Well, another "last AR15 build" has started

[M1A4ME]

Figured out why I can't find that stock.  I've already used it.  I forgot I had two 18" builds in the last year, or so.

Anyway, found other stuff I can use.

I took pictures of the barrel/bolt and left them in my jacket pocket (phone).

I disassembled the bolt and checked headspace.  A tiny bit "sloppier" on the GO ga. than my last build but it won't take the NO GO ga. so it's just fine.  I won't have chambering issues or flattened primers with this one (and it has a 5.56X45 chamber rather than a .223 Wylde chamber.)

Now I've got to dig up the name/number of the guy/shop that did the XM177 9MM clone barrel/front sight base work for me and call him about cutting this 20" barrel back to 18 or 18.5" and crowning the barrel.  I just wanted to make sure of the headspace prior to spending money on modifying the barrel.

Gotta build the upper (I actually know where those and the upper receiver parts kits are.)

Sort of "funny".  The lower receiver is a Anderson Arms lower with an almost scary serial number.  Considering the political direction VA seems to be going.  The last four digits of the serial number are 1775.  No kidding.  1775.

Now I need to order the stock (fixed stock but since I don't have the A1 I thought I had it can be a commercial stock if I see one that appeals to me (probably won't, but just in case).

Got the rings/scope mount, the back up sights.  Still waiting on the free float tube and barrel nut that is on back order.

I ordered three of those new (not yet made/engraved/stamped) VA lowers from Palmetto State Armory, but won't get those for another month or so according to PSA.  Have you guys seen them yet?  They are donating $10 from the sale of each one to the VCDL for this upcoming war of words and wills over the proposed 2nd Amendment destruction bills the dims/libs/progs/socialists are pushing.

Notice the body her foot is on.  He's wearing a tie and suit.  See the AR15 instead of the sword?  See the Sic (safe) Semper (fire) Tyrannis (where rock and roll would be on a full auto receiver).

[M1A4ME]

Well, figured I ought to go ahead and check out the gas port diameter as it looks huge.

It is.  A chart from arfcom suggests 0.086 to 0.093" for a 20" barrel with a 0.625" diameter section at the gas block.

This one swallowed up a 7/64" drill bit (0.1094") with a sloppy fit.  A 1/8" 0.125" is the next size in the box and it won't fit.

Might go ahead and order an adjustable gas block, or wait and see.  Not that difficult, really, to get the free float tube and gas block off if cutting an inch or so off the barrel isn't enough to help drop gas pressure quicker. 

Got that picture of the barrel and bolt.

[armoredman]

I like PSA - they are getting more money from me in less than 24 hours. It is awesome that they are donating to VCDL with the sale of the Virginia roll stamped lowers - they NEED it right now!

[M1A4ME]

More parts came in.  Got the A1 stocks today, the funny grip (not a pistol grip) and A1 stock screws yesterday.

How's this for the last four digits of an AR15 serial number:



This is the lower put together:



60 degree ambidextrous safety.  Makes it quicker/easier to use with the right thumb since it won't reach the left side with that grip on it and when moved to the fire position (the reason I used the 60 degree side vs. the 90 degree side) it make a perfect thumb rest.



Not my idea, but it works great.  Small pin from the hardware aisle at Lowes.  Smoothed up the rough edges some. 



Insert it into the front take down pin hole on the lower and align a hole so it lines up with the spring/pin for that front take down pin.



Insert the spring and pin through the hole and into the lower receiver.  You can use a punch to push the spring/pin down into the hole in the lower receiver.  Then turn the pin 90 degrees to hold the
pin/spring in place.  You can this use the take down pin, correctly oriented, to push the "tool" out of the lower and into the holes in the lower.  Just keep pushing till it's through that first hole or both, so you can continue the build.



Started to put the upper together then remembered I don't have the barrel nut/free float tube yet so I only put the forward assist parts in and then put stuff away for the night.  Once I get the barrel nut/free float tube I can finish it up.

