TexasCHLforum.com

Apparently BCM uses a SAM-R chamber. I wanted to shoot both 5.56 and .223, I don't "think" you can do that with the accuracy of the Wylde chamber.
I got it "on paper" this weekend - probably get to mess with it at a real rifle range this weekend.

Again, I appreciate all the advice on this forum.

I wanted finalize this. I went over budget. Total budget was about $1400
Basic specs:
BCM SS410 18" Rifle Length Upper Receiver Group, stainless barrel, floating handguard, 1/8 twist = $800
Hayes custom guns lower and parts kit $175
Nikon P-223, mount, bipod $240
MAGPUL PRS + Giselle 2-stage trigger $370
P-mags (5) $50

= $1395

Link: http://tinyurl.com/kvtts3e" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I appreciate everyone that helped.. Great recommendations here! Largely I bought that assembled upper as I couldn't "build it" for much less myself.

MechAg94 wrote:I got one of BCM's uppers with the KMR handguard recently. I have to say it is very cool and you can attach rails without removing it.

I am glad you didn't list the Magpul MOE buttstock. They seem too flimsy to me.

I haven't gotten to the lower assembly yet.

cajunautoxer wrote:Have you looked at the Stag 3G rifle. Good stuff there

I had.. At least according to my browser. https://www.stagarms.com/model-3g/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Spec'ing that firearm, I come in at $1489 without optics, at the following specs. So that's definitely in the running.
It does come with a nice trigger:

Action: Semi-auto direct impingement

Chamber: 5.56 NATO - this rifle will also shoot .223

Twist Rate: 1/8 button rifled

Muzzle Device: Stag 3G compensator

Barrel: 18", 410 stainless steel, fluted heavy barrel profile

Handguard: Samson 15" free floating evolution handguard

Upper Receiver: Forged and mil-spec 7075 T6 aluminum with type 3 hard coat anodizing and a picatinny rail on top

Bolt Carrier: Enhanced semi-auto with a manganese phosphate coating

Charging Handle: Standard mil-spec

Front Sight: None

Rear Sight: None

Lower Receiver Material: 7075 T6 aluminum with a type 3 hard coat anodizing

Hammer/Trigger pin size: Mil-spec small pin .154"

Pivot/Takedown Pin Size: Mil-spec small pin - .250"

Caliber Marking: 5.56 NATO

Buttstock: Magpul ACS buttstock (Post ban models have the MAGS EFX buttstock)

Buffer: Standard carbine buffer and spring

Trigger: Geisele 3-gun trigger with a 3.5 pound trigger pull

Grip: Magpul MOE

Magazine: 30rd (Post-ban versions will have a 10rd magazine)

Safety Selector: Right Hand

I haven't paid yet.. You're helping me get it sorted out before I make a mistake!
Based on above - building it costs me more than buying it assembled from BCM... So I'm leaning that way, unless I understand that what I'm building is superior.

I'm leaning toward optics, not iron sights. If I was trying to get this thing to hit something at 200 yards, I think I'm looking at optics in the 4-8x max magnification range. Preferably adjustable... Those are my current thoughts. I've done a few searches and Vortex comes up quite a bit...

Continued thanks.

I like stainless as a material. Easy to clean, etc. As you mentioned, not any more expensive in this case.
I chose the gas block wrong... I should chose rifle length.
I didn't catch that the MOE handguard doesn't free-float. Thank you.
It looks like to do free floating rifle length - I'm looking at $125 or more... That takes me to above the cost of buying it as an assembly from BCG.

If I build it as above, am I coming out ahead in terms of better components and accuracy? I read that BCG's stuff has a great reputation.

