dammitmanny
02-08-13, 22:52
Hey guys,
I'm starting this thread to chronicle my first AR build. I started this thread on CalGuns.net, since that is the forum I most frequent. So this first post is just a cut and paste of my first 2 posts from CGN. While not everyone here is a member of CGN, I know there are people here that could benefit from my first AR build. I was in the Marines, so I know my way around a rifle, but this is my first time building one. I hadn't done much research into building one until recently (Yes, I got caught up into the panic buy). I was actually planning on buying a pistol at the beginning of the new year, but then boom, panic starts.
So I decided to build an AR, but I did not feel like paying $400 for a stripped lower. I found a decently (overpriced, but not as bad) priced 80% lower from these guys here at Protective Bunkers.com (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=686474). Nice guys, check em out if you get a chance.
Next step in my process was to get them engraved. As some of you may know, VaderSpade offers an engraving service on 80% lowers at a great price. That thread is here (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=588094). So, I got in contact with him, decided on what to get engraved, and shipped out my lower on 2/01/13.
Below are some pictures of my lower and then of what I'm having engraved.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-01-24_13-47-45_825.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/Deadpool_zps0ac995a2.jpg
On the magwell on the same side as the mag release
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/Deadpoolovertext_zpsaf4ebb3e.jpg
On the magwell on the same side as the selector switch
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/HAHABANGarea3_zps874d115e.jpg
Selector switch for a right handed shooter
Yes, I like comic books. DP is one of my favorite characters and I decided he would be perfect to be on the side of my rifle (As Punisher has been played out). If you are thinking of building your own 80%, I highly suggest you work with VaderSpade (http://vadertactical.com/). That link is his website, not the thread on CGN. He is not an FFL, so it needs to be in 80% form. Check out his work!
As of right now, that is all I have. I will be updating this thread not only for myself, but for any of those who would like to be updated with my build. Any suggestions/questions would be appreciated. Thanks for stopping by!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Above was first post (2/01/13), below is second post (2/08/13) from CGN---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
******NEW UPDATE 2/8/13******
Hey guys,
My first post consisted of my 80% lower and the images that I was planning on having engraved on it. I sent it out on 2/01/13. I come home today to a package waiting for me. Of course, as any of you would be, I was extremely excited. After reading the return address being none other than VaderSpade, I knew I was in for a treat. Exactly one (1) week after I sent out my 80% I got it back. If you are thinking about getting your 80% engraved, go through VaderSpade (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=588094)!
Here is finished product after the engraving:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/6a3e96bf-87fc-468a-a896-42f602aecb0f_zps161355f7.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-02-08_18-32-58_109_zps76ac3f68.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-02-08_18-32-01_397_zps66751eed.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-02-08_18-32-32_738_zps4d8852a3.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-02-08_18-33-12_440_zps19e54eab.jpg
I am very pleased and very excited about my 80% lower. My next step is to of course mill it out and have it Cerakoted. I've been in contact with JustinThyme for the Cerakoting job (Thread found here (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=656998)). They are located in the OC, which is not too far from me. He also told me about Gabe and co. (found here (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=680842&highlight=oc+build+party)), who are about 10 minutes away from them. From what I've seen, both guys do good work, so I'll be taking my 80% lower to them.
After that comes the hard part: finding the right parts for the right prices. Prices, as we all know, are ridiculous right now. I'm waiting on my tax refund right now, so waiting and shopping for the right parts wont be too difficult. I'm looking at getting an M4 style BCM upper and VLTOR CASV-M as my handguard. Probably going to go with a Magpul or VLTOR stock too.
As for sights, I am thinking of getting a Troy BUIS and a fixed triangle front sight/gas block. When I first thought about building an AR, the topic of what front grip would I want. When I was in the Marines, I felt most comfortable with my left hand at the magwell. But now that I was building my own, I thought about getting a vertical foregrip, then moved onto a AFG. However, it all came back to me feeling most comfortable with a magwell grip. So I'm probably going to go with that. The potential of a foregrip/bipod combo being used is still out there (I like options!).
I am also planning on putting a 1-point sling on it.
As for optics, I do not know yet. EOtechs are nice, as are some holographic sights, but I do not know exactly what I want. A good pair of optics is important, I understand that, but I also know being able to shoot your rifle with iron sights first is more important.
Anyways, if you guys know what those parts look like, then you have a decent idea of what my plans are. I've been debating on whether to go all black or FDE, but then I realized since I am HAVE Deadpool on my lower, I would probably be better off sticking with black.
As soon as I have it milled and Cerakoted and painted (I'm going to use red and white for DP and the text.) I will throw another update up. If you are a gun owner from California who is looking for any of the services I've had done (or will have done), contact the guys above (Vader, JustinThyme, and Gabe). They're great!
Thanks for looking!
