My Stickman AR Build-Complete (with pics)

[alamo5000]

I took my first shots with this new build today. I won the CMT Billet UPR4 from Stickman and now look what I got

I did not take my time carefully editing the photos.. I just took something half decent and went with it. But you get the idea.

The concept behind the gun was to have a mid range weapon that can engage 300 yards in and do so accurately. I have a lot to say about the parts I chose and why I chose them, but for now you can look and see and if you have questions feel free to ask away.

[alamo5000]

Parts list:

from the front to the back.

SLR Rifleworks Synergy BCF muzzle brake/flash hider.
Rainier Arms 16" select medcon 1:8 polygonal twist barrel
SLR Rifleworks 14" M-Lok Solo Lite hand guard
Rainier Arms match grade low profile gas block and a melonited Seekins gas tube.
CMT UPR4 billet slick side upper with dust cover.
Strike Industries polymer ultimate dust cover
Aero Precision SPR scope mount
Bushnell 1-4X throwdown scope.
CMT Billet lower
Seekins mag release button and enhanced bolt catch
Rainier Arms Phosphate BCG
CMC 3.5 lb single stage trigger
BAD safety selector
Magpul grip
Rainier Arms Raptor charging handle
Magpul ACS-L milspec stock
Daniel defense QD plate right in front of the castle nut
Not pictured, Magpul MS3 single QD sling

[Pyzik]

if you have questions feel free to ask away.

What's up with the selector?

VERY cool build. I like the look of the strike dust cover with the billet set.

[DutyUse]

Looks really good

[alamo5000]

What's up with the selector?

VERY cool build. I like the look of the strike dust cover with the billet set.

I bought that strike industries dust cover from amazon. I have a metal one too, but the strike industries one is just awesome. I really like it not only for look but for function. It's all self contained so you can depress one end and snap it in place and it's there. I would not use a metal one if I can help it.

Also I put the selector on this side up like that on purpose because I didn't like it touching my hand. I might invest in a short/thin replacement for that side of the rifle. It works pretty good as is. I might play around with it first but who knows.

[alamo5000]

Looks really good

Not bad for a first timer. This was my first ever build.

Thank you!!

[Pyzik]

I bought that strike industries dust cover from amazon. I have a metal one too, but the strike industries one is just awesome. I really like it not only for look but for function. It's all self contained so you can depress one end and snap it in place and it's there. I would not use a metal one if I can help it.

Also I put the selector on this side up like that on purpose because I didn't like it touching my hand. I might invest in a short/thin replacement for that side of the rifle. It works pretty good as is. I might play around with it first but who knows.

I've been considering ordering one of their dust covers just to try it.

I was teasing you, didn't realize it was on purpose. I'll say that I had the short selector on that side and swapped it out for a long thin one. MUCH better. I hated it toughing my hand too.

[alamo5000]

Right now my biggest problem is I can't seem to get the roll pin for the gas block all the way flush. It's about 1mm or a half a mm sticking out on one side. I don't know any special tricks to get it flush other than to just bang on it more but I don't want to mess up my gas block either.

[alamo5000]

I've been considering ordering one of their dust covers just to try it.

I was teasing you, didn't realize it was on purpose. I'll say that I had the short selector on that side and swapped it out for a long thin one. MUCH better. I hated it toughing my hand too.

The dust cover is a no brainer. Its fantastic. I really really like it. It doesn't have things engraved all over the open side but who cares? It works better than a metal one.

For the selector lever I might get a long thin one or a short thin one... but for now it's pretty functional. I can swap out that selector lever any time.

[Computalotapus]

Looks good

[WHSmithIV]

Looks like it came out REALLY nice. I like that CMC flat trigger also. How did it do at the range?

[alamo5000]

Looks like it came out REALLY nice. I like that CMC flat trigger also. How did it do at the range?

