Building an AR

I found this for a barrel, may not that exact one but I like the "barrel kit" concept.

http://www.del-ton.com/DTI_Del_Ton_Inc_AR_15_16_Mid_Length_1x7_CL_p/bl1071.htm

Might as well make this a build thread.

Anyway, here is my stripped Anderson lower. I like the running horse roll mark and it seems well made/finished. I can’t really say much more just by eyeballing it.





The second thing I picked up was a Tapco vice block to hold the thing while I work on it.



Then I picked up was the extremely critical trigger guard of all things, it is the plastic Magpul MOE. I like the profile of the more open trigger guard and I figured it would be easier to upgrade it now than to drive the pin out and change it down the road.



Then I got a Magpul MIAD grip in flat dark earth. I have bigger paws than most and like how it is adjustable. The latch for the backstrap is kinda rinky-dink to get to release but otherwise I love the feel of it though. The way it came out of the box with the finger divider and thinner beavertail backstrap was “home” for me, I tried the thicker one with the beaver tail and it was too big. I will see how the ergonomics play out when I get a stock and something to look down on it. The MIAD comes with the oil bottle which of all the grip cores is the one I would prefer. The flat dark earth color is kind of a trick to find, I could not find it anywhere in stock on line but oddly my local Bass Pro had it in stock on the shelf for the about the same price as everyone else. I did not see anyone else mention this when I was researching it and didn’t notice it myself but the texture is actually the Magpul emblem rotated around, it is a creative idea.







And then on the same day I got the grip I picked up A CMMG lower parts kit from Cabela’s. From what I researched, they are supposed to be one of the better mil-spec lower parts kits. I was thinking about getting an Anderson kit, being on sale combined with a $25 gift card from Christmas the CMMG was about the same price as the Anderson without paying freight on top of it. The standard A2 grip is too small for me and actually pretty tight on the receiver, the colored bags are kind of neat/kinda gimmicky, the finish of the machine work on the trigger and hammer are nice and smooth in the direction the parts travel which I like.



I love how the FDE grip pops with the flat black receiver.

Great lowers! I think I'm about to get a couple more to stash before the Queen Bitch takes office.

Kinda surprised I have been able to hold off as long as I have putting what I have together to see how good the lower is. I suppose nice weather so I don't get in the house until 8 helps.

I would like to hold off until I get the stock so I won't have any extra tidbits laying around... not sure how I am going to hold up.

LOL! I understand that completely. I was going to get my last lower and slowly collect parts on sale to complete it. Yeah, before the lower even arrived I had most of the stuff ordered. I had a little peer pressure though, dad was building his second lower at the same time and he didn't want to wait.

My dad, brother and I are all working on them.

My dad only has his lower. My brother has his lower, a stock in hand and a lower parts kit on order.

So I am in the running, nobody is in a big hurry though.

Had a cold icky Saturday last weekend so I used the bench vise to press in the rollpin for the trigger guard.



Blocked up and ready to work:



The handiest tool I will ever use once in action.



Takedown pin in:



Mag release is in:





Bolt catch is in:



Trigger and hammer assembled:



Almost had a "oh crap" moment with the safety. Couldn't get it to go in. Stupid me, it has to be cocked. Glad I thought of it before I took it all back apart.



Safety is in:



Safety detent and grip is on:



And the stock should be here tomorrow... and that will conclude the cheap part.

The stock came in and looks pretty sharp.



After buying the LPK, grip and stock in fairly rapid succession I was going to slow down for awhile. I made the mistake of checking on the upper receiver and it was on sale for $45 as opposed to is regular $59... so now one of those is coming down the pipe as well.

http://www.andersonrifles.com/product/5-56-223-and-6-8-spc-stripped-upper-receiver-2/

The stripped upper came in:









M4 feedramps:



It went onto the lower like it was mean to and the finish matches nicely:





It shipped out pretty fast which was nice, freight wasn't that great though. Almost $20 which I thought was pretty high IMO for no more than it weighs. But with the sale it was similar to buying it at full price with $5 freight though. I did hold off on getting the upper parts kit from them because of it though, figured I could worm it into something else.

Is that a single stage trigger or a 2 stage? I am going to be running a RRA 2 stage in my hunting lower.

Single. Probably not a match trigger but nice for a "normal" trigger.

What caliber are you going to run on this upper?

.223/5.56.

It would be nice to get something more deer friendly but I can't really find much for other calibers that are feasible. Most all are 200yd rounds which is what the .223/5.56 is. Since they killed the late rifle season in Iowa where it had to be .24+ and most other states allow the .223/5.56 anyway if I were to go to out of state I could still legally hunt with it (and even then it would be a backup) And nothing is anywhere close to the .223/5.56 to buy for cost and most is kinda hard to turn up.

Was planning on a midlength 16" but am swaying to a 20" rifle length for more accuracy (larger sight radius) and a little more downrange thump. With chrome lining it is the same price as the 16" I was looking at too.

http://www.del-ton.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BL1015

http://www.del-ton.com/DTI_Del_Ton_Inc_AR_15_16_Mid_Length_1x7_CL_p/bl1071.htm

Have you looked much into the 6.8, I've shot a couple rifles and hunted with a couple rifles that are 6.8 and have been fairly impressed, now its not too affordable for plinking quite like the 5.56

I am going to build a SBR upper in either 300 BO or 2.23/5.56. Probably 300 BO since I already have a 556 upper. I am going to build a 458 SOCOM upper for deer season though with a 20"+ barrel. May look into a can for it as well.

Out west the ranges (like for say antelope) are 200-400 yds. Neither the 6.8 or .300bo are much better at those ranges than the .223/5.56. Basically all three have run out of poop by then. And after driving over an hour to get ammo the cheapest 6.8 ammo (they only have two to pick from) costs the same as the pretty good stuff for my 30-06 which I can readily buy locally.

The most compelling round would the the 7.62x39, still a 200yd round but at least it is cheap and plentiful. Sounds like compromises have to be made to get it to work in an ar though. Might as well get an sks if I want that round.