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Bender's Big AR-15 & Semi Auto Shilling Thread

534,603 Views | 2919 Replies | Last: 4 yr ago by robstrom
maverick2076
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In reply to jpb1999 • 8:20a, 3/28/16
quote:
On the M4 question, I was just going off of what Bender mentioned in another post:

quote:
That specific kit would be a decent quality gun, though I'm not a huge fan of the M4 set up for a couple of reasons, the biggest being the front sight.

You then linked me to the geauxarmory otpion with the longer handguard, which I really like and have ordered. But now I have talked my brother into building one at the same time and was looking for a non-M4 set up. I reread paages 1 and 2 of this thread and think I have found a couple of options:

PSA options:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-midlength-5-56-nato-1-7-stainless-steel-moe-freedom-rifle-kit.html

Texian's option:
http://texianfirearms.com/catalog_detail.php?product_id=224186

My only question about these 2 is if they are chambered in both 223/5.56? I think I only read them mentioning 5.56, but would like one that is chambered in both. An forgive me for some ignorance here... as I do not know much about either round, so if this is actually the same round and if it shoots one, it will shoot the other, please just let me know.

Thanks for answering the mag question.

The iron sight question: I have a Mossberg .22 AR rifle (won it in raffle contest) with iron sights, I have removed them to put on a cheap red dot style scope. Can I use these iron sights on the geauxarmory rifle kit linked above? I assume yes, as all ARs use the same picatinny rail system, correct? I know they may not be the best quality...

TIA
As far as the M4 style, I'm pretty sure Bender was just referring to the fixed front sight, which issue M4's all have. The Geaux Armory kit does not have one. That PSA kit you linked does, although they have other kits that don't, as does Geaux Armory. "M4 style" could refer to any number of features, such as the gas system length, barrel profile, fixed front sight, etc., so you will have to be more specific about what you are wanting to avoid. Geaux Armory has several different kits, as does PSA, so if you are wanting to just not have the exact same rifle, look at the options on their sites. Texian can build you whatever you want.

A rifle chambered in 5.56mm can shoot both 5.56mm and .223. A rifle chambered in .223 can only be shot with .223. A rifle chambered in .223 Wylde can also shoot both, although that is less common.

As far as the irons off your Mossberg, you could probably make them work, but I don't know if they will hold up to the recoil. Picatinny is an industry standard, so what works on one should work on another.
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jpb1999
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In reply to maverick2076 • 8:28a, 3/28/16
AG
Ah, thanks. This might clarify a bit. It was mainly the shorter sight radius thing, but then once I saw the other option with the longer hand guard, I really liked how that one looked. Here is him describing it:

quote:
The M4 style AR-15 uses what is referred to as a carbine length gas system, which is shorter than the original rifle length gas used on the 20" guns. Later a compromise length that worked well for 16" barrels was developed known as midlength. The problem with carbine length gas systems is that when you use a front sight/gas block like in the picture above, your sight radius is fairly short. Here is a picture of 3 different 16" AR uppers. The top one is M4 carbine length, the middle is a midlength set up, and the bottom is a rifle gas system on a 16" barrel. You can easily see how the front sight/gas block combo shortens your sight radius.

Now, a more modern and popular option these days is an upper that does not use the old front sight/gas block combo, but instead has a low profile gas block that can be hidden under longer handguards...so you can use the shorter gas system, but still enjoy a longer sight radius by adding iron sights to the end of the long handguard like so:

So yes, now I just want to different style rifles in the same price range, and would rather stay away from the M4 style with the shorter sight radius. Of the 2 I linked, is one better than the other? One is 449 an the other is 459, so the price is pretty much the same.
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maverick2076
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In reply to jpb1999 • 8:52a, 3/28/16
Of the two you linked, I would definitely go with the Texian build, although be aware that it is going to look very similar to the Geaux Armory build I posted earlier, although it will have a better barrel.

IF you want something that is going to look different, I would consider one of these 3 kits from Geaux Armory:

https://www.geauxarmory.com/carbine-build-victor-p-76.html This one is similar to the kit I linked earlier, but has a different style hand guard.

https://www.geauxarmory.com/silver-bear-build-p-105.html This one is similar to the one above, but has a stainless steel, spiral fluted barrel.

https://www.geauxarmory.com/bear-claw-build-p-77.html This 3rd one has an 18", SS spiral fluted barrel and a midlength gas system.

Or, you could get this kit from PSA: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-melonite-5-56-nato-1-7-slim-fde-moe-rifle-kit.html It will definitely look different due to the FDE furniture, but you will have the fixed sight and won't get the benefit of the free-float rail.

Similarly, EyeGuy at Texian can probably build you something similar to any one of these kits, although I can't speak for him as war as pricing.

If it was for me, choosing from these options, I'd either get the 18" barreled kit or have EyeGuy build me an 18" one...but I really want an 18" 5.56 AR right now.
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TheEyeGuy
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11:50a, 3/28/16
AG
I do have another kit that is ready to go that isn't activated yet. It's $499 instead of $449 and has an 18" or 20" (not at the shop today so I forgot which) fluted Hbar in 223 wylde.

