And it begins......My first AR build!

Ok so last year I bought my first AR, ordered a complete lower from Spikes and a complete Spikes upper from DSS. Pushed a few pins and that was it. Tricked it out pretty awesome and ended up having to sell it to help fund my divorce a few months back. Here it was:


Well with my divorce finalizing this week and my money situation being way better I decided to start up a new build, and to really build it this time.

Picked up this S&W MP15 stripped lower for $119 today, and here we go!


As far as parts go here is what im thinking so far:
PSA Lower build kit- $104.99
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php...-build-kit.html

Hogue Grip- $16.10
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/2-HO15000

VLTOR Sling plate- $19.97
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/ARR-466

Am thinking of going 300 AAC Blackout for caliber
300 AAC Blackout Upper- $379
http://www.marksarmory.com/Marks_Armory_300_ACC_Blackout_Upper_p/ma300.htm

BCG & Charging Handle- $120
http://www.marksarmory.com/Bolt_Carrier_Group_Charging_Handle_Combo_p/bcgch.htm

As far as sights I have not made up my mind yet, obviously a nice set of flip up's and im thinking an EOTech. I had an Aimpoint Comp M2 on my last AR, I liked it but really like the way the EOTech looks.

Any comments or advice are more than welcome!!!

I'd suggest getting a good barrel , never heard of marks armory but u can get some good barrels cheap

Never heard of them either, was a few members on arfcom talking about running this upper with good results. Figured it would be worth giving a shot.

I used the palmetto state lpk on mine and it was great. I wish I would have just went ahead and spent a few extra dollars and got the magpull stock on it though. Pm me if you need any help on the build. They're a ton of fun to do. Goodluck!

Thanks jtz821! Yeah I may end up changing out the stock, but I personally kinda like the basic M4 style stock. Dunno, have had my eye on the Magpul CTR though.

I love those Spikes lowers, it's a shame that they engrave the flag backwards though!

Good luck with the build

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Anytime! This is the one I should have gone with http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-str-lower-build-kit.html?utm_source=STR+%26+1911&utm_campaign=Constant+Contact&utm_medium=email

If you have not used the hogue grip and personally prefer it I wold recommend looking at the ergo grip.

my preference is ergo, magpul, hogue.

Looks like its gonna be a fun rifle!

I will give you my 2 cents on that single point sling plate you are looking at buying even though you didnt ask for it. I thought the single point sling thing was going to be the ultimate way to attach a sling to a AR. Boy was I wrong!!! If you plan on standing alot doing gaurd duty or something then they are fine. If you plan on doing much walking or running they suck! They just allow the gun to move around WAAAAY to much for me unless you have at least one hand on the gun at all times. I have found the 2 point sling like the V-Tac design to be much better for moving and hunting type situations.

I could not agree with you more. I carry an sbr as a duty rifle that came with a single point. I hated it from the get go and went back to a 2 point.

there's a specific reason for that...

gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze behind as the soldier moves forward on the battle field

Ok so few changes in plans and a little progress made.

Scrapped the idea of doing a 300 BO, gunna stick to a .223/5.56 for this one. Have decided to build a predator rig out of it basically.

Gunna do a magpul CTR stock in OD green, either magpul or hogue od green grip this weekend. Will update with more pics after but for now here is what I got.


Now for an upper im thinking 16-18 inch barrel, low profile gas block, Nikon M223 scope. No need for flip up buis or anything with it just being a dedicated hunting rig with a scope I wouldnt think.

The stupid pin for my trigger guard mushroomed on the end instead of driving all the way in, gotta get a new one now.

Did you use a standard punch or a roll pin punch?

Looks like u knicked the lower pretty good trying to beat it in ?

standard punch

Yeah got a couple little knicks, not too worried about it as I'm sure it will gain a lot more out using it. Not gunna be a safe queen, will just touch it up with a little Alumablack and roll with it.

Actually most of the silver you are seeing there is the pin itself, it mushroomed instead of driving in. The only spot on the receiver that is knicked is the little spot right below the pin.

