Just bought my first AR... lower.

[gnumadic]

One my AR project I did years ago.

[...]

The assembled AR

Great photos! Was the upper assembled or stripped? I debated that one but the cost of assembled vs stripped was negligible.

[SlvrDragon50]

Those pictures look awesome!

AIM TiN BCGs are on sale right now 10% off.. Not much but from what I can see, they rarely have sales. I've been spending way more than I planned on spending this month. 

[gnumadic]

I've not bought sights yet. May just end up with Magpul MBUS, adding a red dot later.

In spite of as many sales as there are, depending on the starting price, discounts, and shipping it feels like everything is the same. I'm pricing out a muzzle device -- VG6 Epsilon. Optics Planet has free shipping and a 5% promo -- $55.09. Monmouth has a $20 off promo and about $5 shipping -- $55.08.

Granite Ridge has additional 15% off VG6 muzzle devices with free shipping on all orders, no minimum.
http://www.graniteridgeoutfitters.com/VG6-Precision-Muzzle-Devices-Additional-15-OFF_c66.htm

Their Epsilon is a bit more expensive, but they might have other options if you're interested in the Gamma or SS versions.

I agree though, most prices are quite similar across the board. It makes researching prices that much more time consuming hah. I didn't get the Strike Industries Charging Handle because after shipping it'd be the same as JBO.

I think I am done purchasing for now unless a sale on the Hiperfire ECLipse shows up. I need to just wait for the holiday sales from JBO or Red Barn Armory.



This is my build progress so far. Green is ordered. The yellow are LPK. SO far, I haven't saved any money on my purchases 

I am almost done purchasing...except for the tools. Getting everything I need to actually complete the project will be another spreadsheet and a few more weeks! I'll probably order the handguard tomorrow (and the muzzle device as soon as I decide on one). The sights can wait longer.

Primary Arms shipping isn't bad for me (TX to GA). Here's my spreadsheet. The sale prices are baked in. I should spike out the savings vs MSRP.



I need to keep an eye out for those holiday sales. I joked with a friend that I'll need to build 10 more ARs to make up for the cost of the tools (blocks, roll pin punches/starter punches, hammer, barrel spline socket rod, etc.). I'd like to build a 300 AAC, an AR-10 in 6.5 CM, and then each of my 4 kids needs their own AR. Heck, I'll even build one for my wife even though she doesn't want one.   

[SlvrDragon50]

Oh, I was just going to get some vise blocks and an armorer's wrench! The muzzle device was really hard to decide for me. I know the SJC Titan is widely accepted as the best, but I'm a little worried about the noise from shooting it.

Unfortunately shipping to Illinois from Texas is about 8 dollars! I'm hoping for a 20-25% off coupon to JBO and maybe something similar from RBA.

[M1A4ME]

Only one per kid?  I figured mine needed a 20" and a 16".

Most everyone likes the carbines best but both of mine shoot their 20" rifles more often than their 16" carbines.

That is one of the neat things about the AR's.  You can just about build anything you want.  And then change it later.  Or build another one.

[Earl Keese]

I've not bought sights yet. May just end up with Magpul MBUS, adding a red dot later.

In spite of as many sales as there are, depending on the starting price, discounts, and shipping it feels like everything is the same. I'm pricing out a muzzle device -- VG6 Epsilon. Optics Planet has free shipping and a 5% promo -- $55.09. Monmouth has a $20 off promo and about $5 shipping -- $55.08.

Granite Ridge has additional 15% off VG6 muzzle devices with free shipping on all orders, no minimum.
http://www.graniteridgeoutfitters.com/VG6-Precision-Muzzle-Devices-Additional-15-OFF_c66.htm

Their Epsilon is a bit more expensive, but they might have other options if you're interested in the Gamma or SS versions.

I agree though, most prices are quite similar across the board. It makes researching prices that much more time consuming hah. I didn't get the Strike Industries Charging Handle because after shipping it'd be the same as JBO.

I think I am done purchasing for now unless a sale on the Hiperfire ECLipse shows up. I need to just wait for the holiday sales from JBO or Red Barn Armory.



This is my build progress so far. Green is ordered. The yellow are LPK. SO far, I haven't saved any money on my purchases 

I am almost done purchasing...except for the tools. Getting everything I need to actually complete the project will be another spreadsheet and a few more weeks! I'll probably order the handguard tomorrow (and the muzzle device as soon as I decide on one). The sights can wait longer.

Primary Arms shipping isn't bad for me (TX to GA). Here's my spreadsheet. The sale prices are baked in. I should spike out the savings vs MSRP.



I need to keep an eye out for those holiday sales. I joked with a friend that I'll need to build 10 more ARs to make up for the cost of the tools (blocks, roll pin punches/starter punches, hammer, barrel spline socket rod, etc.). I'd like to build a 300 AAC, an AR-10 in 6.5 CM, and then each of my 4 kids needs their own AR. Heck, I'll even build one for my wife even though she doesn't want one.   

Don't forget a 6.5 Grendel. 😈

[gnumadic]

Oh, I was just going to get some vise blocks and an armorer's wrench! The muzzle device was really hard to decide for me. I know the SJC Titan is widely accepted as the best, but I'm a little worried about the noise from shooting it.

