I present to ZS my first AR-15 (w/ pics)

[wguy00]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you my first AR-15. Shout outs go to ZS for answering my questions and getting me interested in building an AR, Arfcom for their build threads and pics and Brownells for the vids and check lists. I assembled the entire rifle myself on my coffee table. The entire thing took a couple hours and a couple beers (No ammo was in the house. I didn't even have any). Easy-peasy.

Test day was actually a few weeks ago. I don't have any pics, sorry. I've had this built for a while but never got pics until recently. Dry fires and checks showed everything functioning as it should have been. I tied it down to a milk crate, tied a string to the trigger, loaded and walked away. Pull-string test fire functioned fine. I proceeded to shoot 200 rounds through it that day. PMC bronze, PMC X-tac, American Eagle, XM193, and one other kind all ran through without a hiccup. She's a keeper.

Upper:
BCM Blemished upper w/ forward assist and ejection port assemblies.
BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle mod 4
YHM Low-Pro Gas Block
VTAC Extreme Battlerail - 15"
PSA 16" Hammer-forged, Chrome-lined, Mid-length, Light Profile barrel, 1/7 twist w/ A2 flash hider (not fixed).
Daniel Defense BCG
Magpul BUIS (for now)

Lower:
PSA Lower
PSA MOE lower build kit
Magpul MOE stock and pistol grip (from build kit)
Magpul ASAP Sling plate.

Total cost is somewhere between $1000 and $1100, IIRC. I don't quite remember. I crunched those numbers a long time ago, lost the paper, and don't feel like doing it again. I used my iPod for pics, sorry. I stopped waiting for my "photographer" friend to come over and take good pics. Any and all questions, comments, quips, qualms, quotes, concerns or kudos are welcome.












Thoughts:
I need a new stock. The MOE is a little slim for a good cheek weld.
Needs optics
Always order an extra detent pin.
PSA was awesome with my orders. Even threw in the bullet button for free.
I've got a 1-point sling on it now. I'm not sure I like it too much. I might look for something else.
I need some GI 10 rd. mags, not 10/30 pmags.
10 rds. and BB's suck.

Group photo!

Clockwise from top right:
Marlin 795
Ruger 10/22
Stevens Arms Little Scout 14 1/2 (1915ish)
Hi-Point C9 (yeah, I know...)
M&P 9 full-size w/ Apex DCAEK
AR-15
Mossberg 500 w/ Knoxx SpecOps Recoil Reducing Stock
1932 Tula Arsenal 91/30 w/ all matching numbers.
Missing: Daisy Powerline 880 Pellet rifle

[nimdabew]

MBUS too far forward.

[UndeadInfidel]

Congrats. Looks like you did it right the first time (more than I can say for myself).

What optic are you throwing on it?

[nimdabew]

Boooo to bullet buttons.

[UndeadInfidel]

Just get that red keychain thing that stays inside the bullet button while you're shooting.

[Regular Guy]

Like!

[Rev]

That is one sexy tarp.

[The7thNazgul]

I feel an urge to post something useful after doing something stupid.

How do you like that way extended handguard? I've been thinknig about one, after my funds recuperate. Is there a practical reason beyons just looking cool?

I mean, I know it allows you to get a better grip, but does 15'' provide any benefit over 12''? besides the sight radius, of course.

[majorhavoc]

Beautiful rifle, wguy. I really like the job you did with those rollmarks. Did you do the same for the lettering on the MOE handgrip? And no apologies for the Magpul sights. Cause, you know, that's what I have.

PS: Yep, PSA is a great company. But they didn't give you a bb because they're nice. They gave you one because they feel sorry for you.

[UndeadInfidel]

I'd say ultimately you might want to swap those sights out for someting a little better (Troy, MI, etc). After a second look, I guess I'm the only one that's not a fan of coloring in the roll marks. I think they look better either a simple white (kinda like the spikes lowers), or just black.

[wguy00]

Thanks for the comments guys. I put the MBUS forward for the increased sight radius and I didn't have an issue with it. Am I missing something, or should I move it back some?

Just get that red keychain thing that stays inside the bullet button while you're shooting.

I thought about it, but I'd like to keep my asshole the size it is. Anything that attaches to a bullet button is a no-go in California. It'll trigger AW status. As for optics, I'm not sure yet. I've gone back and forth between ACOG/Aimpoint/Eotech. I think I need some stick time behind each of those before I can make a decision.

[wguy00]

That is one sexy tarp.

You know it!

How do you like that way extended handguard? I've been thinknig about one, after my funds recuperate. Is there a practical reason beyons just looking cool?

I mean, I know it allows you to get a better grip, but does 15'' provide any benefit over 12''? besides the sight radius, of course.

I like it. But then again, I don't have much to compare it to. Other than the sight radius, it might keep me from touching a hot barrel, but my hand shouldn't be up there anyway. I mostly did it for the sight radius and because I thought it looked cool.

