I want a "REAL" AR-15! Is it too late? How to build an AR-15

[SpiritWalker]

Check out JD Machine... they make a great lower. San Diego, CA based company.. www.jdmachinetech.com I believe.

 

[Live2hunt]

I've got one in 6.8, build for night hog massacre in TX. I'm gonna build two more in .223. A carbine on tiger stripe stock and handguard for plinking and one for varmints.

 

[henmar77]

Check out JD Machine... they make a great lower. San Diego, CA based company.. www.jdmachinetech.com I believe.

yup they will build a whole gun if you want, and they will charge you for it to. They want 650 for a matching upper and lower or around 3 Gs for a complete gun. They do great work though. they do the tooling and machining for all the major manufactures and decided to make the move to build there own products.

 

[SpiritWalker]

There is just something special about buying AR parts from companies in CA... Brings a smile to my face I bought all my parts from www.RifleGear.com... Another CA based company..

 

[henmar77]

I'm ready to build one. Let's make this a JHO build thread or start a new one? henmar, what lowers are you looking at? Plinking and coyotes would be what I' wanting if for.

A primary hunting rifle with features that make it well rounded for mult. applications:

Hunting - varmint to big game (I use 30/06, A friend shot yotes to moose in Maine with a AR10)
Long distance bench shooting (3-4in @ 400yrds with my 270 savage, i want this or better with the AR)
Home self-defense (current bad guy eliminator is a SKS or 1911)
Tactical Scenario (I don’t have an assault rifle for this yet only my 1911)

This seems farfetched and ridiculous. However, I do not see the point of owning something that only serves one purpose when it can serve MANY. I own eight right now and I plan to sell half of them before or after this build. MODULAR is the key word! I have been researching this build since before I posted this thread and this is all possible. It is a matter of what to sacrifices for each application. I have found the parts; the only thing I am struggling with right now is the prices! Finding an upper and lower that fit my needs in that price range is tough. There are very few to choose from that are Cali Compliant. Below is a rough draft of my specs so far.

308 cal
18-20 in match bull barrel (pref. fluted) {to short you say for long distance, do your research}
Flat top upper with Picatinny, smooth(no assist, deflector or door,)
Matching lower with 3-way bullet button, (Hard to find cheap, most Cali compl. lowers are out of stock)
Fixed/collapsible stock (lightweight)
Vented Carbon hand guard with swivel (lightweight)
Self contained match trigger 4-4 ½ pounds
Self-lubricating bolt (no oil)
Aluminum Gas Block with upper/Lower Picatinny mount (lightweight)
Poly mags (lightweight)
Ambidextrous Charge handle/Safety (I shoot right and left-handed)
Accessories:
Red dot 1x, Flip- up Magnifier 3x (I have a 3x9 & 3x14 on my other rifles and have never used more than 4x even out to 400 yds)
Flip up iron sights
Detachable bipod
Detachable flash light
Detachable sling
Total weight 7-8 lbs (depending on what accessories are attached at the time)

Total so far $3000 on the cheap
Where I need to be $2000

 

[henmar77]

Here are resources on how to build an AR. Jessie Please sticky if you decide to do a build thread.

Information:
http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf - LAWS
http://www.ar15builder.com/ - Virtual Gun Builder
http://www.hoffmang.com/firearms/Sacramento-PD-OLL_Training_Bulletin-2008-11-18.pdf - California Assault Weapon Cases
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_121/413443_.html Available Parts and resources
http://308ar.com/index.html Resource
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/learn/ - How to Build AR Videos
http://blog.riflegear.com/archive/2...-ar-15---evil-black-rifle-meets-cute-and.aspx - EXAMPLE: Cali Legal AR
http://www.m4carbine.net/forum.php

Stores:
http://www.goldenstatetactical.com/
http://www.riflegear.com/default.aspx
www.brownells.com
http://www.brownells.com/
http://www.jdmachinetech.com/
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/
[URL="http://www.gandrtactical.com/"]http://www.gandrtactical.com/
[URL]http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php[/URL][/URL]

 

[Mr. Luckypants]

I have a lower made by JD and an upper by Spikes. Both metal and Pmag mags fits and runs smoothly. I have a spike ST2 buffer and a PWS comp and together they shoot like a .22lr.

My next builds will be an M16A4 clone then a middy from Bravo Company. All with JD lowers.

Oh and if you want good mil-spec AR parts at a VERY reasonble price then hit up Palmetto. They have silly good prices.

 

[henmar77]

do those lower and upper from those companys fit together?

 

[henmar77]

build it! Ive been thinking of building one myself check calguns Ive seen some good deals for uppers and lowers. do more research good luck and post up Ide like to find out more myself. I missed a turners deal for a lower for under $100 last month

this is still advertised. however if you go to riflegear.com you will have your choice of lowers instead. Unfortunetly, for me 308 options are slim and expensive!

