Explain your AR15 layout...

[hwaya]

Goal was to make an AR with the essentials: sights, grip, sling and light. The VTAC rail was a perfect selection, as you can see, I don't use much rail at all. I was never a fan of the thickness of rail panels covering unused rail.

Specs:
BCM 16" BFH barrel upper w/ standard birdcage flashhider
VTAC Troy TRX extreme rail 13"
VTAC E2D in light mount
LMT Irons
Aimpoint H1 on Larue mount
Tango Down stubby QD grip
VTAC sling
PRI latch charging handle
Kaiser Defense Lower w/ Vltor Stock
Magpul MOE grip

[chazthebiker]

Well, I have finally learned how to post a pic so I can finally reply to this thread.

My first "assembly" is pictured below (June 2010). Like others here, I am sure, I started out thinking that putting a rifle together myself would allow me to become an AR owner on the cheap. It didn't turn out that way. The first rendition of that first rifle is as follows:
1. Mega Billet Upper / Lower Matched Set

I wanted a billet upper and lower simply for asthetic purposes. I considered several brands, including Sun Devil, and even considered a Titanium set until I saw the price was in the thousands of dollars for the Titanium upper / lower set. Should I ever win the lottery, I'll go for it. Otherwise, NO WAY!

2. Spike's Tactical Enhanced LPK

I actually purchased a stainless steel LPK online. It was horrible. The parts were rough and the bolt catch was bent and useless. Seriously, the pins in the kit looked like they had the ends ground on a bench grinder. The company I purchased from sent a new bolt catch. Then the function check failed (disconnector not releasing hammer). I then ordered a kit from Armalite... same problem. This was all tied to the safety selector and trigger somehow and everyone kept telling me to buy selectors until I found one that worked. It was driving me nuts. Something was out of spec. I drove down to Spike's Tactical in Apopka, Florida and purchased their Enhanced LPK. The kit is pricey for sure ($149), but you know what? Eveything looks professionally produced, pristine, and it worked first try. It was worth the extra money and I will never buy an LPK from anyone else.

3. Noveske Recon 16" Stainless Steel Barrel 1:7 Twist 5.56mm

This was a hard decision. I only get to see my rifles a week or two out of each year because of my work. Florida has high humidity and there would not be anyone around to oil up my weapons while I am gone. I always try to purchase stainless hand guns for that reason. It made sense to buy a stainless steel barrel for the same reason. I chose Noveske because of the product's reputation for accuracy.

4. Larue 13" Quad Rail

This decision is one I wish I had not made. The product is great. No doubt about it. At the time I made this decision I had been reading what folks said on another website. These folks were rabid fans of Larue's products. In fact, some of them are quite irrational fans. Question anything about Larue and they act as though they caught you sleeping with both their mother and their little sister at the same time. They have even named themselves "Pack Larue". Guys, the rail system does not work with the Mega Machine Shop Billet uppers. That isn't a problem because there are other choices. However, Larue is aware of this and does not state the fact in the product description. Since I am only home a few weeks a year I had a real disappointment with this when I did get home and start assembling my rifle. Yeah, I could have returned it. That is not the point to me. To me, Larue should put this fact in the product description. I have since switched to a Mega Monolithic Upper on this rifle and used the Larue rail on a forged Noveske set where it works great. I do not, however, like the gap the Larue rail leaves between the upper receiver rail and the forend rail.

5. Larue Tactical M16 BCG (yeah, I know)

What can I say, I had not read "The Chart" yet.

6. Magpul UBR Stock

Heavy duty looking, and that is what I like about it.

7. Larue Heavy Duty Chrome Silicon Buffer Spring

Seems to be a very good spring and I have purchased two more. Is it better than the $5 springs? Heck, I have no idea but would love to hear from others concerning this.

8. Magpul Miad Pistol Grip

I read lots of good reviews.

9. Rainier Arms XTreme Compensator

I like the way it looks, read some good reviews too. It is loud as heck though! Guys at the range complained about the bark so I have replaced it with a cheap flash hider for now.

