opinion on my build [Archive] - M4Carbine.net Forums

cjstmw

03-29-12, 12:28

Hey everyone, really just want some opinions/tips on my build. This is going to be my first ar/build. i feel ive done a good amount of research but let me know if you think a different route would be better. please note a price difference and what would make it better and thanks, on to the build

first i plan to build on whatever stripped lower i can find while im visiting family in utah (still have my utah drivers license) heres a good deal ive found never heard of the company but there local out of utah and it is forged. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=19756462&cat=380&lpid=3&search=

lower parts kit-http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=388 its the top one with the single stage trigger and standard a2 trigger. i've heard alot of good things about the rra. great price for a really decent lpk, i know it may not be the best but i feel its a great value.

stock-http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=300 just a standard 6 position tactical stock, is this a decent price for this keep in mind this has the buffer spring, and buffer.

upper-http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/16/psa-16-mid-length-chrome-lined-upper.html
not going to build the upper, requires alot more tools and just seems like a pita lol, so thats the upper im thinking its constantly out of stock and if it is when it comes down to it i might upgrade to the hammer forged.

again let me know what you think and please let me know if you think i could save some money on any of the parts.

Iraqgunz

03-29-12, 12:52

You mention RRA a few times which tells me that you haven't done much research (at least here) so I suggest that you take the time to look around more and use the search button.

ac130usnsr

03-29-12, 12:59

Aero Precision makes a good lower receiver.

As to your choice of LPK and receiver extension/buttstock, I would skip RRA.

Since you are going to order your upper from PSA, why not just order their lower build kit as well. Better parts and save yourself $65 as well.

Palmetto State Armory Classic Lower Build Kit (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lower-parts/palmetto-state-armory-classic-lower-build-kit.html)

Or, even better, save a little more money and get either the 16'' Hammer Forged Mid-Length Light Profile Rifle Kit (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits/16-hammer-forged-mid-length-light-weight-rifle-kit.html) or the 16'' Hammer Forged Mid-Length Rifle Kit (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits/16-hammer-forged-mid-length-rifle-kit.html). Both of them are currently in stock.

ETA: I missed that this will be your first AR, thought it was just your first build. I'd recommend skipping all of the above for your first AR and finding a Colt LE6920 for ~$150-200 more (more likely to be a wash if you don't have all of the tools and vice blocks to complete a build anyhow). Learn it, shoot it, take a class or two. Then when you are familiar with the weapon and know what you like and don't like you'll be in a better position to build.

Moltke

03-29-12, 13:35

Colt, DD, BCM, or LMT

Generalpie

03-29-12, 13:39

I didn't crunch the numbers on your parts list but unless you are building something that isn't available otherwise you are way ahead in buying your first carbine as a complete rifle or as an upper/lower assembly.

If you look around you can find an upper with low rounds complete for under 400, a blem BCM lower is about $290 with a M4 stock plus you have options for stock upgrades that will be cheaper than changing later.

$140 or so for a bolt carrier group and 25-45 for a charging handle depending on which one.

$850 without sights and ready to shoot, or pick up a 6920 for around 950 and shoot the irons for a while.

Both of those options are top of the line parts with a proven track record. The advice to get some trigger time with a stock gun is very good advice. It is difficult to know what you want until you have some time behind the trigger.

cjstmw

03-29-12, 14:16

spent some time as a 11bravo in the army i definetly have adequate time behind an m4!!! just not an ar lol thanks for bringing up the psa lpk had looked into it a bit but had a tough time finding a review.. but you seem to know whats good and whats not so ill go with that lpk and save some money.. thanks a ton. just pre bought the lower so i know he'll have one when im in slc. then in a few weeks i can buy the upper. any other advice?

Just ordered the lpk from palmetto thanks for the link couldnt find it through there lower parts page lol.

ac130usnsr

03-29-12, 14:26

CrazyFingers

03-29-12, 14:35

any other advice?

Have your Shift key checked, it appears to be malfunctioning.
Also, people have given you quality advice on a Colt 6920/BCM factory rifle for a small price premium over your planned Frankenrifle. Seriously, a year after buying the Colt or the BCM, I guarantee that you won't be thinking "Man, I wish I'd spent $150 less on a PSA". However, if you go the PSA route, you might be thinking "Man, I wish I'd spent $150 more on that Colt".

Moltke

03-29-12, 14:54

Have your Shift key checked, it appears to be malfunctioning.
Also, people have given you quality advice on a Colt 6920/BCM factory rifle for a small price premium over your planned Frankenrifle. Seriously, a year after buying the Colt or the BCM, I guarantee that you won't be thinking "Man, I wish I'd spent $150 less on a PSA". However, if you go the PSA route, you might be thinking "Man, I wish I'd spent $150 more on that Colt".

Don't cheap out, buy quality.

chavez556

03-29-12, 16:12

I would go with the Colt/BCM idea unless you already ordered the parts.

BCmJUnKie

03-29-12, 16:29

Do it right the first time.

RRA is sold locally in my town. They are WAAAY overpriced and you dont get ANYTHING over a BCM or Colt.

In fact its quite the opposite.

Castlenut not staked.