 

[Mr. Luckypants]

do those lower and upper from those companys fit together?

Very nice fit. No gaps at all.

 

[henmar77]

So after much consideration I think i have decided to switch gears with this build. Mainly because of the lack of availible parts for the 308 platform in my budjet. Instead im going to build an AR15 with three different uppers. Not sure on all the calibers yet but suprisingly enough the cost for three calibers is comparable to one 308 build.

 

[SpiritWalker]

I'd be happy to help folks working on a build.. I have some of the special tools needed.. upper and lower vice block, pin punches, AR wrench.. I'm located in Lake Forest, CA

 

[henmar77]

Your only less than an hour away, im in Chino. I might have to take you up on that. Thanks for offering! How much did you pay for everything required to do a build?

 

[SpiritWalker]

Your only less than an hour away, im in Chino. I might have to take you up on that. Thanks for offering! How much did you pay for everything required to do a build?

oh man... dont make me add it up.. I think I stopped counting at $1300.. Lemme see if I can recall the build list..

JD Machine Lower
Daniel defense upper receiver
Daniel defense chrome lined 20" barrel 5.56 NATO
Daniel defense bolt assembly.
RRA lower parts kit
Magpul BUS sites
Magpul grip
magpul buttstock
Midwest Industries two piece free floating forearm
Magpul pmags
vertical grip.. forgot manufacturer
eotech holo sight

[video=youtube_share;FiqYVeDgNAc]http://youtu.be/FiqYVeDgNAc[/video]

 

[henmar77]

oh man... dont make me add it up.. I think I stopped counting at $1300.. Lemme see if I can recall the build list..

JD Machine Lower
Daniel defense upper receiver
Daniel defense chrome lined 20" barrel 5.56 NATO
Daniel defense bolt assembly.
RRA lower parts kit
Magpul BUS sites
Magpul grip
magpul buttstock
Midwest Industries two piece free floating forearm
Magpul pmags
vertical grip.. forgot manufacturer
eotech holo sight

[video=youtube_share;FiqYVeDgNAc]http://youtu.be/FiqYVeDgNAc[/video]

Nice. Looks like you went TAC with your build. Im going more hunting as primary.

 

[henmar77]

So has anyone started thinking about their build yet?

 

[henmar77]

I had a resource to add to this list, I did not see a way to add it to my existing post.
Here are resources on how to build an AR. Jesse Please sticky if you decide to do a build thread.

Information:

http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf - LAWS
http://www.ar15builder.com/ - Virtual AR Builder
http://www.hoffmang.com/firearms/Sac...2008-11-18.pdf - California Assault Weapon Cases
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_121/413443_.html Available Parts and resources
http://308ar.com/index.html Resource
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/learn/ - How to Build AR Videos
http://blog.riflegear.com/archive/20...-cute-and.aspx - EXAMPLE: Cali Legal AR
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=42478 – Legal Configurations
http://www.m4carbine.net/forum.php

Stores & Manufacturers:

http://www.goldenstatetactical.com/
http://www.riflegear.com/default.aspx
www.brownells.com
http://www.brownells.com/
http://www.jdmachinetech.com/
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/
http://www.gandrtactical.com/
http://palmettostatearmory.com/
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com
[URL="https://danieldefense.com/"]https://danieldefense.com/
[URL="http://www.magpul.com/"]http://www.magpul.com/
[URL="http://www.laruetactical.com/"]http://www.laruetactical.com/
[URL="http://www.tangodown.com/"]http://www.tangodown.com/
[URL="http://www.eotech-inc.com/"]http://www.eotech-inc.com/
[URL="http://www.rockriverarms.com/"]http://www.rockriverarms.com/
[URL="http://troyind.com/"]http://troyind.com/
[URL="http://www.vamfire.com/index.htm"]http://www.vamfire.com/index.htm
[URL="http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/"]http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/
[URL="http://www.surefire.com/"]http://www.surefire.com/
[URL="http://www.rainierarms.com/"]http://www.rainierarms.com/
[URL="http://battlecomp.com/"]http://battlecomp.com/

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[spectr17]

Spiritwalker, is your EOTECH an absolute cowitness setup?

I ended up buying a BCM 16" mid length from G&R Tactical. $963 with no stock, sights or front hand grip. http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=MID-750-LWC

Now to just pick my sight setup and stock and handrails.

http://www.gandrtactical.com/

 

[henmar77]

Still pondering my build. I know how i want it. Now if i can only get my wallet to agree.

 

[SpiritWalker]

My front and rear sights fold down. When they are up I can cowitness with the holographic sight.