SR-15 vs Build? Need Opinions

bubba04 · #1 10-11-10, 22:05

Guys,

A while ago I sold my DD M4 upper, and now I am looking to get back in to the 556 m4 arena. I still have a 5.45.

I am debating between these 2 options. What I want is to build or buy the best of the best rifles. I know the Sr-15 is the cats meow, but I am wondering if you can build something better then it? Whats yalls thoughts?

Option 1) Buy a Sr-15

Option 2) Build a Rifle

Barrel 16" mid length - Centurion Arms, BCM stainless nitride barrel, Noveske (not sure which one)...I am thinking I would get the barrel dimpled
BCG - Fail Zero
11 or 12" rail with low gas block
BCM upper reciever
Not sure which lower....perhaps sr 15 lower.

Dunderway · #2 10-11-10, 22:37

That sounds like a nice build, but I do not see how you would equate it to an SR-15 in any way. What you listed is a completely different weapon that the KAC. Your parts list sounds like a precision/SPR gun, not a fully ambidecturous and somewhat proprietary carbine.

Figure out what you want first. If it's an SR-15 then buy one, if it's something different then build/buy that.

bubba04 · #3 10-11-10, 22:53

Not really trying to build a precision rifle per say. I just prefer the mid length gas system on a 16" barrel. I fixed my post as well.

jbsmwd · #4 10-12-10, 03:30

where did you find a BCM stainless nitride barrel in mid length?

jetspeed8 · #5 10-12-10, 05:58

I'd go with the 16" middy build.

seb5 · #6 10-12-10, 08:25

I'm going to post I made months ago about just this issue. You might find it interesting.

I have one and as said before it is indeed an improvement on the system, IMHO. I prefer to build my AR's but currently have 2 complete rifles, the KAC SR-15 E3 and a Noveske with 16.1 SS barrel. As a lefty I have even considered buying a $700.00 complete lower to put under my Noveske. The ambi controls are great. The mag release is superior to the Power, KAC, and Norgon units. The only ambi mag release offered as a retrofit that is close is the new Troy model, which really needs a thread of it's own.

As an experiment I built the closest thing to the KAC from the currently available parts for my wife. The idea was to see if I could duplicate what I had in the KAC. I ended up with a fantastic rifle for her. I used a stripped DD lower, parts kit, upper, auto bolt and carrier, carbine tube, spring, H buffer,and 16" pencil mid length. I added a Vltor stock, TD grip, magpul trigger guard, 13" Troy extreme rail and flip ups, Viking sling point, the afore mentioned ambi mag release, a Stag ambi safety, Noveske end plate, and a BCM gunfighter charging handle. For the trigger I went with the Geisselle SSA. As I had replaced the A2 for the TD on the KAC and added a BattleComp I also added a BattleComp on her rifle as well. Slings are both BFG's and both sport T-1's on Larue mounts.

The rifle compares well to the KAC. It weights 1/2 pound less but that's mostly barrel I suspect. The KAC's gas system does seem to run a little smoother with a little less sproing when cycling. The SSA is a little smoother, not by much though. The only problem is the dollars spent.

When it was all said and done I had $2040.00 in the KAC before adding the BattleComp and TD grip. $2230.00 all told with all shipping and transfer fees not counting the sling and T-1. About $2900.00 rolling.

For my rifle with all the same equipment added I ended up with $580.00 in the lower, $1200.00 in the upper for $1780.00. Add the sling, attachments, QD's, and T-1 and mount and I come up with $2450.00.

So for an apples to apples I ended up with $450.00 less in my top of the line lightweight middie. So is it worth the difference? To me it is. With the new Troy ambi mag catch I won't buy another lower but am glad I bought the one I did. It is the most advanced model of AR that I am aware of to date. I do with they offered it with a 14.5 or 14.7.
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bubba04 · #7 10-12-10, 08:48

Thanks Seb, that is a good read. That's what I was looking for.