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  1. #16
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    I was wondering from reading your post if your brother has a good knowledge of the dizzying array of parts and options on the market? If not, maybe he won't care. If he does, have you considered just ordering the basic parts (like a 16" barrel, I agree with Rob about the length, lower, LPK, and maybe some other essential function components) and then mapping out the build together? Could be a fun brother/brother project.

    No offense to everyone, but I just wouldn't want someone else putting together my rifle. I think the difference in opinions just on this site should tell you that not every two people's "perfect" is alike. Maybe you put together this amazing rifle and your brother agrees with Rob that Vltor uppers are ugly. I'm a billet upper/lower guy and I have just never found them to be lacking. But some guys really don't like them and that's OK too. Maybe he shoots the rifle and you put a 12" rail on it, a tac light, forward grip, back up irons, maybe some rail covers and he thinks the gun is way too front heavy. Maybe you put a 9" rail on it and he would have really liked a 12" for a long sight radius. Maybe...maybe...

    I just think that if you are going to honor your brother it should be with a rifle that reflects his tastes and opinions. If it was me, the fact that you took this initiative would be what was important to me. I just don't think you are going to create his ultimate weapon with input from others. I think it needs to come from the source. Since he is active duty, he might even have some strong opinions.

  2. #17
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    That's a very good point, Chase I hadn't given that point of view much thought at all. I mean building the rifle WITH him would most definately be ideal, but there are alot of factors that tie into a joint project. Jon (my brother) is Active Duty, so his time is pretty much limited in between deployments. He's got PT every weekend (sometimes I join in when invited) and he works full time during the week (so do I). We don't live together, he's got a wife and 2 kids (one on the way) so spare time doesnt exactly come that often (***probably should have mentoned that earlier***)... I've consdered stop loss aswell, which brought me to my decision to purchase parts, and assemble them myself for him (which keeps my mind off of his 5th deployment, and possibly another) or purchase them and make sure a certified gunsmith gets his rifle in working condition by the time the Marines bring him back home.

    I know certain components of this weapon can purely be chosen off of preference for which option you like, or how you would like your rifle to look/feel/shoot, and the opinions of others wont do justice for his taste and liking. But I also understand that I dont want to assemble or buy parts to something that I feel shouldn't be given to him that are out dated, or simply because they're over rated and pieces of crap. I mean, I wish I was better prepared for this build, but its sort of a suprise you know? From the suggestions and honest thoughts displayed by people like you, Chase, I will have a better assessment of how this build will be conducted and take the necessary steps needed to complete this rifle.

    My brother is extremely humble, so basically I can hand him a zip gun made out of a spring, pvc, wood, and zip-ties and he's tell me he loves it. I want to make him shit his pants when he gets home Purely to make his day, and show him gratitude.
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

  3. #18
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    That is a very understandable situation. I think what you are doing for him is wonderful. I just finished a really special 6.5 grendel rifle for my brother in law who he and my sister are expecting the first grandchild girl in the family on January 24th. I gutted and remodeled my sister's master bath for her and I'm building the gun for him (real cool custom camo finish). I think that people show their appeciation in the ways that fit their gifts. Those are mine.

    Since he is active duty I'm sure he is very intimate with the basic utilitarian combat rifle, so if it were me I would stay away from a set-up like that. It's like handing a carpenter a claw hammer and saying "here's something really special!" He sees it all the time. Give him something he only dreams about "at work" :) Let's face it, you said his down time is limited and he has a wife and two kids at home to spend time with when he is stateside. So realistically he probably isn't going to be burning rounds training daily with this rifle. It will be something that he will show off at barbeques and pulls out to the range when his brother calls to spend a saturday afternoon.

    Having said that, I personally would go with an ultra accurate stainless barrel. I have barrels from shilen, WOA, and BCM and they are silly accurate and have handled thousands of rounds with no apologies. Special guns deserve great barrels. It's not tabu to have different optics for a gun either. You can have an aimpoint AND a long range scope. If there was some sort of black magic to it Larue, Bobro, and ADM wouldn't have the lucrative businesses they do.

    If you are looking for something to really "show off" you might want to look into getting a matched upper and lower from the same manufacturer. This would ensure you get a nice finish that matches. There can be alot of different shades of black when you start mixing and matching. Here's another thought. I have some friends who also serve in the armed forces and built some guns for them upon return. I allowed them to pick every part from as many options as I could find. Each one of them (3) chose a Young Manufacturing NM chrome bolt carrier because they HATED (as emphasized by said friends) cleaning bolt carriers and they wanted something they could disassemble and clean faster. (JP makes a nice burnished SS black one too: http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.7_bc.php )

    This was my pre-wedding present to myself couple years ago (since been revised and updated). Something special for the last days of bachelorhood.



    If all else fails, go to this talented man's site and gaze at some pictures.

    http://stickman.rainierarms.com/

    Find something you fall in love with and post it back here. I'm sure the guys on this site (or the photographer) could reverse engineer it for you. If you can't find something close in those pictures you should just go for the red ryder BB gun or the fishnet leg lamp.
    Last edited by chase102798; 16 December 2009 at 20:45.

