My next diversion - AR Build

[itschris]

I'm sick of being constantly stressed. Work sucksthe life out of me... so does my wife.. but not in the good way. There's even stress here with the Jamie business.

So... last week I came back from the range and decided I'm going to build a new AR. I'm going to build my guilty pleasure AR with no expense or choice spared. I'm going to build exactly what I want without guilt.

I'm going to build an SBR (short barreled rifle - any rifle under a fixed barrel legnth of 16" which makes it an NFA Class 3 item). I have a Firearms Trust already so this will be the lastest edition. I'm going to build the lower, get all the necessary NFA engraving done, and just wait for my stamp.

Here's everything I ordered so far:

Noveske matched upper/lower
Guisselle SSA-E trigger group
Magpul CTR Stock
LaRue Buffer Tube and High Energy Spring
Magpul MIAD Grip
Magpul Trigger Guard
Battle Arms Ambi Safety
KNS Knock Down Pins
Daniel Defense LPK

I'm going to order and build the upper once I get my NFA stamp back:

Matched upper (from above)
Noveske 10.5" barrell (fluted by ADCO)
11" Troy Rail
Noveske KX3 Flaming Pig Brake (until the suppressor stamp comes in)
Gemtech Halo Suppressor (will replace the KX3 with a AAC Blackout quick connect brake.
LMT Enhanced Bolt and Carrier
Troy BUIS
Aimpoint T1 or Trijicon 1.5X ACOG
BCM Charging Handle

So that's it in a nutshell. I should start getting all the parts for the lower in a week or so. The matched set takes a bit longer to get, but it's supposedly going to be here next week.

For anyone who cares, I'll just post up the progress as I get stuff. Let's just talk AR's, parts, likes/dislikes, whatever.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Was it just me whom assumed AR short stands for Acoustic Research ?

But yea, I'm interested in the pieces pics and photos of assembly process - lets hope they all fit together and no "spare parts" would be left

 

[itschris]

Was it just me whom assumed AR short stands for Acoustic Research ?

But yea, I'm interested in the pieces pics and photos of assembly process - lets hope they all fit together and no "spare parts" would be left

HA! That's funny. I gravitate to one thing for awhile, get bored with it, then move on to something else to obsess on. Right now, I'm back into my gun phase. This will be fun. It'll be cool to end up with exactly what I want right down to the mag release button.

Last build I did, ended with a spring to the eyeball. There's all these little springs you gotta hold just right or they go BOOOOOIIING and are never to be found again. Luckily... and I say that with mixed emotions... the spring took off and hit me in the eye and fell back to the table. So,.. I still had the spring, but couldn't finish the build because I was blinded for a couple of days with an eye patch.

 

[GlocksRock]

Very nice, please post some pics along the way. I'm all about some guns too, but I didn't build my AR, I just bought it, much easier that way.

 

[j_garcia]

I've been shopping around for a new 1911. Haven't decided on which yet, but leaning toward a Para. The most stress relief I get these days is going up to our other property and cracking off some rounds. INSTANT and relatively inexpensive relaxation

 

[itschris]

I've been shopping around for a new 1911. Haven't decided on which yet, but leaning toward a Para. The most stress relief I get these days is going up to our other property and cracking off some rounds. INSTANT and relatively inexpensive relaxation

That's my next build. I'm going to build a new concealed carry gun. I'm going to buy a COLT lightweight commander. I'm going to strip it, then send the frame and slide out for all the machine work and finishing. The I'm gonna reassemble it with all my favorite parts.

I'd do anything to have property that I can just go out and shoot on. I hate going to the range. 90% of people there are dirtbags, morons, or some form of trash. There's always one range officer with an attitude. It's just not a lot of fun. You're lucky.

 

[its phillip]

I don't really know much about weapons in general, but I'm sure yours will be nice

I don't own any guns/weapons yet. So far I've been clay pigeon shooting once and have gone to a nearby shooting range 3 times. I've only shot about ten different weapons so far - my favorites have been an AR-15 (dunno the manufacturer, it was a range rental), Springfield XD (range rental), S&W M&P45 (range rental), and my brother in law's Kimber 1911 (shot this just this past saturday). I really want to try an XDM and hopefully purchase one if I like it as much as I liked the XD

 

[Nomo]

Was it just me whom assumed AR short stands for Acoustic Research ?

Am I the only one who's a little concerned that the post started off with "too much stress" and ended with "I'm going to make myself a gun"?

 

[itschris]

Very nice, please post some pics along the way. I'm all about some guns too, but I didn't build my AR, I just bought it, much easier that way.

I bought my first couple as complete rifles. I've changed some things on them here and there, but it's also a lot of fun to build them. I'm mean you can build just a complete lower for as little as $300.. or spend $750 or more like I am. It's just about what you want and how much you want to spend. I don't think there's a huge difference between the two, however, in any real-world matters sort of way.

 

[itschris]

I don't really know much about weapons in general, but I'm sure yours will be nice

I don't own any guns/weapons yet. So far I've been clay pigeon shooting once and have gone to a nearby shooting range 3 times. I've only shot about ten different weapons so far - my favorites have been an AR-15 (dunno the manufacturer, it was a range rental), Springfield XD (range rental), S&W M&P45 (range rental), and my brother in law's Kimber 1911 (shot this just this past saturday). I really want to try an XDM and hopefully purchase one if I like it as much as I liked the XD

I have an XD Ported .40 ca. and a .45 cal. Great gun. I got rid of my Glock once I got my XD. Nothing wrong with the Glock at all, but I just could never get a solid feel on the grip. I've got big hands and the XD's just work for me.