10. Mega Tactical Trigger

To be honest, this was a brand new product at the time. What do I like best about it? The heavy, beefy look and the holes drilled in it. I may switch to a Timney one day.

11. Troy Folding Battle Sights

These have a very good reputation. After getting them I could see why. They are very well made.

12. XTM Panels

I like the idea of being able to switch around colors for a camo look.

13. Mega Billet Charging Handle

Matches the upper and lower.

14. Standard Buffer

Have switched to an H buffer.

15. Magpul P-Mags

Reputation and the way they look. Mine have functioned flawlessly.

Now, the problems:
1. The Larue rail DOES NOT WORK with the Mega Billet setup. Yeah, it goes on but the keeper does not fit properly. In fact, the keeper doesn't fit at all. This makes it extremely difficult to line things up or assure no rotation of the handguard as you use it. My solution was to go with a Mega Monolithic upper. The result is below:




The Monolithic setup looks very clean to me.

[chazthebiker]

After the trading out the Larue handguard for a Mega Monolithic upper on my first assembly I had to find something to do with the Larue handguard. This time I assembled:

1. Noveske Upper / Lower forged matched set.

Noveske barrels have a stellar reputation so I went with their forged upper / lower matched set from Rainier Arms for this build

2. WOA 18" Stainless Barrel in 6.8 SPC

I use Rainier Arms almost exclusively for my parts and did not see a Noveske barrel listed in 6.8 SPC so I purchased this White Oak Armament Barrel. I thought Noveske wassn't making a barrel in 6.8. I was wrong. See what happens when you get in a hurry? I am, though, very happy with the performance of this WOA barrel. No regrets here.

3. Spike's Tactical M16 BCG (6.8 Bolt)

Spike's is good stuff.

4. Salor's Machine 6.8 SPC Flash Hider

It was on clearance and very inexpensive. It works just fine!

5. Magpul ACS Stock

This is a good stock and more than $100 cheaper than the UBR. However, I like the UBR better and have since switched to it.

6. Standard Buffer

This has been replaced with an H2 buffer.

7. Heavy Duty Chrome Silicon Spring from Laue Tactical

I really like and trust this spring from Larue, though I would like thoughts from others as to whether or not it is really better then the $5 springs you see being sold.

8. Larue Tactical 13" Quadrail

This rail is the whole purpose of the build. It didn't fit the Mega Billet upper so had to use it here. It is a very nice rail, but I have come to dislike (detest) that gap the attachment method leaves between the rail and upper receiver along the top of the weapon.

9. Spike's Tactical Enhanced LPK with Ergo Grip

The Spike's Tactical Enhanced LPK is superior quality parts compared to the other LPK's I have tried.

10. Barrett 6.8 SPC Magazines

Better reputation than C-Products and PRI had at the time. Magpul does not yet manufacture a 6.8 SPC magazine.

11. Troy Industries fixed iron sights (YUCK!)

They work. Just hate that they don't fold. This will be changed.

12. WOA Charging handle (forged)

Gets the job done and the price was right.

The Troy fixed sights are temporary. Of Course, the Larue handguard fit the Noveske forged parts just fine. I also got the alignment tool from Brownells and it made things real easy and perfect. I would have gone with a Noveske 6.8 SPC barrel, but had no idea they even made one until after the job was done. On the other hand, I am extremely happy with the WOA barrel. It just would have been nice (in my opinion) to have a Noveske barrel with the Noveske upper / lower.

I have a UBR stock to replace the ACS stock. I think the UBR will balance better. I think the UBR looks better than the ACS too. The ACS is a nice stock though and I will use it in a KISS build down the road.

Have all the parts for a third rifle in 5.56mm, just need to get home one of these days to put it together. It will be just like the first 5.56, except with an LMT M16 BCG instead of the Larue BCG.

The 6.8 is the top rifle in the photo below:

[exedotbat]

This was my attempt to put together a AR that would be legal in NJ, yet gives me the freedom to change things down the road.