The flat trigger is much nicer than a curved one, at least for my uses and preferences. If I was a cop or some spec ops dude who wore big gloves all the time maybe not... but the trigger has several advantages. Most of the time when trying to cap off a precise shot it's the shooter that screws it up. Finger placement whether it be too shallow or too deep can pull a shot off target...with this trigger it's MUCH easier to develop muscle memory (even if it is just your finger). Secondly the flat pull seems shorter merely because of the design shape. There is very little take up with this trigger as well. I mean like maybe a mm or two. So for me, I know when the thing is going to go bang and I will know if my finger is in the right spot or not. There is also very little if any 'slippage' of my finger on the trigger.

If I ever were to find my way into a shootout there might be other options to consider, but since I am going to be plinking and such albeit a bit more than that, it's more down the alley of where I wanted to take my build. IE pretty precise shots within 0-300 yard range. The 3.5 lb pull is also just about perfect. If I want to shoot a coyote at 200 yards I can do that with this build NO PROBLEM.

As for official range time I only loaded about half a mag and went to the back yard, IE 100 feet from my back door and took a few shots to make sure the gun cycles right, extracts, and this or that... I can shoot up to about 150 yards in the back yard without any problem... we shoot skeet all the time, but when I get a chance in the next day or two I might go down to an indoor range and use their lead sled and zero the scope in.

I can say this though, it felt really good to shoot. Much nicer than some of the other AR's I have shot... and whole lot of that has to do with the trigger. There also might be a large element of self satisfaction in there too

I have to say building this AR was a learning experience. I now things now that I didn't know before, but I also can say hands down it was probably one of the most enjoyable projects I've ever done.

[alamo5000]

Here is another interesting tidbit on this optic that I chose. Here is what the reticle looks like.



When you throw down to 1X on the scope it acts like a red dot. It's a first focal plane optic so no matter how you look through it if the dot is on, its on regardless of zoom level. At 1X I can easily look through this scope with both eyes open and have all my peripheral vision.

The inside edge of the horse shoe...the center dot is the zero spot, but at exactly 100 yards at 4x the inside edge of that horse shoe covers exactly 18" from side to side.

The next crosshair down is already calculated for the 223/556 bullet drop, but the width of that horizontal hair also covers 18" at 200 yards. It's a pretty cool way to range find. The "average" man size target is 18" across shoulder to shoulder.

I don't know a lot about optics but the design and features of this one will undergo a lot of testing from me So far it seems to be extremely interesting.

It can also be used with or without batteries. The reticle is etched but it can also be illuminated in your choice of red if you need it for dim conditions.

[toolboxluis00200]

man that is a bad ass crazy set up and rifle you did good

[alamo5000]

man that is a bad ass crazy set up and rifle you did good

Thank you!

I did put a whole lot of thought into what I was doing before I ever did anything. I asked a thousand questions to various people all to get a feel for what I wanted to get into... and in the end I don't think I could have come up with a more perfect setup for me than what I have now.

I do have to admit I have saved for 2 years to get an AR15...I had the money but I am disciplined on my spending. When I do something big I then treat myself to something nice. I paid off all my student loans (like zero, zip, nada anymore) so I bought myself camera gear. My car is paid in full (well I have 900 bucks left on it)... so I treated myself. I have no debt whatsoever and savings in the bank so I figured I could splurge a little on my early Christmas present. This is my reward for getting out of debt.

I am a firm believer in taking care of debt if you have any...and when I do, I reward myself.

All in all I got this entire rig for about $1800 including the optic. I made some minor mistakes on the deal and had to make some educated guesses on other things, but overall I am very pleased with what I built. The parts I have are all superb. Rainier Arms makes great stuff. Magpul makes great stuff. SLR Rifleworks....OMG. Aero precision... that was a very good call (suggested by someone here at WEVO)....the optic I just read about a few of them and figured for $200 bucks with a highly rated optic I would do fine... (thank goodness for Amazon reviews LOL)... The trigger... I made an educated guess and I am very very pleased. The trigger is one of my favorite parts...