Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Building is fun and you can spend more on upgrades over time without dropping a ton of cash. You need:
Upper
Lower
LPK
Buffer
Buffer tube
Buffer spring
Butt stock
Bolt carrier group
Ejection port cover
Charging handle
Barrel
Barrel nut
Gas block
Gas tube
Muzzle brake
Sights
Various tools

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Wow.
What did an upper and a lower go for before this mess started?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Went to Cabelas Monday to see what they might have left. Plus just to kill the afternoon. Surprisingly they had the Tactical Solutions .22lr Glock conversion kit on hand and for my model. $380 though, ouch. So I bought this instead. Sig Mosquito in OD green. Also found ammo locally for it, so I've got my cheapo range plinking setup.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I went with the RRA block but you can go Hahn. Mine is basically a complete RRA built by me. I've gotten lucky with my AR-9, from the research I did I found 9mm conversions to be finicky and take some tweaking to run right. Mine worked when I put it together so I am not doing anymore tweaking to it, for now. I plan on getting the bolt ramped so I can run a Geissele trigger in it.

It's an old read but this is where I got started:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_15/10...mm_AR_FAQ.html

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

You could still find complete quality stuff for well under $1000. Building takes more time and you get to know your rifle better. I went the build route because I can put what I wanted on it from the get go and not end up with a ton of left over parts that I had no use for, that was the idea. I still ended up with parts that I have no use for, but now they are turning to more rifles.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Too much info/options...my head is going to explode....

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Stripped upper and lower were in the $125 to $150 range each. Palmetto State Armory had deals for $79 lowers all the time.

My best advice is this. Buy a lower. That is the "gun" and the controlled piece. If they ban AR's that is the part that will be banned. Manufacturers will still make other parts.

Building really isn't that hard.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Don't know, sorry. Shipping is reasonably fast though. I ordered a LPK and stock from them on 1/3 and it shipped on 1/15. I ordered one from Palmetto that same day, and it still hasn't shipped (but they shipped a 12/31 order to me today, so maybe by Monday the PSA LPK will ship)

I haven't installed the Core15 one yet, and I don't have enough experience to tell the quality just by looking. From reputation, they're decent quality. perfectly fine rifles, maybe a tad overpriced which lends folks to choose other more competitive offerings. But overall, GTG for the right price. Quality on them is fine. Apparently it's a bunch of ex-bushmaster guys running the show over there.



Nice pick up :tu
I've been trying to justify a Mosquito in Black for a while now, but I've got the Ruger Mark III, and I can't talk myself into both at the moment.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Sounds good. Ordered one. Good thing I did since they were sold out about an hr later

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

What are your guys thought on carry, concealed at a friends house? Wither they are pro guns, semi gun pro or anti guns?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

1) because it's easy
2) it'll give you a better knowledge of your AR and how to repair it without a gun smith.

AR15 build guide: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/226782_.html

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

It's their property and in that respect you should ask them. That said, concealed is concealed...

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Always an interesting question. I think it comes down to the people.

Sometimes, you know the guy, you know his stance clear as day. If you know he carries in his house, odds are you can too. Unless you're an irresponsible ****, then he's not going to want you and a gun anywhere near his family :)

If you know they're very anti-gun, odds are you need new friends, err, I mean, you should respect their rights in their own home and not carry.

For the inbetween'ers... it's a judgement call. Some I would ask and respect their answer. For some, well, it's CONCEALED carry, and I carry mine DEEP, and I'm not there for drinking... so I won't ask. But if I think there's any chance they would be offended, I'll ask, or just leave it in the car.

Sometimes, you see a very different dynamic in families. I've seen a number of pro-gun husbands and gun-neutral wives, where the wife accepts and TRUSTS her husband's use of a firearm, but would not be so likely to trust anyone else in her home with a gun, regardless of whether she knows you or not. And if she's got children running around, that sentiment only gets stronger.
(My fiance is anti-gun, and this is most likely the stance she will take in our house as well - trusting ME with a gun is grudgingly accepted, and is a very different thing than trusting someone else with one.)

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

And if you want your hand held even more, this has pretty good reviews. Currently sold out, saw it run through on slickguns a week or two back.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o07_s01_i00

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Midway has genuine Glock 17 mags in stock for $25 (NOT the korean ones)
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/538...-polymer-black

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I think it depends on what their stance and comfort levels are. I mean, concealed is concealed. When I CC, no one knows it's on me unless I WANT them to know. If my Glock 30SF is in my CompTac IWB, no one knows unless they brush up against it. That being said, I work in two industries in which personal space is just a myth, so every now and again I'll get a hug or a smack or something and they're like "Are you packin today?" "Yup" and then we move on.