The barrels that geaux armory is using are really not that great. Just FYI. Same ones that radical used on their early product and still does for some of their stuff. Our stuff is good, and Palmettos stuff is pretty good as well.
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8:12p, 3/29/16
AG
I bought the Colt 6920 oem2 thanks to this thread. I look forward to finishing it out. Any suggestions on where to start with ammo? I'm assuming I'll treat it like my pistols and have a go-to plinking round and a go-to home defense round.
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gibberish
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8:41p, 3/29/16
AG
Plinking whatever is cheapest. Defense PDX1
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jpb1999
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4:55p, 3/30/16
AG
I noticed the link to Primary Arms pmags went up to $12.30 per mag. Does anyone have a link to some cheaper ones?

http://www.primaryarms.com/magpul-pmag-30-arm4-gen-m2-moe-black/p/kt-mag571-blk/
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maverick2076
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6:21p, 3/30/16
Check www.slickguns.com for good deals on mags, guns, ammo and parts.
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average_joker
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6:25p, 3/30/16
AG
Wife got me a Kel-Tec SU-16C for Christmas/birthday (tight budget at our house) and I'm enamoured with it. Out of the box it was shooting well. It folds up so I can keep it in my dresser and it takes AR mags. I know one day I'll get into AR's, but this was a good intro light carbine.
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BenderRodriguez
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In reply to maverick2076 • 9:05p, 3/30/16
AG
quote:
Check www.slickguns.com for good deals on mags, guns, ammo and parts.

This is the correct answer if you're looking for deals on anything.

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jpb1999
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10:17a, 4/4/16
AG
http://palmettostatearmory.com/d-h-5-56-30rd-aluminum-magazine-8416.html

Any opinions on these mags. Really cheap at $7.99. Aluminum compared to the previously linked polymer ones from PA. Are the aluminum ones heavier?



Also, reading a bit about the melonite coating. Seems like a pretty good coating for AR barrels. Anyone with an opinion on this? Seems better than stainless steel as stainless is softer and will wear out faster. Melonite seems to be better than chrome as well, as chrome is a coating on top of the barrel material, while melonite is integral, so it does not add thickness to the barrel...?
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CharlieBrown17
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10:19a, 4/4/16
AG
Have some aluminum ones i picked up at academy a while back for 7ish. No problems with them. Nowadays I just use my 10 round Pmags because they don't get in the way on a shooting table.
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BenderRodriguez
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10:30a, 4/4/16
AG
Didn't you say you were building on a budget? I'll put it to you this way: any coating, any barrel you choose should last through enough ammo to buy another 10+ ARs. If you're not shooting a LOT (500-1,000 rounds a month, for example)...any barrel type you choose is going to last you more than long enough to buy another AR, buy spare parts, etc. That really should not be a big deciding point for you, IMO.
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jpb1999
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10:35a, 4/4/16
AG
[url]http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-midlength-5-56-nato-1-7-socom-melonite-freedom-rifle-kit.html[/url]

Yes, I am building on a budget, but this one is still really cheap, and has the melonite coating. Yeah, I would definitely not have one "post" melonite coated, as I can see that being very expensive. I just ran across this one and started reading about what the melonite coating was. I read some reviews where people stated they bought this kit because of the melonite coating.
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Milwaukees Best Light
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In reply to maverick2076 • 11:45a, 4/4/16
AG
quote:
Of the two you linked, I would definitely go with the Texian build, although be aware that it is going to look very similar to the Geaux Armory build I posted earlier, although it will have a better barrel.

IF you want something that is going to look different, I would consider one of these 3 kits from Geaux Armory:

https://www.geauxarmory.com/carbine-build-victor-p-76.html This one is similar to the kit I linked earlier, but has a different style hand guard.

https://www.geauxarmory.com/silver-bear-build-p-105.html This one is similar to the one above, but has a stainless steel, spiral fluted barrel.

https://www.geauxarmory.com/bear-claw-build-p-77.html This 3rd one has an 18", SS spiral fluted barrel and a midlength gas system.

Or, you could get this kit from PSA: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-melonite-5-56-nato-1-7-slim-fde-moe-rifle-kit.html It will definitely look different due to the FDE furniture, but you will have the fixed sight and won't get the benefit of the free-float rail.

Similarly, EyeGuy at Texian can probably build you something similar to any one of these kits, although I can't speak for him as war as pricing.

If it was for me, choosing from these options, I'd either get the 18" barreled kit or have EyeGuy build me an 18" one...but I really want an 18" 5.56 AR right now.
I really like the way the Silver Bear looks. Should I be concerned that I have never heard of these folks before? I am pretty sure they don't make their own parts, so do the parts all come from the same factory and just branded different? Are they using a particular brand, assembling it themselves, and naming it, and I just couldn't find that info? Lastly, is it a good deal?
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El Chupacabra
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In reply to jpb1999 • 12:40p, 4/4/16
I've got a 'few'. They work fine. Just don't buy them all, I need to buy a 'few' more before we crown Hillary.
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BenderRodriguez
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In reply to El Chupacabra • 3:51p, 4/4/16
AG
quote:
I've got a 'few'. They work fine. Just don't buy them all, I need to buy a 'few' more before we crown Hillary.

