Roadblock
02-08-12, 11:34
So, I’ve had maybe half a dozen AR's over the past 15 or so years but unfortunately I had to sell off part of my gun collection to pay some bills due to finical issues. Luckily I've had a turnaround in employment and money issues to some extent. I’m still broke as hell but by socking away $20 here, $50 there I’ve gotten enough cash together to fund a couple new projects.
One of the projects, building a new AR. I didn’t want to go too cheap but I didn’t want to pay retail shelf price for something like a Daniel Defense, LMT etc so that is where the decision to build came in. Not my first rodeo either. I’ve built 3 of my past AR’s so I’m good to go as far as that is concerned.
I knew I wanted a DI AR and not a gas piston. Mostly due to cost but I also plan on having this rifle around longer this time and I wanted to keep it as close to a Mil-Spec standard as possible. I’ve decided I want for the most part, a Daniel Defense rifle. Again, one of the big things that factored into building Vs. buying complete was price but I also wanted to use some Flat Dark Earth parts but I know DD does NOT offer anything other than black. Unfortunately, they got smart to people buying their lowers and assembling full DD guns so they stopped selling JUST lowers! I had to go with another lower, I chose Smith and Wesson.
As far as building the Smith and Wesson lower, I went with the Daniel Defense LPK. Finished off the lower with a Magpul CTR stock kit and also bought a Magpul MOE rifle grip. Picked up the CTR in FDE, used with the .70 enhanced butt paid for $40 dollars! Hell, the butt paid costs like $15~20 on its own. Killer deal right there!
On the upper I went with the Daniel Defense upper receiver, added the 16 inch M4 style CM button cut barrel and the standard FA style BCG. Nothing special, no chrome lining on the barrel, no cold hammer forged. I just went with a basic 16 inch carbine upper to get me going. The barrel already included the A2 FSB etc. I finished off the upper with your basic A2 flash hider, Magpul MOE Carbine hand guards and the Daniel Defense A1.5 rear sight.
Sure you see the pattern. I basically have a full Daniel Defense rifle other than the lower is Smith and Wesson. It’s an all-around quality little shooter.
Anyhoo, I get mileage for work and I haven’t turned that in for a few months. Normally it’s not very much so why bother until it piles up. I just realized I have around $400+ dollars in mileage reimbursements coming. I turned in sheets last week and I should see that in my next week’s play checks. I’ve decided to use that money to do a couple add-on’s to my AR.
Right now I’m thinking a NICE rail. I’d like the Daniel Defense M4-A1 RIS II like the Mod Block guns are using but by the time I factor in the low profile gas block and a front sight, I’m over budget. My second choice for a rail is the M4-A1 FSB RIS II which allows you to keep your A2 FSB. Nothing extra to buy, just install it and go! I think the FSB RIS II would be a good compromise.
So here are my current options and thoughts.
1. Daniel Defense M4-A1 FSB RIS II in dark earth and that would be my only upgrade for now.
2. Troy Alpha Charlie Rail, which is basically the same rail but Troy’s version and almost $150.00 dollars less. This would free up a little money for me to also get a Primary Arms Micro Red-dot and Daniel Defense Aimpoint Micro Riser.
3. Skip the rails all together and get the Primary Arms Red-dot and riser mentioned above, buy ammo or buy a .22LR conversion and shoot more!
I feel like if I don’t get the DD rail now, I never will. I also feel like if I get the Troy rail I’ll wish I’d kept the rifle all DD parts. My buddy is of the opinion it really doesn’t matter because the rifle not truly a DD rifle anyway being that is has a Smith and Wesson lower.
I think I know what I want to do, but I can’t make up my mind lol! :p
One of the projects, building a new AR. I didn’t want to go too cheap but I didn’t want to pay retail shelf price for something like a Daniel Defense, LMT etc so that is where the decision to build came in. Not my first rodeo either. I’ve built 3 of my past AR’s so I’m good to go as far as that is concerned.
I knew I wanted a DI AR and not a gas piston. Mostly due to cost but I also plan on having this rifle around longer this time and I wanted to keep it as close to a Mil-Spec standard as possible. I’ve decided I want for the most part, a Daniel Defense rifle. Again, one of the big things that factored into building Vs. buying complete was price but I also wanted to use some Flat Dark Earth parts but I know DD does NOT offer anything other than black. Unfortunately, they got smart to people buying their lowers and assembling full DD guns so they stopped selling JUST lowers! I had to go with another lower, I chose Smith and Wesson.
As far as building the Smith and Wesson lower, I went with the Daniel Defense LPK. Finished off the lower with a Magpul CTR stock kit and also bought a Magpul MOE rifle grip. Picked up the CTR in FDE, used with the .70 enhanced butt paid for $40 dollars! Hell, the butt paid costs like $15~20 on its own. Killer deal right there!
On the upper I went with the Daniel Defense upper receiver, added the 16 inch M4 style CM button cut barrel and the standard FA style BCG. Nothing special, no chrome lining on the barrel, no cold hammer forged. I just went with a basic 16 inch carbine upper to get me going. The barrel already included the A2 FSB etc. I finished off the upper with your basic A2 flash hider, Magpul MOE Carbine hand guards and the Daniel Defense A1.5 rear sight.
Sure you see the pattern. I basically have a full Daniel Defense rifle other than the lower is Smith and Wesson. It’s an all-around quality little shooter.
Anyhoo, I get mileage for work and I haven’t turned that in for a few months. Normally it’s not very much so why bother until it piles up. I just realized I have around $400+ dollars in mileage reimbursements coming. I turned in sheets last week and I should see that in my next week’s play checks. I’ve decided to use that money to do a couple add-on’s to my AR.
Right now I’m thinking a NICE rail. I’d like the Daniel Defense M4-A1 RIS II like the Mod Block guns are using but by the time I factor in the low profile gas block and a front sight, I’m over budget. My second choice for a rail is the M4-A1 FSB RIS II which allows you to keep your A2 FSB. Nothing extra to buy, just install it and go! I think the FSB RIS II would be a good compromise.
So here are my current options and thoughts.
1. Daniel Defense M4-A1 FSB RIS II in dark earth and that would be my only upgrade for now.
2. Troy Alpha Charlie Rail, which is basically the same rail but Troy’s version and almost $150.00 dollars less. This would free up a little money for me to also get a Primary Arms Micro Red-dot and Daniel Defense Aimpoint Micro Riser.
3. Skip the rails all together and get the Primary Arms Red-dot and riser mentioned above, buy ammo or buy a .22LR conversion and shoot more!
I feel like if I don’t get the DD rail now, I never will. I also feel like if I get the Troy rail I’ll wish I’d kept the rifle all DD parts. My buddy is of the opinion it really doesn’t matter because the rifle not truly a DD rifle anyway being that is has a Smith and Wesson lower.
I think I know what I want to do, but I can’t make up my mind lol! :p