Just bought my first AR... lower.

[gnumadic]

Monmouth has the best deals on Aero receivers that I've seen. $55 for an assembled upper.
http://www.monmouthreloading.com/product-category/ar-parts/ar15/ar15-receiver/

I've heard really good things about BA barrels, but I don't like that you're paying for a gas block that you're going to be replacing.

That said... Monmouth has an INSANE deal if you want a 16" barrel. $217 for BA 16" barrel, Toolcraft nitride BCG, and assembled Aero upper.
http://www.monmouthreloading.com/shop/ar15-upper-receiver-bcg-combo/

That's such an insane deal that I might have to consider giving up the .223 Wylde chamber for 5.56.

[SlvrDragon50]

Monmouth has the best deals on Aero receivers that I've seen. $55 for an assembled upper.
http://www.monmouthreloading.com/product-category/ar-parts/ar15/ar15-receiver/

I've heard really good things about BA barrels, but I don't like that you're paying for a gas block that you're going to be replacing.

That said... Monmouth has an INSANE deal if you want a 16" barrel. $217 for BA 16" barrel, Toolcraft nitride BCG, and assembled Aero upper.
http://www.monmouthreloading.com/shop/ar15-upper-receiver-bcg-combo/

That's such an insane deal that I might have to consider giving up the .223 Wylde chamber for 5.56.

Even if you skip the barrel, the BCG + upper is a good deal (assuming you're fine with full mass). I've read nothing but good things about the Toolcraft BCGs. Maybe give them a call and see if you can substitute a Wylde barrel in?

[Earl Keese]

Schuyler has uppers for the same price, shipping is $7. All depends on whether you need something else that they have at a good price. They had a clearance sale with the best prices I've ever seen on Geissele triggers. They have uppers w/o fwd assist and std blems for $50.

[SlvrDragon50]

Schuyler has uppers for the same price, shipping is $7. All depends on whether you need something else that they have at a good price. They had a clearance sale with the best prices I've ever seen on Geissele triggers. They have uppers w/o fwd assist and std blems for $50.

Dang! Wish I saw that site. If I bought my lower from them, woulda saved ~20 bucks. They have so many cheap receivers.

[Independent George]

Chip McCormick LPKs are on sale for $25 at Primary Arms.

I'm such an enabler.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[SlvrDragon50]

Chip McCormick LPKs are on sale for $25 at Primary Arms.

I'm such an enabler.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Is Chip McCormick CMC? I was wondering why it had a low rating. I'm tempted to buy, but I don't know if I have enough purchases to get free shipping.

[Independent George]

Is Chip McCormick CMC? I was wondering why it had a low rating. I'm tempted to buy, but I don't know if I have enough purchases to get free shipping.

Yeah, CMC is Chip McCormick. I hadn't noticed the reviews - I'm quite surprised, because their triggers are pretty well regarded.

I hear you on shipping. The Wheeler Fat Wrench was on sale last week, but I didn't have enough in my cart to make it worth it. Now they have a bore sighter on sale, but not the fat wrench. Oh well - my checking account is healthier for it.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[SlvrDragon50]

Is Chip McCormick CMC? I was wondering why it had a low rating. I'm tempted to buy, but I don't know if I have enough purchases to get free shipping.

Yeah, CMC is Chip McCormick. I hadn't noticed the reviews - I'm quite surprised, because their triggers are pretty well regarded.

I hear you on shipping. The Wheeler Fat Wrench was on sale last week, but I didn't have enough in my cart to make it worth it. Now they have a bore sighter on sale, but not the fat wrench. Oh well - my checking account is healthier for it.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

It's excellent marketing tactics Just enough to make you look for a bit more to get that free shipping! I know when I first looked they had Hiperfire triggers on sale with free LPKs. I should have taken a closer look at those.

I think Red Barn Armory is the way to go for the LPK, but they're constantly out of stock of stuff.

[gnumadic]

It helps to keep an Excel spreadsheet of various components, along with the occasional sale prices.

[...]

So here is my current spreadsheet. I have the stripped lower already. It's my first build. I'm trying to strike a balance between what I think I want and my budget (under $700). Went with the A2-style flash, grip, and M4 stock because they're cheap, easy to upgrade down the road, etc. I've had so many other buttstocks on this spreadsheet, but just can't seem to make up my mind. Would rather not sink a bunch of money into furniture that I end up replacing. That said, I was thinking about the Daniel Defense stock or Magpul CTR.

EDIT: Just realized I need to add $2.25 to my JBO order so it qualifies for free shipping. Maybe I'll choose one of those stocks and swap the M4 kit for a buffer tube assembly, go with a better muzzle device, or add a magazine.

