Help a PO build his work rifle.

[3958]

My department is no longer issuing Patrol rifles (We don't have the $ apparently) BUT, we are considering changing our general orders to allow police officers to bring their own AR for work purposes. I currently own a DPMS AP4. (Didn't know any better at the time, and a good learning experience) It's served me well so far, but I don't trust it with my life, or someone else's for that matter. From the wealth of knowledge I've received here, I've decided to build my work rifle. Being a police officer, I am not exactly rolling in the dough, but still want a dependable, purpose built rifle.

This rifle would ride next to me in my patrol car every day. Uses would be for active shooter situations, containment, and any other time a patrol rifle would be beneficial over a 12 GA.

LOWER:
BCM Blem w MOE stock and grip $211
LOWER TOTAL :~$$211

UPPER:
BCM 16" LW midlength w/ BCM Bolt/BCG $610
BCM Gunfighter CH $44
MI ERS rear sights $94
MI #18 Mid Length Handguards $148
UPPER Total: ~$896
RIFLE TOTAL: ~$1107

I have quite a few parts I would strip off my DPMS, such as Surefire G2L light with Vltor mount, and a C-More RDS. I plan to buy an Eotech in the future to mount on this rifle, but for now, the C-More will work.

I'd like to get the total price down as best as possible, as this rifle would almost eat an entire paycheck. There is no absolute rush to build this rifle, but I would like to start piecing it together in the next few weeks. I'm still deciding on a sling, but am leaning toward the VTAC. Any and all input is appreciated.

[jklaughrey]

BCM Blem with MOE grip/stock and BCM LPK installed...321.00
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=LWR-BCM

BCM MID length upper 16 in w/ BCM BCG and CH...610.00 w m4 hand guards 30.00
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-B...16lw%20bfh.htm

or BCM mid length upper with TROY trx railed handguards and BCM BCG and CH...784.00
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Produ...11std&CartID=1

DD rear buis...65.00
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Danie...p/dd-11002.htm

1159 or go LW with M4 style handguards and it will be 1026.00

I personally would go with tapered or M4 hand guards due to not all PD/SO are using the "claw" style system to secure AR's in cruisers. Railed forends sometimes will not fit. Secondly, holds down on weight and you can mount your light with a MI FSB rail if need be. Also for a duty weapon my preference is for a fixed BUIS. ESP if your using a C-more, not exactly a rugged optic. You can change the CH later on and add other things later. But for me a LW, build using quality parts is the first and utmost important thing for a duty weapon. Why risk your life on substandard or unproven parts.

[BAC]

Are you allowed SBRs? Do you have a budget in mind? How quick do you need the rifle (parts availability)?

BCM standard 14.5" upper with standard charging handle and BCG, carbine or middy handguards (whichever type of upper you get), and Magpul MBUS rear sight. Whole upper would be $595 + shipping from Bravo Co. For the lower, buy a Spikes stripped lower from Brownells, this lower parts kit, and this stock kit (Specify H buffer). Whole lower would be $227 + transfer fee and shipping (nicer because all parts from only two places). Total cost: $822 + shipping and transfer fee.

If you want a lightweight barrel, BCM and Centurion have hammer forged ones in stock but you'll pay a little more. BCM doesn't seem to have standard (not hammer forged) lightweight 14.5" barrels in stock (their website says they're coming back late July).


-B

[nickdrak]

I would get which ever brand lower will be compliant with your department g.o.'s. I would build it up with a G&R tactical lower parts kit and add a Spike's Battle Trigger.

I would stick with a complete BCM upper receiver group. My preference would be for a 16" Lightweight Midlength gas system upper.

M&A wouldn't even be on my top 10 list of uppers I would consider.

[3958]

Are you allowed SBRs? Do you have a budget in mind? How quick do you need the rifle (parts availability)?

BCM standard 14.5" upper with standard charging handle and BCG, carbine or middy handguards (whichever type of upper you get), and Magpul MBUS rear sight. Whole upper would be $595 + shipping from Bravo Co. For the lower, buy a Spikes stripped lower from Brownells, this lower parts kit, and this stock kit (Specify H buffer). Whole lower would be $227 + transfer fee and shipping (nicer because all parts from only two places). Total cost: $822 + shipping and transfer fee.

