It has begun - Lower build (pics)

[Denver45]

Hey Fellas,

I started my build this week. I bought a stripped Spikes lower and some Magpul furniture. Then I ordered the Spikes enhanced LPK which got me the billet trigger guard, the KNS anti-rotaion pins and Spikes Battle Trigger which appears to be a mi-spec trigger couted in the nickle-boron Exo treatment from FailZero. I also added one of their mil-spec buffer tubes.

I'll be ordering a Magpul ACS in FDE this this coming Friday as well as the BADASS ambi selector to complete the lower.

The first pic has my Robinson Arms VEPR K II in the picture to show a size relationship between the two.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P1280009.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P1280010.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P1280011.jpg

So now I have to make up my mind on an upper. I have some questions about that in terms of quality.

I kind of have my heart set on a VLTOR MUR upper. I can get them from BCM and Noveske. Noveske seems to be the most liked and possibly the best quality around. Am I correct in that assumption? The reason that I ask is that I'm trying to get the best quality/reliability I can on the upper. Saving money isn't an issue but throwing money away is.

Noveske, BCM and DD keep coming back up on my searching. I know this can be a very personal choice but for a rifle that you can bet your life on, is one company better than the others or are they more or less at the top of their game?

Also, my apologies for the sub-par pics. My camera is on it's way out.

Thanks!

[Quentin]

Nice start! As far as brands for the upper, it's hard to go wrong with Noveske, BCM or DD. I'd determine which barrel profile, length and gas system length you like best and go with the company that offers best configuration you can find.

I recently got a Daniel Defense upper/16" CHF midlength pencil barrel and am very pleased with it. The price was excellent as it was a year end sale - so watch for sales as well. Noveske barrels are known to be among the best but DD makes their barrels in house and do a fine job - and you pretty much get CHF for no extra cost. Hard to choose but with those companies you can't go wrong.

[Denver45]

Thanks for the reply. I actually sent Noveske an email asking if they configure customs since they don't have exactly what I'm looking for. DD doesn't either. BCM does but with what they want for it sans BCG and charging handle the Noveske is actually more affordable.

I'm looking for a middy in a 14.5" barrel. I'm wondering how long it will take them to respond. [:D] Noveske does offer this config with their SS Afghan barrel but I don't think that's the way I want to go. I plan on shooting the hell out of this rifle if I can manage to afford the ammo and classes.

[Hmac]

If you're going to use a MUR upper receiver then your variable in the complete upper is going to be the barrel. Barrels are Noveske's thing, so if you're going to buy a completed upper on a MUR then I'd go Noveske. Nothing against DD or BCM, but a Noveske barrel is likely to be better. Whether or not your shooting skills can take advantage of a Noveske barrel to the point where it's worth the money to you is another question only you can answer. But yeah, Noveske tends to be top of the heap. If you're contemplating a MUR and are going to use a quad rail, you might also therefore consider a Noveske upper with VIS.

[Denver45]

I was actually eyeing the 16" Light Recce W/VIS.

This build is my first build and first AR. That being said I am not new to shooting or semi-auto rifles with 30 round mags and I am planning on putting it through some abuse. I also can't afford to buy/build a new rifle every year or two so I want one that could be counted on in a worst case scenario. I'm sure I don't have the skills to push an accurate barrel to it's limits but I sure don't mind trying. Hehe.

Thanks for the info. You guys make this the most informative forum out there.

[AR-10]

I'm going to throw this out there since you're looking for a VIS with a 14.5" middy barrel:

http://www.centurionarms.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=47&category_id=18&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=134

I bought a 16" upper from these guys but I had to put the build on hold, I've almost reached the point where I can get started on it again and will post pics soon.

[Denver45]

I'm going to throw this out there since you're looking for a VIS with a 14.5" middy barrel:

http://www.centurionarms.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=47&category_id=18&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=134

I bought a 16" upper from these guys but I had to put the build on hold, I've almost reached the point where I can get started on it again and will post pics soon.

