3-gun Rifle buy or build?

[Iggy42]

So I have 1500 bucks for a multigun rifle. I lean toward building my own (with help from some locals that know what they are doing), but I am not opposed to buying a quality rifle already built.

So what I am looking for is either a quality rifle ready to go or trusted parts suppliers that have things in stock, like Rainier.

I certainly like the look of the Mega Billet receivers, but by no means a must. Although I certainly have an attraction to billet receivers, I am not opposed to forged I am under the impression that billet hold up better. I just don't know who makes quality ones and were to buy. I just want a good rifle that can serve me for years to come.

Any help would be appreciated.

Edited May 26, 2013 by Iggy42

[perrysho]

Iggy42;

NOT TELLING OR EVEN SUGGESTING "HOW OR WHAT YOU DO".

Here's what I did getting ready for 3Gun. Not being a real/loyal fan of AR's but know more about shotguns than rifles I bought a Benelli MR-1 Nice rifle but not 3GUN. Then bought a Stag Arms 3G

& Burris P.E.P.R. QD Extended mount and 1-4 Tactical Scope with a 45* Mount and a Red Dot on the Right side. Roll the gun 45* for close paper and straight up thru scope for em fer piece targets. Also JP trick parts/fire control from Dillon and Shotgun News.

NOW TALK SHOTGUN !

Bought a FN SLP MK-1 and trick parts from Nordic, and a Browning Gas Sleve/Collar from Brownell.

Dammnnnn thing will not shot low base ammo, Talked to FN service twice, all I got from them was their's did the same thing and shoot high base ammo.

Got POed bought a Mossberg 930, another barrel. Nordic trick Sheit, trigger, sights, shoots anything in any order, have a couple more lil things I wanna do to it. Never a failure.

It's not cheap getting ready for 3Gun fact is it's a pain in the BUTT.

I am 77 yrs, have lung cancer, don't know how much longer I can shot, if it's not fun I stay home.

JM Opinion, The time era/time warp we're in and cost about $120 - $130 to shoot a 3Gun, if you really don't like it and the people, the fun may be a lil hard to find.

Be SAFE have FUN,

Perry

Edited May 26, 2013 by perrysho

[Zmego]

If your $1,500 budget includes an optic then I suggest building one. Take your time and be patient while looking for parts. They are not easy to find in stock but they are out there. Building a 3 gun ready AR will definitely save you money and it will ensure that you get all the components you want and none you don't. Building ARs isn't rocket science and can be rewarding in its own right. I have built my last 3 ARs that I use in competition and I always enjoy telling people that I built it.

[Iggy42]

Well to my un-educated looking I would appear that by going to Surplus Ammo, Midway USA and Brownell's I can have everything minus an optic and BCG for about 1475 shipped. That being said I have no idea if that is everything I would need and/or if I have too much. I admit that is using some things I have never heard of before (like an AR Stoner barrel).

I have to admit I am out of my element of this one, even having a hard time find good information about what/who to go with.

I should note I have ordered nothing as of yet since if I find that the receiver I found (forged from Surplus Ammo) is any good and if they have a local FFL on file already. I know Rainier does, but they are out of stock on just about everything. That bums me out since I heard good things about a BCG they carry and I like that they correct and headspace issues if you buy a BCG and barrel from them (both of which are out of stock from the names I knew of).

Edited May 27, 2013 by Iggy42

[usmc1094]

Arpartsfinder.com is a good place to look for stuff. I know sheps sporting goods in Martinsburg has a ffl on file with Palmetto state armory.

[Iggy42]

Arpartsfinder.com is a good place to look for stuff. I know sheps sporting goods in Martinsburg has a ffl on file with Palmetto state armory.

Good to know, I saw that Rainier has Valley Guns II in Inwood. Last I looked Palmetto was pretty much out of stock on everything as well.

[Zmego]

Websites I check DAILY when I am doing a build:

AR15.com forum that has all the instock parts posted by members http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/605352_Links_to_all_the_In_Stock_Threads.html

Palmetto State Armory - BCG, uppers, lowers, lower parts kits, etc.

Bravo Company USA - BCG, uppers, barrels, charging handles, gas blocks & tubes

Primary Arms AR15 Store - BCG, uppers, lowers, barrels, parts, etc.

Rainier Arms - BCG, uppers, lowers, barrels, handguards

Midway USA - Almost everything

Brownells - Almost everything

Southern Guns LLC online store - they have great deals and often offer discounts to BE forum members, by far the best people on this list to work with.

If you have any questions please send me a PM and I would be happy to help you where I can.

[Iggy42]

Websites I check DAILY when I am doing a build:

AR15.com forum that has all the instock parts posted by members http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/605352_Links_to_all_the_In_Stock_Threads.html

Palmetto State Armory - BCG, uppers, lowers, lower parts kits, etc.

Bravo Company USA - BCG, uppers, barrels, charging handles, gas blocks & tubes

Primary Arms AR15 Store - BCG, uppers, lowers, barrels, parts, etc.

Rainier Arms - BCG, uppers, lowers, barrels, handguards

Midway USA - Almost everything

Brownells - Almost everything

Southern Guns LLC online store - they have great deals and often offer discounts to BE forum members, by far the best people on this list to work with.

If you have any questions please send me a PM and I would be happy to help you where I can.

Checked all of those and they where mostly out of stock on a lot of stuff last night. I found a lot at Surplus Ammo and Arms, but I have never heard of them. The same goes for a company called Ice Arms (BCG). I plan to keep checking Rainier though since I would like to get my BCG and barrel from them since they take care of the headspacing.

