EDU: Austin's AR-15 build-up thread

[RedRocket1647545505]

I figured I’d throw together a thread, for those that care, of the build-up of my new light weight SHTF rifle. I’ve already got a dedicated varmint hunting AR, but for whatever reason, I’ve never thrown together a basic, SHTF, go-to AR-15. I’ve had a couple stripped MEGA U/L receivers lying around for a few years now and have never done anything with them. I’ll sort of make this like an EDU thread, but I’m not going through every single step. There are enough how-to threads out there for building ARs that I don’t really need to do another one. Since I’m still waiting on backordered parts, I’ll just keep this thread updated as I go along. Anyways, onto the gun porn.

 

To get things started, you need to get out your debit/credit card and go crazy. I’d hate to see what I’ve got invested in this thing so far. I didn’t skimp on parts too much. As I already said, this will be my go-to rifle, so I wanted it filled with quality parts. Reliability is key. I got most of my stuff from Midway and BCM.

 

I wanted a basic, quality, and lightweight rifle. I have absolutely no need for some 3lb. free floated aluminum rails, heavy barrel, useless VFGs, bipods or laser beams of any sort. The only accessories this thing will see are a quality light and optic.

 

Onto the parts list:

 

-MEGA machine Co. stripped lower receiver

-MEGA machine Co. assembled upper receiver (I forgot I had ordered one assembled version, so I used it.)

-DPMS LPK

-JP Enterprises reduced power trigger spring kit

-LMT BCG (MPI and HPT’d)

-LMT Enhanced charging handle

-LMT end plate (I might swap this out for something different depending on how the sling hangs)

-LMT castle nut

-LMT barrel nut

-LMT middy gas tube

-LMT Mil-spec buffer tube

-LMT H-buffer

-LMT middy buffer spring

-LMT delta ring assembly

-LMT QD pushbutton sling mount

-DD Rail mounted QD pushbutton sling mount

-Magpul MOE grip

-Magpul MOE middy hand guard

-Magpul Mil-spec CTR stock

-Magpul MOE triggerguard

-Magpul BAD (I might not even use this thing as I’ve yet to try one out)

-PK firearms 0.625” round hand guard end cap

-DD CHF 14.5” Light weight middy barrel 1/7”, Chrome Moly and Chrome lined (backordered forever…)

-Double Star 0.625” FSB

-MeproLight tritium front sight post

-DPMS peel washer

-YHM crush washer

-Sure Fire MB556K brake (works with their QD suppressors) :masturboy:

-Vickers Blue Force Gear 2-pt. sling

-Troy folding rear battle sight

-Trijicon RMR will be ordered for optics

-Light setup is yet to be determined

[RedRocket1647545505]

All the parts laid out:

 

 

http://i52.tinypic.com/124c3eh.jpg

 

 

Roughly how it will go together:

 

 

http://i55.tinypic.com/2difs0l.jpg

 

 

A few of the tools you might need. I also have a 90pc. Gunsmithing screwdriver kit that has every bit imaginable for guns:

 

 

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/cecd7b329e.jpg

 

 

I’m going to skip showing you how to install an LPK. There are a ton of EDUs on how to do this. I will, however, show you how to do a simple trigger job on your basic LPK trigger.

 

 

 

Here are the 3 parts you will need to fluff up if you want to achieve a smooth, non-gritty trigger. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! If you fuck this up, you’ll most likely have a gun that likes to shoot all by itself. Most people recommend stoning these surfaces to smooth them out, but, since I’m a wizard with a Dremel, I’ll be using that. I should also mention that these parts are surface hardened. The goal here is to just take off the factory machining marks, and no more. Take too much off, and you’ll get into the not-so-hard part, and it’ll wear pretty quickly with use, eventually taking on a mind of its own and shooting itself. Also, you NEED to keep these edges flat. Don’t round them in any way or the trigger won’t have that clean-break feel to it; and again, it has the potential to fire without your input if you fuck this up. Onto the pics:

 

 

What you’ll need to smooth/polish. Disconnector on the left, trigger in the middle, hammer on the right:

 

 

http://i52.tinypic.com/157my6h.jpg

 

 

Here are the wheels I used on the Dremel. Again, if you go this route, go VERY EASY with the power tools. They’ll get you into trouble quick if you’re not careful:

 

 

http://i53.tinypic.com/4lkgae.jpg

[RedRocket1647545505]

The results. Notice the mirror finish. These things are crazy-slick now. Add a touch of whatever heavy grease you choose to these surfaces and you’ll be amazed at how smooth your trigger is now. The gritty pull should be gone.

 

 

http://i53.tinypic.com/23t5fg9.jpg

 

 

I combine the polishing and grease with JP enterprises reduced power trigger spring kit for a 3-4lb smooth trigger pull with a clean break. The take-up is still there, but I’m not going to worry about messing with that since I will be replacing this trigger shortly.

JP springs with everything installed:

 

 

http://i56.tinypic.com/httulj.jpg

 

 

I also polished a couple other parts for added reliability. Again, go easy with removing material, especially on the hammer as it obviously takes a beating. The purpose here is to allow the carrier to easily slide over both of these when the gun cycles. The hammer has yet to be polished in this pic, and the bolt catch will get a tad more work done to it:

 

 

http://i53.tinypic.com/14v1uc.jpg

 

 

That’s all I’m posting for tonight. I’ll add more tomorrow. Daniel Defense tells me they won’t be firing up production of the 14.5” LW middys for another 10-12 weeks, so I’ve got a bit of a wait ahead of me. I’ll update this as I go.