Thank you Sir! I'll take a look as soon as I get a chance.

[Denver45]

Let me ask you guys this. Where does Spike's rate in all of this? They seem to be well liked and every thread I look at that relates to them seems to have happy customers. Are they up towards the top or are they still too new to know? I asked them for a quote an an upper and got a really good price back.

Thanks!

[Quentin]

Spikes appears to be good but they're still unknown to some extent. Still some questions but you rarely hear about problems and if you do, people tend to be satified with their customer service. And you seem to be happy with their lower.

Anyway, very low prices so of course their barrels can't be lumped in with Noveske.

[Paulo_Santos]

Personally I'd get a monolithic upper, such as an LMT MRP, Noveske or Centurion Arms with a ViS, or a Mega monolithic upper. Spikes makes good uppers also.

[Hmac]

I was actually eyeing the 16" Light Recce W/VIS.



I have that rifle. I can't say that I can take advantage of the rigidity that the VIS imposes on the rifle, but I do notice it when swinging the thing around. It's really a nice piece of work. And I highly recommend a mid-length gas system. If you want to really amp the experience, order your Light Recce Basic w/VIS with a Battlle Comp 1.5 compensator. I think by the time you order Noveske will be offering the BattleComp 1.5 as an option. A very worthwhile add-on.

Just because you can't drive like Felipe Massa doesn't mean you wouldn't really enjoy driving a Ferarri.

http://mccollister.info/lightreccebasics.jpg

[Denver45]

Hahaha. Thanks all. I really am interested in the VIS. At some point I'll start another build to get a 14.5" going and it would be nice to have the extra mounting options with the 4x+ scopes once i have a dedicated CQB rig.

Funny you mention the battle comp Hmac. BCM offers it as an option on the 16" VIS middy and I've been weighing it as an option.

Noveske did reply today stating that they do not have the 14.5" BBL in the chrome lined yet but will offer it soon. I asked if they thought it might happen by April but I haven't received a response yet. They do offer it in the SS Afghan barrel. I'm curious as to what they mean by high round count when determining if chrome lined is the better option. I'm assuming if you go to a carbine class from Gunsite, Magpul etc... you would qualify.

[Cochese]

Looks good.

I think I want to borrow your ST buffer for sure. :)

[Denver45]

Nice looking rifle Hmac! I didn't see it earlier when you first posted. I was thinking of doing the same thing with those Magoul rail covers.

[Denver45]

Looks good.

I think I want to borrow your ST buffer for sure. :)

Borrow away. It's good to see you on here.

[Denver45]

I ordered the Magpul ACS stock and a B.A.D. A.S.S. from Rainier today. The selector is coming with 1 standard, 1 short and 1 thin lever. We'll see which one works best for me on the trigger finger side. The standard lever hits my hand when I try to take it off of safe now so I'm hoping this solves that issue.

[Rodman24]

I recently installed the BAD ASS ST and went with the short on my trigger finger side and the thin on the opposing side. Works very well for me.

[Denver45]

I recently installed the BAD ASS ST and went with the short on my trigger finger side and the thin on the opposing side. Works very well for me.

I'll have to try that as well. I'm looking forward to playing around with it. That is half the fun, isn't it? [:D]

[Denver45]

I received my stock and the BADASS ambi lever from Rainer Arms today. Pretty sweet considering that I ordered it on Friday and they have a very low flat shipping fee!

Here are some updated pics:


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P2070026.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P2070017.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P2070022.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P2070019.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P2070020.jpg

I'm really happy with the way this is turning out. Now I just need optics and the upper. That's about 6 weeks away. Patience is not one of my strengths. [BD]

[PuppY_Kick3R]

Real nice lower. I also like the ambi selector. Just wondering if it gets in the way of your trigger finger. I myself am about to build my lower in a couple of hours. (still at the shop waiting to get picked up). Its a spikes with a RRA parts kit with magpul furniture.

