Very first build, which of these barrels and lower parts kits?

[snatiep]

Hello Everyone!

First post here, but have been reading everything I can here!

I'm slowly putting together all of the pieces to build my very first AR.

I'll be shooting it only informally, just for fun and steel targets.

I already have both the blemished PSA upper and lower receiver and the upper parts kit.

Now I'm looking at lower parts kits and barrels.

Can you give me any information on these two barrels:

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/JoeBobOutfitters_16_Gov_Contour_5_56_4140_Chrome_p/jb-16-gov-4140cm.htm

http://www.redbarnarmory.com/RBA-16-M4-1-9-p/rba16m419.htm

I'm leaning towards a mid-length gas system, but of the two listed above, the carbine length barrel is quite a bit cheaper.

I like the look of the A2 buttstock so have been looking at this lower parts kit:

https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17875&cat=292&page=1

https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17844&cat=292&page=1

I think the only difference between the two above are the triggers.

I've fallen in love with this handguard, but I'll save that for a later post:

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=310

I'm also very much open to any other suggestions you may have!

Thanks so much for your comments and information, much appreciated!

[Hemoglobin]

You're going to get a lot of, "you have more reading and searching to do" replies. So... Do more reading and searching. Scrap the barrels you are looking at and for around those prices go look at a sionics barrel or step up to a bcm mid length.

Also the a2 will be perfect for you or it won't be. The adjustable is more functional and you won't receive positive reinforcement here basing it off looks.

I would also throw the idea of that rail in the trash where that rail belongs.

[Hemoglobin]

Flip side either of those parts kits look good.

[Wake27]

Hold off on your build until you've gone through quite a few of the threads here. Unless you want something of very low quality.

[Shiz]

That Rock river handguard is HEAVY and BIG.

I might recommend Midwest Industries, BCM, Rainier Arms, Geiselle, more than that one. Even Troy has some lighter weight, lower profile options.

here is a link to the MI page. You might look into the Keymod or M-Lok Free float tubes.
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=149

[sevenhelmet]

The biggest thing is to figure out what you want. Do you have the opportunity to handle/shoot some rifles and see what features you like? I'd also suggest going through the AR picture thread and the custom build thread- there are a lot of great rifles there which may be close to what you are imagining.

Do you like a front-heavy rifle? Quad rails tend to add a lot of weight, even if they are designed as a "lightweight" rail. They are also big, so you won't enjoy gripping it unless you have big mitts. Do you need that much rail space? A quad rail has LOTS of room on the rails. I went with a quad for my first build, but I might eventually replace it since I don't really need that much space and it throws the balance point pretty far forward. Also, do you NEED a free-floated rail for your purposes? If you are just plinking at a range and having fun, a Magpul MOE rail and standard FSB will give you some really nice ergonomics.

[Wake27]

Hold off on your build until you've gone through quite a few of the threads here. Unless you want something of very low quality.

On second thought, IMO it'd be best for you just to buy an upper. I don't know why everyone new to the platform is so eager to build their AR.

[The Bulldawg]

On second thought, IMO it'd be best for you just to buy an upper. I don't know why everyone new to the platform is so eager to build their AR.

^^^this^^^^^

[lahunter57]

Check out these lower parts kits.

https://www.ucwrg.com/materiel/promos-deals-and-after-school-specials/57/lower-parts-kit-minimalist--alg-qms-trigger/

I just installed two of them and I think it's one of the best deals out there right now.

I want to buy another one just to have it in case something goes down.

You'll need to get a safety selector and trigger guard. I got my selector from damage industries and it works fine. Grant has colt ambi and non ambi selectors if you want one of those.

[TehLlama]

An upper with that handugard will be unique - but it will not be good. If you really have to cram a rail into a budget, the Troy Alpha and MI Keymod-SS are far better, much lighter, and suck less; those things are even heavier than an MOE handgaurd with a 3V weaponlight on it.