Beautiful rifle, wguy. I really like the job you did with those rollmarks. Did you do the same for the lettering on the MOE handgrip? And no apologies for the Magpul sights. Cause, you know, that's what I have.

PS: Yep, PSA is a great company. But they didn't give you a bb because they're nice. They gave you one because they feel sorry for you.

Thank you. The rollmarks are done in crayon (red or blue) or white-out. Before I assembled the lower, I rubbed crayon in the roll marks, then hit it from the backside with a lighter to melt the wax into the marks. Rinse and repeat. I also did it to the grip. No lighter though I started just doing the select and fire markings for ease of use when taking new shooters shooting with me. Red=dead, and all that. I don't expect these to stay on, but hey, I was bored. As for PSA, that was probably it. The guy that helped me with my orders was a So. Cal. native, so he probably felt my pain. Even if I do get to eat In-N-Out burgers and he doesn't.

I'd say ultimately you might want to swap those sights out for someting a little better (Troy, MI, etc). After a second look, I guess I'm the only one that's not a fan of coloring in the roll marks. I think they look better either a simple white (kinda like the spikes lowers), or just black.

That's the plan. When I see a used set, and I've got the money, they'll be swapped out.

[Makarov]

Thanks for the comments guys. I put the MBUS forward for the increased sight radius and I didn't have an issue with it. Am I missing something, or should I move it back some?

By moving the rear sight forward you're actually decreasing the sight radius, because it comes closer to the front sight.
For an increased sight radius, you'll want to move the sight as much away from each other as possible.

The advantages of increased sight radius is the reduced effect of misalignment of the sights --> "better accuracy".
(Someone who's not in a hurry to get to work'll probably give you a link to some page where it's all explained with fancy pictures...)

[wguy00]

By moving the rear sight forward you're actually decreasing the sight radius, because it comes closer to the front sight.
For an increased sight radius, you'll want to move the sight as much away from each other as possible.

The advantages of increased sight radius is the reduced effect of misalignment of the sights --> "better accuracy".
(Someone who's not in a hurry to get to work'll probably give you a link to some page where it's all explained with fancy pictures...)

I gotcha. I originally thought Nim meant the forward MBUS was too far forward. As for the rear, yeah, it's a couple notches too far forward. I'll fix that.

[Winston Smith]

I have a set of Midwest Industries, nice because their heat resistant so you can gas block mount them and they take any M16 front post. If only the rear sight would fold flat when switched to the daylight reticle...


Misspellings courtesy of iPhone, so sue me. Go ahead, take away my birthday!

[UndeadInfidel]

By moving the rear sight forward you're actually decreasing the sight radius, because it comes closer to the front sight.
For an increased sight radius, you'll want to move the sight as much away from each other as possible.

The advantages of increased sight radius is the reduced effect of misalignment of the sights --> "better accuracy".
(Someone who's not in a hurry to get to work'll probably give you a link to some page where it's all explained with fancy pictures...)

I gotcha. I originally thought Nim meant the forward MBUS was too far forward. As for the rear, yeah, it's a couple notches too far forward. I'll fix that.

Yeah. He was referring to the rear. You'll want it back pretty much on top of the charging handle so you can still fit in all optics, red dots, magnifiers, and the like without moving the buis.

[Branth]

That is a LONG barrel... How does it balance? If it feels muzzle-heavy, I might just go with a fixed stock and load some heavy stuff into the cleaning kit compartment, or get some saddlebags so your weight is better centered over your pistol grip. That's just personal preference, though.

[TheLastOne]

whatsa bullet button?

[Regular Guy]

whatsa bullet button?

Its a California thing. Its a button that disables the mag release on semi autos. The only way to swap mags is with a tool.

[TheLastOne]

whatsa bullet button?

Its a California thing. Its a button that disables the mag release on semi autos. The only way to swap mags is with a tool.

Fuck that right in the ass. Are you serious?

OT

Dude, that's a nice build. I want an extended handguard for my carbine that goes around the fsp like dd and troy make.

[nimdabew]

Fuck that right in the ass. Are you serious?

Yes. It is either that or the monsterman grip.

[RickOShea]

whatsa bullet button?

Its a California thing. Its a button that disables the mag release on semi autos. The only way to swap mags is with a tool.

Fuck that right in the ass. Are you serious?

California AKs have to have a similar device.....But, IIRC, Ruger Minis don't.

[TheLastOne]

Well that could only be because even CA lawmakers cannot deny the awesomeness of the A-Team



wtf an m16!


And this ends my hijack, I promise

[Czechnology]

whatsa bullet button?

Its a California thing. Its a button that disables the mag release on semi autos. The only way to swap mags is with a tool.

Fuck that right in the ass. Are you serious?

California AKs have to have a similar device.....But, IIRC, Ruger Minis don't.

Yeah that law only applies to dangerous weapons.