AR Build Questions

Mike in Oregon

New member
I'm considering building a couple AR's. I want to get input from a couple of you gurus on manufacturers. What are your thoughts on Aero Precision and Wilson Combat?
 
Honestly, I wasn't too concerned about the stripped upper or lower receivers. I used Mega, Rockriver , Anderson, and some others for builds.

My biggest concern were with the barrels and triggers. I have a couple White oak barrels and they are nice. I build most of mine to be around 7-9 lbs. If building a heavy varminter then I would spend the money on a good strong upper receiver because of barrel weight. I prefer the thinner lower profile free float hand-guards also.

CMC makes a nice trigger and I have several.

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/CMC-AR-15-Tactical-FLAT-2-5lb-Single-Stage-Drop-In-p/cmc-90503.htm
 
Originally Posted By: CoyotejunkiI don't have any Wilson Combat barrels or uppers, so I can't comment there. I think I have some Aero precision stuff, lightweight scopemounts come to mind. Have a few and like them.

I bought a complete upper from Larue and I really like it. I bought this one a while back when they were on sale last year for about $700-800 if I remember correctly.
https://www.larue.com/products/larue-ultimate-ar-15-upper/

I considered buying a complete upper at first. Then after all the research and reads, I then took the time and pieced together an upper. Right now I'm leaning towards that with parts mentioned above. I was going to do a complete RRA originally.
 
Originally Posted By: CoyotejunkiMy biggest concern were with the barrels and triggers.

These two make or break a good AR.....
 
Aero receivers are decent. I have a rifle that was pieced together from a stripped upper and lower from Aero and it’s got a good fit/finish. Also have used Aero BCGs without issue. I just finished putting one together with a Wilson Combat barrel but haven’t shot it yet to comment on accuracy. The barrel itself seems to be well turned, fluting is nicely done. My go to barrel though is White Oak Armament. Each one I have from them is highly accurate, and they have a friendly knowledgeable staff. Good triggers and barrels are where it is at for accuracy. The third most important thing is probably fitment of the barrel to the upper, and upper to lower slop. Triggers, I’ve got Timney, Velocity, and TriggerTech right now. Have used Geissele before also, just a preference thing really, but get a good one.

They’re fun to put together regardless.
 
Originally Posted By: AdamT They’re fun to put together regardless.

And forget the notion you're only going to build a couple.....
 
Originally Posted By: alfOriginally Posted By: CoyotejunkiMy biggest concern were with the barrels and triggers.

These two make or break a good AR.....

I was going to go with a drop-in TriggerTech AR Duty Trigger Two Stage 3.5 lb.’s.
 
Originally Posted By: alfOriginally Posted By: AdamT They’re fun to put together regardless.

And forget the notion you're only going to build a couple.....

Addicting are they?
 
Originally Posted By: AdamTAero receivers are decent. I have a rifle that was pieced together from a stripped upper and lower from Aero and it’s got a good fit/finish. Also have used Aero BCGs without issue. I just finished putting one together with a Wilson Combat barrel but haven’t shot it yet to comment on accuracy. The barrel itself seems to be well turned, fluting is nicely done. My go to barrel though is White Oak Armament. Each one I have from them is highly accurate, and they have a friendly knowledgeable staff. Good triggers and barrels are where it is at for accuracy. The third most important thing is probably fitment of the barrel to the upper, and upper to lower slop. Triggers, I’ve got Timney, Velocity, and TriggerTech right now. Have used Geissele before also, just a preference thing really, but get a good one.

They’re fun to put together regardless.

Let us know how the WC barrel shoots? Whats your thoughts on 80% Arms? Thats how this whole itch started. I managed to get my hands on 3 lowers already milled. 2 15's and 1 10. Thanks for the info too.

 
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If I was to buy, it would be Rock River. I feel they offer a great value for the buck without getting into the stratosphere in terms of cost. They also seem to be really accurate.

With that said, I like White Oak barrels if building your own. They have treated me well and don't have the costs associated like the bigger names. I also like 2-stage triggers on an AR, preferably Geiselle SSA-E. I'm running a Timney Impact single-stage now on a cheap setup due to getting the trigger on sale. It's better than the mil-spec it came with but was a challenge to install unlike Geiselle triggers.

Determine what you're need is an go from there. Barrel length is pivotal. Shorter barrels are great for getting into position for the shot but cost fps. However, longer/heavier barrels are good in a p-dog town. An 18" barrel is a good all-around length. Good barrels with headspaced bolts matter a lot as well as a good trigger. Free float rails are a must for accuracy today. Other than that, it's a preference game.
 
I have owned WC barrels in 6.8 and 5.56. They are both quality barrels and get the job done. I had an issue with a barrel (due to my reloading) and WC still helped me with the issue. Their customer service was top-notch. I have used Aero Precision parts before, too. The uppers and lowers are high-quality in my book.

Take your time with one build and learn from others. It seems so easy to slap an AR together but its the technique that you use which ultimately leads to a "quality build."

Example 1: stretching the threads on the upper receiver.

Example 2: gas-block alignment.

TC
 
Originally Posted By: HuntIf I was to buy, it would be Rock River. I feel they offer a great value for the buck without getting into the stratosphere in terms of cost. They also seem to be really accurate.

With that said, I like White Oak barrels if building your own. They have treated me well and don't have the costs associated like the bigger names. I also like 2-stage triggers on an AR, preferably Geiselle SSA-E. I'm running a Timney Impact single-stage now on a cheap setup due to getting the trigger on sale. It's better than the mil-spec it came with but was a challenge to install unlike Geiselle triggers.

Determine what you're need is an go from there. Barrel length is pivotal. Shorter barrels are great for getting into position for the shot but cost fps. However, longer/heavier barrels are good in a p-dog town. An 18" barrel is a good all-around length. Good barrels with headspaced bolts matter a lot as well as a good trigger. Free float rails are a must for accuracy today. Other than that, it's a preference game.

Thanks Hunt!
 
Originally Posted By: Mike in OregonOriginally Posted By: HuntIf I was to buy, it would be Rock River. I feel they offer a great value for the buck without getting into the stratosphere in terms of cost. They also seem to be really accurate.

With that said, I like White Oak barrels if building your own. They have treated me well and don't have the costs associated like the bigger names. I also like 2-stage triggers on an AR, preferably Geiselle SSA-E. I'm running a Timney Impact single-stage now on a cheap setup due to getting the trigger on sale. It's better than the mil-spec it came with but was a challenge to install unlike Geiselle triggers.

Determine what you're need is an go from there. Barrel length is pivotal. Shorter barrels are great for getting into position for the shot but cost fps. However, longer/heavier barrels are good in a p-dog town. An 18" barrel is a good all-around length. Good barrels with headspaced bolts matter a lot as well as a good trigger. Free float rails are a must for accuracy today. Other than that, it's a preference game.

Thanks Hunt!

Good to hear on the WC. However my smith volunteered to do assembly. I'll do my part and do the lower (wink).

Thanks
 
since you want to assemble... i would highly suggest considering buying BCA complete side charging uppers and just stuffing the barrel of your choice into them.

youc ant buy a stripped upper, bcg and handguard from most companies for what they sell their complete uppers for. great basic platform to build off of. ive done several builds this way.
 
Since you're looking at "premium" level barrels, I would suggest also giving Proof Research a look. I have them on my 6.5 creedmor and my .308, and they are both great shooters. Also a quality adjustable gas block will save you lots of grief.
 


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