First Build - Updated with new Pictures

[cpizzle]

Here's my first build. I changed a lot about this build over the last 5 months. I'm still lacking an Aimpoint PRO and a foregrip but since my job has me affected by the sequester, that is on the back burner once again.

This is what I started with as my first official build.

Essential Arms Lower
LPK from a local dealer w/ stainless trigger
MAGPUL Aluminum Trigger Guard
EFX A1 stock
Ergo Grip
Essential Arms Upper, BCG, Charge Handle
YHM 20" 1/9 Heavy, Fluted, Chrome Lined Barrel
YHM Low Profile Gas Block
Vortex Flash Hider
MI SS 15" Handguard
MI Flip Up Sights

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/IMG_0653.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/IMG_0657.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/20120413_171548.jpg


This is where I'm at now and I'm much happier with this setup. I threw in a pic of my little helper that's been in on this project the whole way.

Essential Arms Lower
LPK from a local dealer w/ stainless trigger
MAGPUL Aluminum Trigger Guard
Ergo Grip
B5 Enhanced SOPMOD
Essential Arms Upper and BCG
BCM Gunfighter Charge Handle
FNH 16" 1/7 Carbine Barrel
YHM Low Profile Gas Block
Vortex Flash Hider
MI SS 12" Handguard
MI Flip Up Sights

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/0bd97d5c-9f88-4574-aa4d-0d03819b7748_zps2d8670de.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/user/hoghunter601/media/0bd97d5c-9f88-4574-aa4d-0d03819b7748_zps2d8670de.jpg.html)

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/20130703_164340_zpsd7a3301b.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/user/hoghunter601/media/20130703_164340_zpsd7a3301b.jpg.html)

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/IMG_0977_zpsece64504.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/user/hoghunter601/media/IMG_0977_zpsece64504.jpg.html)

[WickedWillis]

Great looking build, thank you for sharing it.

[cpizzle]

Thanks, I have my eyes on a Nikon M-223 2.5-10x40 BDC. I like the looks of it and the built in range finder looks nice. I thinks it's a bit overkill since most of my shots are within 100 yards but there's a few pastures I can stretch it out in.

[StewDaddy]

looks good

[t0kie]

Looking good. How do you like the stock?

[The_Hammer_Man]

Thanks, I have my eyes on a Nikon M-223 2.5-10x40 BDC. I like the looks of it and the built in range finder looks nice. I thinks it's a bit overkill since most of my shots are within 100 yards but there's a few pastures I can stretch it out in.

The Nikon 2.5-10 is a nice scope.. I have one for my "Recce" as well as my SPR builds. Even if you can't use all the magnification it's nice to have it when you need it.

[Travis B]

Out of curiosity, why, since you've been here since 2007, did you choose subpar parts?

[cpizzle]

Looking good. How do you like the stock?

The stock is pretty comfortable for me. With my big head, the angle it has is just right for me to rest my cheek and have a good line of sight with the iron sights. That may change when I add optics but I don't see it effecting it much. The storage compartment is nice too if you need to carry extra parts, bore snake, etc...


The Nikon 2.5-10 is a nice scope.. I have one for my "Recce" as well as my SPR builds. Even if you can't use all the magnification it's nice to have it when you need it.

Thanks for the opinion on the scope. I have Sightron on all of my rifles but one which has a Nikon Buckmaster. It's been on that one for 3 years with no complaints from me. I would rather have the magnification and not need it than need it and not have it.


Out of curiosity, why, since you've been here since 2007, did you choose subpar parts?

Since you ask... I joined in 2007 shortly after buying my first AR rifle, a Bushmaster carbine. I was forced to sell that one when I got divorced the next year. After that I decided I would build my next rifle. Since then, I've looked, read, researched, talked about and so on over and over. I bought the parts I bought based off of reviews of others with personal experience with those parts. What matters to me is that I'm pleased with it and I am.

Is my choice in optics up to par? Maybe you would like to suggest a bipod before I order one :)

[Spikele]

Good job

[devinsdad]

Looks like a solid rifle.

[dogz]

looks very clean and sleek!! NICE JOB I like it

[totenkopf_u64]

Have you taken it out to the range yet? How does it shoot?

How does the rifle handle? That barrel looks like it has a little heft... what are you planning to use it for? Range? Cleaning up said pastures?

EDIT: aha! coyote gun... missed that.

[cpizzle]

I had it out last week to shoot. It seems I've lost my front sight tool so I had to order another. It shot about 12" low at 25 yards. My shooting position was standing with no rest. 20 round group was around 4 - 5 MOA with XM193 from 1981. Once I get the new sight tool in and adjust I'll post some results. I know I can shoot better than that but seeing I was hitting the target below the view of the sight itself I wouldn't have expected much better.

To add to it my optic and bipod purchase got put off a little longer. I have to replace the heads on my daily driver.

[ARonBoard]

I often just use a 5.56 bullet and needle nose pliers on my front sight when that damn tool goes missing.

Congrats on completing your rifle.

[cpizzle]

I often just use a 5.56 bullet and needle nose pliers on my front sight when that damn tool goes missing.