My main problems are I can't have a threaded barrel, flash hider, or collapsible stock.

One option was to have a brake pinned onto a barrel, but I tend to want to change things around. Having a pinned brake doesn't allow me to remove the gas block, rail, or barrel without having to cut the brake off. So that being the case I wanted to avoid having a threaded barrel all together, however non threaded barrel options in my opinion are pretty slim. As a result I ordered a White Oak Armament 18" SPR barrel with a mid length gas system. I then dropped the barrel off at my local gun smith and had him cut it down to 16" and crown it. The results are a good quality match barrel, that so far has been very accurate and reliable.

Moving forward I am running a Rainier Arms gas block, and Daniel Defense 10" Lite Rail. I went with a 10" Lite rail because it covered most of the gas block, gave me a continuous rail, and was one of the lighter one piece rails available. Everything is mated to a Rainier Arms upper and lower combo. I am very happy with the fit and finish, however I did notice that the finish does scratch a little bit easier than other lowers I have handled.

The upper is filled with a LMT Bolt Carrier Group, and BCM Large Latch Gunfighter charging handle.

The lower is filled with a JP Lower parts kit minus trigger group, and I am running a Rock River Arms 2 Stage Trigger group.
I went with this combo because it was a very cost effective way to run a 2 stage trigger. I am also running the BAD selector switch, and Miad Grip which was a leftover from another build.

The Stock assembly is a Magpul CTR which I ordered from Spikes, and includes their ST-T2 buffer. I pinned the stock in the 3rd position, and the CTR clamps down on the buffer tube so there is no play.

In the photo I am running my friends magpul mbus sights, but I am running Samson BUIS. So far I like them, however I had to get the rear one replaced because it kept popping up with recoil. Customer service was top notch and replaced with no questions asked. I just mounted them back up, so I will have to see how it holds up.

As for optics, I am running an Aimpoint PRO, I went with the PRO mainly because of the price point and features, and I am extremely happy with it so far.

Run Down of the specs

• Rainier Arms Stripped Upper and Lower
• WOA 18" SPR Barrel, Mid Length, 223 Wylde, 1/7 Twist
• JP Lower Parts Kit (Without Trigger)
• Rock River Arms 2 stage trigger
• BAD Selector Switch (Standard / Short)
• Magpul Miad Grip
• BCM Gun Fighter Charging Handle Large
• LMT Full Auto BCG
• 10" Daniel Defense Lite Rail
• Magpul AFG
• Magpul CTR Stock (Package from Spikes)
• Samson BUIS
• Aimpoint PRO
• 5.11 Sling (Hand me down)

[chazthebiker]

Here are a few more shots. I managed to rent a car and go home this weekend. While there, I went ahead and swapped out the ACS stock with the new UBR stock on the 6.8 rifle. Also, I removed the xtm panels.

If there is one bit of advice I could give the aspiring assembler it would be this; Take your time and get what you really want from the very beginning. Don't settle for anything else. On the 6.8 build I settled for the ACS stock and the Troy fixed sights. Let me first say that there is not a thing in the world wrong with these parts. They work and the price is right. I bought them, though, because I was in a rush to complete the rifle at a time when my cash flow was running low. Now I have ncurred extra expense replacing the ACS with the UBR I really wanted. I will incur further extra expense replacing the Troy fix sights with folding sights later. So what I am saying is, build your rifle to your liking and do not settle for something else just because you have to at the moment. There is no right or wrong on most parts choices, and there is such a variety of parts that you ought to be able to build exactly what is right for YOU and your needs. That is all that matters. My rifles are heavy. I like that. Yours will be what you like.

[Rusty_ Shackleford]

This started out as a 6.5 Grendel build but after agonizing over the configuration options and factoring in ammo cost I come to realize I was going to end up with a $3500.00 safe queen because it is too expensive to shoot. So this build just kept getting set aside for other things and enough is enough! There are so many builds I want too do besides the CB build. Example, I want a all Daniel Defense rifle, a KISS rifle, a 14.5" middy and lets not forget the CB build but times are tough so compromise and consolidation are at work but it is a compromise I can live with........