But I'd say, if you go somewhere that you know is going to be a pain in the ass to have it lodged somewhere uncomfortable (i.e. IWB during a Superbowl party) I'd say either leave it in your car, or ask if you can stash it somewhere.

When I go to my friend Mel's house, I walk in, say hi, give her a hug, then pull out whichever piece I'm carrying, drop the mag, pop the chambered round, cycle the action, and stash the mag/piece/+1 round in the end table drawer all before going in and saying hello to her sister and their roomy. But they're from Texas where these things are normal...and because I knew they were pro-carry, I had a conversation with them about it. I also don't mind leaving it in the table drawer because they're each a decent shot and could handle whatever I bring over.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Would $900 seem way too pricey for this setup?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Figure the break down is

$500-600 for the upper alone
$200ish for the DD rails
$100 for the mag block
and maybe about $100 for the rest of the stuff
not a bad deal

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

That's what I thought. Is it missing anything other than mags?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

not sure but you may need a 9mm hammer. What pattern mag is the spikes? does it come with buffer spring?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I believe it uses Uzi mags. For the buffer spring, I thought the normal AR .223 spring will work with the kits as long as you're using a 9mm buffer

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

yup standard buffer spring should be ok. I use the wolff XP power in mines because I load my stuff hot.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I saw that last night too and picked up 2 for my 22.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

TMI

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Ok Firearm guys...

I want my very own AR-15... but I am a broke a$$ with very little money...

with the proposed ban, I don't have much time, I read yesterday that if this ban passes the only thing it will affect is the ability to purchase lowers... is this true? meaning I need to go buy one ASAP?

What is the cheapest possible path from nothing to a completed left handed AR-15?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

fyi guys - midwestpx has the NFA polymer stripped lowers in stock

http://midwestpx.com/index.php?cPath=92&sort=3a&page=2

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

not anymore :)

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

OK, so here's the deal. A stripped lower is what you have to acquire before a ban passes.

How much you're willing to pay for that lower, and how likely you think it is that a ban will actually pass, is something YOU have to determine. I would advice caution from buying into the fear mongering... and I would also advice equal caution from becoming complacent and thinking it can't happen. both extremes will not lend to healthy decisions.

So, advising on the assumption a ban will pass (because if one doesn't pass, you don't really have any questions that need answer):
You need a stripped lower. You can get one on Gunbroker right now for $350-$400. Retail is $90-$150. You're paying that surcharge for peace of mind, and the ability to have it in your hand NOW. Your other option for NOW would be to try going to a gun show this weekend, you'll probably find one on sale for $300-$350 (go early). A bird in the hand, two in the bush, and all that jazz.

If you think a ban will pass, but not for another 3-4 months, then you have other options. You can watch SlickGuns like a hawk and, waiting to pounce on a batch of lowers put up for sale or preorder. "in stock" generally doesn't ship for another 2-4 weeks. Pre-orders typically ship in 3-8 weeks. Make sure you find out before you buy.
BOTH of these pages will have listings for lowers on them:
http://www.slickguns.com/category/accessories
http://www.slickguns.com/category/rifles

POLYMER lowers: Lots of guys will thumb their noses at a polymer lower. I kinda am that way, but mostly because it doesn't fit MY needs. BUT a polymer lower does have it's place in the world, and they can be pretty danged durable (and because it flexes more, it can actually be more durable in some cases where metal would be irrecoverably bent). A bigger disadvantage to them I think than a perceived lack of durability, is a lack of customize-ability. Many times the Stock is fixed, etc. (that's actually a good thing - more mass, fewer small parts and joints to break). Either way, if you're flat broke, you want a plinker AR to have, hold and enjoy at the range or take hunting, A quality polymer lower is an option. And it's typically running only around $170 these days. You won't have much flexibility, but it will do the job.

I think that sums up what I know at the moment.

It should go without saying that you'll need to pick up a few magazines as well. A magazine capacity ban, in fact, has a much higher chance of passing than anything else.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Had two in my cart but decided to skip it since the two local FFLs charge $100+tax for transfers. I can get a private party metal one for a little more

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

$100!!!!!! &&$@%#%&#@

Is that "normal" for cali?

