Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I am getting ready to purchase/build an AR as close to milspec as possible -- some things Uncle Sam just won't let you keep. However, I'm not as familiar with the civilian versions of the weapon and would appreciate any advice. I would like to keep the total price at or under $3,000, and appreciate saving a buck as much as the next guy. But unless it has the sort of quality I'm used to, I'd rather wait. With that being said, what would your rig look like if you could custom-build an AR in 5.56 for medium to long-range engagement? Currently, I'm weighing options from LMT, Rock River, and my personal favorite manufacturer, LaRue Tactical. Anyone who was built or purchased one and has any advice on what you have been pleased with or don't like would be appreciated before I put myself in the dog house permanently with my wife over the price tag. Thanks to all.

Welcome to VGOF!

There are several members here that have built there own AR and will probably reply soon. In the mean time, here are a couple topics I found on the forum.

assault-rifles/build-buy-complete-t256.html

question-and-answer/ar15-type-build-t3493.html

Milspec or accuracy? Which route are you looking to go? I ask this question because you can build an M4gery or M16A4 knock off and construct them to very close to Milspec. You can also go the accuracy route and do things to make the rifle as accurate as possible and outshoot anything built to Milspec. 3 things are going to have a huge effect on accuracy with an AR:
1. Barrel-- the quality of your barrel is probably the biggest of the 3, do your research on the internet and find one that meets your wants. Milspec would be chrome lined which is tough and long lasting but not as accurate.
2. Trigger-- Get a good trigger with a consistent pull. It is all about your preference on the single stage VS two stage triggers. If you are used to Milspec it will be as different as night and day, the M4 and M16A2/4 have 6 different trigger pulls depending in which notch the burst counter is in. They aren't huge differences, but they do change from notch to notch.
3. Free Floating Handguard-- with the M4/M16 family using a hasty/ deliberate sling puts pressure on the barrel, actually causing it to flex slightly. use of a free floating handguard alleviates the problem.

Some other questions you might want to ask yourself are: How long a barrel? Do I need rails? fixed stock or collapsable? Do I want it to look close to Milspec. or be all about function? Do I want a piston system?
If you are looking for accuracy, a longer barrel means a higher muzzle velocity, shorter flight time and flatter shooting bullets. A lot of people like lots of rails, but the reality is you don't really use a whole lot of them, If it is a long range gun, a mounted flashlight is pretty useless. You might want to use a night vision optic on it so a top rail is nice. A bipod is also nice to have so a stud or short piece of rail on the bottom would be nice. To understand some of the different options you can do with rails/ handguards one of the best companies to get ideas from is YHM (Yankee Hill Machine). Personally when it comes to accuracy I find the adjustable buttstocks to be more annoying than useful. I end up extending my stock to the length for the A2 stock anyway. Magpul makes a bunch of different stocks and have one that is supposed to be for use by designated marksman/ snipers. Vltor also makes a bunch of stocks. LMT manufactures a lot of stuff used by the Special Ops crowd. Their Crane SOPMOD butstock is a great collapsable stock. Their quality control is great. In the looking Milspec area the M4 has 14 1/2" barrel with the standard flash suppressor it is 0.2" too short and needs to be registered as a short barrel rifle (class 3), you can use a slightly longer supressor, there are a lot of different ones out there, Bravo Company (BCM) makes one that is slightly longer than the standard A2, looks the same, and when permanently affixed gives you the required length. CMMG sells barrels that are 14.7" and wth an A2 supressor meets the 16" requrement. They are a company who's quality is good, prices are reasonable and their website is easy to use. Knight's Armament is the manufacturer for both the M4 and the M16A4 rail systems. They are expensive, but you can find them on Ebay all the time for less than $200. As for pistons, they are the new "It" product and I haven't messed with any.

If you want an accurate AR15 then contact Mike Millie at http://www.dtechsuperstore.com/ He will build you one is just about any caliber and it will be super accurate. Only problem is he has a waiting period of at least six months last I heard.

I agree with Greg and will add that you should first decide what you want to use your AR for - SHTF, target, varmint, etc. That will help you decide how you want it configured.

Personally I would go with at least modified mil-spec -- 5.56 with chrome barrel and chamber, upgraded bolt...I'd rather have an AR that will fire both 5.56 and .223 after its been abused somewhat rather than sacrifice dependability for another 1" of accuracy...just my $0.02...