Upper:
Quentin Defense Billet Upper (Chatterbox Limited Edition)
DD CHF Govt. Profiled 14.5" Mid-Length
DD Omega X 9.0 Free Float Rail
DD A1.5 BUIS
DD Charging Handle
BCM BCG (will replace with DD when they are available again)
BCM A2X (pinned and welded)
Larue Index Clips
Surefire X300
Built by ADCO

Lower:
Quentin Defense Billet Lower (Chatterbox Limited Edition)
DD Lower Parts Kit
DD Receiver Extension
DD H Buffer and Spring
DD Single Point End Plate
Armalite Adjustable 2 Stage Trigger
Ergo Sure Grip
RRA Ambi-Star Safety (will be replacing with BAD ASS)
Magpul CTR (may replace with SOPMOD)
Magpul PMAG
Built By Rusty

[chazthebiker]

That is a good looking rifle Rusty! I especially like the name engraving on the dust cover. Good idea!

[Rusty_ Shackleford]

That is a good looking rifle Rusty! I especially like the name engraving on the dust cover. Good idea!

Thank you Sir!

[Aragorn]

Very very slick Rusty. I like the crescent moon styled cross hairs in particular

[Rusty_ Shackleford]

Very very slick Rusty. I like the crescent moon styled cross hairs in particular

Thanks!

Here are some additional photo's of the individual internal parts........

BCM Carrier Group (Unmarked Carrier):




Armalite 2 Stage Trigger:



DD H Buffer:


Take Down Pin Captive Detent and Spring Mod:

[Quib]

Update from above: Swapped out the FDE GEN1 Front MBUS for a Black GEN2 and went with Ladder Rail Covers.

[xbmxracerx]

Zombie go bag........

[IMG][/IMG]

Daniel Defense DDM4v3 : Trijicon RCO-M4CP ACOG w/ A.R.M.S. #19 LD mount : Bravo Company Gunfighter Mod 4 charging handle : Troy/Spike's rear BUIS : Spike's M16 BCG : Spike's ST-T2 buffer : Spike's billet trigger guard : Spike's forward grip : Battle Arms Development ambi safety : YHM 5C2 flash hider : Surefire M300A miniscout weapon light w/ SR-07 dual switch : Magpul B.A.D. lever : Magpul P-Mags w/ ranger plates : Magpul MOE stock w/ enhanced pad : Hogue pistol grip.......Kershaw/Daniel Defense knife.....

[xbmxracerx]

My Zombie go bag.........

[IMG][/IMG]

Specs:

Daniel Defense DDM4v3 : Trijicon RCO-M4CP ACOG w/ A.R.M.S. #19 LD mount : Bravo Company Gunfighter Mod 4 charging handle : Troy/Spike's rear BUIS : Spike's M16 BCG : Spike's ST-T2 buffer : Spike's billet trigger guard : Spike's forward grip : Battle Arms Development ambi safety : YHM 5C2 flash hider : Surefire M300A miniscout weapon light w/ SR-07 dual switch : Magpul B.A.D. lever : Magpul P-Mags w/ ranger plates : Magpul MOE stock w/ enhanced pad : Hogue pistol grip.......Kershaw/Daniel Defense knife.....

[Koshinn]

Update from above: Swapped out the FDE GEN1 Front MBUS for a Black GEN2 and went with Ladder Rail Covers.

What magazine is that? Why not a CTR? What advantages do the MBUS gen2 have over gen1?

[Koshinn]

Theory - A relatively light weight SBR running a piston system. This failed, as Adams Arms complete uppers come with a thick barrel, a heavy rail, and of course a giant gas block, pushing the rifle to 8.5 lbs unloaded.