Part of the problem is things like what comp to go with and I wonder if I am looking at the right parts and all the parts.

[airborne101]

I run surplus arms and ammo upper and lower they are machined by aero precision. great parts

[Iggy42]

I run surplus arms and ammo upper and lower they are machined by aero precision. great parts

That was what I had heard, but I was hoping to find someone that has personally used their stuff

Thanks

Any problems ordering from SAA?

[Iggy42]

Also how hard should I be looking for a .223 Wylde barrel? I have read that for our game they are better than a 5.56 NATO chamber, but how important is it? I ask because I can't find 18" .223 Wylde in stock, but I did find a Black Hole Weaponry barrel that sounds good.

18" SS HBAR - rifle gas system (matte black finish)

5.56 NATO chamber

1:8 Polygonal 3 groove

M4 feed ramp

[MarkCO]

Forged lowers are lighter, cheaper and have no downside. Stag, Spikes, Tactical Machining are all dimensionally accurate, availalable lowers from good companies who contribute to the sport and have not taken to selling direct for high prices while not fullfilling orders to distributors and dealers.

The upper to barrel receiver extension fit is somewhat important for accuracy as is a good barrel, so spend more time and money there. A quality hand guard will have a decent barrel nut, but you have to torque it correctly.

Everything else it just what kind of speed, aesthetics and price you can deal with. Lowers are pretty easy if you have roll pin starters and be careful not to break off the bosses for them. You can always split the difference and build your lower and buy an upper, provided you can find one set up like you want.

[Iggy42]

Well here is what I have put together so far, please let me know if I am missing something (I need a BCG yet, not sure what to get there)

From Surplus Arms and Ammo:

SSA Forged "Grim Reaper" Striped Lower

SSA Forged Stripped Upper

SSA AR-15 Upper Parts Kit

BCM Charging Handle (MOD 3 Large Latch)

SSA Lower Parts Kit with Blackhawk Ergo Grip

Geissele Super 3 gun trigger (might go with a Super T or other Geissle 2-stage)

Black Hole Weaponry 18" SS barrel (5.56NATO chamber 3poly rifling, rifle length gas)

Rifle length Gas tube with roll pin

From Brownell's:

Troy Low Profile gas block

ACE ARFX skeleton stock

A2 Rifle stock completion kit

Miculek comp

MI 15" free float hand guard

Aside from a BCG, anything else I am missing? Or replace?

I have heard good things about the SJC Titan comp, is it worth the extra cash to pick up over the Miculek?

Edited May 27, 2013 by Iggy42

[usmc1094]

Only thing I can see your missing is a ejection port cover (w/rod and spring) and a forward assist.

[Iggy42]

Only thing I can see your missing is a ejection port cover (w/rod and spring) and a forward assist.

The upper parts kit lists as a forward assist assembly and a dust cover assembly

Edited May 27, 2013 by Iggy42

[usmc1094]

Sorry must of missed it up there

[Iggy42]

No worries

Bummed that it appears I can't go with Mega billet receivers. With what I listed above including shipping I am just under my 1500 budget and that doesn't include a BCG, not to mention I can't find them in stock anywhere. Although I think I am going to go with a Titan comp over the Miculek

Still not sure on the barrel I am looking at, seems to get good reviews but I am yet to hear anyone use one for multigun.

[atvman400]

To answer your question on the titan over the miculek. Go with the titan. I have both and the titan is worth 3x as much $$. Like a lot of members say on here about scopes, buy once and cry once.

[Iggy42]

Like a lot of members say on here about scopes, buy once and cry once.

Yeah I'm trying to avoid that.

[ac4wordplay]

To answer your question on the titan over the miculek. ... I have both and the titan is worth 3x as much $$. ...

I'm not sure that's the majority opinion here...

I also have both. They both perform very well. They are both LOUD!

Is the Titan worth 3x the $ of the Miculek? The Titan doesn't perform 3x better than the Miculek.

Purchase the Titan if you want - it's an excellent product. But, don't let anyone pressure/shame you not to purchase the Miculek - it's an excellent product too (and it's 1/3rd the price!).

[Zmego]

Maybe I am the black sheep here but I sold my Titan because there was not a noticeable difference between it and my Miculek. At the time I was running a 16" middy and both preformed very well, but personally I couldn't justify the $70 difference.

[MarkCO]

The Titan is good, but I run a Miculek. Flatter for me and easier maintenance.

[Iggy42]

Maybe I am the black sheep here but I sold my Titan because there was not a noticeable difference between it and my Miculek. At the time I was running a 16" middy and both preformed very well, but personally I couldn't justify the $70 difference.

The Titan is good, but I run a Miculek. Flatter for me and easier maintenance.

Well since they both appear to be good, I ended up ordering a Titan. Plus a guy I shoot USPSA pistol events with swears by them, and I have come to respect his opinion. I have not ordered everything yet, just stock and that kind of thing. Still debating on a Palmetto State BCG or not and if I want a Black Hole Weaponry 5.56 chambered barrel or if I want to see if I can find a .223 wylde from somewhere.

Edited May 27, 2013 by Iggy42

[Iggy42]

Choose so far to get on a notification list from Rainier for a barrel (rainier Match) and BCG, either a BCM or Rainier Thunderbolt. I want to order them together from Rainier as they check the headspacing and match a barrel/bolt properly.

[MarkCO]

I want to order them together from Rainier as they check the headspacing and match a barrel/bolt properly.

Head spacing is set by the barrel extension installation on the barrel, so their supplier. "Matching" bolts to barrels...nothing more than a sales gimmick.