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Budget AR15 build ideas


Cody_2130

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I have been looking at buying a DPMS 3G1 for ~$1050-$1100, I have been doing some thinking and was wondering if for the same money as buying the DPMS I could build a gun for the limited division that would out shoot the DPMS. If you think it can be done please post up how you would build it as well as posting prices for the parts. Edit: I am planning on a 18-20" barrel with a rifle length gas system. The gun will be used for lots of plinking and some 3gun stuff here in the near future. Thanks!

Edited by Cody_2130
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Build your own? That's what I did. Get a stripped lower, lower parts/build kit, and a pre-built upper. I went with a Spikes tactical stripped lower, Palmetto state armory MOE lower build kit, and a JSE Surplus custom upper.

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JSE has some good stuff, here is a quick build I put together.

Upper: Barrel Profiles: Lightweight

Assembly Options: Assembled / Test Fired Upper

Charging Handles / Latch Options: Badger Gen 1 Tac Latch

Flash Hiders, Comps, Brakes:

Barrel Lining Option: Chrome Lined

Bolt Carrier Assembly Options: DSA Ceramic Coat

Stock: Skeleton Stock ACE Rifle Length

Double Star J&T striped lower

Specter lo-pro gas block

Jard 3lb non-adjustable trigger

Surplus ammo striped lower reciver

Didnt know what barrel profile to go with. What should i be using?

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I went with a regular 16" M4 profile barrel, but that's what I wanted.

I actually got this one:

http://www.jsesurplus.com/custom16hbarmidlength1x9flattopuppercompletestandard-2-1.aspx

I put on a Magpul MOE Handguard, YHM Phantom Comp (Had to blind pin it because of NJ Laws), Badger Gen 2 Tac Latch, RRA Bolt Carrier, Low Profile 4 rail Gas Block.

Worked flawlessly at the range too. I plan on using it for 3 Gun when I get the time.

AR15-BAD.jpg

The rest: Spikes Stripped lower, Palmetto state armory MOE lower build kit (PSA Lower Parts Kit, MOE Grip, Trigger guard, and Stock - Pinned cuz of NJ Laws, Mil spec buffer tube), added on a Magpul ASAP and BAD. Optic is a Vortex SPARC.

Edited by krdshrk
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If you are looking for a budget rifle to get started, you can score a CMMG for around 800$ and then go from there... If you are looking to build yours, this is the build list that I used and was able to get the entire rifle for under 1300.

399 Receivers http://www.lokiweaponsystems.com/products/lwsf-lower-upper/

115 Parts Kit http://www.lokiweaponsystems.com/products/m4-ar-15-parts-kit/

99.99 Chrome Bolt Carrier http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=593826

315 SPR Barrel/w matched bolt http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/barrels.htm

54.99 BCM Charging Handle Ranger

11.99 DPMS forward assist http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=787744

29.97 Miculek Compensator http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR535-7.html

5.89 DPMS chrome firing pin Midway

118.98 12" ATI Free float http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item/435165____AR-15_Rifle_Length_Forend.aspx?SR=1

Ejection door Already have my zombie door :)

1.99 Firing Pin retainer Midway

4.49 DPMS Bolt Cam Pin Midway

Spikes Heavy Buffer Already have

66.99 Magpul MOE Ranger

5.99 Brownells Ranger

12.99 Brownells Receiver Plate Ranger

4.99 Lock Ring Ranger

19.99 Magpul MOE Grip Ranger

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If you are looking for a budget rifle to get started, you can score a CMMG for around 800$ and then go from there... If you are looking to build yours, this is the build list that I used and was able to get the entire rifle for under 1300.

399 Receivers http://www.lokiweaponsystems.com/products/lwsf-lower-upper/

115 Parts Kit http://www.lokiweaponsystems.com/products/m4-ar-15-parts-kit/

99.99 Chrome Bolt Carrier http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=593826

315 SPR Barrel/w matched bolt http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/barrels.htm

54.99 BCM Charging Handle Ranger

11.99 DPMS forward assist http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=787744

29.97 Miculek Compensator http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR535-7.html

5.89 DPMS chrome firing pin Midway

118.98 12" ATI Free float http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item/435165____AR-15_Rifle_Length_Forend.aspx?SR=1

Ejection door Already have my zombie door :)

1.99 Firing Pin retainer Midway

4.49 DPMS Bolt Cam Pin Midway

Spikes Heavy Buffer Already have

66.99 Magpul MOE Ranger

5.99 Brownells Ranger

12.99 Brownells Receiver Plate Ranger

4.99 Lock Ring Ranger

19.99 Magpul MOE Grip Ranger

You could have come in under 1k had you gone with someone other than Loki for the recievers and LPK. Palmetto State Armory has the best deal going on recievers and LPKs as far as I know. Also the 3G1 barrel is available online for around $170, which could save a good bit of money.

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If you are looking for a budget rifle to get started, you can score a CMMG for around 800$ and then go from there... If you are looking to build yours, this is the build list that I used and was able to get the entire rifle for under 1300.

399 Receivers http://www.lokiweaponsystems.com/products/lwsf-lower-upper/

115 Parts Kit http://www.lokiweaponsystems.com/products/m4-ar-15-parts-kit/

99.99 Chrome Bolt Carrier http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=593826

315 SPR Barrel/w matched bolt http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/barrels.htm

54.99 BCM Charging Handle Ranger

11.99 DPMS forward assist http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=787744

29.97 Miculek Compensator http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR535-7.html

5.89 DPMS chrome firing pin Midway

118.98 12" ATI Free float http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item/435165____AR-15_Rifle_Length_Forend.aspx?SR=1

Ejection door Already have my zombie door :)

1.99 Firing Pin retainer Midway

4.49 DPMS Bolt Cam Pin Midway

Spikes Heavy Buffer Already have

66.99 Magpul MOE Ranger

5.99 Brownells Ranger

12.99 Brownells Receiver Plate Ranger

4.99 Lock Ring Ranger

19.99 Magpul MOE Grip Ranger

You could have come in under 1k had you gone with someone other than Loki for the recievers and LPK. Palmetto State Armory has the best deal going on recievers and LPKs as far as I know. Also the 3G1 barrel is available online for around $170, which could save a good bit of money.

