AR lower receiver - Page 2

rightside · January 28, 2015, 07:04 PM

For what it's worth, I've had the best luck using the mid-length gas port barrels. They seem to run better overall. This is just my experience and I'm sure others may feel different.

globemaster3 · January 28, 2015, 10:07 PM

Quote:

if you plan to scope the rifle, I wouldn't get anything with a sight tower installed. If you want a scope and A2 sight to get along, you have use risers for the scope or go to an offset scope mount. Otherwise, distortion and interference get incredibly annoying and lead to the front sight being removed and replaced with a lo-pro gas block, or the sight tower just being chopped off.

Fraken, how did this manifest? Many moons ago, on the first AR I bought, I mounted a 3-9X40 at WildAlaska's behest on a 16" M4gery and didn't notice any issue. That being said, I did not run it on there for long, as I bought another rifle configured for hunting with pic-rail gas block.

FrankenMauser · January 29, 2015, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Fraken, how did this manifest?

Fuzzy targets.
Strange distortion.
Reduced clarity.
Complete inability to get a repeatable sight picture.

It took me quite a while to figure out that it wasn't an issue with the scope, but the A2 FSB causing all of the symptoms ...because you don't see the FSB at all in most scopes with 4x magnification, or better. (That one was a 4-12x, it's currently wearing a different 4-12x.) From the shooter's point of view, behind the scope, the FSB interference is a "phantom" issue, but a real one, nonetheless.
On that middy, I didn't want to go any higher (or offset) with the scope. So, I pulled the FSB and went to town with a hacksaw and files. I cold-blued it until the color was close to the original phosphate finish, and reinstalled.

The scope picture instantly become MUCH more clear, brighter, and sight picture was repeatable. Honestly, I never would have suspected that I would even be able to see a target that was behind part of the rifle, had I not run into the issue for myself. It's crazy how much scopes bend light in their tubes, and how our brains can build a picture that our eyes aren't actually seeing.

It isn't a subject that comes up often, but I'm definitely not the first person to talk about it online. (The subject seems to come up most often on hog and predator forums where the shooters suddenly discover the problem while using weapon-mounted lights at night, and having the FSB reflect enough light to wash out the entire image.)

rickyrick · January 29, 2015, 08:27 AM

I can totally see that happening... I used to pig and coyote hunt at night with a mini14, it has a small front sight.... it would reflect enough light to be annoying in the scope.
The red spotlight would clip to the scope .... If I moved the light around to the left of the scope it wasn't as bad as it was on top

zukiphile · January 29, 2015, 09:21 AM

FrankenMauser, this may not mean much coming from a not so handy fellow, but that front sight trimming is wonderfully neat. I've though about doing just that, but thought I would make a mess of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenMauser

If you plan on using iron sights, buying an upper or barrel with the A2-style front sight block is fine. But, if you plan to scope the rifle, I wouldn't get anything with a sight tower installed.

Do you run into anyone for whom that isn't a problem?

I have 2.5x scopes that I use with ARs with A2 front sights, and I haven't noticed a problem or even any shadow. Is it just that I stink generally and the distortion is smaller than my own inherent error?

kraigwy · January 29, 2015, 09:40 AM

Excluding the trigger, it isn't the lower that makes a good AR, its the upper.

If you can get all the parts in a lower, any lower, it doesn't matter, cheap or expensive.

Put you money in a trigger, then worry about the upper.

Geezerbiker · January 29, 2015, 11:00 PM

I suppose this means I will be assembling the upper as well. To get what I want, I'll have to buy it a piece at a time and the cost rules out buying a complete upper...

Tony

FrankenMauser · January 29, 2015, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Do you run into anyone for whom that isn't a problem?

I have 2.5x scopes that I use with ARs with A2 front sights, and I haven't noticed a problem or even any shadow. Is it just that I stink generally and the distortion is smaller than my own inherent error?

There are plenty of people that don't care, don't notice, or don't shoot well enough for it to matter.
There are also people that have their scopes up so high that it isn't an issue, either.