Noveske stripped lower receiver - Chose this because Noveske has a reputation for outstanding quality control and parts made to spec. They also have a great military discount. It’s expensive for a forged lower, but coming from a carbon-composite Bushmaster lower receiver, I figured a little extra money is worth it. And I like the roll mark.
Daniel Defense lower parts kit - You get what you pay for, and Daniel Defense is one of the premier AR manufacturers with a proven track record. This also comes with a Magpul MOE trigger guard. I ended up replacing most of this kit anyway, so I should've bought my LPK in pieces.
Noveske quick disconnect end plate - After having tried a Magpul CTR stock with sling mount at the back, I’ve decided I like the sling at the back of the lower receiver instead of on the stock, so this became a natural choice. After getting this, I was beginning to notice a trend with this build…
KNS anti-rotate pins - It’s a SBR lower, so while many people claim these don’t do anything, I also have heard stories of trigger or hammer pins breaking or walking, so this is cheap peace of mind. I don’t mind the looks, but whatever.
YHM EZ takedown pins - I don’t really have finger nails and the stock pins were really hard to get out, so I got these to take down my rifle without using a bullet to push in the pins. I store my rifle taken down, so I do this a bit more than a normal person I guess.
Magpul B.A.D. lever - I like the ergonomics having everything at my fingertips. Not shown in the picture; I just took it off to try without it.
Magpul MOE pistol grip - The notch in the stock grip doesn’t work well with my smaller hands, so this was much more comfortable. It also has a storage core.
Magpul MOE stock - As I wasn’t going to need the CTR for the rear sling quick disconnect socket and the friction clamp wasn’t badly needed, the MOE stock was a fine choice. It’s also one of the lightest stocks available, and the standard stock didn’t fit well with me.

Adams Arms 11.5” Tactical Elite complete upper receiver - I was sold on the Adams Arms piston system after doing research into a few other companies. I like how the Adams Arms system is simple and effective, with a lot of thought going into every aspect of the upper, except maybe the rail system. The Samson Mfg free float rail is much heavier than the equivalent Daniel Defense rail. 11.5” was chosen because it’s pretty much the perfect size for a SBR, and I did want an SBR.
Noveske (Vltor/BCM) Gunfighter charging handle - Charging handles break, these don’t break as easily using only the support hand to operate the charging handle. Also of note, it was slightly cheaper to buy the Noveske-branded version than the Vltor/BCM one.
Aimpoint T-1 - Light weight, durable, long battery life. I was having buyers remorse on getting the T-1 until I saw that Daniel Defense torture test video... now I think it was a smart buy.
Larue riser - Absolute co-witness, saves a little weight over the LT660. I run irons down.
Primary Arms 3x magnifier - Much cheaper than the equivalent Aimpoint or Eotech magnifier. I don't generally leave it on the weapon all the time, but that's why I spaced my T-1 the way I did. Also looking to get an American Defense flip to side mount.
Noveske (Troy) backup iron sights - They’re extremely common for a reason; they’re rock solid. Like the charging handle, it was cheaper to buy the Noveske branded version than the Troy one, and it conveniently went with my Noveske theme. I would’ve used Magpul backup sights, but the way the upper is made, I’d have to put them on the gas block, which gets very hot. This is also why the TLR-1 is not mounted at 12 o'clock.
Streamlight TLR-1 - It works. My pistol also uses the TLR-1, so I like the battery and part compatibility. It is also cheaper than a Surefire X300 for basically the same product.
Blue Force Tactical VCAS padded sling - I tried the Magpul MS2, but I thought it was too thin and I didn’t like the way the sling attached to the weapon. They pretty much want you to use their ASAP and RSA for their sling… but since my rail came with a sling attachment point and I got the Noveske end plate already, I decided to go with the VCAS. It’s also padded, which helps a lot, and I’d only use it as a 2-point sling anyway, so the MS2 wasn’t needed. It's not shown in the pictures.

Future:
Battlecomp 2.0... They're out of stock everywhere
Magpul Enhanced Rubber Butt-Pad
BADASS