Building a AR-15 varmint
I live in California where many of you know AR-15's with detatchable magazines are a no no. However I bought a lower reciever with an internal magazine and now my life long dream of owning an AR-15 can be realized. I would like to build a varmint model with either a 20 or 24 inch barrel. I've looked into complete kit's from M&A Parts,American Spirit Arms,Model 1, and J&T Distributing. These kit's are all reasonably priced. I've also considered buying a complete upper from Rock River or DPMS and then buying the rest of the pieces. This way would cost a bit more. My question is the uppers from Rock River or DPMS worth the extra money. Also I would appreciate any feedback on any of the mentioned companies. Thank you
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I put a Rock river together in the fall. I went that route simply so that the finish would match the lower, as I had a RR lower. The parts not counting the receiver cost me just over $500 for a 20" HBAR A2. I have about about $625 in the whole gun. I could not be more pleased with it, unless it was a .308..... RR has great customer service, and was super quick, it took less than 2 days to my door.
My border collie is smarter than your honor student.0 -
http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=4
Build it yourself forum on AR15.com is a very good resource. I built my own M4 carbine clone using a rifle kit from DSGArms and a stripped DPMS lower. It turned out nice and the uppper lower color match is very close. The kit uses a complete CavArms upper and furniture kit and a DPMS lower parts kit.
I didn't want to assemble the upper since I didn't have all the tools necessary. The lower was easy. I bought a punch set at Sears and used a towel and a paperback book to support the receiver. I used electrical tape to protect the receiver but fiberglass packing tape would be better as it sticks better and doesn't tear as easy.
I only wound up putting one tiny nick in the finish on the trigger guard when installing the hinged lower part of the guard.
Make sure you check availability of the parts before placing your order as there are a lot of manufacturers that are backlogged for weeks. Especially, on parts or kits since they are concentrating on building complete rifles.0 -
Over the years I've dealt with most of the companies you've listed, except Rock River. They all provided reasonably good quaility products. My two cents is that if your finished rifle is to be a heavy barrel varmint rig then the three parts that will be most critical will be the trigger, the barrel and the scope/mount. I don't think I'd buy the barrel from any of them, except maybe DPMS. Consider going to a premium barrel house. You need to do your homework on mounting scopes to flat top uppers, it is not as straight forward as it seems. You need to get the scope up and forward of the standard mounting area. Out of fustration with the common components out there I eventually had a custom mount made for mine. I'm running a big 50mm bell VariIII and the forward ring is like 1.5" out over the barrel on a cantalever style mount and works great. 0 -
Thanks for all your help. I ordered a 20 inch varmint kit from M&A's and it should be here in a week.I upgraded to a two stage trigger,a chrome bolt carrier and a Ace skeleton stock. I purchased Talley style detachable scope rings at the last gun show and now must purchase a scope, probably a Leupold Mark 4 3-9X40.I went with the M&A kit because it came with a Wilson barrel. Wilson has always had a great reputation for their 1911 parts and I'm hoping that it carries over to their AR parts. Also thanks for the insite on the AR-15 forum site. 0
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