This is definitely where you don't want to skimp on an AR...check out my post above and buy a BCG that has those things...Palmettos premium group fits the bill and isn't as expensive as the BCM...but BCM would be my choice.
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First AR15 build
- Thread starter fish4food1
- Start date
This is definitely where you don't want to skimp on an AR...check out my post above and buy a BCG that has those things...Palmettos premium group fits the bill and isn't as expensive as the BCM...but BCM would be my choice.
There's so much stuff out there it can get confusing. So far just my personal experience is for the best of performance and price I like ARPerformace for barrels, Wilson combat is one of the best machining and most accurate barrels out there but pricey. As far as BCG go I would always go NiB or chrome if for nothing more than much smoother operation and easy to clean.
Agreed on all accounts. Hunng listed all the pertinent specs. As a general rule, BCM, LMT, DD and the PSA premium bcg fit the bill. Just keep an eye on the descriptions on the PSA site, as they can get confusing.
Biker, what you saw on the range is a direct result of inferior materials and an absence of QC. There's been a lot of that going on since Sandy Hook. Too many people pushing cheap parts. It's a total crap shoot with those, as you might get one that runs 10k rounds or it might not last 1k. I've seen a couple of cmmg bolts completely disintegrate, but that was a couple of years ago. What usually happens is that you lose a lug or two well before the expected lifespan is reached or it cracks at the cam pin channel. As of late, the lugs have been letting go way too soon on some cheaper bolts. Buying from a known good manufacturer goes a long way when talking about the BCG and barrel. Yes, it costs more initially, but if you're replacing bolts at a 2:1 ratio, the "cheaper" option gets exponentially more expensive.
IMHO I would go with a forged upper receiver in 7075 aluminum. This is stronger than billet. However it all comes down to what you want to build. Are you going for accuracy or just a shooter. If you want accuracy, it would be nice to have a matched upper and lower receiver but it is not 100% necessary. Accuracy will be effected mostly by the upper, how the barrel fits to the receiver, how well the BCG locks up, free float rails and the barrel of course. The fit of the lower will not have that much effect on accuracy.
Now if you just want a shooter you should check out http://www.damageusa.com. They sell all milspec parts and the prices are far better than you will even find on PSA. This is assuming you want to start with basic parts. You really have to decide which direction you want to go. If you want accuracy you would want to invest more in a quality barrel and in that case I would shy away from chrome lined. Along the same lines you might want to improve the trigger for something lighter than milspec. The trigger kit I got from damage is good, but I would upgrade if I was going to build a tack driver.
Now if you just want a shooter you should check out http://www.damageusa.com. They sell all milspec parts and the prices are far better than you will even find on PSA. This is assuming you want to start with basic parts. You really have to decide which direction you want to go. If you want accuracy you would want to invest more in a quality barrel and in that case I would shy away from chrome lined. Along the same lines you might want to improve the trigger for something lighter than milspec. The trigger kit I got from damage is good, but I would upgrade if I was going to build a tack driver.
Wow, that's cheaper than I remember. Best $100 bcg you can find anywhere.
Do some research, most of the manufacturers will offer them. To much play in the upper and lower can affect accuracy. Remember that the upper and lower act as one unit when affixed to one another and when the trigger is pulled the upper can shift and that can pull the scope off the intended target. I you take a close look at a match grade gun you will see a good tight between the two. I hear a lot of people saying I want play so it is easier to take down. This is laziness and can lead to a poor shooting rifle. Why take the time and extra money to build a perfect rifle when you can buy one off the shelf with the same poor assembling technics. Take your time and do it right. That's the whole reason they make the accuwedge or accu bushings. To take the slop out of the upper and lower. Spikes, Rock River Arms, Wilson Combat and a host of others offer a matched set to take the slop out of the receivers. The matched sets are a little more expensive but not by much. They literally go through hordes of pieces to get the right two that fit together perfectly. To me it's worth the extra. I would rather spend a little extra then buy the two parts and have a ton of slop between the two. I have seen so much slop between the two I have actually sent shelf bought rifles back to the manufacturer to correct the problem and have never been turned down to my request. Research, research, research is the key to a quality rifle. Why on earth would you want to build a rifle that shoots like a sling shot and can't hold a tight group. Also don't settle for a 150 dollar barrel. Spend a little extra here and build a rifle that will shoot circles around a shelf bought gun. These shelf guns are being spit out so quick that quality control is giving way to volume to keep up with the demand.
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Yes, too much play will affect accuracy, but how often are you going to see something that bad unless something is out of spec.
I'm not an armorer but I've built a couple of uppers and several lowers so I'm somewhat familiar with the platform. It didn't sound as if the OP was looking to build a precision rig, just something reliable using proven parts.
Accu-wedge? Hey, it's your money.
I'm not an armorer but I've built a couple of uppers and several lowers so I'm somewhat familiar with the platform. It didn't sound as if the OP was looking to build a precision rig, just something reliable using proven parts.
Accu-wedge? Hey, it's your money.
