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View Full Version : Building up my first AR, instead of buying one


DaveFJ80
10-15-2011, 4:48 PM
I've never really been into AR rifles, but recently started to get the itch for one. I already had the S&W M&P 15-22 MOE rifle, and that's fun to shoot at the steel matches. But after my good friend recently picked up an AK, and I was determined to get an AR and was seriously considering the M&P 15 sport rifle. However, I found a M&P 15 stripped lower on sale at my LGS, so I decided to build my first AR the exact way I wanted it and have fun doing it :).


Not much right now, but just a quick pic of what I'm going to build this weekend (or early next week if I'm not lazy). Just keeping it clean & simple looking.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/mugenef8/FIREARMS/AR/AR_Pieces.jpg


S&W M&P 15 stripped lower receiver
PSA complete upper w/MOE mid-length handguard
14.7" Chrome-lined barrel, 1:7 twist rate
CTR stock kit (mil-spec... added the commercial spec buttpad)
MOE grip & trigger guard (nice rubber feel.... my 15-22 MOE grip is hard plastic)
PMags (a bunch of them, along with 10/30 blocks.... thanks Exile for hooking that up)
Daniel Defense LPK
Vamfire MLD bullet button
SLAP ambi sling adapter
MBUS rear sight

Speedpower
10-15-2011, 4:55 PM
Nice! How much did you buy the S&W M&P stripped lower? where from?

DaveFJ80
10-15-2011, 5:00 PM
Turner's had it for $129 (they had just come in), and some other lower for $99 with a funky looking logo... can't remember which brand.

After using a $100 gift card from Turner's I received as a gift, and then a $50 visa gift card I got from work, the lower only cost me $19 OTD :)

Speedpower
10-15-2011, 5:29 PM
I always like the S&W M&P logo.

donking
10-15-2011, 5:30 PM
Seems to be missinig a rear sight
:1eye:

Ubermcoupe
10-15-2011, 5:36 PM
Seems to be missinig a rear sight
:1eye:

:kest:

Glad to see you got bit by the AR bug Dave :)
Jerry would be proud!

DaveFJ80
10-19-2011, 9:46 PM
Seems to be missinig a rear sight
:1eye:

I had a spare rear MBUS sight for it. It just wasn't in the picture.




I just finished putting together my first AR tonight. Using a regular full size hammer, phillips head screwdriver (as my punch), and a stock wrench, I was able to put together the entire lower in about 30 minutes while taking my time and masking off the receiver with painter's tape so I wouldn't scratch of ding it. The hammer & screwdriver worked just fine without any problems. Thanks to the folks on this board, and the help of watching some youtube vids, this was very easy to do and also very fun :).

Here's a quick pic of the finished product, next to my 15-22. I really like how the Vamfire MLD bullet button works.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/mugenef8/FIREARMS/AR/ARs.jpg

tacticalcity
10-19-2011, 9:47 PM
Nice!

Inquirer
10-19-2011, 10:17 PM
Nice. You can train on the duplicate rifles. Clean build; that's how I'd want mine if I decided suddenly to be an AR guy.

--Inq

MrExel17
10-19-2011, 11:06 PM
Nice start! The itch only gets better!

FNH5-7
10-19-2011, 11:26 PM
Great job!

kalaca
10-20-2011, 4:33 AM
Don't you have to have a 16inch barrel in Kali

DaveFJ80
10-20-2011, 8:47 AM
Don't you have to have a 16inch barrel in Kali


The barrel needs to have an overall length of 16" to be legal anywhere, not just in CA.

I'm using a 14.7" barrel and the A2 flash hider (approx 1.75" long). So to achieve the 16" overall length, the flash hider needs to be welded & pinned to the barrel, making it 'apart of the barrel' for the overall length. Therefore, it's perfectly legal and just over 16" in length.

kalaca
10-20-2011, 12:30 PM
The barrel needs to have an overall length of 16" to be legal anywhere, not just in CA.

I'm using a 14.7" barrel and the A2 flash hider (approx 1.75" long). So to achieve the 16" overall length, the flash hider needs to be welded & pinned to the barrel, making it 'apart of the barrel' for the overall length. Therefore, it's perfectly legal and just over 16" in length.

Oh ok that explains it so if you got the 16in you don't have to weld and pinn the flash hider

smittty
10-20-2011, 12:45 PM
I like those but I'd switch the Mbus to DD A1.5 rear sight.

Mtnshooter
11-08-2011, 12:11 PM
Anybody know of anywhere to fine a California Appoved lower list?

crob
11-08-2011, 12:44 PM
Anybody know of anywhere to fine a California Appoved lower list?

Click the flowchart link at the top of this page. There is no approved list, just a list of those banned, which are listed in the link

send it_hit
11-08-2011, 1:11 PM
Oh ok that explains it so if you got the 16in you don't have to weld and pinn the flash hider

correct :cool:

Don29palms
11-08-2011, 1:37 PM
Anybody know of anywhere to fine a California Appoved lower list?

If it's not banned by named it's good. There is no California Approved lower list.