OK, here's where I'm at on the "build it" suggestion:
BCM mil-spec BCG (Parkerized exterior and chrome lined inside carrier) $169 http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt ... uto-mp.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
BCM Charge handle (5.56/223) - Mod3, large $45.00 http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNF ... -3-556.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
BCM Upper Assembly - M4 style - Mil Spec, Anodized, $119 http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Uppe ... -ur-m4.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
White oaks 18" SRP barrell (18") 1:7 twist - 5.56/.223, .750 gas block $275 - http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/p ... 250&page=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
White oaks mid length gas tube - $10 - http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/p ... at=&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
White oak stainless gas block .750 - $35.00 - http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/p ... at=&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MOE composite rifle length hand guard - $38 - http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Magpul-M ... %20blk.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MOE composite 5-slot rail - $6.00 - http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Magpul-M ... %20blk.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
= $697

These are the parts to build something "equivalent" to the BCG upper receiver group that I spec'd orginally - $745 (http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-SS41 ... vtrx13.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). With the build above, I use a composite hand guard, versus the aluminum one that comes with the BCG assembly. So I'm not sure that I come out ahead... One plus is I learn to assemble it, but that assumes everything works together well.

What do you think?

After choosing a barrel, it looks like I make the following choices (again, ignoring the lower):
* A stripped upper (I need A3 style)
* A upper parts kit
* Handguard (rifle length, floating)
* Gas block - low-profile if I want a floating hand guard
* Gas tube - must be appropriate to "rifle" barrel length and handguard

Thank you.. Note that neither are fluted, but I don't think I care.
Can you recommend an upper assembly (stripped upper receiver)? I believe I should stick to A3 type for 100+ yrd optics?
It looks like the other parts that I need (ignoring the lower for now):
* tube handguard (need floating)
* gas block
* gas tube
* Charge handle + spring + latch
* ejection pin/latch
* forward assist assemby
* bolt/carrier/key/firing pin

I assume some of this stuff I can get in an upper kit of some type?

And again, many thanks for the pre-purchase education..

I'm ordering it in the next day or two. I looked around at stainless fluted barrels in 18-20" length, they tend to go for pretty decent coin. The value in assembling the upper, to me, is exactly that - you know how to assemble it. If you can recommend a set of parts that would work, I'll certainly take a look.. Although part of the complication with the AR platform is the amount of available parts...

Thanks for the education on the "Free floating" - I will likely understand it more when I see it. I was surprised to read that a tiny bit of barrel pressure causes enough deflection to result in inches at 200' or more.

I've been busy with other things, but I'm back to this and it looks like I'm going to go over budget.. There certainly are less expensive ways to get into this platform, but wanting to use this 100+ yards out, that starts to cost some money:
1) BCM SS410 18" Rifle Length Upper Receiver Group - Stainless, fluted, heavy. Modified charge handle. Full floating.
2) Minor section of aluminum rail under it, largely to mount a by-pod... However, I'm reading that marksmen don't like anything that puts pressure on the barrel.
This runs about $800 shipped.

I'm still shopping for the lower.. I think I'm going to buy an assembled lower, prefer mil-spec. Looking for a 2-stage trigger assembly.
Optics will be in the 1-6x range... Still haven't decided here.

cajunautoxer wrote:what"s you price range? Some peoples idea of budget could be another person's dream ar

Say <$1k, not counting optics. That doesn't mean "spend $1k" - that's just the upper end of what I'd be willing to work with.

Thanks guys.. keep the suggestions coming (if anyone has them). I especially appreciate the advice about coatings (for cleaning/etc) and tools that I'll need for appropriate assembly.

In terms of order vs gun show - ordering, even though more expensive, saves me time and travel... I appreciate pointing out that I'd save a buck there.

Yea, the availability of choices is why I'm asking. I was told that there are really only 4 manufacturers of the lower, but that they do get branded.
Thanks for the Del-Ton recommendation.

As most of my gun-nut friends have closets full of rifles, I've decided to get with the program and see what all the fuss is about.

I'd like to build.. Key word is build - an AR-15. I know I can likely buy a quality firearm for the same (or perhaps less) than it's going to cost to build from scratch and save myself a bunch of time, but I'd like to build it so I know and understand every detail.

Of the several people that I know who have built ARs, 2/3 of them have experienced issues with poorly machined parts. They eventually get them sorted out, but I'd like to avoid that (if possible)... IE - I'm not looking for a "great deal" - I care about getting it right the first time.

So I'm seeking recommendations on reasonable quality - meaning high machine tolerance lowers and associated parts kits... And whatever else I'll need. I don't need billet. Machined is fine.

Eventually the firearm would be a longer-range rifle, Apparently the 20" barrel is optimum for velocity. I can worry about the optics and such later.