But, the lower the magnification, the more likely the situation is to turn into "co-witness" rather than interference and distortion.

rickyrick · January 29, 2015, 11:33 PM

Get the stripped lower first

Then get the rest as you can

Barrel is gonna be the biggest expense if purchased separately, so get that when it is feasible, BCG will be the next highest expense. Everything else can be bit and pieced together

Accessories - handguards ect can be eBayed and swap-meet if funds are tight

Dragline45 · January 30, 2015, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zukiphile

FrankenMauser, this may not mean much coming from a not so handy fellow, but that front sight trimming is wonderfully neat. I've though about doing just that, but thought I would make a mess of it.

When you cut the front sight base down it acts just like a low profile gas block, throw a full length free float rail on there and you wont even be able to see it. Of course if you put a free float rail on you will need to remove or cut off the triangular plate behind the front sight base, as well as remove or cut off the delta ring.

peggysue · January 30, 2015, 06:33 AM

ARs tends to multiply once you build one...some of mine.

zukiphile · January 30, 2015, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragline

When you cut the front sight base down it acts just like a low profile gas block, throw a full length free float rail on there and you wont even be able to see it. Of course if you put a free float rail on you will need to remove or cut off the triangular plate behind the front sight base, as well as remove or cut off the delta ring.

I like the way Franken did this in the picture precisely because it retains the pieces that permit mounting plastic handguards.

The practical limit of my accuracy is about a minute of angle. I can just about do that with standard handguards which I find more comfortable. Could I take a dremel to it and have something functional? Yes, but Franken's trim makes the piece appear as if it were manufactured that way.

FrankenMauser · January 31, 2015, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Yes, but Franken's trim makes the piece appear as if it were manufactured that way.

Thanks for the compliments.
But....

That was just a hacksaw, mill file, pillar file (non-tapered round file), and a bit of deburring with whatever aluminum oxide sand paper was on the bench. And then 3-4 rounds of cold blue and an oil bath to keep it from rusting.

Here's a photo with better lighting:
Up close, it's pretty obvious where the casting texture turns into a surface that was reworked. But, from even 2-3 feet, it blends right in on the rifle.

globemaster3 · January 31, 2015, 07:50 AM

Franken, maybe so, but still commendable work! Your attention to detail shows.

BumbleBug · January 31, 2015, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyrick

The hardest thing is putting in the trigger guard pin LOL.

Good tip, even though LOL! I've seen several pictures of lowers cosmetically ruined by a busted "ear" on the trigger guard. Also Palmetto Armory is a good source for parts.

Have Fun!

...bug

noonesshowmonkey · January 31, 2015, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezerbiker

I suppose this means I will be assembling the upper as well. To get what I want, I'll have to buy it a piece at a time and the cost rules out buying a complete upper...

There are so many people making so many good uppers that you can probably find someone making what you want.

What are your requirements?

Dragline45 · January 31, 2015, 06:23 PM

Quote:

I suppose this means I will be assembling the upper as well. To get what I want, I'll have to buy it a piece at a time and the cost rules out buying a complete upper...

Check out BCM especially since they are offering free BCG's with every upper right now. They offer uppers in every length with standard or hammer forged barrels, lightweight, M4, or Government profile barrels, with either fixed front sight bases or low profile gas blocks. You can get just about any configuration you want in any length, and as far as I am concerned they are the best in the industry along with Daniel Defense for a duty use rifle.

rickyrick · January 31, 2015, 09:19 PM

What is the advantage to bcm uppers? What warrants their price? The descriptions they give on the website don't convince me to pay whole rifle prices for just a barreled upper?

Dragline45 · February 1, 2015, 12:19 AM

Quote:

What is the advantage to bcm uppers? What warrants their price? The descriptions they give on the website don't convince me to pay whole rifle prices for just a barreled upper?

The quality of the materials used, the expertise that goes into building them, and the the top notch quality control.

rickyrick · February 1, 2015, 12:33 AM

400$ for an m4 cut barrel is pretty steep... It only goes up from there

Dragline45 · February 1, 2015, 01:25 AM

Quote:

400$ for an m4 cut barrel is pretty steep... It only goes up from there

Just like anything else in life quality comes with a price. When you buy BCM it comes with the peace of mind that they were built with top quality materials, by some of the most experienced people in the industry, with excellent quality control and attention to detail. Will a $600 DPMS throw lead down rang just as well as my $1300 BCM build, maybe, but I don't hold the same confidence in a DPMS as I do my BCM.