My local ones charge $25

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Thanks Justin.... So which parts will be different for me in a left-handed build? would I need to find a specific type of lower?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

continuing the polymer receiver primer:

There's two basic kinds. There's the newer gen New Frontier (NF) model, which is just the receiver, and there's the old gen been around a while Calvary Arms (CA) model, which is the receiver, buttstock, and pistol grip all in one.

Calvary Arms:
http://www.slickguns.com/sites/defau...s/61043819.jpg


New Frontier:
http://www.slickguns.com/sites/defau...STRIPPED-2.jpg


Now the reality is, most parts of the lower receiver DON'T need to be very strong. The lower doesn't see a lot of high stress. The CA receiver has been torture tested, and held up to a lot of abuse. It's also non-customizable, and ugly as hell.

On the NF lower, my only point of concern is the stock joint, where you screw the stock in. That is also the point where recoil spring and buffer goes into the stock, and it does take a bit of abuse. I would hope that would not be liable to cracking way down the road. Please understand, I'm not well educated on the subject, I have NOT done my research, I am not a gunsmith, plastics expert, or machinist. All I'm saying is, you might want to read up on it first, that MIGHT be a point of concern.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I will definitely take that into consideration... Thanks... :tu

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Ahh yes, lefty considerations. Down the road, you'll have a few options to consider, depending on how lefty you are, and how picky you are. But short answer is, it will not affect your receiver choice by much. You'll probably want to install an ambidextrous safety, but that is done aftermarket. The rest of the lefty parts are all upper receiver parts. So, no worries about which lower you get.

For the upper, you have some options. sometimes it's just a simple matter of making sure there is something to deflect brass away from your face. But there is still some gas that comes out of the bolt area, and some folks have more trouble than others with getting a face full of unpleasant gas leftovers, depending on how you hold the rifle. Some people buy lefty specific upper receivers and bolt groups which flip everything around, spit the shells out the other side, etc. Costs more that way. All depends on the scratch you have available at the time.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

well... I have very little scratch... but I really want a AR that doesn't eject hot brass into my face and/or body... can you ballpark what a lefty upper runs? say average, middle of the line...?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Not a clue there, I'm sorry. I have ZERO experience on that front, besides skimming through a few threads on ar15.com and noting what kinds of things were available.

When you are ready to build your upper, ar15.com is the place you need to ask that question, and they will give you answers that you would otherwise never have known even existed.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

The brass is easily solved. Even some of the gas can be directed away if it's minor. The major consideration is how YOU hold the rifle and sight with it. That will best be answered by you shooting someone else's AR first, before you try to choose which specialty parts are or are not needed to fix the problem you might, or might not have.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Thanks.... :tu

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Keep in mind, I know what I know from reading. I'm the guy that has spent way too much time reading way too many things. And I usually remember them. I'm an internet jockey who wants to get into 3gun (but has never shot a match yet). Out in the field, I'm not the guy you would be asking for anything from, I'm not all that experienced. So take my opinion as what it is, the "summation and distillation of what I have observed and read", not the dispensing of any great first-hand experience on my part.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Well Francis, it is still appreciated...

I think I am going to save some pay and grab a lower with my next check if I can... :tu

Thanks for lending me your knowledge...

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

anytime :tu

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Don't bother. Cheapest you're gonna do it now is like $1500 most likely.

Of all the polymer lowers, the CA lower is by far mostly known as the most superior polymer lower. Down side is the stock is fixed to the lower.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I want to take a while... buy a part here... a part there... I thought they were cheaper if you assembled them yourself...?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

They generally are...but

You have chosen the absolute worst time to start this process due to the panic buying going on a record pace.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Rob, if your willing to pay full blown fear pricing, there was someone on this site planning on selling there extra lowers for a mint if you will pay it, who knows maybe there's a trade offset you could manage. I think it was Duane (forgop)sp?.

I do know of people recently getting lowers for around 200, I will look into it.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

FFL to FFL are $60-100. Private party transfers are around $35

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

That's bullshit bro. My FFL charges $20 for any transfer

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

In South Florida, I use to pay $35 but found a new one that charges me $25.
That is best I can do.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Finally got shipping notice on my E-Landers.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Picked up my PTR-91 today. :noon

pictures to follow later.

Still haven't found ammo for it. Damn you sportsman's guide for screwing up 4 separate back-orders on .308 ammo. Won't make that mistake again!