If you want a lightweight barrel, BCM and Centurion have hammer forged ones in stock but you'll pay a little more. BCM doesn't seem to have standard (not hammer forged) lightweight 14.5" barrels in stock (their website says they're coming back late July).


-B

I'm not sure if we will be allowed SBR's. The General Order hasn't been written yet, but I wouldn't bet on it. 16" barrel will serve me just fine. I'd like to keep it leightweight, so the LW barrel is definetly an option. I'll probably reconsider the M&A upper for the LW BCM. I'm looking for a rail system that is lightweight, but will still allow me to have many mounting options, so I'm not too keen on the FSB rail mount. I've looked at the Magpul handguards, but am not sold on them yet. Some of our cars have the claw system to hold AR's. Some car's don't have the dual rack for 12 GA and AR, so it would be in the trunk sometimes.

[3958]

M&A wouldn't even be on my top 10 list of uppers I would consider.

M&A claims their uppers are made by LMT. My dad's has been pretty nice so far. I could very well be wrong though.

[3958]

BCM Blem with MOE grip/stock and BCM LPK installed...321.00
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=LWR-BCM

BCM MID length upper 16 in w/ BCM BCG and CH...610.00 w m4 hand guards 30.00
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-B...16lw%20bfh.htm

I like these options. Im really liking the LW barrel the more I think about it.
or BCM mid length upper with TROY trx railed handguards and BCM BCG and CH...784.00
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Produ...11std&CartID=1

This is slightly more than I'd be willing to spend. It is pretty nice though.
DD rear buis...65.00
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Danie...p/dd-11002.htm

1159 or go LW with M4 style handguards and it will be 1026.00

I personally would go with tapered or M4 hand guards due to not all PD/SO are using the "claw" style system to secure AR's in cruisers. Railed forends sometimes will not fit. Secondly, holds down on weight and you can mount your light with a MI FSB rail if need be. Also for a duty weapon my preference is for a fixed BUIS. ESP if your using a C-more, not exactly a rugged optic. You can change the CH later on and add other things later. But for me a LW, build using quality parts is the first and utmost important thing for a duty weapon. Why risk your life on substandard or unproven parts.

Why the preference for the fixed BUIS? Do they have an advantage over folding sights? The C More would reside on this for about two months, until money recovers enough to buy a quality optic. My personal preference would be to have folding rear sights.

[Sone]

as a fellow PO, I would never trust my life or anyone elses to anything from MA, if they say it is LMT, get a LMT from them or other retail sellers.

[EATLEAD]

Everything on your list looks good, except for the M and A upper. I guess they are decent, but you stated that your life or the lives of citizens may depend on it. I dont think it would be much of an upgrade over your DPMS barreled upper.
I would highly recomend this upper over the heavy barrel middy you had listed
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-1...urg-mid-16.htm
Reason being the gov't profile barrel would not be as heavy as the one you had listed previously and the 1 in 7" twist rate gives you a lot more flexibility in the loads you can shoot out of it.
My department is the exact opposite. They will only let us carry department issue only rifles, no personal long rifles. And with the maker of the rifle they issue, I think I am going to pass.

[beauduke]

For The same money your looking at for your build you can just grab an entire BCM rifle. I don't see the point in building at that price, and certainly not with suspect parts. Grab a BCM, or better yet look around. Lots of retailers offer a LE discount. I'd be shocked if you couldn't latch onto a BCM or "better" rifle with a LE discount. At the least I know S&W has very nice pricing for LE. I'd also look long and hard at a second hand Colt. Maybe sell the DPMS for what you can and then apply that and some more cash and just get a known commodity.

My franken AR is great don't get me wrong. But I had to build over the course of a year and change. Life just gets in the way for me to drop the cash all at once on a luxury. If you want to build just to build that's cool, and I get it. But for a working rifle? Take advantage of the discounts in the used market or from various retailers.

So in short. Sell the DPMS, take proceeds and purchase a Colt/DD/BCM rifle. Just a much easier and likely cheaper way to get a better rifle. Saving some money lets you stock up on Pmags and ammo, or get that optic you've been wanting. Win win.