Help on Planning my Next Project!

[M@D-M@X]

:feedback:Allright guys. I'm almost done with my present project (tacticool bolt action stick). Now I'm in the design stages of a tacticool SBR.
The specs on mind so far are:

Black rifle (AR type)
14" or even an SBR w/effecient comp/flash
Flat top upper w/rail system
Stock A2 trigger group
Quick aquisition sight/tube (electronic)+ accs. (light, laser, etc.)
Collapsible stock
Good bolt & bolt carrier
Tactical handguard w/rail system
Vertical foregrip

I'm not set on a manufacturer yet. I do own a Bushmaster 24" heavy varminter w/a cheap Springfield Armory scope and this thing is a tack driver since day one but I would like to give someone else a run like: RRA, Knights, BCM or LaRue. I'm also open for any other manufacturer not mentioned. I want the end result of a real workhorse, reliable and precise. I'm contemplating the idea of taking in the future some tactical courses and this will be one of my tools. I'm open for pros & cons even 2 cents worth comments.

Thx.
Max

[Chris]

Im privy to RRA
or you could always build it, get yourself a stripped lower and build it with the internals you prefer

[Dan]

Im privy to RRA
or you could always build it, get yourself a stripped lower and build it with the internals you prefer

:+1: on the build it. If you build it you can get all the stuff you want from the start as opposed to buying someone elses idea of what a rifle should be then changing it to fit your need.

[anthony20031]

I did my build with an RRA upper and lower. I'm extremely happy and has worked flawlessly. Also have a Troy 7" free float. Don't think you can go wrong with RRA.

[JaxChris]

Go with Spike's Tactical. =)

They have good sales going on right now for parts if you wish to build it yourself. Since they are considered more of a boutique builder, you can have a custom rifle ordered instead of just going with some limited option list like you would directly from Rock River and others. Plus they're here in Florida and they warranty their parts for life. They will make any problem right.

If you goto the next Suncoast show in your area Spike's is still doing 100$ lowers (includes background & tax). I call up Spike's and ask them to bring certain things I'm ready to buy to the show so I don't always have to drive to them (2 hours each way). But driving there to spend time with AJ and just shop is time well spent and very relaxing. Either way, definitely spend the time to figure out exactly what you want and then build it yourself (or get it all from Spike's and let them put it together). =)

You want something short and light it sounds like, huh? Well Spike's has their new Striker-15 which is a 14.5" lightweight rifle with a pinned flash hider. Below is a similar build map. It was a feature in the August issue of 'Special Weapons'.

Here's my suggestion (actually my next build will be very similar, except for a few secret tweaks):
- Spike's Lower receiver
- Spike's Upper receiver
- Spike's M16 Bolt Carrier Group
- Spike's Forged Charging Handle
- Spike's LW 14.5" Striker Barrel (saw it at their shop, I want it)
- Daniel Defense 10.0 Lite Rail (extremely light and strong)
- YHM Low Profile Gas Block
- Spike's Basic Lower Parts Kit (currently on sale)
- Ergo Grip or MagPul MOE Grip
- MagPul MOE or CTR Stock
- Spike's Extension Tube with Spring & ST-T2 Buffer
- MagPul MBUS Sights
- YHM 5C2 Flash Hider (pinned to barrel during assembly)

Right now Spike's has complete lowers on-sale as well. I'm sure if you call they'd do you a deal on upgrading the basic stock and basic grip to whatever you want. Assembly included. You can also get your upper built from parts by them as well. This will save the headache of installing the barrel, setting the gas block, and then pinning the flash hider.

Yea, I'm the Spike's whore around here... but their wares are worth it. Actually, Badazzar15 (Tom from Spike's Tactical) is here on TacAd... shoot him an email from here and I'm sure he'll hop on here to assist with any questions you have on what will or won't work on an AR build of any kind.

[Chris]

spikes does make some nice stuff

I do think everyone should build theyre own AR at least once though.
Its actually pretty easy. especially if you have some people that can help and there are plenty around here believe me
The commute may be a little far for me though

[Cris]

Go with Spike's Tactical. =)

They have good sales going on right now for parts if you wish to build it yourself. Since they are considered more of a boutique builder, you can have a custom rifle ordered instead of just going with some limited option list like you would directly from Rock River and others. Plus they're here in Florida and they warranty their parts for life. They will make any problem right.

If you goto the next Suncoast show in your area Spike's is still doing 100$ lowers (includes background & tax). I call up Spike's and ask them to bring certain things I'm ready to buy to the show so I don't always have to drive to them (2 hours each way). But driving there to spend time with AJ and just shop is time well spent and very relaxing. Either way, definitely spend the time to figure out exactly what you want and then build it yourself (or get it all from Spike's and let them put it together). =)

You want something short and light it sounds like, huh? Well Spike's has their new Striker-15 which is a 14.5" lightweight rifle with a pinned flash hider. Below is a similar build map. It was a feature in the August issue of 'Special Weapons'.

Here's my suggestion (actually my next build will be very similar, except for a few secret tweaks):
- Spike's Lower receiver
- Spike's Upper receiver
- Spike's M16 Bolt Carrier Group
- Spike's Forged Charging Handle
- Spike's LW 14.5" Striker Barrel (saw it at their shop, I want it)
- Daniel Defense 10.0 Lite Rail (extremely light and strong)
- YHM Low Profile Gas Block
- Spike's Basic Lower Parts Kit (currently on sale)
- Ergo Grip or MagPul MOE Grip
- MagPul MOE or CTR Stock
- Spike's Extension Tube with Spring & ST-T2 Buffer
- MagPul MBUS Sights
- YHM 5C2 Flash Hider (pinned to barrel during assembly)

Right now Spike's has complete lowers on-sale as well. I'm sure if you call they'd do you a deal on upgrading the basic stock and basic grip to whatever you want. Assembly included. You can also get your upper built from parts by them as well. This will save the headache of installing the barrel, setting the gas block, and then pinning the flash hider.

