"I can build a better rifle for less money!"

[rob_s]

I've seen this posted more than a few times, especially whenever the subject of the Colt 6920 comes up. Rather than hijack all these other threads, I thought I'd post seperately and see what exactly the guys who say this would build. Often there are posts relating to sight radius/gas system length and/or barrel profile, and those deviations are acceptable. In this case, however, I think certain criteria are non-negotiable:

F-marked FSB
M4 feedramps
MPI 4150 chrome-lined barrel
MPI Bolt

Staking can be done at home, so I'm not as concerned with that.

[Paulinski]

Wouldn't LMT (14.5 or 16") upper on a stag lower come close?

[M4Guru]

You can build a better rifle.

You can build a rifle for less.

You CANNOT build a better rifle for less.

[Robb Jensen]

It depends on the definition of 'less'?

[rob_s]

It depends on the definition of 'less'?

what's yours?

[John_Wayne777]

I don't think that is too far off....

Somebody like Robb can most likely build me a very good upper or rifle from very good components at least in the same price range and probably coming in a bit under what you could buy a Colt for on the average gunstore shelf....

Frankly I would never want a rifle I built myself. I don't look down on the idea of someone building their own weapon, but I know that if I built it I would most likely be killed by the explosion the first time I shot it.

[c185]

I am trying to achieve exactly that with my first build, and living in Canada doesn't make it easy.

I managed to find a CMMG 14.5" SOCOM barrel (one of only a handful in the country), mated to a "Keyhole", T-Marked CMT upper with M4 feed ramps. Colt M4 double heat shield handguards and a Colt M4 sling mount. I also sourced a LMT M16 bolt carrier group and charging handle for the upper.

I have a Stag Arms lower that I plan on finishing with CMT lower parts kit and stock as soon as our dealer gets the parts imported.

I am hoping to get this done real soon as the weather is finally starting to warm up.

Cheers.

[Robb Jensen]

what's yours?

I asked the question first. What's the definition of less? Less what?

[rob_s]

I asked the question first. What's the definition of less? Less what?

Let's not try to get all philosophical, I would think that it's obviously less money.

[Robb Jensen]

I asked the question first. What's the definition of less? Less what?

Being in the gun business I get a lot of things cheaper than you do.

You mentioned these things.

F-marked FSB
M4 feedramps
MPI 4150 chrome-lined barrel
MPI Bolt

Playing Devils Advocate:

Totally understand wanting the F marked FSB.
Have you ever experienced a problem w/rifle feed ramps? I haven't ever had a failure to feed that wasn't attributed to a bad magazine or improperly adjusted or worn/broken mag catch.
Have you ever or do you ever shoot enough to even see the difference in a 4150 barrel vs. a non-4150? , I shoot a boat load and have never noticed a difference between 4140, 4150, non chrome-lining and stainless bbls other than the stainless & non chrome-lined bbls being more accurate generally. There are better barrels as in the HK416. The Noveske 17-4 is also an excellent barrel, but again I probably don't shoot well enough fast enough to ever see the difference.
How many AR bolts have you broken in your shooting history? I've broken 7 since 1975, 3 were MP tested Colt bolts in carbines. I've never had one fail in a 20" gun. All bolts break in AR direct impingment carbines with enough rounds through them. If you haven't broken one yet you need to shoot some more and report back.