Sooner might be better than later on that front.

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TheEyeGuy
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5:35p, 4/4/16
AG
Oh.. and...

http://texianfirearms.com/catalog_detail.php?product_id=260029

You can come in store and hand select which one you want for $550
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CharlieBrown17
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In reply to TheEyeGuy • 5:40p, 4/4/16
AG
quote:
Oh.. and...

http://texianfirearms.com/catalog_detail.php?product_id=260029

You can come in store and hand select which one you want for $550
No Yeti no buy
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BenderRodriguez
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12:19p, 4/8/16
AG
D&H 30 round aluminum magazines

$7 mags. Brand new, magpul followers, teflon coating.

Good price on some good magazines.

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SoTXAg09
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In reply to TheEyeGuy • 7:32p, 4/8/16
AG
Any options for someone who can't make it to Houston?
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TheEyeGuy
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In reply to SoTXAg09 • 7:40p, 4/8/16
AG
Just buy through the site and I'll ship to your ffl.
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jpb1999
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In reply to BenderRodriguez • 8:55a, 4/9/16
AG
Dangit... Had some in cart but now out of stock.
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TheEyeGuy
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In reply to jpb1999 • 9:31a, 4/9/16
AG
quote:
Dangit... Had some in cart but now out of stock.
I freaked out... I hadn't adjusted the stock number on the website and thought someone bought ten of the budget builds overnight.
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bearamedic99
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8:46p, 4/9/16
AG
Not sure if I need a separate thread but I have an AR15 (yes, always room for more and may buy stripped lowers for an AR15 & AR10 before the fall). I'm interested in an AK47 style semi automatic. Can you buy a stripped lower for one of those and build later as budget permits?
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maverick2076
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9:03p, 4/9/16
You can, but there is quite a bit more involved in building an AK than there is in building an AR.
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BenderRodriguez
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In reply to bearamedic99 • 10:34p, 4/9/16
AG
quote:
Not sure if I need a separate thread but I have an AR15 (yes, always room for more and may buy stripped lowers for an AR15 & AR10 before the fall). I'm interested in an AK47 style semi automatic. Can you buy a stripped lower for one of those and build later as budget permits?


Not as easily. We can talk AKs too if you want. They are less customizable than ARs so you need to have a good idea of what you want before you buy. I used to own several and I'm down to one but still know a bit about the AK world.
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Chickenhawk
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In reply to DimeBox17 • 11:24a, 4/10/16
quote:
Like others.. I have never owned one but I am interested in buying one while the prices are reasonable. Also have only shot a Bushmaster so I have zero knowledge of what's good and what isn't.

Can you post a couple of links for ARs in the $500-$700 range? I'm a current student so I don't quite have enough for a nice $1000+ rifle.


I'm late to the thread, but...


Give dti a look. I've got one, and have been very pleased thus far.
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35chililights
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10:11a, 4/11/16
AG
has anyone else noticed parts going out of stock and not coming back (at least with not much speed)?

I've noticed this over the last few weeks. No big triggers (media frenzy on a shooting, or talk of new gun regs), unless the new ATF regs happening in July has everyone scrambling.

Is it just me?
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TheEyeGuy
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In reply to 35chililights • 10:26a, 4/11/16
AG
Been warning about this for a bit. Parts are scarce. I have a few honey holes but things like uppers and LPKs are not easy to just find and get in.
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FiTxAg04
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In reply to TheEyeGuy • 10:31a, 4/11/16
AG
Since you mentioned uppers, do you know if Seekins is still making forged stripped uppers? I bought their forged lower awhile back and am looking at building it up and Seekins' website doesn't show anything but billet, nor do any of the online vendors show any in stock.
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TheEyeGuy
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In reply to FiTxAg04 • 10:36a, 4/11/16
AG
I don't deal much with seekins since I use mostly my own product. However, just looked at my main seekins distro and it's not even listed there. Just billet.
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jpb1999
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11:20a, 4/11/16
AG
AR Pistol Kits:

Daytona Tactical
http://daytonatactical.com/collections/complete-ar-15-pistol-kits/products/7-5-5-56-pistol-kit-7-keymod-rail-upper-assembled-with-no-lower

PSA
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-10-5-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-pistol-kit.html

Geaux Armory
https://www.geauxarmory.com/pistol-build-victor-p-53.html

Which is the better kit? Any opinions on AR Pistol Kits? I have have caught the disease and now want 2, so thought I would build a full size rifle and then a pistol to have 2 different types of ARs.

I like the PSA because of the name and seems like a lot of people here like PSA, but like the free float hand guards of the other two. BUT, the PSA uses a carbine gas system, while the other 2 use pistol gas systems. I have read that the carbine gas system is the better option with less problems or easier to build, or something like that. Anyone have opinions on that?
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FiTxAg04
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In reply to TheEyeGuy • 2:06p, 4/11/16
AG
Do you have a Dillo branded forged upper, or is all your stuff billet?
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TheEyeGuy
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In reply to FiTxAg04 • 2:23p, 4/11/16
AG
Ask again this fall
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