I could have dropped the price a ton buy getting a different set of receivers, a different parts kit, and a different barrel, but I wanted to make sure I picked up what everyone said was the best setup for the basics, seeing how everything else can be changed pretty easily/cheaply...

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If you are looking for a budget rifle to get started, you can score a CMMG for around 800$ and then go from there... If you are looking to build yours, this is the build list that I used and was able to get the entire rifle for under 1300.

399 Receivers http://www.lokiweaponsystems.com/products/lwsf-lower-upper/

115 Parts Kit http://www.lokiweaponsystems.com/products/m4-ar-15-parts-kit/

99.99 Chrome Bolt Carrier http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=593826

315 SPR Barrel/w matched bolt http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/barrels.htm

54.99 BCM Charging Handle Ranger

11.99 DPMS forward assist http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=787744

29.97 Miculek Compensator http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR535-7.html

5.89 DPMS chrome firing pin Midway

118.98 12" ATI Free float http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item/435165____AR-15_Rifle_Length_Forend.aspx?SR=1

Ejection door Already have my zombie door :)

1.99 Firing Pin retainer Midway

4.49 DPMS Bolt Cam Pin Midway

Spikes Heavy Buffer Already have

66.99 Magpul MOE Ranger

5.99 Brownells Ranger

12.99 Brownells Receiver Plate Ranger

4.99 Lock Ring Ranger

19.99 Magpul MOE Grip Ranger

That is more money than I will have to spend to get me started. The wife is already mad that I am going to be buying more guns in the near future and spending more than I have already budgeted for may very well get me sent to the dog house for a VERY long time. The DPMS 3G1 looks like a pretty good deal for ~$1000, but building a gun would be alot of fun and would save me a bit in the long run........what to do? Should I be looking for a used gun on gunbroker? Seems like I might be able to find either a complete gun for a good deal or find some inexpensive parts for a build

Edited by Cody_2130
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I built a limited rifle for around 800 bucks. I don't remember exactly what each of the parts cost. My main savings were on the stock, A1 take-off for $5 instead of a $200 magpul stock, the upper receiver, $75 for a blemished flat top upper, and I paid half retail for the LMT rear sight because I got it used but like new off the AR-15.com equipment exchange. I probably could have gone with a less expensive barrel but the 410 stainless, 1:8 twist, w/ match chamber just seemed to be perfect. I initially thought it was too heavy but the more I shoot it the more I prefer it to my pencil barreled carbine. The weight, plus the comp, plus the LMOS w/adj gas makes this rifle shoot VERY flat.

BCM SAM-R 20 inch barrel, rifle gas.

JP LMOS carrier

BCM bolt

BCM gunfighter charging handle (preproduction discount)

lightened the buffer to JP weight myself

DPMS free float tube

DPMS front sight base, just behind the comp, shimmed to fit and with small dimples on the barrel for the set screws to hold

LMT rear sight

BCM blemished complete flat top upper

A1 stock taken off of an M16A1

DPMS lower

CMT lpk, trigger job done by a smith

JP low profile adjustable gas block

JP Cooley comp

101_8662.jpg?t=1304384445

101_8659.jpg?t=1304384447

Edited by Vespid_Wasp
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That is almost exactly what I would like to end up with....just sell me that and build another lol.On a serious note how do you shim the front sight to sit that far out?

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About $1000 in this rifle. This is a 16" mid length, but I'm pretty sure the 20" cost the same.

BCM upper with BCM bcg

DPMS lower with armalite parts kit

MOE handguard

Bill Springfield trigger job

Jerry muzzle break

larue rear sight

Really light, really fast.

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That is almost exactly what I would like to end up with....just sell me that and build another lol.On a serious note how do you shim the front sight to sit that far out?

I used brass shim stock.

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Where did you find the $5 A1 stock? I would be all over that.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Detail.aspx?pid=564720B&catid=12872

My memory was faulty. It was $6 plus shipping. Still a steal.

Mine did not come with a screw. I forget the exact thread pitch, but it was available in the machine screws section at my local hardware store. I had to cut it shorter, but it was still much better than paying more for the A1 length screw than I did for the stock.

Edited by Vespid_Wasp
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Don't pass up a blemished upper or lower receiver because using it for 3 gun will blemish it for sure. Wilson Combat has a great deal on 16" and 18" barrels right now. I just ordered an 18" for a future build.

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I have been looking at buying a DPMS 3G1 for ~$1050-$1100, I have been doing some thinking and was wondering if for the same money as buying the DPMS I could build a gun for the limited division that would out shoot the DPMS. If you think it can be done please post up how you would build it as well as posting prices for the parts. Edit: I am planning on a 18-20" barrel with a rifle length gas system. The gun will be used for lots of plinking and some 3gun stuff here in the near future. Thanks!

If all you want is something that will outshoot the 3G1, the Rock River Elite Operator will possibly do it. A buddy picked his up brand new for less than $900 and it has a sweet trigger and is a tack-driver. Very nice handguard, grip, stock, muzzlebrake and sights (the front is a flip) - all in all, a heck of a deal. You would be hard-pressed to do better assembling components from various suppliers. It was holding less than MOA with 55gr Rem. UMC and iron sights. Of course, it is a middy-16, not a rifle-18 but pretty functional for 3-gun.

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