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Help w/ AR-15 Build List $1200 Budget

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  • toddnjoyce

    TGT Addict
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    4   0   0
    Sep 27, 2017
    19,285
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    Boerne
    Grendel is not a 223 that the op was thinking. Ammo is not cheap. Lots of calibers you can put on one, 223 would not be my choice for anything.

    I’m tracking two separate conversations going on and you’re correct that G isn’t cheap. But I’ve witnessed 5.56 put a man down at 427+ meters with one shot as well as dissipate energy really well in drywall at 5m.

    It’s not the best at anything, but in my opinion 5.56 does a lot of things on the spectrum from satisfactory to great. That doesn’t mean it is without limits, nor is it the perfect caliber, even in an optimum barrel length and twist for the weight.
     

    beast1989

    New Member
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    Nov 7, 2020
    29
    11
    Dallas
    Is it true that the Larue receiver and handguard proprietary so you can’t swap out handguards? I was definitely wanting to keep this gun for a long time and mod it as my AR sensibilities evolve.

    If it is proprietary then should I pivot to BCM? Are BCM and LaRue on the same quality level?
     
    Last edited:

    craigntx

    Masta Copypasta
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    6   0   0
    Jun 25, 2010
    3,258
    96
    Cypress, Tejas
    You need an acog, a
    vltor emod stock, matech sight and a freefloat hg.
    Oh hell i got you over $1200. Sorry
    20201127_155648.jpg
     
    Last edited:

    flgfish

    Active Member
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    0   0   0
    Aug 16, 2020
    327
    76
    The Woodlands
    I think my current favorite rifle to shoot is a 14.7" pin & weld from PSA with Magpul furniture. I think I like it more than the more expensive rifles I own including a BCM RECCE-16 MCMR. It's light, and simple, and I just really dig it right now.

    Here's the upper I used for that build.

    I used the Magpul MOE EPT CTR build kit that I linked earlier, as well as a PSA M16A4 labelled lower.

    Paired it up with their Nickel Boron BCG (currently out of stock)... Nickel Boron is pretty "slick" and easy to clean, I like it. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...on-bcg-with-carpenter-158-bolt-516446450.html

    Used a BCM MOD3 charging handle, some Magpul MBUS BUIS, a Holosun red dot, and a BFG Vickers sling, and the rifle is just a hoot.

    I did also change out the buffer spring for an Armaspec Stealth Recoil Spring in H2 weight, to get rid of the annoying buffer spring "twang", but that was really a personal cosmetic choice. Hearing the buffer tube ratting just drove me nuts.

    People argue for days on Arfcom about BCM quality & other brands. Is the BCM higher quality? Maybe, but for my use, they both run perfect. I've never had a hiccup from either. I know my civvie personal experience doesn't mean much but whatever, there you go. :)

    K7Z3vwO.jpg
     

    toddnjoyce

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    Sep 27, 2017
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    Boerne
    Is it true that the Larue receiver and handguard proprietary so you can’t swap out handguards? I was definitely wanting to keep this gun for a long time and mod it as my AR sensibilities evolve.

    If it is proprietary then should I pivot to BCM? Are BCM and LaRue on the same quality level?

    If parts swapping is the plan, just get a PSA upper with the CHF barrel and an Aero lower with Larue or BCM FCG and JP springs.
     

    Axxe55

    Retiretgtshit stirrer
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    0   0   0
    Dec 15, 2019
    47,022
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    Lost in East Texas Elhart Texas
    I'm going to offer my input based on my personal observations and experience from my perspective.

    Lot of people want to build a higher end AR rifle from quality made parts. Not a bad idea by any means. But an assembly of higher end parts isn't necessarily going to guarantee a high end rifle once assembled. Think "FrankenAR"!

    First thing a person needs to define is what is going to be the primary intended usage of the rifle, and once that is defined, then a person can then start deciding which parts to buy that will help them achieve the desired end product once completed.

    A perfect analogy to this would be, building a small block Chevy engine for drag racing, would be much different than building one to go stock car racing.

    Another aspect of building a rifle is that sometimes it much cheaper to configure a rifle to your specific needs, than to modify or replace parts on an off the shelf factory built rifle to your individual needs or wants.

    And here's a huge question, and it can only be honestly answered by the person wanting to do such a build. Are going to actually use the higher end rifle to it's full advantage to realize the benefits of having built a better gun that it's really that much better than a factory built rifle?

    Reason I say that, is I have seen lots of people spend big dollars on high end builds, only to go and shoot them a few times in the back yard, when a much less expensive factory built rifle would have served as well for the same purpose, and for their wants or needs, didn't really perform any better, or they couldn't realize it's full potential.

    But only the person building, or wanting to build can answer that, and it's not my place to question what others spend their money on.
     

    Mike_from_Texas

    Well-Known
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    3   0   0
    Feb 10, 2010
    1,468
    96
    North Texas
    I know I could but i want to squeeze as much value out of $1200 as I can and from what I understand, building would be the besto achieve that. Also, I need a new project to work on.

    Would this CMMG be good and is it priced well for what you get?


    If you are trying to build a rifle in or with Colt specs, you are going to have a hard time doing it for less than what you can buy one for. If you are just wanting to throw a rifle together, that’s doable.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     

    cajunautoxer

    Well-Known
    Rating - 100%
    2   0   0
    Sep 8, 2008
    1,498
    46
    Houston
    I'm going to offer my input based on my personal observations and experience from my perspective.

    Lot of people want to build a higher end AR rifle from quality made parts. Not a bad idea by any means. But an assembly of higher end parts isn't necessarily going to guarantee a high end rifle once assembled. Think "FrankenAR"!

    First thing a person needs to define is what is going to be the primary intended usage of the rifle, and once that is defined, then a person can then start deciding which parts to buy that will help them achieve the desired end product once completed.

    A perfect analogy to this would be, building a small block Chevy engine for drag racing, would be much different than building one to go stock car racing.

    Another aspect of building a rifle is that sometimes it much cheaper to configure a rifle to your specific needs, than to modify or replace parts on an off the shelf factory built rifle to your individual needs or wants.

    And here's a huge question, and it can only be honestly answered by the person wanting to do such a build. Are going to actually use the higher end rifle to it's full advantage to realize the benefits of having built a better gun that it's really that much better than a factory built rifle?

    Reason I say that, is I have seen lots of people spend big dollars on high end builds, only to go and shoot them a few times in the back yard, when a much less expensive factory built rifle would have served as well for the same purpose, and for their wants or needs, didn't really perform any better, or they couldn't realize it's full potential.

    But only the person building, or wanting to build can answer that, and it's not my place to question what others spend their money on.
    Hate to say this but $1200 is nowhere close to higher end

    Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
     
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