[SlvrDragon50]

It helps to keep an Excel spreadsheet of various components, along with the occasional sale prices.

[...]

So here is my current spreadsheet. I have the stripped lower already. It's my first build. I'm trying to strike a balance between what I think I want and my budget (under $700). Went with the A2-style flash, grip, and M4 stock because they're cheap, easy to upgrade down the road, etc. I've had so many other buttstocks on this spreadsheet, but just can't seem to make up my mind. Would rather not sink a bunch of money into furniture that I end up replacing. That said, I was thinking about the Daniel Defense stock or Magpul CTR.

EDIT: Just realized I need to add $2.25 to my JBO order so it qualifies for free shipping. Maybe I'll choose one of those stocks and swap the M4 kit for a buffer tube assembly, go with a better muzzle device, or add a magazine.

You saw the barrel deal with Monmouth right? You  can get the barrel added for 100 more. It's not their 223 Wylde Premium, but if you want to cut down on costs, that's certainly an option.

I think it'll be worth spending a bit more for a grip. All the grip reviews I read, 99% of people say the A2 grip is horrid. Plus, that will put you over into free shipping at JBO. I'm probably going with Ergo Tactical Deluxe.

But like you, my first build so what do I know

Question for everyone else here: I'm looking into titanium comps. Are they going to be worth the extra in cost for the weight savings? Or is the 3 oz at the end of hte barrel not noticeable enough?

[gnumadic]

You saw the barrel deal with Monmouth right? You  can get the barrel added for 100 more. It's not their 223 Wylde Premium, but if you want to cut down on costs, that's certainly an option.

I think it'll be worth spending a bit more for a grip. All the grip reviews I read, 99% of people say the A2 grip is horrid. Plus, that will put you over into free shipping at JBO. I'm probably going with Ergo Tactical Deluxe.

But like you, my first build so what do I know

Yeah, that barrel was on my sheet at one point too. It's $110 to add it to the combo deal. But it's only $112.50 to buy it standalone using the Ballistic Advantage promo code, so I'm not losing much in savings to go with the Wylde chamber.

I hear you on the grip. I wish JBO had the Daniel Defense stuff separately, but they only have it packaged together (stock, grip, and pistol grip). Maybe an MOE grip or something can put me over the top.

[SlvrDragon50]

Hmm. I think you should be able to rearrange purchases to bump JBO over though.

Why get the LPK from PSA? I don't believe there's anything special about the one you've chosen. I believe only the Premium PSA LPK is an upgrade.

[gnumadic]

I had originally chosen the PSA kit because I wanted the ALG QMS trigger. I don't want a drop in trigger because I want to learn how the mil-spec design functions. But I also don't want the gritty trigger that comes in a standard LPK. I've read that the QMS is smooth and crisp, although it still breaks at about 5.5lbs. There's also their ACT trigger which is the same design but even more enhanced...about $30 more.

I've been trying to price LPKs (w/o fire control groups) and the QMS trigger separately, but so far it comes out ahead of the PSA combo (even w/shipping). I'm going to take another stab at it though. Maybe with shipping I can figure out how to consolidate vendors and get a better grip, too.

[Elcid]

Building/assembling an AR can be very addicting. I have built 5 AR's before I got over the addiction.

Re trigger. Cheap way of lowering the trigger pull weight to around 4 lbs. No problem igniting Remington 7 1/2 or CCI 450/41 primers.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/579878/jp-enterprises-trigger-spring-kit-ar-15-3-1-2-lb-reduced-power

[gnumadic]

[...]

I think Red Barn Armory is the way to go for the LPK, but they're constantly out of stock of stuff.

Thought I'd let you know I went with your advice on the grip and RBA for the LPK. I really like that I could build the kit exactly the way I wanted to, although to your point they were out of a few parts. Just placed the order and will get to assembling next week.

Red Barn Armory - Build Your Own AR15 LPK (Lower Parts Kit)
[Grip:BCM GUNFIGHTER Mod 3 BLK]
[Safety Selector:Rock River Arms Star Selector]
[Trigger:ALG Defense Quality Mil-Spec (QMS)]
[Trigger Guard:BCM Gunfighter Mod 0 BLK]
[Takedown/Pivot Pin Option:RBA Mil-Spec Pin Set (No Charge)]

I'm also still reworking my spreadsheet. Up to 4 options now, including two with the Aero M4E1 upper and handguard. I lose the sweet deal on the standard Aero upper + BCG, but when I look at similar quality handguards the expense is a wash. And the ease of installation with the enhanced upper is a big selling point for me (no timing required!).

Oh, and the budget has been creeping up between $150-200 more.