First Build - Looking for Advice

[yanks1927]

This is going to be my first and only AR. I want something that is going to be accurate, can handle some abuse, and isn't too heavy. I'm willing to pay a little more for good components. I was originally thinking about the SR-15, but I'm a little uncomfortable with all of the proprietary parts. This is the list so far, please comment:

Lower Receiver - Noveske N4 Gen 2
Upper Receiver - Vltor MUR-1A
Rail - DD Light Rail 12.0
Barrel - DD 16" Mid-Length CHF w/ lo-pro gas block
Bolt Carrier Group - BCM
Stock - Vltor Imod
Lower Parts Kit - G&R
Charging Handle - BCM Gunfighter Mod 4
Trigger - Geissele SSA
Flash Suppressor - AAC Blackout
Front Sight - Troy folding (micro or standard?)
Rear Sight - Troy folding (micro or standard?)

[Hanson77]

Sounds like a good solid build for sure. Although I think I can speak for most of the people on here.....once you get one, you'll end up with another. I said the same thing about my first one and have 3 now....hahaha!!! What is your ultimate goal for the gun...plinker, competition, hunting....all of the above?

[Iraqgunz]

Just a thought. Look at the cost of the Vltor MUR upper and the DD 12.0 rail. Then consider looking at the Vltor VIS.

I'll be using one for one of my upcoming projects when I get home.

[Militant83]

Looks like a solid build to me...nice use of quality parts.

[rob_s]

This is going to be my first and only AR. I want something that is going to be accurate, can handle some abuse, and isn't too heavy. I'm willing to pay a little more for good components. I was originally thinking about the SR-15, but I'm a little uncomfortable with all of the proprietary parts. This is the list so far, please comment:

Lower Receiver - Noveske N4 Gen 2
Upper Receiver - Vltor MUR-1A
Rail - DD Light Rail 12.0
Barrel - DD 16" Mid-Length CHF w/ lo-pro gas block
Bolt Carrier Group - BCM
Stock - Vltor Imod
Lower Parts Kit - G&R
Charging Handle - BCM Gunfighter Mod 4
Trigger - Geissele SSA
Flash Suppressor - AAC Blackout
Front Sight - Troy folding (micro or standard?)
Rear Sight - Troy folding (micro or standard?)

It would be helpful to know how you arrived at this list of parts, and why you are using the parts that you list.

[justin_247]

This is going to be my first and only AR. I want something that is going to be accurate, can handle some abuse, and isn't too heavy. I'm willing to pay a little more for good components. I was originally thinking about the SR-15, but I'm a little uncomfortable with all of the proprietary parts. This is the list so far, please comment:

Lower Receiver - Noveske N4 Gen 2
Upper Receiver - Vltor MUR-1A
Rail - DD Light Rail 12.0
Barrel - DD 16" Mid-Length CHF w/ lo-pro gas block
Bolt Carrier Group - BCM
Stock - Vltor Imod
Lower Parts Kit - G&R
Charging Handle - BCM Gunfighter Mod 4
Trigger - Geissele SSA
Flash Suppressor - AAC Blackout
Front Sight - Troy folding (micro or standard?)
Rear Sight - Troy folding (micro or standard?)

A few thoughts:
Lower - why the Noveske Gen 2? For the price of one of these, you can two or three standard lowers.

Upper - the MUR will be of marginal value if you're not building a precision rig with an SS barrel. I don't really see the point of using one with a CMV barrel - seems like a waste of $230 to me.

Rail - that's another $305. Don't forget you'll need to buy the tool to install the barrel nut on this rail, as well.

Barrel - with a low profile gas block already pinned to it from DD, this will set you back $330. So, between the rail, barrel, gas block, gas tube, upper, and tools, if you build it on your own, you're already spending in excess of $950.

I would simply buy a custom DD upper receiver group from Smartgunner for $655 and call it good.

Trigger - do you have any experience with a standard AR trigger at all? I suggest waiting until later on this one.

Sights - go with standard folding sights. The Micro version are for rifles like the 416, SCAR, POF, and ACR that have much higher rail systems. I assume you're planning on running a variable power optic on it? If simply using an Aimpoint or EOTech, I'd stick with fixed sights.

Also, are you going to build this yourself? You're going to need tools.

Totaling all of this up, you'll have spent $2000 on this rifle and won't even have an optic, yet.

What's wrong with a Colt 6920, BCM M4 or MID16, DD XV or XVM, or Spike's M4LE or Midlength LE? You could buy two of any of these rifles for the cost of your one. Or you could buy one with a $400 Aimpoint PRO, and still have $600-$700 to spend on a sling, light, and ammo.

Honestly, your build makes no sense.

[yanks1927]

thanks for the comments. the main purposes for the rifle will be carbine classes and target shooting. i've already got a pistol that i take to the range a lot, and i have the eventual goal of doing 3-gun competitions (after enough training, practice, and a shotgun). my main criteria are: strong build with reliable components, light (for carbine classes), reasonably accurate (not getting a noveske upper or a stainless barrel).

lower - just because i like noveske roll marks and im sure it will mate very well with the mur

upper - recommendations from friends; its 190, not 230

rail - lightest rail from a good name that people actually seem to like. not really interested in the magpul handguards; id like to stay with a long rail for a longer sight radius, but this could be a trade-off for more weight savings

barrel - this was a toss up between bcm and dd. it was easier to find a chf chrome-line dd online; definitely want the mid-length gas system; i could be sold on LW vs. gov't

bcg - no one should be debating this

stock - this was a toss-up between magpul acs and vltor. the costs are comparable, but im not sold on either. i like the ctr, but i wasn't sure about the cheekweld or if it was too light and i would end up with a poorly balanced rifle (muzzle heavy)

charging handle - again, no one should be debating this

trigger - im probably better off with the GI for now; how is the trigger in the g&r lpk?

flash suppressor - i shoot indoors a lot and don't want to piss off the people in the lane next to me with a brake. i could always get one later since this is a 16" barrel

buis - i want metal sights, not a fan of polymer; everyone says troy are the best

[justin_247]

thanks for the comments. the main purposes for the rifle will be carbine classes and target shooting. i've already got a pistol that i take to the range a lot, and i have the eventual goal of doing 3-gun competitions (after enough training, practice, and a shotgun). my main criteria are: strong build with reliable components, light (for carbine classes), reasonably accurate (not getting a noveske upper or a stainless barrel).

Alright... you can get a DD M4V5 for about $1300. Add a variable power scope and you're set. It will do all of the above and then some. I would also recommend the DD M4V7, which has a 12" tube which may be more appropriate for 3-gunning than a rail system.

Of course, you can still build an entire upper receiver with DD Lite rail and DD mid-length CHF barrel for $655 from Smartgunner. Add your BCM BCG for $140, Gunfighter charging handle for $45, and your choice of lower receiver group for <$350, and you're at $1200 for an excellent rifle that will meet all of those needs.

its 190, not 230

$40 is basically irrelevant when we're talking about a $2000 package here. Honestly, if you're going to spend that kind of money to put it all together yourself, just buy this... it has everything you want and it's ready to go:
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin...since=&status=

... or this:
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin...since=&status=

[yanks1927]

i wasn't aware of the custom upper from DD. my rail and barrel are coming to 667, so its basically like getting a free upper. what kind of receiver does it come with? looks pretty generic from the description

[TangoSauce]

Why not get matching Noveske receiver pair from Rainier and save a few bucks? Either that, or get the Vltor mono. ??? Everything else, sure thang.