New Magpul build -- Complete 5/2/10

[Chef]

MIAD at the full-fat setting is still too small for me. I liked the BATTlegrip, but it was way too small.

Guess I need to bust out one of the A2 grips in my junk box and go to town with epoxy putty.

[Dave_M]

I assembled the MIAD into the fattest possible configuration, without the finger nub on the front strap, and was finally able to get a proper grip on the gun. Without that fat ass backstrap, I couldn't get my hand up high around the lower where it was supposed to be.

I can't do that with my little lady hands

[Caenus]

Last week my Magpul BUIS in foliage green showed up.

Today I decided to work on the Eotech. This was on my LR308 with a magnifier, but I've decided to use it for my AR build. I am replacing it on the LR308 with a Burris FFII 3-9x40 w/bdc reticle.

Eotech 552:


Staying with my theme of all gear blending together to make it difficult for an observer to ID my gear, I've decided to AUC (Army Universal Camo) my gear. It still seems to work best in the AZ scrub. I've AUC'd my old Marlin 30-30 at one point, and turned out very well. I don't particularly care how pretty stuff is, and I don't have a problem painting any gear. It's my gear, and I still had the paint, so I started on the EoTech while I wait for remaining parts to come in.

First step was to tape off the glass front and back in prep for painting.


Next, I prepped the surface by cleaning very well. Final step was to wipe the whole thing down with alcohol prep to remove any oil left by my hands.

Since I am in the desert here in AZ, I started with a desert tan base. I applied two light coats so the paint did not run and I achieved a nice consistent coat.



After letting in dry, I placed the sight on it's side, and laid my AUC stencil on top of the sight. Three quick passes at about 12" distance, a few seconds for the paint to settle, and I pulled the stencil off carefully so as not to smear the paint. I waited for each side to dry, then painted the next. Once the foliage was complete on each side, and all sides were dry, I moved on to OD green...or attempted to anyway. The can of OD I had did not provide a smooth stream. It seems to have plenty of paint, but not enough propellant, I think I may have used most of it on a deer blind last season. I changed out the spray tip with a new can of another color, but still not enough propellent to prevent large droplets from spitting out. I decided to pass on the OD until I get the rest of the rifle in and together. Then I'll put the final color on the Eotech the same time I do the rifle.



Now I suppose I'll have to wait until the actual "rifley" parts start showing up. For those who need a pick of overall progress, or lack thereof:
Pictured with my Magpul upper/lower.

[Caenus]

I always prefer to buy local. When searching for a quality lower, I came across AGP Arms. They've been building lowers for roughly a year and a half, and the $99 out the door cash price is unbeatable. Here is mine (with serial # scrubbed for paranoia purposes):


I used a standard lower kit from DPMS as this is not going to be a precision rifle (that's what my LR308 is for) but rather a backup varminting/hunting rifle. I had never put a lower kit together before, and I was surprised at how easy it really was. Although I taped the lower before installing the bolt catch, I still managed to make a couple dings. This will not be an issue as the build progresses.

Complete lower:


I really cannot say enough about how clean and well made AGP's lower is. I had no problems fitting parts together, and the attention to detail is outstanding. All of my magpul mags drop free as they promised. These guys normally build turbochargers and such, but have started making AR parts as a side business. They had about 10 in their display case, and they are all equally well made. If you are in the valley, I strongly suggest you check out their stuff and try to keep your business local. (No I did not get a discount for mentioning this lower, nor do I work for them).

[nimdabew]

I always prefer to buy local. When searching for a quality lower, I came across AGP Arms. They've been building lowers for roughly a year and a half, and the $99 out the door cash price is unbeatable. Here is mine (with serial # scrubbed for paranoia purposes):


I used a standard lower kit from DPMS as this is not going to be a precision rifle (that's what my LR308 is for) but rather a backup varminting/hunting rifle. I had never put a lower kit together before, and I was surprised at how easy it really was. Although I taped the lower before installing the bolt catch, I still managed to make a couple dings. This will not be an issue as the build progresses.

Complete lower:


I really cannot say enough about how clean and well made AGP's lower is. I had no problems fitting parts together, and the attention to detail is outstanding. All of my magpul mags drop free as they promised. These guys normally build turbochargers and such, but have started making AR parts as a side business. They had about 10 in their display case, and they are all equally well made. If you are in the valley, I strongly suggest you check out their stuff and try to keep your business local. (No I did not get a discount for mentioning this lower, nor do I work for them).

I really like that lower! I love the roll marks on the front and left magwell. Awesome build BTW! I may have to pick one of those up...

[Caenus]

All of the markings are CNC milled, no roll marking or stamping. The pictures do not do it justice.

I like the flag. I didn't know it was on there until I dropped by their shop and the guy handed it to me. Pretty cool.

I'm now looking for suggestions for the upper. This is intended to be a lightweight carbine for GP/plinking use. I can get a Del Ton upper for about $400 and my budget is less than $800 remaining. Caliber is going to be .223/5.56, but I am looking for value, not necessarily the highest quality possible. I need a flat top, lightweight, chrome lined barrel in a carbine length gas system.