[copperhead]

Nice. Ever get your ffl?

[jjjxlr8]

Excellent photos!

 

Thanks for spending the time and effort to document.

[1fast5gp]

Looking good!!!!!!!! Good write up. This makes me want to build one from scratch now.

[Rob1647545496]

me likey

[unfunnyryan]

Looks like an awesome build. I want to touch it. I bet it weighs nothing.

[stangsn95gt]

Looking good!!!!!!!! Good write up. This makes me want to build one from scratch now.

 

This

[Guest Hal]

Out of curiosity, why the LMT charging handle over the BCM Gunfighter? Personally, I just prefer the BCM.

[JaSSon]

Out of curiosity, why the LMT charging handle over the BCM Gunfighter? Personally, I just prefer the BCM.

Looks like he's got quite a bit of LMT stuff. Parhaps just his preference.

 

When I did mine I tried to use as few manufacturers and as many parts from one manu as possible for simplicity and compatibility. :masturboy:

 

Looking good!!!!!!!! Good write up. This makes me want to build one from scratch now.

I had fun with my build.

[RedRocket1647545505]

Out of curiosity, why the LMT charging handle over the BCM Gunfighter? Personally, I just prefer the BCM.

 

I have faith in LMT to build quality stuff. I plan on putting this thing through a thorough beating, so if it fails, I'll swap in a GunFighter.

[Furloaf]

I like the lack of quad-rail and vertical foregrip. Refreshing to see.

[Guest Hal]

I have faith in LMT to build quality stuff. I plan on putting this thing through a thorough beating, so if it fails, I'll swap in a GunFighter.

 

That makes sense and I haven't really looked into the BCM's durability in a SHTF scenario. It looks to be a good build, make sure you get a weight for us when you're done.

[RyM3rC]

That makes sense and I haven't really looked into the BCM's durability in a SHTF scenario. It looks to be a good build, make sure you get a weight for us when you're done.

 

From what I've seen the BCM parts/rifles will perform 100% as well as a DI AR possibly can. I would not hesitate one bit to put them against COLT, LMT, or anyone else.

 

Midway has a pretty awesome closeout on the VTAC light mount a little bit ago... Hint... Also be forewarned if you get a QD swivel for the buffer tube, some of the brands don't have the locating slot cut far enough back to allow the QD mount to index securely... If yours doesn't go past the threads might want to have a file or cutter on hand. I've had to open up a few of these.

[RedRocket1647545505]

About F'n time...

 

 

Hello Austin,

 

Thanks for your order! I've always been a stickler for fast shipping, so we are working hard to get your order out quickly. Order details are outlined below. We will send tracking information as soon as your order ships. Thanks for Your Business, Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA ------------------------

 

Your backorder was released on Invoice #1394xxxx on 7/15/2011 to be shipped to: Austin Long

 

-963991 1 $256.00 Daniel Defense Barrel AR-15 Pistol 14.5" CHF middy gas system

 

-456786 1 $149.00 Surefire Muzzle Brake-Adapter AR-15

[FourString]

This is a great thread. I was looking at AR15s the other day at my favorite local gun shop. I have my eye on a S&W M&P.

[RedRocket1647545505]

Finally assembly will most likely be Friday. Got the barrel and brake here today and threw it together real quick. Nothing is pinned, bolted, or welded in place, yet. It's pretty light, though.

 

 

ibATF

 

http://i53.tinypic.com/2ql5zi8.png

[JaSSon]

Sexy

[timmy43016]

Kickass. Kudos for building. I am in the market for an AR now and seriously contemplating how I feel like going with build vs. buy.

[RedRocket1647545505]

Optics and mount showed up today so I threw them on. Minus putting a suppressor on it; it's pretty much done. I put the trigger pull gauge on it and it breaks cleanly @ about 3.75lb. Not too bad for a worked over GI setup. I might swap in a decent trigger @ some point. I threw it on the fatshit scale and it weighs in at 8.2lb. with a fully loaded mag.

 

Onto the pics.

 

AimPoint Micro T-1 on an ADM QD mount. The RMR was back ordered, and this was on sale, and I've been wanting one anyways, so I bought this instead. I'll eventually get an RMR; perhaps for an SBR project:

 

http://i51.tinypic.com/dvhrfr.jpg

 

Loaded up some anti-human ammo for it. LC brass, Federal primers, and 60gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips sitting on 27.0gr. of BL-C(2). Should be around 3100fps, and should damn near mimic M193 out to about 600yd:

 

http://i52.tinypic.com/2zqen3q.jpg

 

The new Surefire G2X is in this pic as well, though its hard to see. It's held on by a MagPul Cantilever rail and Vltor mount:

 

http://i52.tinypic.com/2qd3ll1.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/e6tv9d.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/281dmkw.jpg

 

Range report sometime to follow in the next year. :dumb:

[jerrodh]

Nice build and ar15.

[Ef8sirJunkie]

Love it. was looking at building an Ar. few questions is that the Magpul rear sight? does it sit up enough to look threw your red dot?

[jerrodh]

Troy folding rear battle sight (from the part list)

 

Unless the picture is decieving i would imagine the rear back up sight would be in line with the red dot once flipped up considering how visible the front sight is.

[Not Brian]

when I get bitten and turn into a zombie hopefully I remember not to fuck with you