What brand to use for your next AR build

[pandabear]

Just as good, right?

I should get an A. The top piece is installed the wrong direction. See, I do know a thing or two!

 

[Bangswitch]

Just as good, right?

Send it...

 

[DAVE_M]

Send it...

One at a time

 

[whbonney26]

It's interesting that S&W makes the Poverty list on AR stuff but their revolvers are anything but.

I guess I fall on the Poverty list. I have tried many different parts from the upper tiers but found myself usually asking what they offer for that higher price that Aero don't offer and more times than not there was no reason to spend the extra money. That said, I still use a mix. For my uppers and lowers I like the Aero stuff and then from there my builds usually go in many different directions from barrel manufacturers, stock makers, trigger makers etc.

 

[twinin]

Mainly just comes down to 1. quality of the parts and 2. how well it's assembled

Plenty of the lower level rifles/lowers/uppers are very accurate. The higher priced ones are usually more reliable and durable.

I look at S&W like Ruger. They make everything, and everything they make is decent. Not the best but at least good quality

 

[DBMJR1]

My thoughts, for whatever they are worth.

The most critical part to your build, regarding accuracy, is the barrel. Don't skimp on a barrel if you want an accurate rifle. Not saying you can't luck out and get a cheap, accurate barrel.

The upper receiver must have good feed ramps.

The BCG would be the next most important piece.

The lower is almost dead last on my list of critical pieces.

I've seen some great builds on Poverty Pony, Anderson, lowers. They all involved good quality barrels.

Other than the barrel, the most important component is the person assembling the firearm.


Oh, and this is NOT gunsmithing. This is parts assembling.

 

[DAVE_M]

My thoughts, for whatever they are worth.

The most critical part to your build, regarding accuracy, is the barrel. Don't skimp on a barrel if you want an accurate rifle. Not saying you can't luck out and get a cheap, accurate barrel.

The upper receiver must have good feed ramps.

The BCG would be the next most important piece.

The lower is almost dead last on my list of critical pieces.

I've seen some great builds on Poverty Pony, Anderson, lowers. They all involved good quality barrels.

Other than the barrel, the most important component is the person assembling the firearm.


Oh, and this is NOT gunsmithing. This is parts assembling.

I’ve had Poverty Pony lowers not close on an upper due to being out of spec, so I’d argue that the lower does matter, but to an extent. Do a search here and you’ll find the thread where Magdump was complaining that Anderson doesn’t completely thread their grip screw hole.

I agree about it not being gunsmithing, but that doesn’t mean you should put everything together with the gootentite method. Gunsmithing should only come into play if you really need to fix something that was out of spec, such as a chamber with too little headspace.

 

[kcinnick]

I want a PDW but I don't want to spend Maxim or Saint money on one so I just ordered a PDW braced lower from PSA. My first venture into poverty land, well my S&W is listed as poverty, but it is not a sport, so who knows. It goes bang in a straightish line.

 

[Cheesy Lasagna]

I want a PDW but I don't want to spend Maxim or Saint money on one so I just ordered a PDW braced lower from PSA. My first venture into poverty land, well my S&W is listed as poverty, but it is not a sport, so who knows. It goes bang in a straightish line.

Everything in its own place.
If you’re building for recreation, no worries in my book.
Enjoying the sport is all that matters.
Most of us are not and will never be career operators.
Folks take hobbies too seriously.

 

[DAVE_M]

I want a PDW but I don't want to spend Maxim or Saint money on one so I just ordered a PDW braced lower from PSA. My first venture into poverty land, well my S&W is listed as poverty, but it is not a sport, so who knows. It goes bang in a straightish line.

The one and only SAINT I shot went back to Springfield after a few magazines fired.

It was a SAINT Edge Pistol with multiple issues.

 

[Gator 45/70]

Last Ferrari I bought came with a written guarantee to get me from point A too point B, Also part interest in a toll bridge someplace in Fla.

Same as any AR out there,All guaranteed to go bang the first shot and every shot after that.....



lol......

 

[kcinnick]

The one and only SAINT I shot went back to Springfield after a few magazines fired.

It was a SAINT Edge Pistol with multiple issues.

I am sure making it shorter made it more reliable... I still need to decide on caliber and barrel length for my poverty PDW.

 

[noob]

I don't think HK, KAC, or LMT care much about "the ones at the bottom." Those companies mostly use proprietary parts and run off government contracts. So I would say you missed a lot.



I've never been a fan of DD, for many reasons. After seeing them assemble multiple rifles, I would spend my money elsewhere. SOLGW and BCM are tough to beat in the same price range.

