First build (long) w/ pics

[JGolden83]

I've been around firearms my entire life but never really around any "tactical" weapons. I've been wanting to build an AR15 for quite some time but never really got serious about it until last March. I started out gathering info on another forum which I won't name (but I'm sure you can guess) and migrated over to M4 after noticing all of the great advice seemed to be found here. The first few parts I ordered were a Spikes stripper lower and a Stag LPK in addition to a Spikes buffer tube assembly/spring/tungsten buffer and an M4 stock. To make a long story short after I began reading over here I decided I wanted to build a BCM rifle. In particular a 16" middy. After reading MarkM's thread about the 14.5" middy with a PWS FSC556 and heavier buffers I was sold. I sold the Spikes stuff to a friend since he caught the bug as well (He wasn't concerned about having the "perfect" rifle so he didn't mind the Spikes stuff. I told him it was good gear but it was by no means top of the line.) So..upon further reading here and a few other places this is the parts list and rifle I came to build or assemble rather.

Lower
BCM Lower w/stock USGI trigger (from G&R)
H2 Buffer/Standard carbine spring
Magpul MIAD grip
Magpul CTR stock
Noveske QD endplate (installed by G&R)
Two Pmag's and one USGI magazine thus far.

(Okay, so I really didn't assemble the lower lol)


Upper
BCM BFH 14.5" Mid length URG (I shaved the FSB, also have pics of that process as well if anyone is interested.)
PWS FSC556 Compensator (Perm attached by Adco Firearms)
BCM BCG (Auto)
BCM Gunfighter CH (Med latch)
DD AR15 Lite Rail 12"
Tango Down QD stubby vertical grip
Troy Battle Sights (BCM logo on them)

Pics (taken with iphone so the quality may not be that great)

It was tough, but I waited until I had all of my parts (minus sights) to begin putting the gun together
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Unboxed
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Ready to go to the range. That's a condor rifle bag in OD Green. Sig P229 also pictured.
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I've only had her out once. Shot 20 rounds of Federal 5.56 55 grain, 100 rounds of Federal .223 55 grain and 40 rounds of American Eagle 55 grain. All performed flawlessly with a problem.

Recoil is almost non-existent. The rifle seems fairly light to me but don't have an exact weight. True to what I read the comp is louder than a standard flash hider. With ear plugs in I didn't really notice the noise so much as the concussion produced when fired. Overall I'm pleased with it and don't regret getting the comp. I played with the rear sight a bit and got it on target at 50 yards but I haven't truly sighted it in yet. Just wanted to sling some lead down range

I know I could have pretty much bought the same gun from BCM fully assembled and it would have been much cheaper. But building was half the fun for me and I learned a lot about the platform in the process. I could have built a much cheaper gun but I didn't want to build another gun just because my first one wasn't exactly what I wanted and I was too cheap to spend money on quality parts. In the end I know I ended up with a quality firearm that has all of the features I was looking for.

Future plans will be a sling, optic and possibly a light. For now I'm just going to have fun shooting the gun, get it really dialed in and get some training somewhere. If anyone knows of a great carbine course in the Western KY area let me know.

[lethal dose]

great first build.

[johnpuga1982]

Ready to go to the range. That's a condor rifle bag in OD Green. Sig P229 also pictured.

Nice rifle. How you liking that Condor Rifle Bag? I've been in the market for a new bag and was considering that one. Does it come with the subdued flag or did you add that separately?

[JGolden83]

Nice rifle. How you liking that Condor Rifle Bag? I've been in the market for a new bag and was considering that one. Does it come with the subdued flag or did you add that separately?

So far I really like it. Quality seems great and for 60 bucks it's hard to beat. The only drawback is that I don't think it's made here at home (China I believe, but not sure?) I have a friend with a Blackhawk Homeland Security Discreet Weapons Carry Case and although it was much more expensive it seems to me that the quality of the Condor is almost just as good. Both bags have pros and cons and I bought the Condor to avoid having the same bag. Also not pictured are two other molle pouches that go on the sides of the center pouch. I had them off in this pic but have since put them back on. That was the main reason I chose this bag over the Voodoo tactical bag. I like the idea of being able to remove the pouches should I ever want to and that's not an option on the Voodoo since they are sewn directly to the bag. Which may be what some people want. The subdued flag was purchased separately but it was cheap. The bag comes with the Velcro on it already, that patch just happened to fit perfectly. Both items came from US Cav.

