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  1. #1
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    HELP! AR-Build from scratch. Need Suggestions/Thoughts on all Parts selected~

    I'm new to WE but I observed that most members are experienced vet's in AR builds/Parts. I'm looking to start the new year with a completely new AR build. I thought of a build consisting of about 15 parts or so to start the initial build. I have no hands on experience with any of these parts with the exception of the optics and gas block. I map'd out the build from Ranier Arms, after purchsing many different parts from a previous build with the best customer support I could imagine except for the Spike's Lower and Aimpoint T-1 / LT mount combo. I would appreciate any feed back on the parts I did/n't list or possible options if possible... Thanks-





    1. Spike's Tactical Complete Magpul Edition Lower- 440.00
    (wanted the magpul lower or Noveske lower. *complete*)

    2. WOA 13.7 Stainless Steel Match Grade Barrel- 295.00
    (Does Noveske make these barrels? or the other way around??)

    3. VLTOR MUR (Modular Upper Receiver) w/Forward Assist- 229.95

    4. VLTOR Gas Block (Black)- 49.95

    5. DD 12.0 M4 FF Handguard- 332.00

    6. Noveske KX3 Flash Suppressor- 125.00
    OR
    PWS FSC55- 95.00

    7. MI SPLP BUIS- 119.95

    8. MI Folding Front Sight- 79.95

    9. KNS Takedown pins- 22.00

    10. AImpoint T-1 W/ LT Tall Mount Combo- 587.00

    11. Pin/Weld Smith Service- 39.95

    12. Gas Block Pin Service- 29.95
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
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  2. #2
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    That is very nice list of parts. The WOA barrel is either a Wilson or Shilan. Very good barrels.
    With the 13.7" barrel, I'd get the KX3 instead of the FSC556. Also check out the Troy 12" MRX Standard Handguards.

  3. #3
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    Thanks for the feedback Paulosantos-

    I checked the Troy Industry Handguards out.. They look good, and have a great reputation for durability. I was also wondering if you were fimiliar in th Noveske Switchblock... and is it primarily used for suppressors only? would that be idea for this setup?

    I'm also looking to go for a tucked flash hider look.. my plan is to pin/weld a flash suppressor on the barrel, so i can use a shorter length barrel. 13.7"/KX3 or even 12.5"/AAC SPR/M4 ?? im not even sure if that combo makes the legal length without going SBR...

    any info would help!

    Thanks
    Last edited by 4SRecon; 9 December 2009 at 22:11.
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
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  4. #4
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    The switchblock was designed for the suppressor use, but you don't need a suppressor to use it. If you want to go with the switchblock, I'd geta Noveske upper that is already set up with one as you will need one of their handguards for the switchblock for the look that you like.

  5. #5
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    Thanks for the help- I appreciate the time..


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

  6. #6
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    Yes, that sounds like a very nice (expensive) list of parts. However I have to admit that it sounds to me like the end result should be called "Sybil" for all of it's different personalities.

    There are a lot of people that build guns just to build/have them, and that's ok. It's not my thing, but that doesn't mean that it's wrong.

    What's missing from your post is your background of what other ARs you have, what your experience is with the platform, what kinds of training you've had, etc. The other thing that is missing is the critical element of what you want the gun to do, or what you want to do with it, when you're done.

    Without that information it's tough for anyone to give any feedback other then "yep, that looks like an expensive pile of parts". Unless this is a build-to-build or a build-to-have in which case it doesn't really matter if it's Sybil.
    WWW.TACTICALYELLOWVISOR.NET

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by rob_s View Post
    Yes, that sounds like a very nice (expensive) list of parts. However I have to admit that it sounds to me like the end result should be called "Sybil" for all of it's different personalities.

    There are a lot of people that build guns just to build/have them, and that's ok. It's not my thing, but that doesn't mean that it's wrong.

    What's missing from your post is your background of what other ARs you have, what your experience is with the platform, what kinds of training you've had, etc. The other thing that is missing is the critical element of what you want the gun to do, or what you want to do with it, when you're done.

    Without that information it's tough for anyone to give any feedback other then "yep, that looks like an expensive pile of parts". Unless this is a build-to-build or a build-to-have in which case it doesn't really matter if it's Sybil.

    Well, I'm 23 years old, I don't have too much experience with building an AR. I've learned how to shoot from my Father, Brother, and two Cousins (bro & cuz's-active overseas, Father-retired Marine's). A combination of what they have taught me is what I know. I own 3 AR's right now, two of them (Bushy XME2S and a Colt Sporter pre-ban) are still in there original form with the exception of an optics upgrade.. The third was the first AR that I bought at the age of 21. It's a Smith & Wesson M&P15 ORC. It came with a pinned stock, flat top receiver, plastic M4 handguard, and a gas block with a 1913 rail on it. No BUIS or nothing. It reminded me of a featherless chicken.