Congrats on completing your rifle.


Thanks for the tip. Now I only have to wait until daylight to shoot again :thank_you2:

[Travis B]

I often just use a 5.56 bullet and needle nose pliers on my front sight when that damn tool goes missing.

Congrats on completing your rifle.

I generally buy a front sight tool whenever I buy online from a gun parts store. Never can have enough of those tools, especially when they disappear all the time.

[cpizzle]

Travis B's criticism on subpar parts made me go back and take a long look at some of the parts I used. I will agree with Travis B on my barrel choice as being subpar after a little more research and asking some more knowledgable people. Since then I've purchased a 16" FN 1/7 barrel and will be changing out the stock and adding a magpul angled fore grip. Stock opinions? Magpul MOE?

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/20130202_171849_zpsc708b28e.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/20130202_171756_zpsa1e2ceca.jpg

[Travis B]

Outstanding choice! I'm glad you didn't take it personally. Good choice on blades, by the way. And regarding stocks, my personal favorite is a Sopmod.



Travis B's criticism on subpar parts made me go back and take a long look at some of the parts I used. I will agree with Travis B on my barrel choice as being subpar after a little more research and asking some more knowledgable people. Since then I've purchased a 16" FN 1/7 barrel and will be changing out the stock and adding a magpul angled fore grip. Stock opinions? Magpul MOE?

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/20130202_171849_zpsc708b28e.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i35/hoghunter601/20130202_171756_zpsa1e2ceca.jpg

[TriviaMonster]

I really like the new B5 stock if you can get one, I prefer it to the magpul MOE. The MOE has way too much wiggle so if you go the Magpul route at least rock a CTR.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[cpizzle]

Nothing taken personally Travis. Just made me think more and search on it for a couple days. I'd also been thinking about it's intended purpose a little more each day I looked at it. I have two varmit bolt guns already and only one of those gets used. This would make 2 that didnt and I saw the FN barrel for a good deal so I made a move. As for the blade, it's nice, light, holds an edge pretty good. The safety slide could be a little smother but overall I like it. So much, I have 3 of them :D


I've had my hands on a CTR before. It had a good feel to it for me. I've seen nothing but good things about the SOPMOD so I ordered the Enhanced SOPMOD from BCM. I think it looks a little better than the Magpul stocks too.

[Travis B]

Nothing taken personally Travis. Just made me think more and search on it for a couple days. I'd also been thinking about it's intended purpose a little more each day I looked at it. I have two varmit bolt guns already and only one of those gets used. This would make 2 that didnt and I saw the FN barrel for a good deal so I made a move. As for the blade, it's nice, light, holds an edge pretty good. The safety slide could be a little smother but overall I like it. So much, I have 3 of them :D


I've had my hands on a CTR before. It had a good feel to it for me. I've seen nothing but good things about the SOPMOD so I ordered the Enhanced SOPMOD from BCM. I think it looks a little better than the Magpul stocks too.

You won't be disappointed in the Sopmod order.

[Deputyrpa]

You're GTG with the FN barrel. That should get you into the MOA range. Regarding optics, if you haven't purchased that Nikon, look on eBay for Tasco Titans made in Japan. And don't laugh, they are awesome scopes that sold for around $700 in the '80s, and are clearer and brighter than my VX3s. 30mm tubes, great glass and built like a tank. I have a 1.5-6x42 in an ADM mount on my lefty AR, a 3-9 on my Springfield '03-A3, and a 3-12x52 on my 340 Weatherby. I have absolute confidence with those scopes, even on the brutal Weatherby. The last 1.5-6 I got for $167 NIB. Check this one out with QD mounts and rails @ 137 with 2 days left: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tasco-Titan-1-5x-6-x-42-Riflescope-with-QR-mount-and-45-degree-red-dot-rail-/230918890246?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c3d6a306

[cpizzle]

I havent bought any optics so far. That got put off when I found out the water leak on my truck was from the heads being cracked. I've got iron sights and will run those for now and save up for an Aimpoint. I've been considering getting a Primary Arms PAC3X for the time being but may just hold off and put that towards the Aimpoint.

[The_Hammer_Man]

One of the brand of kool aid I've been sipping at recently is the VLTOR A5 rear extension and stock.

It's amazing the difference in how my carbines feel now. First time I fired my 16" with the A5 setup on it I had to check the barrel length to make sure I hadn't accidentally mounted my 18" SPR upper :)

[cpizzle]

I got my SOPMOD in today. Came earlier than expected. Just need a few more parts and I'll have the new stock and barrel on. I plan on swapping out that 15" handguard for a 12" also.

Figured out why it shot so low. I was looking at how tall the front sight is. I looked back at my reciepts from the order when I bought them and I ordered a rail mount height FS but looking at the part number on the package it came in, I got a gas block height FS. I have my sight tool now but I doubt I can compensate for the ammount of elevation drop needed. Next on the list is optics and I'll replace the FS after that.

[cpizzle]

Got it finished up finally. See the first post for the updates and new pictures.