-length upper?

sqlbullet · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2016, 11:35:45 am »

I run a standard carbine buffer unless I have problems, which I haven't had yet. Ounces add up to pounds, and I see no reason to increase the weight of the buffer unless I have a reason. My most recent AR build has a 16" mid length with a standard carbine 3 oz buffer and so far has been rock solid. I have about 600 rounds through it. Mix of XM855 and 55 grain reloads.

Roper1911 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2016, 12:23:32 pm »

I have a midlength 16 inch and a standard carbine buffer.
Works fine.

Raptor · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2016, 12:29:14 pm »

Picked up an LBE H-buffer from my dealer today. I was leaning towards carbine, but he had the H in stock so I figured what the heck. Worst comes to worst, I order a standard carbine. Ordered most of the parts I still need from him too. I'll get the rest from Brownells when I order the tools I need to put this thing together.

ksuguy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2016, 12:54:24 pm »

I finally got the shipping email about my upper today. I guess they got slammed with the 4th of July sale, one of their salespeople was out with a sudden emergency, and my order sort of got lost in the shuffle. Had to call to get it straight. Review will follow when it arrives.

The BCG and charging handle from Toms Tactical looks fine. Don't anticipate any problems there.

Also picked up a couple of AR-10 lowers from AIM this morning. I don't have a AR-10 yet, and figured I had better get the stuff I need before the election panic buying begins in earnest.

Raptor · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2016, 09:25:33 pm »

And I think this build might have been a bad idea. Why? Because I realized that even though I don't have all the parts for Kindness (yes, I've named my rifle) yet, I'm already planning my next AR build: a suppressor-optimized pistol that I'll Form 1 into an SBR.

Y'all weren't kidding when you said AR building is an addiction.

ksuguy · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2016, 09:35:09 pm »

Quote from: Raptor on August 01, 2016, 09:25:33 pm

Y'all weren't kidding when you said AR building is an addiction.

Yeah, I've been part shopping for the past month. The AR-10 lowers just arrived at the dealer today, so I'll probably go pick them up tomorrow. Got the 20" upper for one on the way from AIM. Just waiting for a good deal on a lower parts kit to crop up on PSA or Brownells.

That will leave 1 AR-10 and 2 AR-15 lowers left to finish over the next 3-4 months or so. Normally I wouldn't be buying so many all at once, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we get another run on them.

Mississippi556 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2016, 08:15:59 am »

Quote from: Raptor on July 05, 2016, 09:10:36 pm

Picked up a parts kit while I was out running errands today. Bravo Company Enhanced LPK with their PNT Trigger group, Mod 3 Grip, and Trigger Guard. Also got a Lancer Advanced Warfighter 30-round mag. I think I'm going to ditch the BCM pistol grip for a MagPul MOE or MIAD since I have piano-player hands, i.e. smaller palms and longer fingers, and the BCM pistol grip looks a bit on the large size for me. Looking at the website, the Mod 3 is the "widest" pistol grip BCM offers. Plus, the pistol grip is black, and I'm thinking about going with OD Green furniture for the build. I'll probably go with a MagPul polymer trigger guard for the same reason because I'm kinda OCD-ish about everything matching.

Still need the receiver extension and the parts that go with it, as well as the buttstock. And the tools required to put everything together. And i'm still not sure if I'm going to build the upper myself or just buy one off the shelf or (more likely) commission GunDoc to build one for me. So I'm not sure if I should get MagPul's Bev Block or just get Brownell's lower receiver vice block. Actually, scratch that: I just checked Brownell's website, and MagPul's Bev Block is only a few bucks more than Brownell's vice block, so that answers that question.

Great build in the works. I think you would like the MIAD. I have similar hands and can find a good grip with it. I'm using the Browning clamshell vice block. It includes a polymer insert that slides into the BCG channel that greatly increases strength. But, honestly, I mostly put the barrel directly in my bench vice with a strip of leather around it where there would be contact with the jaws. Leather grips both the barrel and the jaws quite well and prevents movement. Really tighten the jaws. It will not hurt barrel steel inside leather.

Raptor · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2016, 09:29:39 pm »

Finally got the last of my needed parts and tools ordered. Took me long enough, didn't it?

I think I have everything I need to build the lower, and if not, that's what Brownell's is for. Hopefully, I'll be able to put the lower together next weekend. Now I just need to contact GunDoc about commissioning an upper...

Raptor · « **Reply #19 on:** September 16, 2016, 11:45:08 pm »

Well, after a few hours of cursing, I have it almost finished. Don't have the right size roll pin punch to install the trigger guard, but aside from that it's done.

I was gonna call it "Kindness," but I'm ashamed to admit that I scuffed it up pretty badly, so I think I'm gonna have to call it "Scar." I think I over-torqued the castle nut too, since I'm fairly certain that the torque wrench I borrowed was broken. But everything on the lower seems to okay and functioning properly.

Now that it's nearly done, I can honestly say that I'm glad I did it, but I'm buying rifles from now on. It's not worth the aggravation.

Sent from my datapad using The Force.

Grant · « **Reply #20 on:** September 16, 2016, 11:58:02 pm »

I thought that the firs time too. Swore I wouldn't do a second......

Yeah....you'll get over it. I put mine together without roll pins or...any of the special tools....Umm...*cough*....a hammer, and channel grips with padding for the teeth..............
Yeah...I'm a redneck

ksuguy · « **Reply #21 on:** September 17, 2016, 11:38:08 am »

I broke one of the trigger guard ears off the first time I attempted it. It's much easier to just buy one that comes with a closed guard. I don't even know why they still make them the old way.

Sanguine · « **Reply #22 on:** September 17, 2016, 04:36:32 pm »

I have built every one of my AR lowers save for my BCM, and the Spike's Warthog I bought completed I still stripped down and rebuilt. I think a big part of it for me is my appreciation for the mechanics, so I don't mind the process. Now that they're all built I've gone and bought a few of the specialty tools, but they haven't seen use. I used a Stanley punch set and a rubber mallet for nearly everything on the lower. I've found masking tape is handy to have as well.
Unless you damage the parts, I don't think over-torquing is a problem. Its not supposed to come apart.

Raptor · « **Reply #23 on:** September 18, 2016, 09:41:38 pm »

Okay, so... I think I did over-torque the castle nut or else screwed something up: the toe of the stock doesn't line up with the pistol grip. The end plate is still straight, so I guess it's not keying with the receiver extension correctly. Can I fix this by loosening the castle nut and re-torquing it correctly, or did I break something when putting it together?

Kaso · « **Reply #24 on:** September 18, 2016, 10:03:40 pm »

Quote from: Raptor on September 18, 2016, 09:41:38 pm

Okay, so... I think I did over-torque the castle nut or else screwed something up: the toe of the stock doesn't line up with the pistol grip. The end plate is still straight, so I guess it's not keying with the receiver extension correctly. Can I fix this by loosening the castle nut and re-torquing it correctly, or did I break something when putting it together?

Mine did that at first. I had it lined up straight, and *then* tightened it down hard. The whole buttstock and buffer tube just rotated a bit with the nut. Back it off, turn the receiver extension (buffer tube) to a bit 'before' where you want them, then when you torque it down it will line up where you want. Then stake it in place.