I've wanted to build an AR15 for some time, and with some insurance money that I had left over after repairs, from an accident at which I wasn't at fault, I decided to go for it.
First off, I am 20 so I can't own a lower receiver, but I can buy the rest of the rifle. So I am putting together an upper to use on friends lower receivers when we go to the range.
I ended up getting a matching upper and bolt carrier group from spikes tactical. The upper is forged by Cerro forge (has the keyhole marking), and the BCG is an M16 BCG which is pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected. The spikes lower is made by the parent company that makes the bushmaster lowers. All the functioning parts are mil-spec, good solid parts. These were ordered directly from Spikes Tactical.
I decided on the ACE skeleton stock. I ordered it from del-ton with a rifle length buffer, tube, and spring, as it is a rifle length stock. I wish I could have had a collapsible stock but this seems like it will provide comfortable cheek weld, and it is pretty damn light. It also has a rubber recoil pad on the butt, not that 5.56 or .223 gives much recoil. I am looking forward to trying it out on the rifle.
For the barrel I went with a 14.5 inch Sabre Defense barrel with a mid length instead of a carbine gas system. Mid-length gas systems are hard to find on shorter barrels but most people seem to like them much more than the "violent" carbine length gas systems. As you probably recognize, 14.5 inches is NFA, but I have to pin a muzzle brake over the threading anyway as it is a post ban rifle, so it will come to 16 inches with the extended A2 comp I ordered. The barrel is from ADDAX Tactical and has still not come in. It shipped right when I ordered it but stupid UPS had a delay in cali and rescheduled the arrival date. Oh well.
The foreend is really the only part I "skimped" on, though I don't believe I did. I went with a full rifle length diamond quad rail from YHM. I ordered this from brightflashlights, a store that used to have an ebay store but I found in a thread on AR15.com. I have to say they had incredible customer service as well as unbeatable prices. Really above and beyond. It was clearly a family operation, and a great one at that. As for my remarks on the quality of the YHM forearm... It cost 130 bucks shipped, granted it lists for about 180. I don't know why you need a 400 dollar forearm. I really don't. I put it on the upper just to see how it lined up and its perfect. I have no issue with it. Maybe its a couple ounces heavier than the competition but I'd rather save my $250. On some of the machining u can see that all the edges aren't razor sharp, but its not noticeable unless your looking for it. Overall, fit and finish is just as good as the rest of the parts. I definitely would recomend them unless you need a LaRue.
I decided to get a forend grip while I was at it. I picked up the grip pod S02 version (with the metal not composite legs) for 50 bucks shipped on ebay. A little heavy but hey, it was the same price as a lot of other grips, it is comfortable, and the pop out bipod while may not be for snipers, will more than do the job. Gotta say I really like it. Also want to mention a lot of Marines I know who have used them in theater like em. I have used them and seen them used before as issued gear and liked them. Also, the bipod unscrews if the weight really bothers you.
As far as the "little" parts go. I just had bright flashlights send me a mid length gas tube as they had one in stock when I ordered the forend. I got the BCM gunfighter charging handle, an extended A2 compensator, and a YHM low profile gas block from bravo company USA. Another incredible company. Compared to the CHs I've used on the M16, this thing is awesome. I threw it in the upper just for fun, MUCH more solid.
Finally, for back up irons, I went with the new Magpul MBUS polymer backup sights. Haven't received them yet, but they have nothing but great reviews. The other option was the Troys, which are actually machined metal, but at 300 for the set vs 70 shipped for the magpuls, I decided on the MBUS setup. If I decide they need to be upgraded in the future, so be it. But for now, from all I have read, they are a GREAT flip up sight. I ordered these from superior defense solutions
I'll keep you all posted. This probably won't be getting assembled for another month or so due to school, and having to coordinate with my girlfriends father, who is away for a while. I also have arranged to borrow the tools from a member here. I will post a DIY as I go. Feel free to ask questions and give advice.
I also want to mention that every company I mentioned here had better customer service than anyone I've dealt with about anything I've ever owned in the past. All were incredible in that regard. I really was surprised. If it wasn't operating hours, they always got back to me via email and answered all my questions. I wouldn't hesitate to do business with any of them again.