The same goes for 1911's. You can buy a standard no frills 1911 for $500, and for most people it will do what they want. But you can't compare that same 1911 to a high end or custom 1911 for double the price or even more in some cases.

rickyrick · February 1, 2015, 01:40 AM

Valid points, I was just curious. I've never spent more than 1000 on any firearm... Except for a fal, but it came as a package deal with other non-FAL stuff with it..

Brotherbadger · February 2, 2015, 06:21 AM

Basically, get whatever logo you want on your lower. Any forged logo will do fine.

Big Shrek · February 4, 2015, 07:54 PM

Brownell's been running DPMS lowers for $49 since around October...
Palmetto State Armoury been running Blems for $49-59...

Reason for the lower AR-Lower prices?
MFR's figured out that its the best way to subvert the Anti's...
basically gives Anyone/Everyone an AR for cheap...
and they make more on the Other CNC parts anyway

Lots of folks talk about switching uppers, but with $49 Lowers,
its more effective to just OWN multiple AR chamberings

January 29, 2015, 08:27 AM	#29
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	I can totally see that happening... I used to pig and coyote hunt at night with a mini14, it has a small front sight.... it would reflect enough light to be annoying in the scope. The red spotlight would clip to the scope .... If I moved the light around to the left of the scope it wasn't as bad as it was on top __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

January 29, 2015, 09:40 AM	#31
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Excluding the trigger, it isn't the lower that makes a good AR, its the upper. If you can get all the parts in a lower, any lower, it doesn't matter, cheap or expensive. Put you money in a trigger, then worry about the upper. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 29, 2015, 11:33 PM	#34
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	Get the stripped lower first Then get the rest as you can Barrel is gonna be the biggest expense if purchased separately, so get that when it is feasible, BCG will be the next highest expense. Everything else can be bit and pieced together Accessories - handguards ect can be eBayed and swap-meet if funds are tight __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

January 31, 2015, 07:50 AM	#39
globemaster3 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2006 Posts: 1,482	Franken, maybe so, but still commendable work! Your attention to detail shows. __________________ NRA Life Member "We have enough gun control. What we need is idiot control."

January 31, 2015, 09:19 PM	#43
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	What is the advantage to bcm uppers? What warrants their price? The descriptions they give on the website don't convince me to pay whole rifle prices for just a barreled upper? __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

January 28, 2015, 07:04 PM	#26
rightside Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 419	For what it's worth, I've had the best luck using the mid-length gas port barrels. They seem to run better overall. This is just my experience and I'm sure others may feel different.

January 29, 2015, 11:00 PM	#32
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	I suppose this means I will be assembling the upper as well. To get what I want, I'll have to buy it a piece at a time and the cost rules out buying a complete upper... Tony

January 30, 2015, 06:33 AM	#36
peggysue Junior member Join Date: May 20, 2014 Posts: 1,835	ARs tends to multiply once you build one...some of mine.

February 1, 2015, 12:33 AM	#45
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	400$ for an m4 cut barrel is pretty steep... It only goes up from there __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

February 1, 2015, 01:40 AM	#47
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	Valid points, I was just curious. I've never spent more than 1000 on any firearm... Except for a fal, but it came as a package deal with other non-FAL stuff with it.. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

February 2, 2015, 06:21 AM	#48
Brotherbadger Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2010 Posts: 1,149	Basically, get whatever logo you want on your lower. Any forged logo will do fine. __________________ Once Fired Brass, Top quality, Fast shipping, Best prices. http://300AacBrass.com/ -10% Coupon use code " badger "

February 4, 2015, 07:54 PM	#49
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Brownell's been running DPMS lowers for $49 since around October... Palmetto State Armoury been running Blems for $49-59... Reason for the lower AR-Lower prices? MFR's figured out that its the best way to subvert the Anti's... basically gives Anyone/Everyone an AR for cheap... and they make more on the Other CNC parts anyway Lots of folks talk about switching uppers, but with $49 Lowers, its more effective to just OWN multiple AR chamberings __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.