I've yet to mess with a complete Seekins rifle, but I have a few of their LPK's and I'm happy with them.

SOLGW being in the Mid-Tier is laughable.

Seekins locks up tight. Upper and lower fitment rivaled by noveske's. Nice touches from the factory like radial fluted stainless barrel, adjustable gas block, ambi selector and bolt lock/release, monolithic styled top rail, and large trigger opening.

Only down side, with all that billet and long rail, optic etc, it's not light.

I really like the size and feel of my Noveske 8.2 inch 300 blk

Very compact and quiet with a can.

Only thing DD that I like is my DD RIS rail on my Noveske 10.5 inch SBR mk18 clone.

I also have a rifle/pistol without a proven track record. ZEV sent me the receivers for winning a competition. I will say the fitment is TIGHT, like use a rubber mallet the tap the upper and lower apart tight. The finish is VERY smooth and slightly glossy, the black is VERY deep black. I had a zev trigger in it, but didn't like it that much, Still much rather a "G" trigger or CMC.

 

[DAVE_M]

I also have a rifle/pistol without a proven track record. ZEV sent me the receivers for winning a competition. I will say the fitment is TIGHT, like use a rubber mallet the tap the upper and lower apart tight. The finish is VERY smooth and slightly glossy, the black is VERY deep black. I had a zev trigger in it, but didn't like it that much, Still much rather a "G" trigger or CMC.

I have a few ZEV Lowers. For the price, SOLGW/ZEV are tough to beat. People don't understand how good they are until they have one in their hands.

ZEV purchased MEGA a few years back. MEGA was working with a producing parts for Jim Hodge of Hodge Defense Systems. Jim Hodge developed the Wedgelock with MEGA, among many other things, and is currently licensed with ZEV, Triarc, and SOLGW.

 

[DAVE_M]

I am sure making it shorter made it more reliable... I still need to decide on caliber and barrel length for my poverty PDW.

My only suggestion about a sub 10" 556 gun is don't do it, but it you really want one, it makes for a good range toy when you're throwing fireballs down range.

A 7-8" barreled 556 gun is losing a lot of rail space and any advantage of shorter length is negated by how loud and violent it will be. It's not even worth suppressing at that point.

 

[Bangswitch]

One at a time

Last year I shot next to a guy who kept yanking his charging handle. His friend built it for him. I guess I’m a dick cause I just let him keep on keeping on.

 

[DAVE_M]

Last year I shot next to a guy who kept yanking his charging handle. His friend built it for him. I guess I’m a dick cause I just let him keep on keeping on.

I've tried to help one person diagnose issues with a new DD rifle at the range. Some things are better left to work on at the bench.

I only offer help if someone asks for it. Too many range commandos know better, even if they don't.

 

[pandabear]

My thoughts, for whatever they are worth.

The most critical part to your build, regarding accuracy, is the barrel. Don't skimp on a barrel if you want an accurate rifle. Not saying you can't luck out and get a cheap, accurate barrel.

The upper receiver must have good feed ramps.

The BCG would be the next most important piece.

The lower is almost dead last on my list of critical pieces.

I've seen some great builds on Poverty Pony, Anderson, lowers. They all involved good quality barrels.

Other than the barrel, the most important component is the person assembling the firearm.


Oh, and this is NOT gunsmithing. This is parts assembling.

I do have to agreed with the barrel being the most important element. Even though I use only the "average" Aero upper and lowers. I have one of those fancy carbon fiber barrel from Proof Research. During my first testing, just sh__ and giggle I installed a 20X Burris in top just to see what it'll do at 200 yards. After shooting a 25 rounds group, the paper look like it was hit with a 12ga. slug. Than the barrel is only luke warm. It was impressive to say the least.

 

[kcinnick]

My only suggestion about a sub 10" 556 gun is don't do it, but it you really want one, it makes for a good range toy when you're throwing fireballs down range.

A 7-8" barreled 556 gun is losing a lot of rail space and any advantage of shorter length is negated by how loud and violent it will be. It's not even worth suppressing at that point.

I am going back and forth between a 7-8" 300blk or something like a 10" 5.56. I would really like something with the ballistics of 300 win mag, the recoil of 22lr, and a 5" barrel all while using standard AR mags.

 

[rcm192]

My only suggestion about a sub 10" 556 gun is don't do it, but it you really want one, it makes for a good range toy when you're throwing fireballs down range.

A 7-8" barreled 556 gun is losing a lot of rail space and any advantage of shorter length is negated by how loud and violent it will be. It's not even worth suppressing at that point.

Oh but so fun!!