Take care all,
Mike
First off, I am 20 so I can't own a lower receiver, but I can buy the rest of the rifle. So I am putting together an upper to use on friends lower receivers when we go to the range.
I ended up getting a matching upper and bolt carrier group from spikes tactical. The upper is forged by Cerro forge (has the keyhole marking), and the BCG is an M16 BCG which is pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected. The spikes lower is made by the parent company that makes the bushmaster lowers. All the functioning parts are mil-spec, good solid parts. These were ordered directly from Spikes Tactical.
I decided on the ACE skeleton stock. I ordered it from del-ton with a rifle length buffer, tube, and spring, as it is a rifle length stock. I wish I could have had a collapsible stock but this seems like it will provide comfortable cheek weld, and it is pretty damn light. It also has a rubber recoil pad on the butt, not that 5.56 or .223 gives much recoil. I am looking forward to trying it out on the rifle.
For the barrel I went with a 14.5 inch Sabre Defense barrel with a mid length instead of a carbine gas system. Mid-length gas systems are hard to find on shorter barrels but most people seem to like them much more than the "violent" carbine length gas systems. As you probably recognize, 14.5 inches is NFA, but I have to pin a muzzle brake over the threading anyway as it is a post ban rifle, so it will come to 16 inches with the extended A2 comp I ordered. The barrel is from ADDAX Tactical and has still not come in. It shipped right when I ordered it but stupid UPS had a delay in cali and rescheduled the arrival date. Oh well.
The foreend is really the only part I "skimped" on, though I don't believe I did. I went with a full rifle length diamond quad rail from YHM. I ordered this from brightflashlights, a store that used to have an ebay store but I found in a thread on AR15.com. I have to say they had incredible customer service as well as unbeatable prices. Really above and beyond. It was clearly a family operation, and a great one at that. As for my remarks on the quality of the YHM forearm... It cost 130 bucks shipped, granted it lists for about 180. I don't know why you need a 400 dollar forearm. I really don't. I put it on the upper just to see how it lined up and its perfect. I have no issue with it. Maybe its a couple ounces heavier than the competition but I'd rather save my $250. On some of the machining u can see that all the edges aren't razor sharp, but its not noticeable unless your looking for it. Overall, fit and finish is just as good as the rest of the parts. I definitely would recomend them unless you need a LaRue.
I decided to get a forend grip while I was at it. I picked up the grip pod S02 version (with the metal not composite legs) for 50 bucks shipped on ebay. A little heavy but hey, it was the same price as a lot of other grips, it is comfortable, and the pop out bipod while may not be for snipers, will more than do the job. Gotta say I really like it. Also want to mention a lot of Marines I know who have used them in theater like em. I have used them and seen them used before as issued gear and liked them. Also, the bipod unscrews if the weight really bothers you.
As far as the "little" parts go. I just had bright flashlights send me a mid length gas tube as they had one in stock when I ordered the forend. I got the BCM gunfighter charging handle, an extended A2 compensator, and a YHM low profile gas block from bravo company USA. Another incredible company. Compared to the CHs I've used on the M16, this thing is awesome. I threw it in the upper just for fun, MUCH more solid.
Finally, for back up irons, I went with the new Magpul MBUS polymer backup sights. Haven't received them yet, but they have nothing but great reviews. The other option was the Troys, which are actually machined metal, but at 300 for the set vs 70 shipped for the magpuls, I decided on the MBUS setup. If I decide they need to be upgraded in the future, so be it. But for now, from all I have read, they are a GREAT flip up sight. I ordered these from superior defense solutions
I'll keep you all posted. This probably won't be getting assembled for another month or so due to school, and having to coordinate with my girlfriends father, who is away for a while. I also have arranged to borrow the tools from a member here. I will post a DIY as I go. Feel free to ask questions and give advice.
I also want to mention that every company I mentioned here had better customer service than anyone I've dealt with about anything I've ever owned in the past. All were incredible in that regard. I really was surprised. If it wasn't operating hours, they always got back to me via email and answered all my questions. I wouldn't hesitate to do business with any of them again.
Take care all,
Mike
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