Yea, I'm the Spike's whore around here... but their wares are worth it. Actually, Badazzar15 (Tom from Spike's Tactical) is here on TacAd... shoot him an email from here and I'm sure he'll hop on here to assist with any questions you have on what will or won't work on an AR build of any kind.


You are definitely a Spike's Tactical whore. Your location has a lot to do with it also.

[Secpro]

You are definitely a Spike's Tactical whore. Your location has a lot to do with it also.

Whore all the way! Spike's Tactical does have alot of really nice stuff though. Realible and durable.

[M@D-M@X]

The input is great guys :+1:. Keep it coming:info:


You can also get your upper built from parts by them as well. This will save the headache of installing the barrel, setting the gas block, and then pinning the flash hider.


Yeah! I think I'm not ready to venture on a upper build. I don't have the specialized tools needed.

I ran into a guy at the last show that was telling me that for a built like the one I'm looking at, I won't need a high performance trigger group. He stated that a stock mill-spec trigger group should cut it. He did advised me to focus more on the gas set-up (piston vs.gas tube) and a aftermarket bolt carrier w/bolt.

What are the advantages & disanvantages on a piston rig vs gas tube?

[Dan]

The input is great guys :+1:. Keep it coming:info:



Yeah! I think I'm not ready to venture on a upper build. I don't have the specialized tools needed.

I ran into a guy at the last show that was telling me that for a built like the one I'm looking at, I won't need a high performance trigger group. He stated that a stock mill-spec trigger group should cut it. He did advised me to focus more on the gas set-up (piston vs.gas tube) and a aftermarket bolt carrier w/bolt.

What are the advantages & disanvantages on a piston rig vs gas tube?

Piston vs gas is a widely debated topic. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Piston systems use gas to actuate a piston to drive the carrier as opposed to using direct gas. The benefit of the piston system is it keeps that hot gas out of the chamber area and thus operates much cleaner. The potential problem with a piston system is that it requires more moving parts thus more chance for failure. With a gas system it requires you to be more thorough in your cleaning regiment or you will get failures.

At the end of the day both systems work well and the decision is yours. If you have an unlimited budget then a piston may be the better way to go but if you would like to pick and chose where to spend the cash, say like on optics as opposed to a piston system, then gas will be just fine.

Remember this, the gas system on the AR has been in use since the 60s, it has seen many wars and worked well when maintained. If you are on a budget, I would go gas and spend the money elsewhere.

[ss1]

There are a lot of manufacturers of AR's but only a few who actually forge and mill lowers. Most manufacturers turn to these handful to provide lowers according to their individual specs which is mostly cosmetic in difference and they all start with the same raw forging. Here is a list that is pretty current with the makers and who they supply to.

Lewis Machine & Tool
LMT
Lauer
DS Arms
PWA
Eagle
Armalite (Keiser Defense as well)
Knights Armament (reportedly manufactures their lowers now)
Barrett
Continental Machine Tool
Stag
Rock River Arms
High Standard
Noveske
Century (New)
Global Tactical
CLE
S&W
MGI
Wilson Tactical
Grenadier Precision
COLT Manufacturing
Colt
LAR Manufacturing
LAR
Bushmaster
Ameetec
DPMS
CMMG
Double Star
Fulton Armory
Spike's Tactical (Keiser Defense as well)
JVP
Double Star
LRB
Mega Machine Shop
Mega
GSE
Dalphon
POF
Alexander Arms
Olympic
Olympic
SGW
Tromix
Palmetto
Dalphon
Frankford
Century (Old)

[anthony20031]

yh if your using the rifle for more of a home defense type of setup then a stock trigger will be just fine. If you were builting something for competition etc then I would say go with a tw stage trigger from RRA or something

[JaxChris]

Send the stock trigger to Bill Springfield for a 4# trigger job and you'll probably never want a 2-stage trigger.

For gas piston... that is up to you. It will make the bolt carrier run cooler and put gas farther from your face, but it will make the weapon heavier and increase the number of parts that could possibly fail. Don't listen to the "carrier tilt" as any system with a piston specific one-piece carrier has already addressed this.

If you have any specific questions, just ask. Throwing out too much info many just give you more questions than answers. So I'll pitch in when you ask from now on.

Ask away. =)

[Chris]

LOL, this could turn out to be a very long thread

[Cris]

You might want to start another thread "elitist vs elitist" to determine the winner.

[JaxChris]

No, I don't know nearly as much as others... but I post often and know when to avoid shit I don't know about. If you want to know about accessories, mounts, etc I'm not your guy.

And I think my last post was confusing a little. I meant that I'm going to offer additional info than what is asked for because it would just give the OP more questions than answers.

You really can't fuck up an AR, so just focus on what you want and everyone here will get you there quickly and easily. =)

[M@D-M@X]

Great feed back guys.
A+ on the list ss1.

I think I have plenty of data to start conducting some research and comparisons. I just needed a kick in the ass to guide me in general direction. Once I decide on barrel & receivers systems, I'll post some more questions when I get there.

Thx.
Max

[lino]

I think you should start it with a good rear BUIS... :tiphat:

http://tacticaladv.com/showthread.php?t=832&page=2

[lino]

some AR build videos

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/guntechdetail/How_to_Build_An_AR_15_Video