[Earl Keese]

Are you required to use that type of grip in WV?

[DOC 1500]

B S rules for that grip. Definitely a grip thought up by the Democrats and liberals. What is the freaking purpose of that ? To keep you from doing WHAT ??with an AR ? I know I know it's the law and that's what you have to do.but still wtf.

[M1A4ME]

Not in WV at all.

I'm in VA.

The dim/lib/prog/socialist majority state legislature that will take control in a week or so has prefiled a bunch of proposed bills (I'll be they won't do that again) to make the Soros/Bloomberg/out of state big money contributors happy.

There are several bills proposed so far.
1.  will make any semi auto center fire rifle with the ability to use detachable magazine holding more than 10 round illegal to own if it has an adjustable or folding stock, thumbhole stock, pistol grip protruding below the receiver, bayonet lug, threaded barrel, flash suppressor, muzzle blast deflector, recoil compensator, etc. on it.

The idea behind this build was to see how expensive/hard to find parts for build would be to beat that stupid list.  And it's a grip used in California to beat their "pistol grip" rules/laws. 

How bad could it be in VA?  Some of the bills proposed would make it illegal to teach my sons how to clean a rifle, shoot a rifle, hunt with a rifle (or shotgun or handgun).  It would be illegal to gather in a group and have a cookout/get together and then shoot your guns afterwards.  A threaded barrel on a pistol would be illegal to own.  All magazines holding more than 10 rounds would be illegal to own.  No grandfathering, just get rid of them or turn them in.

Doing their best to make their out of state big money donation people/groups happy. 

I know you're not hearing much on the MSM about what is going on in VA but it could get pretty hot here in the next few months.  There are plans to have thousands of people marching in the streets on 1/20/20 with their scary "assault weapons" in their hands/slung across their chest/back.  There are groups trying to meet quietly, peacefully, non-confrontationally with the state legislators and other groups who want to get loud and in their faces.

We'll see.  You wanna see some threads on what is going on go to Arfcom and check out the Hometown - VA section.  Then of course, there is the GD section, which is always a bit wilder but there are threads there, too.

Over a 110 counties, cities and towns in VA have had meetings of their Board of Supervisors, or city/town councils and passed resolutions to not enforce any laws coming out of the capitol that are against the 2nd Amendment.  A couple county Sheriffs have declared they will deputize as many people as they can (thousands if that's what it takes) to insure the legal gun owners in their county can ignore the new laws (as usual, these proposed laws don't apply to law enforcement or military personnel doing their duty).  A couple/three counties have declared (I mean the county government, not just the citizens) that they will form county militias to use in protecting their law enforcement people and their citizens from any attempts by out of county (state government LE or VA National Guard) personnel to arrest, detain, confiscate guns, etc.  The governor (ole blackface Northam and his dim/lib/prog/socialist state legislature members) have threatened (and prefiled even more new bills) to arrest any county LE personnel who refuse to enforce the new laws.  They have threatened to send in the VANG to enforce the laws.  They have threatened to cut off the state funding for county LE departments, schools, roads, etc. the state usually provides to counties.

This is one AR15.  It's a project.  It won't have any of the scary features the proposed new law lists - but it will do anything the scary AR15's will do.  It's just a project to see what it would cost, how much trouble it would be.

I used to say, It's only going to get worse.  Seems that's where the dims/libs/progs/socialist are trying to force it to go.

The NRA has been absolutely silent about this situation - until yesterday when they popped up and said the NRA will hold a big rally in Richmond exactly one week before the usual Lobby Day the VCDL (Virginia Citizens Defense League) always has in Richmond.  Maybe that was their idea the whole time.  Sit back, wait for things to get really bad and then start calling and asking for donations to "fight the good fight."  The last couple of months it's been the people of VA and the VCDL organizing and meeting and communicating.

Anyway, back to the AR15.  Just waiting on the free flat tube and barrel nut to finish putting the parts together.  Oh, wait, better wait till I get the end of the barrel (threads) cut off and the barrel recrowned before I install the barrel.