Buy a COMPLETE upper, simpler tends to be better. I'd start the searching looking at BCM and DanielDefense offerings to give you an idea of what handguards make sense, and be judicious about anything else to look at in that department and understand why (all the positive reviews of that RRA unit are from folks that appear to have gotten them for free from RockRiver, proceeded to install and fire a couple magazines into a berm then publish a 'review'). Sure they're very cheap, but unless you're trying to build a rifle under a very specific (and unreasonable for anything but a range toy) price point, avoid those. Barrels - same idea, but for a single carbine build, you're money behind picking up the tools to assemble it, and accumulating the parts and having to ship it both ways (or paying somebody locally) to assemble is still going to put you money behind.

I'd honestly look for a used BCM, DD, LMT, or Colt upper here - lots of users here are upgrading to the latest and greatest keymod rail setups, so some really good uppers with last year's state of the art handguards (DD Lite/RIS2, Centurion C4, KAC URX3.1, VTAC Alpha, and Geissele Mk1) and excellent low round count barrels are around and in your price range, and will far and away beat what you're likely to end up cobbling together from random PSA/RRA parts.

[brushy bill]

Aim Surplus has Daniel Defense LPKs 79.99 with free shipping. Best price I have found.

[The_Hammer_Man]

Of the two barrels you listed I'd go with the one from JoeBob's. I built and upper for a customer using one ( he supplied it). I was pretty impressed with it's quality and resulting accuracy/reliability after it was assembled.

Given a choice between between the WOA or the RRA LPK's I'd choose the WOA every time.

As far as your handguard choices are concerned I'd personally go with one of the Midwest Industries offereings

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=149

[snatiep]

Thank you all for your comments!

I already have a Colt LE6920 and want to build and AR from scratch.

So one recommendation was this barrel:

http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/store/product.php?id_product=66

And either one of these handguards:

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1211

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1263
Also pick up a lower parts kit and I should have a good start?

Thanks again for your help and comments!

[Wake27]

Yeah Sionics would be a good start, especially on a budget. The barrel is arguably the single most important part of an AR so you want to buy the best you can afford there.

[Sasahara]

Sorry if I missed it, but what exactly is your budget? What range are you looking to shoot at?

[joeyjoe]

Like others have said, BCM is making the decision to build look pretty unappealing these days.
That said, I understand the desire to build your own (learn a lot/ self sufficiency etc.). If you are building a lower, buy a colt LPK. they are the best ive used and can be had for very competitive prices these days.

[Warp]

On second thought, IMO it'd be best for you just to buy an upper. I don't know why everyone new to the platform is so eager to build their AR.

This ^

For your first AR, especially assembling it right now with the BCM free BCG (and free mod 0 compensator on 16") deals...just buy a complete upper.

[TehLlama]

The OP already has a 6920 - but I'd submit that it also means he's not allergic to owning an AR that runs (instead of stacks a really unique parts list).

Can I hear more about the 6920, then and what you want from the pair of rifles collectively? Might make the most sense to make yourself a partial copy, or make them really functionally divergent - what we're lacking understandig on is what you want to do with a second rifle, and then try and figure out a) if you're best served building it, b) what budget floor is probably likely for that, and c) if you may not be happier accumulating spares and nicer parts for your Colt.

[Tigereye]

In the current pricing environment, I would buy the upper and build the lower. That's what I'm doing right now. BCM upper, Mega lower, G&R parts kit, and various extra parts from previous takeoffs.

[fifthward]

+1. - I did this on my last (first) build, basically, Noveske lower, build kit with ALG ACT trigger, and complete ELW, KMR upper from BCM. Threw in the solid BCM BCG, and the foundation was set.

Doing the exact same thing with my 2nd build...with the forged lower in hand - I pick up a JP lower parts kit, which comes with everything minus the trigger ($38)
https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2385

...and add the ACT. This trigger is smooth with added nickel boron coating, in comparison with the QMS - if this is your cup of tea.

Good luck, and congrats starting on your first AR build!!