[nimdabew]

All of the markings are CNC milled, no roll marking or stamping. The pictures do not do it justice.

I like the flag. I didn't know it was on there until I dropped by their shop and the guy handed it to me. Pretty cool.

I'm now looking for suggestions for the upper. This is intended to be a lightweight carbine for GP/plinking use. I can get a Del Ton upper for about $400 and my budget is less than $800 remaining. Caliber is going to be .223/5.56, but I am looking for value, not necessarily the highest quality possible. I need a flat top, lightweight, chrome lined barrel in a carbine length gas system.

What do you have already? You can get a bad ass upper with BCG for about 500. No sights or anything like that though. If you want a decent upoper, del-ton is the way to go.

[Caenus]

I don't have an upper yet. I've been looking hard at Del Ton.

[sammage]

You should really take pictures in the same position, then build a nice little time lapse gif. I'm so far liking my MBUS, MOE handguard, and CTR stock. Checked out the MIAD grip in the store, but the MOE grip fits me fine.

[hdandb]

I keep wanting to spray my Eotech but I am too afraid. If you are thinking about Digital painting anything else I can not recommend this guys stencils enough. They are strong and easy to use and make doing corners or rounds a million times easier. Spend the extra and get the females, and one sheet will do a rifle with leftovers. http://www.stevensonenterprise.com/bull ... 99b3f1e08e

[Kabong30]

I bought my upper from PK Firearms:

http://www.pkfirearms.com/select_options/new/1350

Here's my finished build: (well, minus the AFG until tomorrow)

[Dave_M]

As far as what kind of upper to purchase, ask yourself a few honest questions:
-What do you intend to use it for? (will it be used at least weekly at the range? Do you intend to take any training courses with it? Is it going to be your PAW rifle?)
-How much are you willing to spend? (as was pointed out in this thread, there are many good options at or around $500, most notably perhaps the BCM & LMT uppers)

[OpelBlitz]

Just out of curiosity, you did remember to mask off the glass of the EOTech when you started to paint, right?

[Haji]

$500 is about the average for where an upper that's not the cheapest POC available are found. Stag, Bushamster, and a bunch of other commercial uppers are in that ball park. That being the case, there's no point in looking at anything commercial in that range because BCM makes service grade uppers in that same range.

If you can raise $400, why not $500, know what I mean? That's a small price to pay for a MUCH better part. You'll have a very high quality upper that will save you headaches because it's gonna work, and work well, right out of the box.

[flyingjibus]

Complete lower:

Your Castle nut is on backwards.

[Artiz]

Your Castle nut is on backwards.

Yup.

[nimdabew]

Your Castle nut is on backwards.

Yup.

Make sure to stake your castle nut when you finally do get everything put together too. Nothing worse than being out on the range and your castle nut backs off because you didn't stake it.

[Caenus]

Your Castle nut is on backwards.

Yup.

yeah...just cuz it's backwards doesn't mean it's wrong...

(I'm also missing roll pin somewheres...Anyone see it?) This rifle is not finally assembled yet...still in progress so this was put together just for the pic.

[Caenus]

$500 is about the average for where an upper that's not the cheapest POC available are found. Stag, Bushamster, and a bunch of other commercial uppers are in that ball park. That being the case, there's no point in looking at anything commercial in that range because BCM makes service grade uppers in that same range.

If you can raise $400, why not $500, know what I mean? That's a small price to pay for a MUCH better part. You'll have a very high quality upper that will save you headaches because it's gonna work, and work well, right out of the box.

Exactly. That is why I asked. I've read lots of threads about "this is better than that"...well sure if I want to spend $1500 I could probably get a great upper, but how much better than the $400 upper?

Plus, this is a general purpose rifle. Not for competition, not for combat, etc. I just want something slightly better than a plinker that if needed can be relied on more than a cheapo special.

[Dave_M]

Your Castle nut is on backwards.

Yup.

yeah...just cuz it's backwards doesn't mean it's wrong...

errr... kinda does...

[Caenus]

Your Castle nut is on backwards.

Yup.

yeah...just cuz it's backwards doesn't mean it's wrong...

errr... kinda does...

and "kinda" is what makes a man great!!!!! I edited that post about the time someone pointed it out...after I was done laughing at myself. Maybe I should take a second look at that trigger mechanism!

[Caenus]

Just out of curiosity, you did remember to mask off the glass of the EOTech when you started to paint, right?

Yes, it's in the pics...jeez. Just because a guy puts his castle nut on backwards...nevermind...

[hellzna]

Nice looking lower.
What color is that magpul stuff?


You also forgot your trigger guard roll pin...

[Caenus]

Nice looking lower.
What color is that magpul stuff?


You also forgot your trigger guard roll pin...

*ding ding ding* Yup. The roll pin is missing because I'm not putting the trigger guard on yet, and I don't want to mess with the roll pin until I do.

The color is foliage for all the magpul stuff, and thank you.