Gotta Build an AR-15

[ScottDLS]

Hi CHL'ers -

I knew the AR-15 pistol thing was going to backfire....now thankfully ATF has backed off on the SS109 green tip ban....for now. Just ordered 1000 rd of steel core from Ammoman.

Anyway I now need to build an AR15/M16 for zombie fighting

I want the US Army/Marine Corps M4 duty weapon (minus the full auto, since I can't afford 15000 USD). So I see that new guns have the Picatinny rail grip, I'm generally averse to crapware on my rifles. But I'd like to have laser red dot scope. Understand that the M4 is officially 15 1/2" long so therefore a SBR. I would like the 16" version which I believe flash hider qualifies. What "lower" do you guys recommend? I was thinking Bushmaster? Then the barrel with the thin/thick thing. I haven't done the AR15 thing since the 90's when I had to buy a 'pre-ban".

Here's to my 20 odd 30rd "big clips".

-Scott

[jmra]

I believe the flash suppressor added to the 15 1/2" barrel only qualifies if it is permanently attached. It can't be just the screw on type.

[omegaman]

Check out Aero Precision and Palmetto State Armory.

[Scott B.]

There are so many AR options now, pick what makes you happy. The brace/not a brace thing and the ammo attack aside, AR pistols are still viable.

On rails. Current trend appears to be away from the full picatinny and toward keymod or mlock [mounting systems] for reduced weight and grip comfort. The idea being that you mount your rail section or device only where you need it. There are also hybrids that have slick sides and picatinny rails only on the biz end.

Pinned flash hider on the barrel (Bushmaster does that a lot) meets the legal carbine length. Unless you're building a pistol, you won't have problem finding legal barrel length/upper.

Lowers. Hard to go really wrong unless you get a crappy polymer lower or some odd duck design too far away from milspec. There's a huge number of branded lowers, but only a small handful of companies actually making them. Bushmaster is good to go, others may disagree.

Barrel profile. If weight's a big issue, go pencil. Otherwise, go standard M4 profile or bull. Just remember to get a matching size gas block.

On the plus side, prices are down and the market is flush with stock and options. If you don't like the first one you put together, build another!

[MechAg94]

Check out Aero Precision and Palmetto State Armory.

This.

Palmetto State Armory occasionally has lowers and complete lowers for sale under $200. The last ones were $130. That is very hard to beat. Get on their email list. The lower doesn't really have to be anything special IMO. Put a good trigger and stock on it and it will function fine. Unless you just want the cheapest rifle you can get, the upper is where I would put the investment. PSA has some 308 complete lowers for under $200.

The advantage of Aero Precision for me is I can buy them face to face at Primary Arms in Pearland and avoid shipping and transfer.

IMO, the only reason to get a name brand lower receiver is that it helps the resale value sometimes. With the prices on the cheap lowers right now, I can't justify doing that.

[comp73]

For complete uppers, check out Bravo Company USA. Comparable price wise to Aero, but you get more options and they actually have em in stock.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR15-Upp ... ps-s/1.htm