What should is with my AR?

[sir shovelhands]

So where do I start. Seems like there are lowers everywhere. What's a good lower and what parts should I put in

As a forging operation is incredibly expensive to set up, almost all forged lowers are made by 4 solid companies and machined by the specified distributors below:

LMT (Lewis Machine Tool) = LMT, Lauer(old), DS Arms, PWA, Eagle, Knights Armament, Barrett, Bushmaster (?)

CMT (Continental Machine Tool) = Stag, Rock River Arms , High Standard, Noveske (old), Century (current), Global Tactical, Compass Lake Engineering, S&W, MGI (1st batch), Wilson Tactical, (some?) Colt, Ratworx

LAR (L.A.R. Manufacturing) = Grizzly, Bushmaster (L Prefix), Ameetech (?), DPMS, CMMG, Double Star, Fulton, Spike's Tactical, Noveske (new)

MMS (Mega Machine Shop) = Mega, Gunsmoke, Dalphon, POF (forged), Alexander Arms, Stinger, Spike's Tactical (old)

Anyone who tells you that you a 7075 alloy receiver is better than 6061 alloy receiver isn't lying, but it's completely unnecessary for the lower (there's very little stress applied to the lower, it doesn't need to be insanely strong)

There is slight variances in the quality of machining, fit, and finish, but as they all have a MIL specification to meet, they're pretty close.

I'd say find one you like on the list with a roll-mark that suits your fancy and buy it.

Or if you want to drop some coin for absolutely zero benefit besides looks (done it myself), get a billet machined lower from just about anyone who sells them.

Uppers are a slightly different conversation.

As for parts, start with a good trigger, it makes a huge difference:

there's: JP, Geissele, Gold, CMC, RRA, Timney, and many others i cant remember. Heck any aftermarket trigger is a marked improvement over mil-spec trigger. But you get spoiled once you touch a good one.

[lbbf]

I just got a POF trigger from Primary Arms in Sugarland on sale and it is a huge difference from mil-spec. There is no creep in it at all. It is a 4.5# trigger which is a little heavy but breaks like glass.

[Trkhunter]

Well looks like I'll be building one.

[PBFrijoles]

Look online at Aero Precision, Primary Arms, Palmetto State Armory and Anderson Rifles. They run great deals on lowers. I really like CMC triggers and they are based here in Tejas. Additionally look at KNS pins and Nickel Boron Bolt Carrier Group.

http://www.knsprecisioninc.com/

http://aeroprecisionusa.com/

http://www.primaryarms.com/

http://palmettostatearmory.com/

http://www.andersonrifles.com/

http://www.knsprecisioninc.com/

[Tony Pic]

I also second ANYTHING from KNS Precision.
If you want to start looking into the high end AR items. Look here.

http://www.laruetactical.com/

http://yhm.net/

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/

[Tommyh]

i dont know that id classify YHM as "high end".

[BigTex.308]

I'd sell the bushmaster and buy something made by,


BCM
Daniel Defense
PWS (they now make an awesome DI gun that's reasonably priced)
Smith & Wesson



Unless you have the proper background, building an AR is not recommended if the rifle is for any serious type use.

If it's just for plinking or hunting, that's a different story.


If you do plan on "building" an AR you need to take into account the cost of the proper tools that it will take to build it. All of a sudden that cheap builds turns very expensive.


There are TONS of factory rifles that have a ton of different options straight from the factory. You will have no problem finding what you want.


I guess the first step would be to find out what you want this rifle to do.

Home defense?
Hunting?
Plinking and just having fun?


Your answer will determine which type of AR you need and which features should be important.

My focus is on the defensive use. So that's what I typically advise folks on.




Ike

[TacticalCowboy]

I kind of agree with Ike, but building an AR isn't that difficult. Can you follow instructions well enough to microwave a TV dinner? If so, you can probably assemble an AR.

PS. DPMS Oracle is available at Bud's for $500.

[lbbf]

I'd only shot an AR once before I built mine. Total cost was still below what I could buy a comparable one for. I built a bench rest AR and got what I was looking for. Best 5 shot group so far is .3" with .75" being easy to maintain.

[PBFrijoles]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/698479/dpms-accurizing-wedge-ar-15