Invest in a roll punch set. They are not expensive (I think harbor freight sells them)...they are the right tool for the job!

From Army uniform regs (AR-670-1, 28-18 c. (2))

Ok got the pin to punch in better now, looks a ton better. Hit is with a black paint pen and you can't even tell.

Gunna run Saturday to get the stock, grip, slingplate and a stock wrench so I can button this lower up for good.

I would stay away from the drop in style quad rail. I personally dislike quads anyway. But get you a good free floating tube it rail. YHM are great for someone in a budget. But the troy tubes I run are about the lightest out there and you can add rail sections where you need them. My 15" tube is 13.6oz. That is lighter than the carbon fiber tubes.

Get the right tool for the job.
Get a strong vise and upper vise clamp.
Get the right tool for the job

Get quality parts the first time.

Definitely Target, I swung by ACE on the way home and grabbed some better tools for the job. Now I am very satisfied, got my oops fixed. Will post pics tomorrow when I get to work.

Here ya go 20" stainless bull upper with free float hand guard, Instock and $290 to your door.
http://shop.redxarms.com/20-RXA15-BULL-SS-UPPER-31126.htm

If you use a vise press to press the pin into place you get slower more even pressure to press in that pin, instead of beating it in with a hammer and a punch, there are a few pins that will work on if your patient, it allows you to slowly cinch it down using a vise, it works well for me anyways.

Ok so here is a pic of the post oops fix:


Im happy with it, not a high dollar safe queen it is gunna be a hunting rig 100% that will be drug through the woods.

Ive used a pair of slip jaw pliers with tape around the jaws several times to push in roll pins on ARs with zero problems

Just squeeze it into the hole to start it and then tape up the jaws, expand them, and slowly squeeze it in and bam its in

I would also save up and get a decent quality bbl upper not a $290 special with no bolt or ch remember you get what you pay for

I would personally build the upper if i was you just get a bare upper that fits your lower solid and get a quality bbl and bcg

Ok so a little update with a bit more progress, got the lower finished up. Just need a good sling and it will be 100% done.

Now to start on the upper.

Goal is to go around 18 inch middy, FF rail, low profile gas block, Nikon M223 scope in a Larue mount. Magpul XTM rail covers in a checkerboard pattern of OD green and black.

Oh for those wanting to know here is the list so far:

Smith & Wesson MP15 stripped lower
PSA Lower Parts Kit with Milspec buffer tube
Magpul CTR stock
Magpul MOE+ pistol grip
Magpul ASAP sling attachment
Magpul 20rnd Pmag

I'm about to build one myself....please feel free to pass along any and all info that u think would help.

thanks

Biggest advice I can give at this point is have the right tool for the job!

Nice build..try the padded vcas sling its my favorite

Had some free time on my hands for the last month LOL, and some spare cash so I finished the build 100%. Luckily I finished it up about a week before the panic crazyness kicked off.


S&W MP15 stripped lower
PSA LPK
Magpul CTR Stock
Magpul MOE+ Grip
Magpul ASAP Sling Attachment
Magpul Enhance Trigger Guard (fixed the screw up, looks perfect)
Magpul MS3 Sling
Magpul MBUS Irons
Magpul RSA Sling Attachment
KNS Anti Rotation Pins
Scorpion Tactical 300 AAC Blackout Upper
Troy TRX 11" Battlerail
Troy LowPro Gasblock
CORE15 BCG
Magpul XTM Rail Panels BLK/OD

Snatched up a couple hundred rounds of 115gr supersonic's, have not got to take it out to the range yet but hopefully soon!

Very nice! Any plans on optics?

turned out nice

For the time being im just going to rock the irons, kinda like it for a change. If I end up changing my mind I will throw a Nikon M223 on it and call it a day.

I had an Aimpoint on my last AR, and didnt like it for hunting.

Thanks! Was a fun project, wish I could find parts to do another lmao.

Which if you take a look at the above mentioned lower.... makes it's flag backwards?!? Wore one for a little bit!