[M1A4ME]

Had some time before the Christmas Eve get together/gift exchange/supper at a relative's house so I decided to check the headspace on the new PSA bolt I'd bought.

I had a new PSA (the one with the DLC coating - no idea who makes these for PSA or who coats them) bolt I'd installed in the 16" carbine (build just before this one).  I really wanted a bolt to try in the VA build so I took the DLC bolt out of the 16" carbine and checked the headspace in the new 20" barrel.  Just right.  Left the bolt in the box in the shed with the other parts (and then my free float tube/barrel nut got back ordered and I realized I could have waited, but, water under the bridge).

I ordered a new PSA bolt the other day, one of the nitride coated, MPI tested M16/full auto bolts they had on sale for $50.

Decided to go ahead and put it in the 16".  The GO ga. went in, the bolt turned and was sloppy as could be.  Grabbed NO GO gauge and the new bolt and barrel (BA stainless .223 Wylde fluted barrel) gave me another sloppy fit.  It ain't supposed to take a NO GO ga.  Grabbed the Field Reject ga. and the bolt would not close on it, not even close.  Okay, not a total failure, but sloppy.

Went to the shed, grabbed the new stainless barrel to check it so I could swap the DLC coated bolt back to the carbine build.  Nope.  The new PSA nitride coated bolt wouldn't begin to turn closed on the GO gauge.  My mind went sort of blank.  I know "HUH?" popped out of my mouth because my wife turned around and asked me what I was doing.  I checked again, and again and again (thinking I had to be doing something wrong).  Pulled the GO ga. out, thinking maybe I grabbed the NO GO ga. by mistake.  Nope.  It was the GO ga.

And some people will tell you that checking headspace on an AR15 is a waste of time.

Put the DLC coated bolt back in the box for the VA build and reassembled the new PSA nitride bolt, lubed it up and put it in the 16" carbine build (that needs to get shot and sighted in to make sure everything works and it shoots good, too.  That Vortex scope is crying to be fiddled with.

[M1A4ME]

First free float tube I ordered (on sale) is still on back order, of course.

Ordered another one last week and it just came in.

Now, waiting on the barrel to get finished up so I can pick it up and finish putting the upper together.

Install the ejection port door (FA already installed), put the barrel in, install/tighten the barrel nut, put the gas block and gas tube/pin on the barrel, put the free float tube on the barrel nut and install the back up sights on the rails and it'll be ready for a range trip.

Got a scope mount, still hem/hawing around about the scope at this point.  Some kind of 1X4 with an illuminated reticle, just have to decide and order/buy.

I was looking around in the garage the other day for that big box of .40 180 grain lead bullets I need to start testing loads with and couldn't find it - but I did find another box of AR15 magazines from PSA, those D&H mags. PSA sells sometimes.

Got those and the 10 round magazines I bought last month.  I can use a 30 round magazine on the bench but the 10 round magazines allow me to get lower/steadier.

[Novercalis]

Ar15’s reproduce more than any other firearm. Months ago I looked around the parts shelf and found enough pieces to build a pistol. All I was missing was a barrel and a stripped lower. I built it for 380$ total and traded it for the cz85 that brought me here. Now I want to build a 20 inch A2 with wood furniture. I already have a real good 20 inch barrel out of the rifle I parted out to build my Grendel rifle.

[Indy_Tim]

Last January, on a whim, I ordered a Troy XM177E2 clone and put a binary trigger in it when it came in.  Dang, what a hoot that thing is to play with.  But, I also found that I really like the smaller/lighter form factor so I put a short AR together in the fall.  I used a DD 10.5” barrel and upper over a pistol lower with an SBA3 brace.  I’m using the same style handguard as the XM177E2 and an F marked front sight post.  As much as I like the looks of the carry handle irons, I went with an Eotech on this one and the final result is one of my favorites to shoot.  It’s also small enough to fit into a duffle bag.  I did a quick run from Indy to Raleigh in November and had the gun in the bottom of a gym bag along with 6 mags.