  4. #19
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    Thanks for the advice! I definately have to find something different from the average rifle he eats/sh*ts/sleeps with.. That's one hell of a blaster right there Chase~ looks like alot of fun! I'll be sure to check Stick's pics to help map out some exotic setups. That Man has some of the most beautiful weaponry I've ever had the oppourtunity to lay my eyes on! I plan on passing on the same effect, hopefully this project stacks up.

    Thanks guys
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

  5. #20
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    Ok, finally I'm able to post the progress on "operation: appreciation"... I finally got the upper, the lower, the barrel and all other essential parts to the AR and put them together.. I'm still missing a few parts, but at least it's operational and fully functional.

    Part list:

    VLTOR MUR VIS-3
    Noveske N-4 (stripped)
    Magpul MIAD
    WOA 13.7 Stainless Steel Match Grade Barrel
    VLTOR E-MOD Stock
    Noveske KX3
    DPMS LPK
    Magpul BUIS
    BCM/VLTOR Mod3 Gunfighter charging handle
    S&W M&P BCG. (switching out for a Young Manufacturing N/M BCG)
    Magpul XTM rail panels.
    PMAG30 window



    Now all I need is a hardcase (suggestions?? pelican??)..... The optics, sling, and maybe a paint job is what I'll leave up to my brother when he gets state side. I'll just go shop with him to pick up those "Personal preference" options. I think he's going to love this setup- I sure do, and so does my father, and he's an old timer who strictly sticks to a stock AR behind is irons! He thinks all the "gadgets" are considered cheating lol I told him it's 2010, and let him look through my ACOG.

    Anyways, I'd like to send a BIG thanks to RanierArms- (best customer cooperation you can get!) and to WeaponEvolution for puting in great input, and all of the staff/members for posting reviews, how to's, and personal experience post's that actually helped me out with this build from scratch. My brother will be proud. So, thank you all.
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

  6. #21
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    A very nice looking rifle!
    Place your clothes and weapons where you can reach them in the dark. - R. Heinlein
    Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone. - John Quincy Adams
    Fortis cadere, cedere non potest - A brave man may fail, but he cannot yield.


    My Blog

  7. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by chem_guy View Post
    A very nice looking rifle!
    Thanks Chem!

    Most of the ideas came from my brother, under the impression that it would stay a "dream" but as soon as I joined this forum- it really motivated me to get this project rolling. It's not completely finished, I definately want to get a flashlight... He talked abbout the Surefire Vampire? or something like that.. gotta get that if it's available. He says its perfect for his NVG's- maybe cause the light is LED??? (never heard of a the Surefire Vampire)-

    Either way, I know its going to make him crap his MARPAT's!
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

  8. #23
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    wish I had a brother who built me a rifle like that.........bad ass!

    By any chance does he monitor this forum? If so, kind of ruins the surprise if it was meant to be one, but nevertheless bad ass and it would be difficult to not like. well done.
    - Federalist22

  9. #24
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    Wish I could see the gun but these damn govt computers block almost every forum pic imagineable.

    You picked some great parts, and I'm sure he'll love it.

  10. #25
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    WOA 13.7 barrels are from Wilson blanks. Barrels cut from Shilen blanks are a lot more money.

  11. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Hwang View Post
    WOA 13.7 barrels are from Wilson blanks. Barrels cut from Shilen blanks are a lot more money.
    John,

    I'm confused....

    What exactly is the difference? Is it common for one company to cut barrels from two different blanks? Are they both Match grade? And most importantly, would someone be able to feel/see a difference?
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

  12. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by federalist22 View Post
    wish I had a brother who built me a rifle like that.........bad ass!

    By any chance does he monitor this forum? If so, kind of ruins the surprise if it was meant to be one, but nevertheless bad ass and it would be difficult to not like. well done.
    No, i'm sure he doesn't visit this site. He logs very little computer time. Especially when deployed unfortunately he doesn't get to sit on the computer that much at all... Maybe every once in a while on Facebook, or for AIM so we can chat and the family gets about 15 minutes to share over the internet. Just something we've gotten used to.

    Thanks though! I appreciate the comment! I think it's bad ass too!!! (wish it was mine)
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

  13. #28
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    Finally put the finishing touches on (without a minute to spare). My bro will be home within 1-3 weeks (says the FRO) and i'm excited to give him a warm welcome home. what do you think?



    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

  14. #29
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    Awesome that he'll be back.
    Even more awesome he's coming back to something anywhere near that awesome.
    S/F
    "There is no greater calling than to defend the life of a fellow Marine" - LtCol McClane, USMC

  15. #30
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    It came together really really nicely! Nice job man... good lookin solid gun! Ur bro will shit bricks for sure.
    Dynamically Scaled Oblique Flying Wing!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV-eTXIyYYQ

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