My 40 used to be my carry gun, but I could never feel quite comfy enough carrying a gun without a manual safety. All my training and practice had always been around the 1911 and it's just what I feel good with carrying. My XD 45 cal is my nightstand gun. 1911 45 is my carry gun.

 

[itschris]

:

Am I the only one who's a little concerned that the post started off with "too much stress" and ended with "I'm going to make myself a gun"?

Excellent point! Did not even think about that. Hmmmm....

 

[its phillip]

I have an XD Ported .40 ca. and a .45 cal. Great gun. I got rid of my Glock once I got my XD. Nothing wrong with the Glock at all, but I just could never get a solid feel on the grip. I've got big hands and the XD's just work for me.

My 40 used to be my carry gun, but I could never feel quite comfy enough carrying a gun without a manual safety. All my training and practice had always been around the 1911 and it's just what I feel good with carrying. My XD 45 cal is my nightstand gun. 1911 45 is my carry gun.

Nice. I don't mind not having a manual safety - I think the integrated grip safety is a fantastic idea. Of course, my opinion might change in the future with more experience.

This upcoming gun looks to be a great carry piece:
Springfield Armory XDS Single Stack .45ACP Micro

Whenever I get around to buying some weapons, I'll need to apply for a concealed carry license and take the classes and stuff and spend $220 or so in the process

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

sorry for off-topic:
have ya'all heard about Self-Guided Bullets?
DailyTech - Self-Guided Bullet is a Soldier's Best Friend

 

[GlocksRock]

Nice. I don't mind not having a manual safety - I think the integrated grip safety is a fantastic idea. Of course, my opinion might change in the future with more experience.

This upcoming gun looks to be a great carry piece:
Springfield Armory XDS Single Stack .45ACP Micro

Whenever I get around to buying some weapons, I'll need to apply for a concealed carry license and take the classes and stuff and spend $220 or so in the process

I saw that in a post about the recent SHOT show in Vegas, that may very well be my next gun, as long as the price is right on it.

 

[j_garcia]

Integrated grip safety is kind of one of those "to make California happy" sort of things. More or less either the dual stage trigger and/or the grip safety are both required here. My friend is a nationally ranked target shooter and he hates the grip safety. In the wrong situation, it could potentially inadvertently prevent you from firing.

I do like the XDs and was considering one, probably in a 9. The shop up the street has their rental guns that they retire and rebuild then sell used for good prices on occasion. I held the XD micro in my hand and while I like the feel, my hands are a bit big too, so it doesn't quite fit even with the grip extension. So with a full size grip, I might as well go with a longer barrel too, which is why I ended up looking at .45s

Concealed Carry is also basically non-existent here. You can get it, but it is extremely difficult. The county I live in up north just happens to be one of the few that allows it, but actually getting a permit is still pretty tough.

This is what I am considering, though I wish they offered it in bi-tone. A little smaller than full size (4.25 barrel):

Para GI LTC

 

[its phillip]

I dunno how the grip safety on the XD could prevent you from firing - you will depress it provided your hands are properly gripping the weapon. The reason why I prefer it to a normal safety is because I think a normal safety is something you might forget to hit (or miss) in a situation where you absolutely needed to fire your weapon - we are thinking the same thing (only opposite, if that makes sense)

 

[j_garcia]

I dunno how the grip safety on the XD could prevent you from firing - you will depress it provided your hands are properly gripping the weapon. The reason why I prefer it to a normal safety is because I think a normal safety is something you might forget to hit (or miss) in a situation where you absolutely needed to fire your weapon - we are thinking the same thing (only opposite, if that makes sense)

That is exactly the issue - there may be times where you don't have a good grip so it will not fire, and potentially in a situation where you need to react quickly, this could be a factor. It will vary with the design, but my buddy (who has also been building guns for many years, has applied for is FFL), says he doesn't like the idea.

 

[mhawker]

Noveske is a good choice. Great reputation and customer service. I have a N4 Light Lo-Pro. I put together the lower by myself (standard parts), but ordered a complete upper. I put on an ACOG TA31DOC.

Performed well during a carbine/ handgun class I took.

 

[Vracer111]

I dunno how the grip safety on the XD could prevent you from firing - you will depress it provided your hands are properly gripping the weapon. The reason why I prefer it to a normal safety is because I think a normal safety is something you might forget to hit (or miss) in a situation where you absolutely needed to fire your weapon - we are thinking the same thing (only opposite, if that makes sense)

That's why firearms with no extra safeties to worry about are best in stressful situations... like a Glock or HK (depending on varient setup).

I prefer my handguns with no extra safeties, rifles I'm ok with safeties. My next handgun/carry gun will be the HK P7, which is an older no longer produced striker fired compact 9mm with safety system built in to the grip but done in the best way possible...just wish they weren't so expensive for one in excellent condition (guess I could live with a B grade one for carry though!) You know it's not cheap when a magazine will run you ~ $80-$100.

HK P-7 review

 

[itschris]

Training is what let's you survive stressful situations. A safety should not impede your ability to overcome a situation. It's repetetive training. Even today when I draw my gun in practice or class, my thumb still automatically sweeps for the safety on the gun a-la 1911.

A manual safety will prevent an accidental discharge when drawing your weapon in a hurry life threatening situation.