    I added a few parts that I thought were "Cool" I guess and that I knew were durable enough to have a 21 year old kid dump massive ammounts of rounds in the backyard without having the gun breakdown/malfunction. Here is what I dressed the M&P15 with:

    VLTOR CASV-M Handguard with foldable front site
    VLTOR Low Pro Gas Block
    ACE LTD Skeleton Carbine Stock
    Young MFG Nickel Plated BCG
    Tango Down Battle Grip/Stubby VFG
    Magpul PMAG/XTM rail covers
    MI BUIS (Rear)
    Optics: ACOG TA01 and AIMPOINT CompM4

    This was the first AR I spent most of my paychecks on and felt satisfied with after completeing it. It shoots great and I Love it. I used it for plinking in the and some target practice in the back yard..

    This build I'm planning now isn't even for me. I'm planning on giving it to my brother after he comes back from his (5th) deployment with 3/4 India Co. stationed in Afghanistan. Before he deployed, we were talking guns and what not and I remembered him speaking about a build with "Top Quality" parts that would be "way out of his price range". His Birthday was on December 3rd, so we didn't get to see him. I want him to come home to the build he wished for. Realistically, I'm not even going to use the gun. I can only stress the point that I'm willing to spend the money in order to show the appreciation I have for his efforts to protect me, our family and more importantly, this beautiful country.

    I guess in terms of my background, it wouldn't be relevant. But I know he likes a "Badass" weapon that is "Reliable" and is "New".

    With that said, maybe you can suggest something of that nature, Rob. I mean, me n my bro vaguely discussed the parts I listed in order for me to keep an "element of suprise" for when he actually gets ahold of the rifle.. I mainly think he's going to use it as a "Show" piece or a rifle that is "Flashy" since the rifle's he already owns aren't exactly considered "Mod'd Out"..

    Thanks for the time out
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

  8. #8
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    That clarification helps tremendously, and please thank your family for their service.

    There is using all "top quality parts" and there is buying with a purpose.

    I see that you're in New York, but based on your list it sounds like this is for someone outside that state's restrictions so I'm going to base my suggestions on that assumption.

    First off, I would stick with a 16" barrel. That preserves the modularity of the platform in that rails, muzzle devices, front sights/gas block, etc. can all be changed more easily as new products come online or tastes change. Given a 16" barrel I would skip the KX3 from Noveske (something meant for <12.5" barrels to begin with) and stay with something like a Blackout flash hider from Advanced Armament.

    On the subject of the barrel, while stainless is certainly fine, I would be looking much harder at a cold hammer forged, 4150 or better carbon steel, chrome-lined barrel with a mid-length gas system. Stainless is a better choice when long range, gnat's ass accuracy is a requirement, but if you're not going to feed the gun the kind of ammo necessary to get that level of accuracy, or put an optic on it that will allow the shooter to achieve that level of accuracy, then I would choose the longer service life and more forgiving cleaning and maintenance schedule of a CHF barrel. Daniel Defense, Bravo Company, and Knight's are all using CHF barrels.

    On the subject of rails, the DD Lite is probably a better choice than the DD M4 depending on a few variables.

    This upper would be a great option with the CHF barrel and DD lite 9.0, or this upper if you prefer the 12.0 rail. Personally I like keeping the FSB, but understand that the trend of late is towards the longer rails.

    If you're after that gnat's ass accuracy and are willing to go a different route with the optics to take advantage of it, BCM also does stainless barrels with rails already installed or without, and you can find them here along with their CHF ("BFH" they call them) and standard barrels.

    I am also of the opinion that the MUR is an unnecessary added cost, and would prefer to spend the money on a better quality BUIS than the MI, something like the Troy.

    Another choice would be a Noveske complete upper, with their rails or without and with rails of your choosing installed after the fact. Either their chrome-lined if you're going the Aimpoint route or stainless if you're looking for that magnified-optics appropriate accuracy.

    The biggest contradiction I see in your original list is the optic with the barrel. if you're going to shoot top-shelf ammo with a magnified optic then I'd go with stainless, and if you're going with an Aimpoint and standard ammo (or even Wolf, don't laugh I shoot the hell out of Wolf) I would go with one of the cold hammer forged chrome lined barrels.

    Also, don't get sucked in to "more expensive is better". Things like billet uppers and lowers cost more but offer virtually NO quantifiable benefit other than "looking cool" (which is subjective, I happen to think they look like shit) and bragging rights that they cost more and are therefore somehow better. Point of fact they are bulky because they are weaker.