Unfortunately shipping to Illinois from Texas is about 8 dollars! I'm hoping for a 20-25% off coupon to JBO and maybe something similar from RBA.

I bought a Wheeler Delta receiver block for $30 so that I could have something firm to hold the lower when punching in the pins. I was going to go with a vise block, too, but then I watched Bill Geissele's YouTube videos on the ALG EMR rails. He not only sold me on the EMR V2 handguard, he convinced me that it was better to put the torque on a steel barrel than an aluminum receiver. I've also read horror stories of people ruining their receivers, but then again I'm sure they were also doing something wrong, too. That said, I would probably buy the knock-off reaction rod from Botach and save $40.

I am in the same boat as you on muzzle devices. I had been leaning toward the VG6 Gamma or Epsilon because of the price for performance, as well as the looks (excellent machining, available in matte stainless). But the more I read about comps the more I am concerned about the noise and concussion. I also don't want to spend $100 and regret it after one trip to the range. Right now I'm leaning toward more of a flash suppressor like the YHM Phantom ($25.50 on sale at Primary Arms), or the Strike Industries J-Comp V2 (so that if I totally hate the noise at least I'm only out $30).

M1A4ME and Earl Keese - I am glad that I can count on my fellow forum members to enable my addict..er, I mean hobbies! 

[tact]

Oh, I was just going to get some vise blocks and an armorer's wrench! The muzzle device was really hard to decide for me. I know the SJC Titan is widely accepted as the best, but I'm a little worried about the noise from shooting it.

Unfortunately shipping to Illinois from Texas is about 8 dollars! I'm hoping for a 20-25% off coupon to JBO and maybe something similar from RBA.

I bought a Wheeler Delta receiver block for $30 so that I could have something firm to hold the lower when punching in the pins. I was going to go with a vise block, too, but then I watched Bill Geissele's YouTube videos on the ALG EMR rails. He not only sold me on the EMR V2 handguard, he convinced me that it was better to put the torque on a steel barrel than an aluminum receiver. I've also read horror stories of people ruining their receivers, but then again I'm sure they were also doing something wrong, too. That said, I would probably buy the knock-off reaction rod from Botach and save $40.

I am in the same boat as you on muzzle devices. I had been leaning toward the VG6 Gamma or Epsilon because of the price for performance, as well as the looks (excellent machining, available in matte stainless). But the more I read about comps the more I am concerned about the noise and concussion. I also don't want to spend $100 and regret it after one trip to the range. Right now I'm leaning toward more of a flash suppressor like the YHM Phantom ($25.50 on sale at Primary Arms), or the Strike Industries J-Comp V2 (so that if I totally hate the noise at least I'm only out $30).

M1A4ME and Earl Keese - I am glad that I can count on my fellow forum members to enable my addict..er, I mean hobbies! 

I would highly recommend using a reaction rod for your builds, whatever brand you get.  I got lucky that Geisele had a great sale a while back when you purchased a hand guard you got their reaction rod free.  Before that I used the Magpul BEV block which I feel is better than a vise block, but the reaction rod is better yet.  It also makes other parts of the assembly easier by allowing quick adjustment of the receiver to get better access to some of areas that need assembly......if that makes any sense.

[SlvrDragon50]

Dang. This is getting more expensive by the second haha. I'll look into those rods then.

I've been thinking about getting a linear comp to use since I may end up shooting the rifle at an indoor range which is gonna suck with the Titan. Plus, it'll put less wear on the comp!

[Earl Keese]

AR's with comps/brakes really shouldn't be allowed at indoor ranges. I may catch heat for this opinion, but to me using them for punching paper indoors is the height of rudeness. On the subject of tools, have you guys considered loaning each other tools so you don't have to buy everything up front?

[Elcid]

Great photos! Was the upper assembled or stripped? I debated that one but the cost of assembled vs stripped was negligible.

The upper was stripped. I assembled everything from scratch. Thank you.

Those pictures look awesome!

Thank you.

[SlvrDragon50]

AR's with comps/brakes really shouldn't be allowed at indoor ranges. I may catch heat for this opinion, but to me using them for punching paper indoors is the height of rudeness. On the subject of tools, have you guys considered loaning each other tools so you don't have to buy everything up front?

To be honest... I agree with you. Unfortunately I don't have any outdoor ranges here that I can shoot at. The outdoor range I shoot pistol at only allows pistol and shotgun.

I do shoot at the police range which is outsoors, but that's only twice a month.

I don't mind paying for the tools as I expect to constantly be using them. Especially since I'm going with a competition level rifle where I expect malfunctions to happen and need tuning.

What tools are needed other than the block and armorers wrench? And a torque wrench.


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[Earl Keese]

I was thinking things that only get used when you assemble like the reaction rod, head space gauges, receiver lapping tools, things like that.

[tact]

Dang. This is getting more expensive by the second haha. I'll look into those rods then.

I've been thinking about getting a linear comp to use since I may end up shooting the rifle at an indoor range which is gonna suck with the Titan. Plus, it'll put less wear on the comp!

I'd be more than willing to send you the reaction rod to borrow.

[Independent George]

Yeah, I used a Magul Bev Block, which works just fine, but in retrospect I'd rather have the reaction rod.

I will say the Magpul armorers tool is awesome, though.

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