I wanted a to add a KISS carbine to my collection and had been contemplating buying a complete LMT lower and LE6920 Magpul upper from G&R. It would have been easy, push two pins in and I would've had a great carbine for under $900. Or, I could've waited and done a PSA build kit for a little cheaper, but I had already built two of my sons rifles with PSA uppers. While they have been absolutely great guns and I really like PSA's product, I wanted something different for myself.
Well, I thought about it too long and everyone was out of stock.
I ended up going to the local gun show and actually came across a good deal on a pistol I had wanted, so I picked it up. On the way out I came across a new stripped S&W M&P15 lower that was unbelievably priced the same as the cheapest I could find on the internet, so I grabbed that up to.
My original intent (since I spent a good portion of my black rifle money on a pistol) was to replace the DPMS lower on my 8 year old son's carbine (16" PSA CHF complete upper) due to a tight mag well that won't drop 30rd PMAGs.
I would then use the DPMS lower to create the absolute cheapest POS I could put together with new parts for the exclusive use of my unheeding "just as good as" and "parts are parts" buddies or anyone else for that matter to use/try as a loaner/range gun.
So I ordered a ZM4 barrel w/FSP from DSA for $110 and went looking for a cheap BCG to go with it. I was astounded that crap BCGs were about the same price or more than good ones. Still not having found the elusive cheap BCG I got a back order notice on the DSA barrel.
That is when I decided to change vectors. I immediately called DSA and canceled the order. I then set out to build the best KISS gun I could, as cheaply as possible, without using a PSA kit.
And this is what I came up with; the M&P15 lower I had just gotten for $115, PSA LPK - $49.95, Aero Precision stripped upper - $59.99, Aero Precision UPK w/CH - $32.99, Colt LE6920 complete barrel assembly - $265, Daniel Defense BCG - $135, Bravo Company Mfg Mil-Spec stock mounting kit - $55.95, Matech BUIS - $50, S&W M&P15 M4 stock and PSA M4 handguards - FREE (new take offs from previous builds).
I had wanted to use a G&R LPK, but they were out of stock. I can't complain about the PSA LPK though. This is the third PSA LPK I've used and as with the previous two it had quality parts that went together easily. With the variances in GI FCGs I got lucky again as the trigger, as with the previous PSA LPKs is crisp with very little take up. The selector switch is also excellent, with smooth operation and nice positive clicks.
For anyone that wants to say anything about the free furniture keeping the price this low, I could've gotten a cheaper lower and bought furniture for the difference. That would keep the price about the same.
Sorry for the crappy pics. Tried to get pics of the staking on the BCG and receiver extension nut as well as the M4 feed ramps and barrel markings, but I couldn't find the right setting on the camera and they were all blurry.
Suffice it to say, the DD BCG is staked properly as always, the feed ramps line up perfectly. I got lucky with how the receiver extension nut lined up and was able to stake it at three points. And for anybody that cares the barrel is marked C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7.
Grand total - $763.88!
I have to say that this is a fantastic KISS rifle that proves you can do so much better than the Oly/DPMS/Bushmaster/et al crap for the same price or less even if you don't do a PSA kit.
I plan on keeping this rifle in a KISS configuration with the only accessories being a sling and a white light. I may also, sometime in the future, decide to put an Aimpoint PRO on it.
I will be taking it to the range to sight it in and run a few hundred rounds through it tomorrow and will post the results afterwards.
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Originally Posted by Tact.medic
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