Military Camp

Old Army dude planning out his first AR-15 build.

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  • Uber72

    New Member
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    May 5, 2020
    17
    11
    Little Elm, Texas 75068
    I always wanted an AR-15 after I got out of the Army. I just never gotten around to it.
    I was working on reasonably cheap AR-15 build as my funds are not that great. I wanted a basic build that I can get reasonably quickly. Primarily for home defense and target practice.

    This is what I was thinking about:

    Upper:
    https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/bc...ystem-1-8-twist-w-15-mlok-rail-complete-upper
    or the side rail one (but probably will stick with the basic one above)
    https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/bc...parkerized-barrel-1-8-twist-15-mlok-handguard

    Lower:
    https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar15-freedom-classic-lower-flat-dark-earth-7779346.html

    Sights:
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JWOUS06/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
    Optics are down the road when more funds get available. Probably a Vortex Sparc II Red Dot sight.
    And probably sooner than later a mounted light so I can see what I am shooting if something is in my home that needs shooting.

    The downside is that I have been remiss in getting a Texas state ID. I finally got an appointment but it is three weeks away.
    Oh well. Gives me time to work on seeing if I can get a better build. As with my other hobbies, this is probably going to give me G.A.S. Gear Acquisition Syndrome.
     

    Big Green

    In Christ Alone
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    Mar 5, 2018
    4,640
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    College Station
    Bear Creek has had some quality control issues. You may have to do some cleaning up of the chamber to get it to run reliably. Maybe not though. It’s a gamble.
     

    EZ-E

    King Turd of Shit Mountain
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    2   0   0
    May 4, 2017
    7,628
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    Middle of no where
    I would choose Palmetto over BCA.

    I have a AR9 pistol i built with a BCA barrel. It had problems feeding. I threw it on my buffing wheel & it feeds with no issues now.
    I also have a 7.62x39 BCA complete upper that had issues striking cheap Russian ammo primers. Had to replace the firing pin with an aftermarket Enhanced firing pin. Also had to upgrade the hammer spring to a Wolff heavy spring. I plan on turning it into a 6.5 grendel with a bolt & barrel swap.

    Ive got a 6.5 grendel i built around Christmas time with a Wilson Combat barrel & Odins Works bcg that runs flawlessly. Im really liking that 6.5 grendal caliber now a days. Gives you more distance & heavier bullet compared to the 5.56.
     

    SQLGeek

    Muh state lines
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    4   0   0
    Sep 22, 2017
    9,591
    96
    Richmond
    Avoid Bear Creek. Crappy QC and very questionable hiring practices.

    PSA is OK. Not my choice personally but they'll do.
     

    Big Green

    In Christ Alone
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    5   0   0
    Mar 5, 2018
    4,640
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    College Station
    If you upgrade to the PSA CHF FN barrels they are a great deal. Other PSA lines are all entry level. Nothing wrong with, just know that it is. Having said, it’s probably the best entry level.

    Another reason to support PSA is that the owner has said his goal is to get as many ARs into the US as possible to ensure they meet the Supreme Court’s definition of common usage. He’s about as 2A as you can be.
     

    popper

    TGT Addict
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    Apr 23, 2013
    3,000
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    Aero, Anderson, Delton decent stuff. Put together yourself. Barrel and trigger are the important parts.
     

    Byrd666

    Flyin' 'round in circles........somewhere
    Lifetime Member
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    5   0   0
    Dec 24, 2012
    7,977
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    Hill County
    Just a question, or option, your choice but, why not just go with a pre-built PSA upper and pre-built PSA lower? Then put together, done. Over. Fin. Change pieces parts as needed. You have one for the bad guys, while you can spend time doing the Lego thing on your "perfect" build.
     

    tonyt79

    Member
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    0   0   0
    Oct 4, 2017
    98
    11
    Lavon
    I’m kinda in the same boat as you, but I bought a few lowers from PSA a few years ago and haven’t decided on uppers yet. I got out in 2012


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    Uber72

    New Member
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    0   0   0
    May 5, 2020
    17
    11
    Little Elm, Texas 75068
    Just a question, or option, your choice but, why not just go with a pre-built PSA upper and pre-built PSA lower? Then put together, done. Over. Fin. Change pieces parts as needed. You have one for the bad guys, while you can spend time doing the Lego thing on your "perfect" build.

    That is what I was working on. Prebuilt uppers and lowers. Just Bear Creek met my price point but seems they have quality issues. Going back to looking at PSA, I now noticed that all of their uppers (at least the 16" ones) are now temporarily out of stock, darn it. :) Maybe they will get some back in stock soon.

    Anderson Arms is another I was looking at for Uppers. Actually, I have been filling up my bookmarks with companies and stuff. I need to organize them. heh heh.
     

    Byrd666

    Flyin' 'round in circles........somewhere
    Lifetime Member
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    5   0   0
    Dec 24, 2012
    7,977
    96
    Hill County
    PSA is pretty good at getting things back in stock fairly quickly, so no worries there. And you're still looking at what, three or four weeks until you have a Texas ID anyway. Sounds like good timing to me.

    Be sure to get on their mailing list if you have something specific in mind. A lot of the stuff they carry sells out pretty quickly.
     

    lbbf

    Member
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    0   0   0
    Nov 30, 2017
    168
    26
    Lake Jackson
    Primary Arms is another great place to order from. Building from a stripped lower and upper is fun and lets you get it piece by piece as funds become available. I built a 458 socom with Anderson lower and upper and they are perfect. Maybe I just got lucky but they match up tighter than my 3 Aero builds. I'm currently building another 6.5 Grendel and only buying parts as I find them on sale.
     

    Uber72

    New Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 5, 2020
    17
    11
    Little Elm, Texas 75068
    Primary Arms is another great place to order from. Building from a stripped lower and upper is fun and lets you get it piece by piece as funds become available. I built a 458 socom with Anderson lower and upper and they are perfect. Maybe I just got lucky but they match up tighter than my 3 Aero builds. I'm currently building another 6.5 Grendel and only buying parts as I find them on sale.

    Yeah, I have Primary Arms saved as well. They just recently ended a $4000 store credit giveaway. I got in it at the last few days of it and I have been checking my email regularly in hopes, but not holding my breath. :D
     

    Spcwolf

    Active Member
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    5   0   0
    Apr 16, 2013
    974
    76
    Conroe tx
    Go with the PSA

    magpul gen 2 iron sights and a red dot of a decent build will do just fine.

    eventually upgrade to a RRA 2 stage trigger.
     
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