Build or buy an AR15 in MA with these requirements

T

Twinkie1982

Joined
Oct 22, 2012
Messages
79
Likes
9
Feedback: 3 / 0 / 0
Hey, NES.

Tax season is upon us and I am planning on buying or building an AR15. I understand the notion of FFL'ing a lower and buying a complete upper so long as it's all MA compliant. I'm new to the AR15 platform and am seeking some guidance.

I'm planning on using this at my local range (100 yd. max), possibly hunting, and if necessary, home defense.

Based on my research, I think I want an AR15 with these features:
  • 5.56
  • 16" barrel preferred but open to 18"
  • Flat top -- don't want any sights on there whatsoever that I don't mount myself (this would be an A3 upper, right?)
  • Dust cover
  • Forward assist preferred but not required
  • Chrome lined barrel
  • 1:7 twist preferred, but open to 1:8, 1:9
  • M4 feed ramps preferred, but must not be dremeled in. Feed ramps not required.
  • MPI barrel (unless this is really just hype?)
  • Free float handguard

What commercially available AR15s in MA get me in this ballpark?
Do you have a favorite complete upper manufacturer that meets the above?

What other points should I consider?

UPDATE: Ended up getting a great deal on a Windham with an upgraded stock and flip down BUIS. Thanks for your input, NES!
 
Last edited:
Do you want/need to buy locally? If not, what you are looking for is pretty simple and basic and can be found online for anywhere from $400-$600 shipped.
 
14.5 barrel perm pinned to 16 would suit you for hunting, shooting to 100 yds (and beyond) and home defense without NFAing it.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
 
Synyster said:
Do you want/need to buy locally? If not, what you are looking for is pretty simple and basic and can be found online for anywhere from $400-$600 shipped.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'd prefer to buy locally to give my LGS some business. Is there a particular MA compliant model I should be looking for? It seems everyone makes some type of AR-15, but not everyone makes ones that meet the above that are MA compliant. I was hoping someone on NES purchased something similar in the northeastern region of MA semi-recently.

I'm a bit fuzzy on the lower receiver piece -- are virtually all lower receivers FFL OK for MA?
 
For 100 yard shooting you won't benefit from a longer barrel (no need to go over 16", or a 14.5" with the perm muzzle device). Actually, with a good barrel, you should be fine out to at least a few hundred yards. Depending on the ammo you'll be using.

Why are you looking for a 1:7 twist barrel?? Are you planning on using 77 grain projectiles? If you're going to 62-69 grain max, the 1:8 twist will be just fine. Getting a barrel that meets your accuracy desire (1 MOA, sub-MOA, etc.) is more important IMO. A 1MOA 1:8 twist should have no issue doing what you want. Also, a chrome-moly barrel will probably be just fine for what you're looking at. Chrome lined might be just tossing $$ away. Unless you plan on running [several] hundreds of rounds through it per day.

For the rest of the features, almost all of them are pretty much standard issue. It all comes down to what your budget is.

Check out Windham Weaponry to see if they have a model that hits all your G-spots...
 
Twinkie1982 said:
Yes, I'd prefer to buy locally to give my LGS some business. Is there a particular MA compliant model I should be looking for? It seems everyone makes some type of AR-15, but not everyone makes ones that meet the above that are MA compliant. I was hoping someone on NES purchased something similar in the northeastern region of MA semi-recently.

I'm a bit fuzzy on the lower receiver piece -- are virtually all lower receivers FFL OK for MA?
Click to expand...

You may be best with just buying the complete AR since you are looking locally. Virtually all FFL's should allow a lower to be shipped in. Should be able to find a nice forged lower online for as low as $70 then another $25 to transfer it in depending on the shop.

I understand the want to give local businesses money, but you could really piece together what you are looking for online for around $600.
 
You could do a polymer lower for $50. They are fast shipping. There are videos on youtube on how to do it. A 7/16 endmill in a drill press will clean it up real well after removing the filler material. http://aresarmor.com/store/Item/Polymer-Black

There are vendors selling complete kits less receiver in the $500 +/- range or you could piece one together for less. Palmetto State Armory and JSE Surplus are good vendors. PSA takes a while to ship but they have the best deals.
 
Twinkee,

I have some thoughts. But first, its great that you put down your anticipated use as well as what you thought you wanted. So here it is:

1) Consider a stainless barrel. It is generally more accurate than a chrome lined chrome molly barrel and lasts nearly as long.
2) Yes, the flat top upper is called an A3 or M4 style upper.
3) You say free float handguard. Are you looking for something that you can put rails on? If so, that will affect what you get. I dont personally want or need anything with rails. If I want rails, I'll drill holes where I want and put a short piece of rail. But to each his own.
4) MPI barrel is not necessary. Some of the best barrels are not MPI inspected.

5) This is the biggest observaton: If you want to buy local, you are going to have a very hard time gathering all the parts. If you want to buy local, you are better off just buying a complete gun.

I sound like I'm shilling for S&W, but you could do much worse than to buy a M&P 15 sport and put a free float handguard and a $100 RRA match trigger on it. You would be into it for somewhere around $800 and will shoot with almost anything near $1200. And it will have the S&W lifetime service policy.

Don
 

Similar threads

MA Compliant question..
Replies
11
Views
669
drgrant
drgrant
Ar15 new handguard
Replies
2
Views
147
allen-1
allen-1
2024 in Review at Derr Precision
Replies
8
Views
296
fencer
fencer
Help with rust prevention on my friend's Browning Citori CXS
Replies
15
Views
433
StephDoza
S
What is the story on buying / building a short barrel rifle in Mass?
Replies
9
Views
693
Rob Boudrie
Rob Boudrie
Back
Top Bottom