First Black Rifle

[musketjon]

Okay, I've got to eat some crow so go easy on me. Up until a month ago I swore I'd never own a black rifle. I was shooting a 3x600 match and one of my team mates talked me into shooting his black rifle (I was shooting an M1 and 03A3). Long story short, I enjoyed it. Now comes my dilemma. I need to re-think my ways. I now would like to get one. It's not going to happen tonight or tomorrow, but it is going to happen. I am totally uneducated about them, unlike the M1, I could write a book. Soooooo, the BIG question is, where to start? Two things to keep in mind: 1) funds are NOT unlimited and 2) I'm NOT looking for tacticool. No collapseable butt stock, either. I don't want the fore end to look like something built with an erector set.
Any and all CONSTRUCTIVE comments appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Jon

[Cool Custard]

Buy yourself a lower. Putting together an ar is simple and satisfying. Then you can build it the way you want.

Look through the semi auto rifle photo galleries here and find an ar that captures your eye. Then look at their build components or ask them what they used and build one similar to your own needs.

Gallery: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/f...play.php?f=120

[stix213]

Figure out what caliber, range, and possibly platform you're interested in first.

For example, are you looking for something light and handy for 100 yards or less? Something you're going to bench shoot at possibly longer distances? Do you want evil features and a bullet button, or do you prefer a standard mag release?

Right now is a good time to buy or build an AR. If you build you can make it however you want.

[Murmur]

My recommendation would be to buy a basic entry level rifle from a quality manufacturer. Something like this LMT carbine:

http://www.rainierarms.com/rifle-lmt-16-standard-patrol-model-std-stock

If you really don't want a collapsible stock you can easily swap it out. This rifle isn't tacticool and doesn't have some of the more expensive bells and whistles but it is a solid rifle and will last you. Turners sells this model I believe if you want to buy local.

[musketjon]

Thanks guys. I was wondering if I could get an entry level rifle at Turner's or Stockade/ Fowlups. On occasion I mill lowers at work for the owner. Maybe I should talk to him about the next time he's gonna' run some.
Stix, I'm thinking 5.56 and it would be for long range competition.
Jon

[kozumasbullitt]

Okay, I've got to eat some crow so go easy on me. Up until a month ago I swore I'd never own a black rifle. I was shooting a 3x600 match and one of my team mates talked me into shooting his black rifle (I was shooting an M1 and 03A3). Long story short, I enjoyed it. Now comes my dilemma. I need to re-think my ways. I now would like to get one. It's not going to happen tonight or tomorrow, but it is going to happen. I am totally uneducated about them, unlike the M1, I could write a book. Soooooo, the BIG question is, where to start? Two things to keep in mind: 1) funds are NOT unlimited and 2) I'm NOT looking for tacticool. No collapseable butt stock, either. I don't want the fore end to look like something built with an erector set.
Any and all CONSTRUCTIVE comments appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Jon

I would put together your own with a fixed stock and standard handgaurd. You would save a decent amount of money if you assembled a basic AR especially with the black Friday deals around the corner.

[Canucky]

Op nows the time to purchase. Don't wait too long. Happy hunting.

[musketjon]

I would put together your own with a fixed stock and standard handgaurd. You would save a decent amount of money if you assembled a basic AR especially with the black Friday deals around the corner.

Is there a good book or two that would at least give me a schematic and parts break down so I'd know what is needed? As I stated, I know virtually nothing about the rifle.
Thanks

[magnum8898]

1st black rifle

I would invest in a complete unit before trying to build one. The LMT that was shown is a good deal. S&W MP 15 is another.

However if you are handy, it is fun to start with a paper weight and cruise thru the stores and net for ideas. LMT upper, BCM furniture, troy sights, ACL trigger, spinco springs, etc. You can make a pretty nice rig that is yours.

Cruise cal guns and other places, there is plenty of diagrams and plans out there. I think there is a military manual out there also that I saw once that looked pretty good. There is a Viet Nam Era cartoon one that is real nice. But if you are using a M1, you can use the AR. Much easier, Eugene Stoner was a genius

[boludo12]

Assembly - its so crazy easy, if you have a bit of McGyver in you.

http://www.thenewrifleman.com/how-to-build-a-lower-receiver/

https://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/

I have two 80% lowers. Built from bottom up, then bought complete uppers. If doing long range also look at 6.5 upper, or just have one lower with many uppers.

Have fun with the build. It is very addicting, like all my hobbies. If you buy a rifle and it only comes with a collapsible stock, i'll trade you my fixed old school stock with cash on my side.

[milotrain]

You want to shoot 3x600 with it?

You shoot midrange matches so you know what's what. I shoot XTC and there is a very big difference between a typical upper for an AR and a National Match upper. There are a few companies specializing in NM uppers, Compass Lake Engineering, White Oak Armament, and Keystone Accuracy are a few.

I would absolutely build the lower, as it's going to save you money in the long run and you can't mess up the build. I'd buy an upper from the above, or a used upper off the National Match forums (nationalmatch.us) and buy a Rock River Arms National Match two stage trigger with parts kit from Joe Bob Outfitters. Use a standard A2 stock and get the lead weight kit from White Oak Armament.

In specifics:
• RRA Lower Parts Kit with NM trigger - $150
• RRA A2 Buttstock assembly - $64
• White Oak Service Rifle Upper - $670
• Compass Lake Engineering NM carry handle - $185
• Anderson Stripped Lower from Riflegear - $50
• Buttstock and cuff lead weights - $40

[JWHuey]

20" NM upper-build the lower.

[ScottsBad]

I always tell people who want their first AR to buy complete, or build the lower receiver and buy a complete upper.

I wouldn't recommend the LMT linked above. It has a carbine (short gas system) which is not optimal for longer range shooting. If you are shooting longer range you would be better off with a minimum of an 18" barrel with a mid or rifle length gas system. A lot of the better barrels for longer shooting are stainless. Check the variations in rifling. 1/8 twist, Wylde or mod 5.56 chamber. This is not my area of interest so I don't know who makes the best, but Raininer Arms has a line of barrels that people really like and they are reasonable. I'm shooting a simple BCM SS410 1/8 twist 16" for mid-range shooting. Not competition. It shoots 3/4 MOA or less in 5 shot groups. But you probably want a longer barrel to keep the velocity higher. Oh, I use MAGTEC CBC 77gr OTM (Mk626 clone). Very accurate for the price.

Anyway there are some long range AR shooters who might chime in. Good luck.

If you are going to build the entire rifle. I suggest a Vltor MUR upper receiver. It is a thicker forged receiver. And I always recommend BCM BCGs. Get yourself a Geissle trigger too. I've been using a Geissele SSA-E on the BCM barreled rifle. There might be a better solution for you however.

[Cummins_Powered]

Build a Dissipator.

/thread

[kowalski]

^that is exactly what my next build will look like. Psa stainless upper?