[Denver45]

Real nice lower. I also like the ambi selector. Just wondering if it gets in the way of your trigger finger. I myself am about to build my lower in a couple of hours. (still at the shop waiting to get picked up). Its a spikes with a RRA parts kit with magpul furniture.

The standard ambi-selector did hit my trigger finger but the this lever fixes that with the thin profile on the right hand side. It feels very comfortable to go hot and also to use the trigger finger to put it back on safe. I'm very impressed with the quality of the lever as well.

[Denver45]

I ordered my upper which arrived yesterday except it was the wrong upper. So I should have the correct upper tomorrow and will be sending the first one back. I picked up some Troy BUIS and this weekend I will be going out to sight it in.


I have read some posts on sighting in but I'm still fairly confused about it all. I'm looking for opinions on what I should do. I plan on putting a n Aimpoint on it soon as well. Should I just go with a 100 yard zero? Is there any reason why I should do something differently? This carbine will be used in some classes this summer and otherwise will be a self defense firearm. I will shoot cheap 55gr ammo a bit but I'm also looking to stockpile and run 62gr or 75gr depending on what the barrel likes best if that makes a difference.

Thoughts?

Also, once I have my upper I will past up some fresh pics. I do want to thank everyone on this forum for their fantastic advice and for making me feel like a student and not a moron. [BD]

You guys are the best!

[markm]

Let me ask you guys this. Where does Spike's rate in all of this? They seem to be well liked and every thread I look at that relates to them seems to have happy customers. Are they up towards the top or are they still too new to know? I asked them for a quote an an upper and got a really good price back.

Thanks!

They claim to meet all the usual specs. But guys i've talked to who've seen the certs say they are jookie looking at best. I personally don't see a reason to gamble on Spikes with BCM or DD as an option.

[Denver45]

They claim to meet all the usual specs. But guys i've talked to who've seen the certs say they are jookie looking at best. I personally don't see a reason to gamble on Spikes with BCM or DD as an option.

I ended up ordering a Noveske upper instead. Hopefully there isn't too much play between the upper and the Spike's lower. All of the parts went onto the lower without issue and seems to all have a good fit.

[Eric]

Hopefully there isn't too much play between the upper and the Spike's lower.
Don't sweat play between the upper and lower too much. It has nothing to do with reliability or accuracy. Some of the sloppiest fits I have seen are on the beloved Colt's.

[Denver45]

Don't sweat play between the upper and lower too much. It has nothing to do with reliability or accuracy. Some of the sloppiest fits I have seen are on the beloved Colt's.

Thanks. I'm sure it will be fine. I'm just a very tactile oriented person and if it has too much slop it will bug me. Either way I should know within 24 hours. [:D]

[Denver45]

So I have some Hornady 55gr FMJ/BT to sight this rifle in with. My range has 50 and 100 yard targets. About where should I be hitting at 50 yards to sight in at 100? Any ideas? It will be a lot easier for me to get it close at 50 and then tweak it at 100.

TIA!

[Denver45]

She just showed up.Function check is positive and there is no play between the receivers. Once I get a chance to take some better pics I will post them!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3240088.jpg

[LanceCriminal]

Beautiful!

[Denver45]

Beautiful!

Thank you! I get to sight in the irons on Saturday and I'm hoping to have an Aimpoint on it within 4 weeks.

[Denver45]

Here are some better pics.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270109.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270110.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270111.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270112.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270113.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270114.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270115.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270116.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270117.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270118.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270119.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/jay_t/boom/P3270120.jpg


I took it to the range to sight in the Troy BUIS. I really had to move the rear sight to the right to get it on paper even at 50 yards. Is it unusual to have to crank the that back BUIS over so far? That last pic shows how far off center it is compared to that top rail. I was running 55gr FMJ/BT from Hornady and it was the only ammo I had. Maybe I need to run a heavier grain? Is it possible that the POI will change that dramatically with another type of ammo?

Thanks!