Finished my first 80% build

[OldGeek]

Here's some pictures of my first build. I started with an Ares Armor anodized 80% lower and a Palmetto Armory "Blemished PSA 16'' M4 CMV Chrome-Lined Premium Blem Rifle Kit". The only blem I could see on the rifle kit was some very minor scuffing on the takedown lugs.

I used my vintage Enco vertical mill, spacers and 1-2-3 blocks to hold the receiver. I did not use jigs, CNC, or even a DRO. Just turned the cranks and counted the numbers. Everything went together smoothly and functions properly. The trigger has the same pull, drag and grit as the M16's I fired many years ago and I'm going to have to look at improving that.

I didn't have a bullet button so I modified the existing magazine catch, spring and button to require a tool. The mods consisted of shortening the spring and button (on the underside) by 0.12" and countersinking the existing threaded hole and shortening the screw 0.25" and putting a countersink in the end of it. The result is a button that sits .05" below the surface of the receiver that cannot be pushed without a tool.

A big thanks to Randell for the clamping tip (paper and clean) to preserve the anodizing (which worked very well, BTW), and to everyone else here that has shared information.

[Lex5626]

Nice Build! I really dig your version of a bullet button!

[WARTFROG]

IBTL. IBTB. IBFP. IBST.
Calghostgun.doj

[Powder_Keg]

Very clean, looks great!

[Iminocca]

Very nice! Like the bullet button too, have to remember that one!

[cpl_dan]

i like it.

[dc2allday]

Lookin good congrats!

[navin r]

Awesome! Congratulations.

[G38xOC]

dang no jig n cnc ..good job . looks good

[semperfi24]

Very nice, Congrats!!

[Wade65]

Awesome. Inspiration to start work on my 308 paperweight.

[repomanNWP]

GHOST GUN !!!!!!!!!!

Nice work!

[loche451]

Nice job- after doing several 80% I would say spring extra for the anodize or paint if you want it to look good. I did some home anodizing and the results were not consistent...the best was the lower you see below in my signature and that is about 98% - there are a few small blems that do not show in pictures and you wont see unless you hold it in the right light- course I left it a natural tone to show off the engraving. The other ones...well I got them anodized and then decided to spray paint them and use them as ranch/work guns. They work just fine!

[Whiterabbit]

I didn't have a bullet button so I modified the existing magazine catch, spring and button to require a tool. The mods consisted of shortening the spring and button (on the underside) by 0.12" and countersinking the existing threaded hole and shortening the screw 0.25" and putting a countersink in the end of it. The result is a button that sits .05" below the surface of the receiver that cannot be pushed without a tool.
.

Thank you for the tip including the numbers.

But pushing on he whole button still releases the mag, doesn't it? what about a person with long nails or tiny fingers? couldn't they still depress the whole button?