Now, I’m getting the itch to do an 18 inch retro styled AR.

[M1A4ME]

Got the call on the barrel yesterday.  Drove up to the shop and picked it up around 4 PM.  Came home, put it in the box with the other parts and got some treats for the dogs before coming in the house for the evening.

Barrel, handguard, back up sights should go on the upper/handguard today.

Still need to pick up a 1X4 scope for it.

Then it's some range time to get it sighted in and see how it shoots those 55 grain Hornady FMJBTs.

I may paint that stainless barrel flat black.

[M1A4ME]

Got it together yesterday (with the exception of the front QD sling swivel - bought 2 last time and can't find the 2nd one now, had to order another one - which means I'll find the lost one in a day or so....).

Still hoping to get to the range one day next week to try out and shoot this one and the previous one that was short stroking at home a month ago.

Been doing too much painting lately*.





Semi auto centerfire capable of accepting magazines holding more than 10 rounds.  Under the propose new dim/lib/prog/socialist laws in VA it cannot have:

threaded barrel (had the threaded end cut off and recrowned)
flash suppressor, recoil compensator, or muzzle blast deflector (no threaded barrel so none of these evil deadly devices)
bayonet lug (no GI type front sight base with bayonet lug)
no pistol grip or thumbhole stock (don't know what these ugly things are called but there is no way you can wrap your thumb around it, tentacle...maybe, thumb, no way)
collapsible or folding stock (A1 type fixed stock - I've been liking these for awhile now, so no big deal as I've used about 5 of them in the last three years or so)

And I've got a few 10 round magazines as anything over 10 rounds will be illegal as well.

A1 stock from Numrich Arms (dirty, ordered 2, one was nice the other had rusty door latch, hinge and screw/sling swivel)
bolt from PSA (one of the DLC bolts they sell, no idea who makes them but the coating seems really shiny and slick)  DLC - diamond like coating.

Luth AR handguard (again, bought one a couple years ago and just keep buying them).

barrel was a 20" stainless pencil profile barrel.  Got it from JE Surplus   I think.  Had it cut down to 18" and re-crowned.  1 turn in 7".

gas block and gas tube from Yankee Hill Machine (I think)  got them from the same place as the barrel.

Lower is an Anderson

Upper is a Bushmaster

Upper parts kit from Aero Precision

Lower parts kit from ??  I think it may have been PSA.  Had it for awhile.

Magpul back up sights.

Scope and mount from Cabelas (1X4, lighted reticle, either red or green with different brightness levels).  One with the reticle etched into the glass (so it's usable with/without power) and has the horse shoe looking reticle with a small dot in the center, ladder down below with aiming points out to 600 yds. and the horizontal bars for wind compensation.  Like I'm ever going to shoot it further than the 100 yds. at the range (unless I take it home some weekend).

I think that's it.

*Painting - take all the wife type stuff off the walls, move some of the furniture out of the bedroom (no place to put everything), take up the area rug/padding she wants to replace, move all her shoes/shoe boxes out from under the bed, cover all the remaining furniture in plastic and tape up, remove all the nails/screws from the walls and start patching, go over the patching again, go over the patching one last time, fix the corners where the drywall tape has pulled loose in places, move furniture to one side of the room, paint the ceiling - two coats required, remove the old light and hand/install the new ceiling fan, paint one wall and parts of both ends with two coats of paint, paint edges/corners where the roller can't get, paint the window sills with two coats, paint the baseboard with two coats, move the furniture as far as possible to the other side of the room, paint the other wall and the rest of both ends with two coats, and repeat the two coats on the edges, corners, baseboards and door facings.  Uncover all the furniture, move it back into place.

New padding and new area rug arrives and has to be put down on the floor.  New curtain rods and curtains had to be installed/hung.

Only thing left (I think) is to hang all that wife stuff back up on the walls.

There's always something getting in the way of fun things.