First AR build, would like your opinions on it

[Blazer guy]

Well this will be my first AR build and i would just like some feed back on my choices. It will be a range gun, or if i ever need it for home defense (hopefully never needed). Well here is my list of parts.

Upper: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-1...urg-mid-16.htm
BCG: http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1746.php (with the charging handle)
Rails: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Midwe...p/mctar-18.htm
Lower: http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1726.php
Rear BUIS: undecided, could u please suggest some quality folding ones, thank you.

To add later on in my build

Scope: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=994114
Mount: http://www.amazon.com/Burris-Optics-.../dp/B0028JNRW4

I would like to hear your comments on what i could change or do better. I really would not like to spend much more money then what i would have in that set up but i would be willing to add $100 if it would be a worthy change (maybe the rails). Thank you guys for your time.

[DeltaSierra]

Well this will be my first AR build and i would just like some feed back on my choices. It will be a range gun, or if i ever need it for home defense (hopefully never needed). Well here is my list of parts.

Upper: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-1...urg-mid-16.htm
BCG: http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1746.php (with the charging handle)
Rails: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Midwe...p/mctar-18.htm
Lower: http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1726.php
Rear BUIS: undecided, could u please suggest some quality folding ones, thank you.

To add later on in my build

Scope: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=994114
Mount: http://www.amazon.com/Burris-Optics-.../dp/B0028JNRW4

I would like to hear your comments on what i could change or do better. I really would not like to spend much more money then what i would have in that set up but i would be willing to add $100 if it would be a worthy change (maybe the rails). Thank you guys for your time.

Why not just buy a BCM lower and a BCM BCG?

It wouldn't cost that much more, and then you would have a higher quality BCG, and a matching lower...

You can get a BCM lower (Cosmetic Blemish) for $289...

Building your own lower won't be all that much cheaper if you use quality parts...

[Brennan]

-I would probably pass on that scope.
-Why not a BCM BCG?
-As far as a rear BUIS, I've alway been fond of Troy, Noveske, Daniel Defense, etc.. You can go Magpul for a quality part on a budget.
-Check the EE section for used rails to save some money (I would honestly just go Magpul MOE on that upper. Snaps in, fits like a dream, looks awesome)
I'm not positive if this is the right size you'd need, but you get the idea. http://www.amazon.com/Magpul-Black-D...1132954&sr=8-1


-You can build your lower for cheaper if you assemble it yourself.

A prebuilt lower *$239.00 total*

Here's your stripped lower receiver
http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1560.php

with either...

Stock parts *$179.94 total*
http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/1633.php

Or Magpul parts for a bit more *$219.94 total*
http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/598.php

You come out ahead either way, just a thought.

[Blazer guy]

How hard would it be to assemble the stripped lower? DeltaSierra So your saying that it would be worth the extra $100 for the BCM BCG and the BCM lower?

[DeltaSierra]

I really do not feel comfortable assembling the lower myself, so i would like to buy a complete one. So your saying that it would be worth the extra $100 for the BCM BCG and the BCM lower?

Absolutely....

Even if you had to go without the rail system for now, to get the BCM BCG and lower, I'd personally say that it would be worth it to have all matching parts, that are backed by a company with an excellent reputation...

You can build a lower in about an hour if you have any knowledge of the AR platform, and a tutorial (there should be one here on M4C, or you could search Google.)

Even though I can build up my own lowers, I usually buy them complete as none of the places that I buy from sell stripped lowers (LMT, Daniel Defense, Bravo Company) and I am particular about completing a build with parts from one manufacturer, as I don't like to mix and match parts....(Stupid, I know, but that is one of my vices...)

[High Tower]

The BCM kit is an excellent start. I have no experience with Palmetto stuff, so no comment there.

As far as the irons go, I really like the Knight's Armament flip ups. Daniel Defense is supposed to be coming out with some flip ups that I'm sure will be good as well.

As far as the optic goes, it would not be my first choice. I'd rather have a red dot for both plinking and HD, but that's just me.

[Casull]

Not a bad idea to go all BCM on the lower and bolt (or a Daniel Defense bolt!) Here's an easy lower builder for BCM:
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=LWR-BCM
(scroll down on the page)

But hey, If that company is actually real good go for it.

As for the scope, check out the Leatherwood CMR instead. You might like what you hear and see about it.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...sting-_-725900

[120mm]

I'm not afraid of the PSA lower components at all. The matching lower receiver will most probably increase the value of the M4 though, if you ever want to sell it.

Same thing with the PSA premium bolt. Mine functions and appears to be fine. but I only have a few hundred rounds through it.

I was bit, hard, by a Leatherwood auto-ranging pile o' poo back in the '90s. I do not know if they've improved since then, so take that with a grain of salt.

Nothing wrong with the Magpul BUIS. They are $55 and work good.

[rob_s]

OP, How did you arrive at this list of parts?

[msstate56]

BCM upper is a great choice, I would go with the BCM bolt carrier group though. However, the PSA bcg is probably fine. I would also highly recommend the BCM Gunfighter charging handle. They are worth the price. Fear not the "cheap" lower. As long as it is in spec, it will work fine. The lower is really only a holder for the mag and trigger group. PSA has a pretty good rep, so they should take care of any issues. As far as the rail, I would second a Magpul MOE if you don't need a free floated barrel. Mount-N-Slot makes mounts for just about any light you want. If you really want a rail, save up and get a free float rail from any of the top brands (Larue, Daniel Defense, Troy, etc.)