[Pax]

Good first build. Well done. Assuming youre right handed, reverse the TD grip's AmDef QD latch and your grip will magically be much more comfortable.

My only complaint with the Condor rifle case is that the weapon retention straps in the large interior pocket are sewn to the edges of the pocket. I prefer cases with webbing matrices throughout the weapon pockets' sides that can be used with Velcro keepers to secure the weapon, as they actually hold the weapon in place. Also I dont know the make on the zippers on my Condor. They havent been an issue yet, but if I can get YKK, I prefer to.

[JGolden83]

Good first build. Well done. Assuming youre right handed, reverse the TD grip's AmDef QD latch and your grip will magically be much more comfortable.

My only complaint with the Condor rifle case is that the weapon retention straps in the large interior pocket are sewn to the edges of the pocket. I prefer cases with webbing matrices throughout the weapon pockets' sides that can be used with Velcro keepers to secure the weapon, as they actually hold the weapon in place. Also I dont know the make on the zippers on my Condor. They havent been an issue yet, but if I can get YKK, I prefer to.

Thanks Pax, I was actually unsure of which direction to put it. There was no indication in the packaging that I could find. Originally I had it on the opposite side than in the pics. After searching the net, all of the pics I had seen showed it like I have it currently mounted so I assumed that was the directed it was supposed to be. I'll try it the other way and see how it is. And yes I agree, the Velcro keepers would be nicer if they didn't attach at the edges. But for 60 bucks I guess you can have it all.

[Pax]

Oh I just meant flip the QD lever around, not turn the whole grip. But. I guess that works too. Whatever floats yer boat.

Unlock the lever and pull the bolt that also serves as a locking block on the rail just far enough out of the non-lever side of the grip to allow the bolt head to spin. Unscrew it slowly until you can shove it back into the grip enough to allow the QD lever on the other side to clear the grip in a 180 degree rotation. Put the lever in whichever position tickles your fancy and retighten the bolt, checking it with an in spec rail to ensure proper fit.

Rotating the QD lever instead of the entire grip will allow you to keep the lever on the left side of the weapon, the side more naturally accessible to right-handed shooters. But. This is the only possible benefit I can see to it. I suppose if a situation dictated that you NEEDED to ditch the grip to rest the rifle and take a long range shot, perhaps this might help. But. Eh.

[JGolden83]

Oh I just meant flip the QD lever around, not turn the whole grip. But. I guess that works too. Whatever floats yer boat.

Unlock the lever and pull the bolt that also serves as a locking block on the rail just far enough out of the non-lever side of the grip to allow the bolt head to spin. Unscrew it slowly until you can shove it back into the grip enough to allow the QD lever on the other side to clear the grip in a 180 degree rotation. Put the lever in whichever position tickles your fancy and retighten the bolt, checking it with an in spec rail to ensure proper fit.

Rotating the QD lever instead of the entire grip will allow you to keep the lever on the left side of the weapon, the side more naturally accessible to right-handed shooters. But. This is the only possible benefit I can see to it. I suppose if a situation dictated that you NEEDED to ditch the grip to rest the rifle and take a long range shot, perhaps this might help. But. Eh.

Ahh, I gotacha. I'll play around with it some, see how I like it best. Thanks for the advice.

[yugotprblms]

Great looking rifle! I plan to build something similar myself.

Why do you dislike Spikes though? From what I hear, they are fairly good quality.

[jet80tv]

Spikes is selling "stripper" lowers now! you should have kept atleast the spikes stripped lower for another build, from what I've read the st-buffer sucks but in my experience with other spikes components they do in fact produce "serious" rifle stuff, not pissin on BCM. Nice build!