-Manny
I'm starting this thread to chronicle my first AR build. I started this thread on CalGuns.net, since that is the forum I most frequent. So this first post is just a cut and paste of my first 2 posts from CGN. While not everyone here is a member of CGN, I know there are people here that could benefit from my first AR build. I was in the Marines, so I know my way around a rifle, but this is my first time building one. I hadn't done much research into building one until recently (Yes, I got caught up into the panic buy). I was actually planning on buying a pistol at the beginning of the new year, but then boom, panic starts.
So I decided to build an AR, but I did not feel like paying $400 for a stripped lower. I found a decently (overpriced, but not as bad) priced 80% lower from these guys here at Protective Bunkers.com (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=686474). Nice guys, check em out if you get a chance.
Next step in my process was to get them engraved. As some of you may know, VaderSpade offers an engraving service on 80% lowers at a great price. That thread is here (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=588094). So, I got in contact with him, decided on what to get engraved, and shipped out my lower on 2/01/13.
Below are some pictures of my lower and then of what I'm having engraved.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-01-24_13-47-45_825.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/Deadpool_zps0ac995a2.jpg
On the magwell on the same side as the mag release
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/Deadpoolovertext_zpsaf4ebb3e.jpg
On the magwell on the same side as the selector switch
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/HAHABANGarea3_zps874d115e.jpg
Selector switch for a right handed shooter
Yes, I like comic books. DP is one of my favorite characters and I decided he would be perfect to be on the side of my rifle (As Punisher has been played out). If you are thinking of building your own 80%, I highly suggest you work with VaderSpade (http://vadertactical.com/). That link is his website, not the thread on CGN. He is not an FFL, so it needs to be in 80% form. Check out his work!
As of right now, that is all I have. I will be updating this thread not only for myself, but for any of those who would like to be updated with my build. Any suggestions/questions would be appreciated. Thanks for stopping by!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Above was first post (2/01/13), below is second post (2/08/13) from CGN---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
******NEW UPDATE 2/8/13******
Hey guys,
My first post consisted of my 80% lower and the images that I was planning on having engraved on it. I sent it out on 2/01/13. I come home today to a package waiting for me. Of course, as any of you would be, I was extremely excited. After reading the return address being none other than VaderSpade, I knew I was in for a treat. Exactly one (1) week after I sent out my 80% I got it back. If you are thinking about getting your 80% engraved, go through VaderSpade (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=588094)!
Here is finished product after the engraving:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/6a3e96bf-87fc-468a-a896-42f602aecb0f_zps161355f7.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-02-08_18-32-58_109_zps76ac3f68.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-02-08_18-32-01_397_zps66751eed.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-02-08_18-32-32_738_zps4d8852a3.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/tearijerker/2013-02-08_18-33-12_440_zps19e54eab.jpg
I am very pleased and very excited about my 80% lower. My next step is to of course mill it out and have it Cerakoted. I've been in contact with JustinThyme for the Cerakoting job (Thread found here (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=656998)). They are located in the OC, which is not too far from me. He also told me about Gabe and co. (found here (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=680842&highlight=oc+build+party)), who are about 10 minutes away from them. From what I've seen, both guys do good work, so I'll be taking my 80% lower to them.
After that comes the hard part: finding the right parts for the right prices. Prices, as we all know, are ridiculous right now. I'm waiting on my tax refund right now, so waiting and shopping for the right parts wont be too difficult. I'm looking at getting an M4 style BCM upper and VLTOR CASV-M as my handguard. Probably going to go with a Magpul or VLTOR stock too.
As for sights, I am thinking of getting a Troy BUIS and a fixed triangle front sight/gas block. When I first thought about building an AR, the topic of what front grip would I want. When I was in the Marines, I felt most comfortable with my left hand at the magwell. But now that I was building my own, I thought about getting a vertical foregrip, then moved onto a AFG. However, it all came back to me feeling most comfortable with a magwell grip. So I'm probably going to go with that. The potential of a foregrip/bipod combo being used is still out there (I like options!).
I am also planning on putting a 1-point sling on it.
As for optics, I do not know yet. EOtechs are nice, as are some holographic sights, but I do not know exactly what I want. A good pair of optics is important, I understand that, but I also know being able to shoot your rifle with iron sights first is more important.
Anyways, if you guys know what those parts look like, then you have a decent idea of what my plans are. I've been debating on whether to go all black or FDE, but then I realized since I am HAVE Deadpool on my lower, I would probably be better off sticking with black.
As soon as I have it milled and Cerakoted and painted (I'm going to use red and white for DP and the text.) I will throw another update up. If you are a gun owner from California who is looking for any of the services I've had done (or will have done), contact the guys above (Vader, JustinThyme, and Gabe). They're great!
Thanks for looking!
-Manny