    Do your research, keep in mind that the whole thing is a system and the parts should compliment each other, and you should do fine.
    WWW.TACTICALYELLOWVISOR.NET

  9. #9
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    Rob, thank you alot for the time and effort you put into helping me narrow down parts for this build. Your opinion is greatly appreciated. I'm currently looking into the peices you mentioned, and will take the advice into consideration when I purchase the build.

    Once again, Thanks for the support!

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

  10. #10
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    4SRecon,

    I was in your shoes early last summer when I started putting the parts together for my first "no expense spared" build. I can tell you that the MUR upper is a great choice, I used it in my build and would recomend it. You might look into using their VIS monolithic upper railed fore-end. Rainier arms has a upper that they recently came out with and it supposedly has exceptional tolerances on the machining. You also might consider going with a piston system instead of the legacy DI gas system. I don't want to start a piston vs. DI argument but I have yet to have either of my 2 piston AR's have a malfunction (one I built using Adams Arms piston system and the other a LWRC M6A2). It would def make your brothers gun different. I would put more money into actual gun parts and let your brother decide on optics. I think the optics would be more of a personal opinion type purchase than the actual gun parts. As for muzzle breaks, look at PWS FSC556 or Rainiers Extreme break http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=sho...roduct_id=1684 .

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by JustMatt View Post
    4SRecon,
    I would put more money into actual gun parts and let your brother decide on optics. I think the optics would be more of a personal opinion type purchase than the actual gun parts.
    I could not disagree more. While it may be applicable to let him decide something like Eotech vs. Aimpoint, or Nightforces vs. Schmidt & Bender, the optic chosen is part of the overall system and the choice is a result of fleshing out the mission of the firearm and the available budget, just like every other part on the gun.

    Outside of building safe-stuffers, internet-picture-models, or Saturday-at-the-public-range guns, figuring out what the tool (gun) is going to be used for is the first thing that anyone should establish when building or buying a gun.

    Case in point, I have seen posts on other forums where a guy will post "I want to get an AR15 for varmint hunting and long-range shooting", at which point 17.5 nitwits will jump in with links to the chart telling the guy to get a Colt 6920. Ummmm, no.

    The reverse happens as well where someone asks about a rifle for home defense and training classes and someone sends him to the JP website.

    "Mission drives the gear trains", and whatever your use is, that's the "mission". Determining that first makes the decisions about other products almost frighteningly simple, and optic choice is part of that, and goes hand-in-hand with barrel choice.
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  12. #12
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    The reasoning behind me saying to put more money/effort into the gun and not the optics is because with a short barrel the gun would most likely be utilized as a home defense/fun gun. With iron sights already a part of the equation I don't see the need to drop $500+ on a optic unless that is for certain what he wants. Hell, I would even say got with MagPul MBUS instead of MI and save some money. There are lots of tacticool/CDI stuff out there that serve no purpose, but from what I gleamed of from your first post was that this was to be a "welcome home" gift to your brother and you wanted it to be bomb proof and "top shelf". I would say just buy him a Noveske or DD gun, but I beleive you wanted some uniqueness to the gun as well. That was my reasoning for placing the optic on the back burner. Either way you go it sounds like you got a good rifle started. Your brother will be very satisfied. Thank him for his service and thank you and your family for supporting him.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by JustMatt View Post
    from what I gleamed of from your first post was that this was to be a "welcome home" gift to your brother and you wanted it to be bomb proof and "top shelf". I would say just buy him a Noveske or DD gun, but I beleive you wanted some uniqueness to the gun as well. That was my reasoning for placing the optic on the back burner. Either way you go it sounds like you got a good rifle started. Your brother will be very satisfied. Thank him for his service and thank you and your family for supporting him.
    Thanks, I get where you're coming from Matt. I want to give my bro a warm welcome home and with the help that you guys are giving me, that's exactly what it'll be. I appreciate the time You, Rob, and Paul took out to view my post and voice your opinions. I will relay the message of gratitude and duty of my bro's service to him in his next care package!

    Thank you guys alot- I'll take all comments/suggestions into consideration when building this fine piece of weaponry. I've already started the process and will keep you updated on the steps needed to complete this "Welcome Home" project!!
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

  14. #14
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    your welcome and don't forget to post some pics.

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    Well, I cant wait to post some pick as the build goes on... Let alone see my brothers face when he shoots it! I know it wont be as good as stick's pics that he posts- but i'll try my best....
    A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.
    -Admiral David D. Porter, USN

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