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Thread: New build: Spike's, BCM, etc

  1. #1
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    New build: Spike's, BCM, etc




    Building the lower, pictures!

    Nearly completed, so I took some better pictures

    Spike's Tactical lower receiver,
    BCM upper receiver,
    G&R LPK,
    Magpul MOE grip,
    Battle Arms Development Ambidextrous Safety Selector with standard and hybrid levers,
    Magpul Battery Assist Device,
    Geiselle Super Semi Auto trigger,
    Magpul Enhanced trigger guard,
    Noveske QD end plate,
    Magpul CTR stock,
    BCM Bolt Carrier group + HP bolt,
    BCM Gunfighter charging handle w/ Mod 4 latch,
    16" BCM lightweight profile barrel with mid length gas system,
    VTAC TRX Extreme 11" handguard,
    Aimpoint H-1 in a Daniel Defense tall mount,
    Knight's Armament Micro 200-600m rear BUIS
    Knight's Armament Micro front BUIS,
    Magpul MVG foregrip,
    IWC QD sling attachment,
    Boonie Packer 2P Combat sling with QD swivels,
    Streamlight TLR-1,
    Don't Tread On Me dust cover because I'm a dork,
    and I'm waiting on a Surefire muzzle brake

    The final weight with optic, flashlight, and sling: 7 pounds 9.0 ounces:



    OP:
    I just ordered the first parts for this build. I wanted a relatively lightweight AR-15 that would be good for classes. It's not the lightest, and probably won't be the prettiest, but I think I will be very satisfied with it.

    I also wanted some input on a flashlight setup. My favorite setup that I have tried is a Brite Strike Blue Dot in a Daniel Defense offset mount, just in front of my support hand on the left with the light offset up. I would put this identical flashlight setup on this gun, but am wondering about some lighter weight setups that would give equivalent (I believe 180 lumens) illumination. Any suggestions?

    Parts, in no particular order:

    BCM Standard 14.5" Mid Length Upper Receiver Group w/ Daniel Defense LITE 12" Handguard
    PWS SM556 compensator, pinned
    Spike's stripped lower
    H buffer (will keep a carbine buffer nearby in case I need it to shoot Wolf or other low power ammo)
    G&R LPK (without trigger)
    Geiselle Super Semi trigger
    Noveske QD receiver end plate
    Magpul CTR stock, BAD lever, and MOE grip
    Boonie Packer 2P AOTM sling and probably a Tactical Tailor shoulder pad
    Aimpoint H-1 on a Daniel Defense mount
    KAC hand stop
    KAC Micro 200-600M Flip-Up Rear Sight
    KAC Micro Rail Mounted Folding Front Sight


    A couple things are back ordered, and a couple others aren't even ordered yet. So what do you think?

    Well, I changed my mind on a few things but everything is ordered.

    Ended up deciding on a BCM 16" with a mid length gas system and a VTAC TRX 11" handguard. I think the weight savings going from the DD Lite handguard to the TRX will easily make up for the 1.5" longer barrel. I also am not 100% sure on which suppressor I want to go with for 5.56mm yet. Though I am heavily leaning towards the KAC M4-2000, if I end up going with AAC or another manufacturer it will be nice to be able to swap the muzzle device for a different adapter if necessary.

    Patiently waiting...
    Last edited by stifled; 11-04-10 at 23:18.

  2. #2
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    1. Geissele Super Semi Auto trigger group. I got one of these for my SPR type gun and it spoiled me a bit.


    2. ICW QD sling attachment. I only used the attachment on the left in this build, the other will be going on my first AR on a MOE handguard.


    3. Most of the parts together. I was in a bit of a hurry to get the build started, so I missed a few things.


    4. Magazine catch installed.


    5. Bolt catch installed. Don't mind the scuffs on the lower, I swear it came that way. :whistle:


    6. Front takedown pin installed. I found this new method of installing it without flinging the detent across the room. Unfortunately I am unable to share this method as it may be a state secret.


    7. Magpul Enhanced trigger guard installed. I want to keep up with drills this winter so needed a larger trigger guard for gloves which will be necessary in sub-freezing temperatures.


