First AR-15 build list, need opinions

[vikingm03]

Hey everyone, just wanted to see what you all thought of the ar im building. I have the majority of it, but am missing a few key parts. Im building it as a fun range gun, so there aren't any expensive parts on it. Sorry if i misname something. Also, ive read the flow chart and believe i have done everything legally, but please let me know if something is wrong.



So far i have:

JSE complete upper : 5.56 chamber, 16" 1x9 barrel, m4 feed ramp, A2 flash hider, magpul MOE dark earth handguard, m4 flattop upper, single rail gas block
$375.50 shipped

Magpul MOE sliding stock kit (stock and buffer tube assembly, dark earth)
$65.12 shipped

Daniel Defense LPK + magpul trigger guard + grip
$75.13 shipped

also got a good amount of .223 before everyone stops shipping to CA.



Missing:
stripped lower
magazines
sights
bullet button or similar device.
anything else?


Im not sure what im going to do for sights or the lower yet.
The cheapest local shop around me charges $70 for a ffl transfer. They did have a san diego made lower in stock for $170 + taxes, which seemed high.

For the sights, i dont think i can justify $400+ for quality optics (eotech, etc.), and most of the reading i've done seems to say that cheaper optics dont hold zero or break. Maybe ill just get some iron sights then? what do you all think?

For the mag lock, i havent looked into which one im going to get yet. Any suggestions?

For Mags, do cheap steel 10-rounders from say midway hold up at all? Or maybe some other brand, still looking.

Thanks everyone.

[Romanski]

iron sights are good for a shorty.

[Reductio]

For the lower, where are you located? You should be able to get a stripped lower much cheaper than that.

Iron sights are something you should get, they're cheap, and they work fine. Besides, it's good practice. I've heard a lot of good things about Primary Arms budget red dots if you're just going to use it on a weekend warrior basis.

Maglock doesn't matter, though I do like my Raddlock.

Get C-Product 10rd mags, cheap and good.

[dieselpower]

for a fun gun a $150 PA Red dot and a set of $60 Magpul MBUS is fine. I bet you can find them used "like new in box" for under $150 for both RDS and MBUS

[Wicked K5]

For the mags- check out 44mag.com They have C-Products magazines for cheap

For the mag lock- Metal Dog Tactical has free shipping and no tax on all their "Cali compliance" components

And for optics/sights- I agree with Dieselpower on the PA red dot. Heard very good reviews on them. As far as the sights, there's been conflicting stories of MBUS melting on a front gas block or not. On a plinker, I'd have to guess the barrel/gas block is gonna get pretty hot. Hot enough to melt a MBUS? I dunno... If you want true irons, then PA has a set of YHM QDS flip ups for $150 or Smartgunner has DD fixed irons for $110.

[vikingm03]

For the lower, where are you located? You should be able to get a stripped lower much cheaper than that.

Iron sights are something you should get, they're cheap, and they work fine. Besides, it's good practice. I've heard a lot of good things about Primary Arms budget red dots if you're just going to use it on a weekend warrior basis.

Maglock doesn't matter, though I do like my Raddlock.

Get C-Product 10rd mags, cheap and good.

north san diego county. Thanks for the heads up on the primary arms sights and the c-product products.

for a fun gun a $150 PA Red dot and a set of $60 Magpul MBUS is fine. I bet you can find them used "like new in box" for under $150 for both RDS and MBUS

I looked at the magpul sights on midways website, and they say its not recommended to use them on a railed gas block, as they are plastic. Has anyone ran them like this without any problems?

[vikingm03]

For the mags- check out 44mag.com They have C-Products magazines for cheap

For the mag lock- Metal Dog Tactical has free shipping and no tax on all their "Cali compliance" components

And for optics/sights- I agree with Dieselpower on the PA red dot. Heard very good reviews on them. As far as the sights, there's been conflicting stories of MBUS melting on a front gas block or not. On a plinker, I'd have to guess the barrel/gas block is gonna get pretty hot. Hot enough to melt a MBUS? I dunno... If you want true irons, then PA has a set of YHM QDS flip ups for $150 or Smartgunner has DD fixed irons for $110.

Just missed your post. Guess that answeres my magpul sights question

[B yond]

The cheapest local shop around me charges $70 for a ffl transfer. They did have a san diego made lower in stock for $170 + taxes, which seemed high.

Can you find a better lower for $100?

If this is your first AR I'd strongly suggest starting with iron sights. I'm fond of detachable carry handles and front sight assys.

Cheap metal 10-round mags are probably fine. If not, at least they were cheap, right?

As for the mag lock... I can't say, I prefer to run my AR featureless so I can drop mags. To each his own.

[B yond]

Have you thought about a sling? I accidently bought a IDF sling that I've fallen in love with. Very versatile and can be a great aid to steady your weapon for offhand shooting.

[vikingm03]

Can you find a better lower for $100?

If this is your first AR I'd strongly suggest starting with iron sights. I'm fond of detachable carry handles and front sight assys.

Cheap metal 10-round mags are probably fine. If not, at least they were cheap, right?

As for the mag lock... I can't say, I prefer to run my AR featureless so I can drop mags. To each his own.

I got to hold the lower he had and it look alright, no blemishes or anything, but i dont really know how to judge the quality of an ar-15 lower yet. Does anyone know of a ffl that will transfer a lower for cheap in the san diego county area? If not, right now im thinking i will try and negotiate with him on the price. Its free to try right?

I havent thought about a sling yet, but will probably get one eventually.

[B yond]

$70 to transfer really isn't that bad, considering half of that will go to DROS. $35 for his trouble receiving the thing and holding it for 10 days and doing all the paperwork sounds fair to me.

[vikingm03]

$70 to transfer really isn't that bad, considering half of that will go to DROS. $35 for his trouble receiving the thing and holding it for 10 days and doing all the paperwork sounds fair to me.

Oh! I was assuming he was charging $70 + the dros fee. I had better call him back and see exactly what his $70 charge covers. If dros is covered, thats a lot better deal than i was thinking.

[tacticalcity]

The only magazines that are worth a damn are Magpul P-Mags. You can get 10/30 california converted magazines from Solar Tactical (they are a sponsor here) that look like 30 round magazines but only hold the legal amount. 44mag.com has rebuild kits in case you want to make your own.

The metal magazines tend to split apart over time and you have to replace them often or they are unreliable.