The road to perdition: Black Rifle build-your-own

[kjack]

A friend at work told me about a group buy for AR15 lower receivers. He had heard the lowers would be $50 and the parts kits $40! I was hooked.

What he failed to mention was shipping and FFL transfer fee, and the extra 2 months it took to put the deal together.

Still, I was going to be able to get my black rifle for pocket change. How wrong can a young (at heart) person be?

The rest of the pain was self-inflicted.

My travels through the internet got me to GunsAmerica where I found a complete flattop upper for $450 with magazine and reloading die set. The problem was that it is in 6.8SPC, but I rationalized that I REALLY NEED a new caliber to make this special rifle just for me (somewhere between my .223 and .308). The exceptionally low price was offset by higher cost for ammo and magazines (bought 2 spares to go with original) (GunBroker).

I got an ambidextrous safety and ambidextrous sling attachment (being left handed is sometimes inconvenient) (MidwayUSA). The stock (AuctionArms) had to be 6-position, because I was sure that 3 would not work for my stubby frame. I threw in a JP spring kit because I had used them on other guns and I liked what they did to the trigger. I already had a good scope but of course the rings were too low so I had another quick purchase to make (MidwayUSA) (awaiting arrival).

The final bell/whistle is an engraved dust cover. I found a spare on line (68forums) and went to Things Remembered at the mall to have it engraved. (The engraving is as deep as their machine would allow, but I’m not sure that it will remain clear under a lot of shooting.)

All the parts finally came in somewhat together in time. I had watched (multiple times) YouTube videos of how to put together the lower, backed up with written instructions from AR15.com.

Except for one PITA roll pin, the final build went together easily.

Here are pictures of the engraving. Pictures of the final will be up shortly:



Because I am compulsive about some things, I kept a pretty good record of cost, including engraving/shipping/fees.

My good deal, $50 receiver, ended up at $765.27 (not counting the scope)

You don’t want to know the cost of the ammo I‘ve got ready to shoot.

I probably could have gotten away $100 cheaper without the engraving, fancy stock, extra mags.

Was it worth it? Gathering all the pieces and putting the lower together was very satisfying. The final test will be in the shooting.

I’ll let you know…..

[grumpyMSG]

It sounds like you didn't do too awful bad, you have your rifle (set up for you), a couple of spare magazines and dies for $765. Your rifle is also legal to hunt Whitetail with. I wouldn't complain about that and you learned a little along the way. I hope it shoots good for you...

[Jakeiscrazy]

Very cool I dig the engraving!

[VAman]

Very nice. I too really like the engraving.

[gunderwood]

Nice rifle.

[TJB63]

Look forward to seeing the Completed Rifle - I like that Engraving, You may have just found a Small Business Idea to get into, Let us know how it shoots.

TJB

[Hiwaytahell]

There is nothing like putting it together yourself.

[kjack]

Pictures: Upper has a marking which indicates it is from Cerro Forge. Barrel is marked "Lothar Walther". the flash hider is standard, covered by freeby from the source where I bought the ambidextrous sling attachment.



Note the ambi safety:


Stock is by LMT:



Gas block is unmarked:

[TJB63]

Very Nice John,
I like the Stock, I think an M4 Clone will be my next build, just need to Free up some funds.
TJB

[Peel2Seal]

I probably could have gotten away $100 cheaper without the engraving, fancy stock, extra mags

Say what? I assume thats not a real LMT stock at that price.

Wait until you buy a real sopmod stock, A buddy ran a fake for months before I bought my first two. He about cried when he felt the difference and sold it that week.

[kjack]

Road to Perdition (Continued - 9 months later)

The 6.8 went on a pig hunt in South Carolina, but I didn’t get a shot. Maybe next time!

I was lucky enough to find a member on this forum getting out of 6.8 who had a lot of ammo for a reasonable price (the average came down to less than $15 per box). It still wasn’t as cheap as 5.56, but I could at least afford to burn some powder without one eye on my wallet.

The urge for a low priced upper in 5.56/.223 took me around to all the usual auction sites and discussion forums. Retail sites like Palmetto State Armory had great promise and periodic sales (but sometimes limited availability). I found another good deal on GunsAmerica for a flattop upper, 16” barrel (light contour –without the M4 notch), complete with charging handle and bolt carrier group for under $430 (shipped). The seller threw in a nice carry bag with it in which I can store whichever upper is not being used.

A sale at MidwayUSA and a trade got me a bunch of magazines and an auction got me 100 rds of FMJ to get started. I installed a temporary scope (Swift 3X9) and I was ready to go to the range again. The scope wasn’t ideal and it took me a few extra rounds to get on target, but now I had a reasonably inexpensive blaster that is a real hoot to shoot. I’m looking for a suitable scope (the relatively new.223-specific 1X4s are appealing) but will have to wait until the fun-money jar gets filled again. Old eyes mean that some magnification is required, so I probably won’t go with a basic red-dot.

One other accessory also makes sense: CMMG has a stainless conversion kit which permits shooting .22LR through the .223 upper. The YouTube posting by that company shows flawless functioning (of course it does!). I almost had a trade for one, but that fell through, so I will continue to search.

I’ll let you know…..

[jrswanson1]

Make sure you clean everything in that upper after you shoot the rimfire stuff in it. I've seen several people try this without cleaning and it cost them a lot of time and frustration clearing malfunctions. I hope you're reloading that 6.8 brass.

[kjack]

Good advice on the cleaning. Cleaning a .22 once a decade is usually OK, but tolerances in a drop-in unit are probably too tight for that.

Still in the brass gathering/sorting (some 6.8s use small primers) phase, but I will reload as soon as I get a couple of more range sessions completed.

[jrswanson1]

I see why you think ammo is expensive if you're shooting that Remington crap. If you're going to buy 6.8 ammo, get it from Silver State Armory. They make the best ammo and brass for the 6.8, hands down.

[Jamie]

Hold on a second.

Group buys for $50 for AR receivers?

Why haven't we gotten this going on VGOF?

[FredVegas]

Very nice OP, Great look. Don't mean to hijack, but for those looking for a cheap start to your build...

I used a Surplus Arms and Ammo stripped lower for my build, they are usually available for ~$60. Made by AeroPrecision, I love it.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1SASL

Stripped A3 uppers are $55, I'm also using one of these. Very tight fit, took some wear on the pins to be able to pop them by hand.
http://www.surplusammo.com/stripped-uppers/

Hope that helps.

[smc331]

Very nice OP, Great look. Don't mean to hijack, but for those looking for a cheap start to your build...

I used a Surplus Arms and Ammo stripped lower for my build, they are usually available for ~$60. Made by AeroPrecision, I love it.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1SASL

Stripped A3 uppers are $55, I'm also using one of these. Very tight fit, took some wear on the pins to be able to pop them by hand.
http://www.surplusammo.com/stripped-uppers/

Hope that helps.

Just used that same upper on my Bushmaster rebuild - details to follow shortly in a new thread.

I'm very happy with it...