    8. Geiselle SSA trigger installed. Love these triggers.


    9. I installed quite a bit between the last picture and this one. Didn't really think to take a picture until this point.
    Rear takedown pin
    Battle Arms Development Ambidextrous Safety Selector
    Magpul MOE Grip
    Receiver extension, Noveske receiver end plate with QD attachment, Castle nut, Buffer retention pin and spring
    Magpul CTR stock
    Magpul Battery Assist Device
    I used a BAD safety on my last build and really liked it so I bought another. Extremely smooth safety with a lot of options for configurations. My first order was shipped in literally minutes, and this time the standard sized levers were back ordered but I still received the safety in three days.
    I also really like the Noveske QD receiver end plate. The way it's built it sticks into the lower receiver a bit and forces you to install the receiver extension straight. A lot less relying on eyeballing it to get it straight. They are also barely heavier than a standard end plate. I will definitely be using these in future builds!
    I would use a standard stock but the little bit of wobble always annoys me. The CTR is the least expensive stock I've found with a friction lock type lockup that works.
    I haven't staked the castle nut yet. I snugged it down pretty good and will run a couple hundred rounds through it to make sure everything is hunky-dory first.


    10. Buffer spring and H buffer installed. I'm keeping a carbine weight buffer on hand for shooting low power ammo if I have any problems.


    11. It looks like a gun!


    12. Closer picture of the receivers


    13. Final assembly... Aimpoint H-1 in a Larue lower 1/3 co-witness mount, IWC QD sling attachment, Magpul MVG, and Brite Strike Blue Dot light in a Daniel Defense mount.
    I'm a big fan of the Aimpoint micro sights as well as the Larue lower 1/3 mounts, though I need to see if the Daniel Defense mount I have would give me any weight savings over the Larue.
    Installing the foregrip, it was a bit of a pain getting the screw started, but after that it was a cinch. I'm thinking of cutting the foregrip down as I only use about half of it, but may leave it for use as a monopod off a table... I'll have to see if I use it that way or not. I like how it turned out though--I much prefer attaching it directly to the handguard. It looks a lot better too, which doesn't hurt.
    The IWC sling attachment was a lot easier to install than the foregrip since I installed it closer to the back of the handguard. It seems extremely sturdy and fit well.
    The Brite Strike Blue Dot light (Tactical Illumination Tool, actually; I refuse to call it that, though) is dead simple--push the button to turn it on, push it again to turn it off. I like the DD flashlight mount quite a bit, it places the light's button about 1" from where my thumb rests on the handguard. I may investigate a light mount that will mount directly to the VTAC handguard to bring it a little bit closer to the rail.




    Just waiting on my set of BUIS from Knight's Armament and my Boonie Packer sling... and need to use a vice at work to install the PWS brake!
    Last edited by stifled; 10-16-10 at 23:41.

  3. #3
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    Almost everything came today. I got assembly nearly finished... need to use the vice at work to get my compensator installed and I'm waiting on my BUIS. I went with a Magpul MOE Vertical Grip which attached directly to the VTAC rail, though it was a bit of a PITA. I like the feel of the gun quite a bit, and downright love the weight. It's under 8 lbs. as it sits if my crappy bathroom scale can be trusted whatsoever. It's definitely the lightest AR I've handled, though I haven't handled many where light weight was the goal.





    I took pictures as I went so I will post those once I have time tomorrow! I also plan on taking good pictures of the fully assembled rifle.
    Last edited by stifled; 10-16-10 at 08:00.

  4. #4
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    I love that rail, those sling mounts, and that lightweight barrel. Great build.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by MTechnik View Post
    I love that rail, those sling mounts, and that lightweight barrel. Great build.
    Thanks!

    I updated the second post to pictures of the build process.

  6. #6
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    Looks great! I'm working on a very similar build so its nice to see what it may look like when completed.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mitch View Post
    Looks great! I'm working on a very similar build so its nice to see what it may look like when completed.
    Thanks!

    Now if I can get some significant free time (or be able to stay late...) at work I'll be able to switch out the muzzle device and be done--and take the glamor pictures.

    I really wish I had arrived at the lightweight side of things sooner. The 200 rounds I ran drills with this thing really drove "ounces are pounds, pounds are pain" home.
    Last edited by stifled; 10-19-10 at 14:38.

  8. #8
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    Still going with the PWS?

  9. #9
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    Yes. From what I've read they are decent compensators. Also, I plan on getting a 5.56 suppressor not too long down the road and getting one that I can just attach to my existing muzzle device sounds like a winning plan. Sure, I'll have to buy 3 more... but if I went another route I'd end up having to buy 4
    Last edited by stifled; 10-19-10 at 15:57.

  10. #10
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    fwiw the pws works very well. I have over 700 rounds with and has noticeably less recoil than my other ar with the standard A2 on it....

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