Finally bit the bullet and bought my first AR Upper!

J

Jay Ell Gee

New member
Hey guys. I finally gave in a few nights back and ordered my first AR upper assembly.

Picked up an upper with an 18 inch stainless barrel, medium contour, with a 15 inch keymod rail. Barrel is 1:7 and its chambered in 223 wylde. Got the entire upper (minus the BCG/CH) for right over 300 bucks from PSA on sale. I have been putting off this build for a while, as I have never owned an AR and know very little about the platform, short of the borderline obsessive amount of research I have been doing lately.

I have not picked out the rest of the build as of yet. Too many dang choices. I'm fond of the Magpul STR for the better cheek weld, and I'm fairly sure that is going to be my stock choice.

I am going to go ahead and start with a better trigger, but I really don't know what I want at this time. I have a wedding next year so I'm trying to stay reasonable, but I will definitely not be buying the cheapest stuff just to replace it again. Definitely open to suggestions on good triggers for the money. Primarily will be used for calling and also some mid/long range plinking.

Will probably do a spikes lower parts kit and perhaps a spikes lower, as I have an FFL acquaintance that is fond of them and should be able to help me out a bit.

I believe I'm also pretty set on a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24 for optics. I hunt mainly hardwoods and small fields so I don't need anything too big.

Anyways, ill keep you folks updated on the build and maybe ask some questions along the way. I have no idea what type of trigger I should use for hunting/precision plinking. Never owned a 223 so I'm excited to have a fun gun. Heck, I can probably get my fiancé shooting with it. Once I decide on a trigger and BCG (another tough one), the goal will be to have this bad boy built by end of January for the end of deer season so I can get to calling. If anyone has any trigger or BCG suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Have a good one guys!



 
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I used a Rock River National Match trigger and Palmetto State Armory full auto BCG on my last build (6.5 Grendel), and I'm real happy with both.
 
I've built a couple lowers with anderson lowers and have been pleased with the quality there..they can be had for under 40 bucks my last lower I used a mag tactical lower which is a magnesium aluminum blend material and is painted and not hard coat anodized. I paired it with a mission first tactical minimalist stock and it is just stupid light. I bought a couple Geissele G2S triggers and absolutely love them. That being said there is nothing wrong with the RRA national match. I played with a ruger 2 stage trigger and really liked it also. I have no experience with the vortex strike eagle but have looked down primary arms 1-6 scope and was impressed with all the features for the price. I recently purchased an Aim Surplus NiB m-16 bcg with nitride gas key and bolt and for $110 it's priced reasonable. Good luck on your build and be sure to share some pictures
 
Originally Posted By: moonshine44I used a Rock River National Match trigger and Palmetto State Armory full auto BCG on my last build (6.5 Grendel), and I'm real happy with both.

I appreciate the input. They actually have their high end BCG for 99.99 right now... May have to jump on that.
 
I use and like the Rock River 2 stage trigger, I have used the Spikes Tactical Lower and parts kit and have no problem with them but the hammer/trigger pins are a little goofy. I like the S&W Lowers best of all the Lowers the cosmetics on these were very nice and the logo clean and simple. I haven't seen the S&W lower receivers for quite some time so they may no longer be available.
 
Geisselle triggers are THE BOMB! Not cheap but they are great. The SSA-E and SD-3G are what I use in calling rifles. I have a Timney 3lb single stage also that's nice. You may also check out a B5 Systems SOOMOD Bravo stock. They aren't expensive and have the cheek weld and are really nice. May find a good nickel boron BCG on sale this time of year. I don't own a vortex strike eagle but I plan on it, I did get to try one out in a store and I really liked it. Good luck with your build and be cautious of the impending addiction to building more rifles in this platform.
 
I appreciate the Input guys. Those Geisselle triggers get a whole lot of praise.

I may just do a spikes LPK for now and use the trigger money towards my optic and then upgrade the trigger ASAP. At least it will get me up and hunting by end of deer season.

That B5 Bravo Sopmod looks nice too. I'm going to try to find out which model is lightest that will still give a good cheek weld. Tried a DD stock the other day and did not care for it.

A website currently has the entire buffer assembly + a Magpul STR stock for 89.99. That seems like a good price and may be my deciding factor, lol.

Hopefully ill have this thing breathing fire early/mid January.
 
DSG Arms has the B5 Bravo stock kit which is the stock, mil spec buffer tube, spring, carbine weight buffer, lock nut and end plate for $79.00.

....Just saw its out of stock though
 
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Well, I went on a bit of a binge and took advantage of some sales.

I have everything for my AR ordered short of a charging handle. Going to upgrade the grip and add some keymod panels to round out the sides.

Build as of now:

Upper: PSA 18" Stainless Mid taper. 15" keymod Rail. 1:7 Twist, .223 Wylde Chamber-$309

Bolt Carrier Group: PSA premium (exact specs of the BCM, even the same wording.)-$99 on sale, regularly ~$150

Charging Handle: TBD

Lower: Spikes Crusader-$99.00 locally. No FFL fees, yay.

Lower Parts Kit : RRA Lower Parts kit with RRA National Match Two-Stage Trigger- $97.00, regular $180.00

Stock: Magpul STR stock kit, mil-spec, OD green. -$89.00, regular $129

Scope choice: Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x40. Regularly $399.99 but currently on sale for $299.99. May break down and buy it tonight.

Rings: Absolutely no idea. No QD needed and trying to keep budget reasonable. Maybe Aero-Precision Ultralight?

Sans the charging handle, I'm a bit under $700 for the build so far with some very nice (to me) components... Basically what I could have bought a base model ar for without upgrades.

If anyone has any recommendations on rings, I would love some input. Charging handle will be a Strike Industries or BCM, whatever is in stock locally. Then I just need to build it, lube it all up and get to shooting. I'm excited!
 
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I have the aero ultralight rings on my grendel.....love them..very very light weight. My favorite charging handle is the Lucas firearms tomahawk with my second being the BCM mod 4.
 
I have 5 Aero Precision ultra light Mount's love them. As far as charging handle I have always used BCM and have always liked them so no need to change.
 
Update:

Still waiting on the LPK/trigger as well as the scope mounts. Decided to go with Aero Precision offset ultralights. Picked up a strike industries charging handle but I'm not sure how I like it. Time will tell. May upgrade to a BCM later down the line.

Mocked up the parts just to give a sneak peak of the soon to be (hopefully, if RRA ever ships my LPK/trigger assembly) completed rifle. Can't wait to run some ammo through it. Have 240 rounds waiting patiently.

What do you guys think for a first AR build?

 
Looks like a coyote killin machine.Be cautious putting it together lots of little parts.Ask me how I know that as I lost a couple after the wait and had to re order DA!
 
Looking good, do you happen to know the brand of the handguard? I am looking for one like that for the AR I'm putting together now.
 
Originally Posted By: Travis81Looking good, do you happen to know the brand of the handguard? I am looking for one like that for the AR I'm putting together now.

Travis, the handguard was already on the upper. PSA calls it their "lightweight 15 inch keymod." Not real specific, I know. It is logo'ed by PSA but also has QD stamped fore and aft, for "quick detach" I guess.
 
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