Gas key is an absolute joke.

They make some pretty stupid uppers.

I will admit that the 2 stage trigger feels pretty good, however I dont have sufficient time on them

chadil1ac

03-29-12, 16:32

A lot of good advice you got here.

I built my first AR rather than buying but it isn't necessarily recommended. I also didn't whip it up in a few weeks. It was over three course of 7-8 months as I researched the options. I went with BCM-Larue parts with moat everything and am glad I spent the money that I did on those parts.

Obviously hearing from some of your parts, it looks like you have either been getting some misinformation or not enough research. Depending on what you are using your rifle for, it can change things. I don't think you can go wrong with most of the options people listed though. Just in case the role of the rifle does change, you already have started with a quality/count your life on it rifle rather than a paper puncher that will now have to play that role.

Good luck.

TunaFisherman

03-30-12, 00:32

I used to get kinda irritaded when Iraqgunz replies "use the search button" but after 50+ threads of "I wana buy a RRA or DPMS" threads on here, I argree totally.
So you have been using Colt in the Army, but still wana buy a lesser quality rifle???:confused:

Spend a few xtra coin and buy a complete Colt,or BCM,or DD in the $900 to $1,100 range. You wont ever regret buying quality.

I am no expert but I used to come on here to read great info and lately its people posting who havent even read the recent threads :lazy:

Gargoyle

03-30-12, 00:52

Whats wrong with RRA LPK?

TonyTacoma

03-30-12, 01:04

Whats wrong with RRA LPK?

Ohhhhhh boy...

Gargoyle

03-30-12, 01:18

Site is full of smartasses.

TonyTacoma

03-30-12, 01:28

Site is full of smartasses.

Hey thanks for insult, I was actually referring to the ensuing debate you were initiating from your comment.

Have a nice day

DeltaSierra

03-30-12, 01:30

Site is full of smartasses.

Yeah, well... That search button is soooo hard to use.... :rolleyes:

As to the OP, get a Colt or BCM. They are well worth the extra money...

Gargoyle

03-30-12, 02:15

Yeah, well... That search button is soooo hard to use.... :rolleyes:

As to the OP, get a Colt or BCM. They are well worth the extra money...

yet again, another fuckface. The site seems endless.

SMETNA

03-30-12, 02:55

Whats wrong with RRA LPK?

I'm sure all the miscellaneous parts are fine. (pins, springs and sitch)

But if it comes with a RRA trigger, get a PSA LPK or something. I'm trying to sell 3 RRA 2-stage triggers because too many people have either had the hammer snap in half, or had it wear prematurely to the point that it's no longer a 2- stage but a really really gritty single stage. I no longer trust my life to it after such a catalog of bad reviews.

cjstmw

03-30-12, 13:54

ac130usnsr

03-30-12, 14:43

all ready ordered the lpk, i think it will do for now and hey if i want to upgrade it the future i certainly can. maybe i will consider ordering a higher quality upper, everyone seems to be saying bcm, and colt, how about dd and spikes tac? there always getting good reviews. thanks for all the input maybe i will go for a little nicer upper, can someone explain the difference between a psa upper and say a bcm? seeing as how they are both 1/7 twist chrome molly hammer forged barrels? i would assume it has to do with the bcg and other functioning parts

I think the FN barreled PSA uppers are fine. The two complete PSA uppers I have bought have been top notch, with just over 3000rds through one and just shy of 1000rds through the other.

PSA has had a few growing pains that usually get blown out of proportion, such as the 3 midlength uppers that made it out of PSA with carbine length gas tubes or the one upper that reportedly shipped with a live round in the chamber. Very early on there were a handful of reports of canted front sight bases as well. PSA has, in my opinion, addressed these issues in a very professional manner and made things right.

Any company can put out a lemon, it's how they handle the situation that matters.

When it comes to BCM vs PSA, they spec out the same on paper. However, PSA is new. They do not have the proven track record that BCM does. Only time and some hard use tests of PSA's offerings will tell if they are on the same level as BCM.

Also, while PSA's CS is pretty good from what I've seen, they will probably have to step it up a notch to be the equal of BCM.

As for DD, they are top notch, my go to rifle is a DDM4v3 which I absolutely love. DD will be a little pricier though.

Spike's Tactical?...Meh, they look good on paper, but I can't get past the way they market their stuff. Not into all the spiders, zombies, pirates, color fill and other crap. It seems to me they are going after the mall ninja crowd. That plus some of the stuff I've seen them pull and the way the owner acts on the TOS really turns me off on them. They probably make a good product, but I'll pass and would buy from PSA over them.

Since you are squared away on your lower already, I'd take a look at G&R Tactical for an upper. Grant had complete Colt LE6920MP uppers for $550. They are out of stock right now, but if he gets more in at the same price it's a great deal that really can't be beat.

mallowpufft

03-30-12, 16:23

I picked up one of the 20" PSA CHF uppers for an inexpensive varmint gun and while I've only been able to put a few hundred rounds through it I haven't had any issues. If I'd had the budget I would have gone for Colt but SWMBO was pretty firm. Something about the 5 .22 rifles and 6 .22 pistols and the .17 I was talking about...