Building an AR

[gigag04]

Also - the Noveske seconds are pretty amazing. If I was building a non SBR I wouldn't hesitate to use one.

[jiannichan]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. Been really busy at work, so by the time I get out, everything is already closed. Hopefully on Saturday I will get a chance to go and check out the lowers personally.

[blackdog8200]

Spend your money on a good trigger, you'll be happy you did.

From my experience all lowers are not created equal in regards to mating tolerance to the uppers. Some are milled a few 1000ths +/- so one brand upper might work better matched with your lower. I Know that RRA sells "Matched" upper lower combos that fit tight.

For example, I have a SW MP15 carbine that I put the RRA NM trigger in (Best thing I could have done) and decided to buy a RRA Varmint upper.... They work together but the SW MP lower is a little loose with the RRA upper. My son's RRA lower is snug with no slop when I mount the RRA upper on his....

So when I got the ok from the "one who must be obeyed" to get a new, dedicated lower, I bought the RRA lower with the 2 stage NM trigger and it fits gooooood. Then there is the whole buffer tube to stock fit.....


On the triggers there are some very good expensive ones out there. (Some are not suited to Home defense) The RRA NM trigger is $70 retail and has a clean break and it is 100% reliable for HD use. Giessle makes some combat ready ones as well.

[i8godzilla]

90 + tax is pretty good for a lower.

Most places online bottom out at 80+20something transfer fee.

AIM surplus has some Surplus arms for $60, spikes blemish for $70 I belive. I've handled both of these lowers and they are both good. Couldn't tell what made the spike's a blemish actually.

I picked up a Surplus Ammo & Arms lower a couple of weeks ago at the Bell County Expo gun show. It was $85 (w/tax) and no FFL transfer fee (or shipping). You could add the cost of the ticket ($6.00) but I was going anyway. The vendor was B-Line Sales out of Bartlet, TX. Do not know if they have a brick and mortar shop.

[jiannichan]

I finally bought my stripped lowers. I've never had time to go check out the local ones and ended up waiting. THEN....PSA decides to have another $50 sale on their lowers so I ordered 2. When they come in, I will have something to do during my time off in December. I'll just have to find a nice deal on a couple of LPK.

[rm9792]

PSA has LPK with collapsible stocks for $90. Not bad unless you want a different stock.

[jiannichan]

Get a mil-spec butt-stock tube, not the commercial spec - there are a lot more stocks to choose from if you go mil-spec.

Noted...

What brand would you recommend and where should I order from? Links would be good.
I'm excited to finally have my PSA lowers on the way. I don't know whether to go with the PSA LPK, DPMS or Del-ton. So many to choose from. I also looked at the ones with the Geissele trigger and wow...that is a big jump in price.


So, after getting my LPK, buttstock, and sights...
All I need is this upper assembly and ammo then I can start shooting it? Is this good enough for a first build? The price is pretty good but I don't want to buy it if it there is a better option out there for not much more money. This first build is just so I can learn the platform then the 2nd lower will be for something better after I gain more knowledge.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/513528 ... er-pre-ban" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry for all the questions and thanks again for everyones advice and input. They are all greatly appreciated!

[gigag04]

For stocks, magpul is one of the better values IMHO. For things like buffer tubes, just pick a mil spec one and you'll be fine.

For an upper, if you want drop in, buy an assembled. If you want to build for the sake of building, I'd part it out.

Midway

Rainier

Brownells

Take your pick. There are other suppliers too but those have done me right. Fwiw I was really pleased with the email interaction I was afforded even before the sale with Rainier.