"Budget" build AR project

Uncle Malice · March 15, 2013, 12:24 PM

I guess nothing in these times can really be considered "budget", but all things considered, I think I'm doing okay.

Here's the project that I'm working on now.

$130 - Mega Arms Lower
$60 - PSA LPK w/ MOE grip (no fire control unit)
$FREE - Standard GI fire control system (left overs from Geissele upgrades)
$56 - UTG Mil-Spec M4 stock assembly (buffer tube, buffer, spring, stock)
$25 - Aluminum quad rail (M4 style)
$490 - PSA 14.7'' M4A1 Hammer-Forged Upper w/ pinned A2 flash hider

$761 - TOTAL so far...

The only thing I have left to get is the BCG and a carry handle. Those BCG's are impossible to find... but I'm keeping my eye out. Figuring I should be able to finish it for around $900 or just a little over. In the mean time, I'm just going to be running it dedicated to my CMMG 22 conversion kit.

Just waiting on delivery of the upper and it'll be ready to go. I kind of like that I'm keeping this one pretty much basic M4 style. Not a fancy rail, not a fancy stock or anything.

Quentin2 · March 15, 2013, 12:40 PM

Since you're going with PSA's upper why not, for about the same money, consolidate the LPK and stock kit into PSA's MOE LBK? PSA receiver extensions are milspec, I have no idea about UTG but wouldn't want theirs. Nice choice on the upper and stripped lower.

Uncle Malice · March 15, 2013, 12:50 PM

Simply because it's what was in stock. I don't have a problem with the UTG one. It's US made and just a basic standard M4 stock.

I do like Mega, but again, it's only what was in stock at the time. heh

Quentin2 · March 15, 2013, 12:56 PM

Oh, I missed that you already have the stock kit.

Good luck with the BCG. I also couldn't find a PSA BCG when I bought my PSA upper a few months ago but lucked into one from BCM instead. Right now that's what it takes to find a decent BCG - luck.

Uncle Malice · March 15, 2013, 01:28 PM

yeah, I hear ya! I'm on that "notify me when available" list with JoeBob, AIM, and some others for Spike's, DD, BCM, etc BCGs...

tgreening · March 16, 2013, 01:20 AM

Shoulda hit up MidwayUSA yesterday when you made your post. They had one style BCG in stock. Unfortunately, gone today....

accident · March 16, 2013, 03:09 AM

Some thoughts...

Maybe watch for another upper from PK Firearms or BCM that comes with a bcg, then swap the bcg over to your psa upper or just keep the new upper and sell the psa upper if you prefer the new one. It may be a stretch on the budget immediately... but you should have no problem unloading the upper you don't want quickly, sans bcg, and not lose money. I did this (buying a second upper w/ a bcg) and actually traded my original psa upper for a custom handgun (plus he offered an extra hundred), which I will likely sell if my wife doesn't like it.

Other thing, some notification emails are just not being sent out as they can't deal with the load (except midway). Try http://www.arpartsfinder.com/ to watch for a bcg or maybe an upper with a bcg if you can swing what I did.

Anyways, good luck.

Uncle Malice · March 16, 2013, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Shoulda hit up MidwayUSA yesterday when you made your post. They had one style BCG in stock. Unfortunately, gone today....

I think I saw it.. was it that AR-STONER Nickle Boron plated one? It had awful reviews, so I passed on that. If there was another one, I must have missed it. I'm not in a huge rush. It'll take a while for my upper to come in, so I'll keep an eye out.

Thanks for that link 'accident'! Never knew of that site... I'll have to keep an eye on that one.

Nathan · March 16, 2013, 10:12 AM

You might check Core15. They have had BCG's when no one else did.

Justice06RR · March 17, 2013, 09:28 PM

You're doing pretty good if you started this build during the "panic". The BCG is really the toughest part to get right about now, and it will probably set you close to $1k depending on which one you get.

I lucked out and found a new BCG from a local gun show for $175; have yet to test fire it in my Spikes AR build.

Marquezj16 · March 18, 2013, 02:08 AM

Pre-panic, it cost me a little over $900 for an M16A4 clone. Of course it would cost me much more to build the same one today. I'd say you are doing pretty well. Take a look at the EE in AR15.com for a carry handle. Could usually find those cheap lightly used.

Quentin2 · March 18, 2013, 03:02 PM

Looking at a current thread at AR15.com there are some bad bolts out there lately. In the last week, four reports of bolt lugs shearing off new bolts. I believe all came with ceramic coated carriers.

Seems in this time of shortages/inflated prices more improperly constructed/treated bolts are being released. I'd hold out for BCM or equivalent if at all possible.

Skans · March 18, 2013, 06:09 PM

I just completed my AR build and have about $1,250 into it. But, to be fair, I had a 20" Colt barrel and bolt carrier (no bolt), - all other parts had to be purchased.

I did pay for some premium parts which include:
Matched billet 7075 receiver set
7075 buffer tube
7075 one-piece free-float 12" rail system with end cap
Nickel Boron plated bolt (already had M16 Chrome bolt carrier)
Magpul ACS stock
Steel Miculek Charging handle

The thing is rock solid - no rattles, gaps or things that don't fit together smoothly. So, I am very pleased with my build - just need to find time to shoot it and see how it groups.

I went "cheap" on the iron sights for now - decided to go with some standard bolt-on front and rear sights - no flip sights. They are pretty rock solid and I think they will hold zero pretty well - we'll see.

March 15, 2013, 12:24 PM	#1
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,486	"Budget" build AR project I guess nothing in these times can really be considered "budget", but all things considered, I think I'm doing okay. Here's the project that I'm working on now. $130 - Mega Arms Lower $60 - PSA LPK w/ MOE grip (no fire control unit) $FREE - Standard GI fire control system (left overs from Geissele upgrades) $56 - UTG Mil-Spec M4 stock assembly (buffer tube, buffer, spring, stock) $25 - Aluminum quad rail (M4 style) $490 - PSA 14.7'' M4A1 Hammer-Forged Upper w/ pinned A2 flash hider $761 - TOTAL so far... The only thing I have left to get is the BCG and a carry handle. Those BCG's are impossible to find... but I'm keeping my eye out. Figuring I should be able to finish it for around $900 or just a little over. In the mean time, I'm just going to be running it dedicated to my CMMG 22 conversion kit. Just waiting on delivery of the upper and it'll be ready to go. I kind of like that I'm keeping this one pretty much basic M4 style. Not a fancy rail, not a fancy stock or anything. __________________ Glock 17 OD \| Glock 19 G4 \| Glock 21 G4 \| Glock 20 G4 \| Springfield TRP Black \| Springfield Champion Operator \| Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Pro \| Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Daniel Defense DDM4 V4 \| Arsenal SGL 21 \| ASA SBR w/ Side Charger \| Mega/PSA M4 Clone \| Remington 700 SPS Tactical \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg 590A1 18" GR \| Mossberg 500 Cruiser w/ 590 14" front end \| Remington 870 Tactical Last edited by Uncle Malice; March 15, 2013 at 12:31 PM.

March 15, 2013, 12:50 PM	#3
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,486	Simply because it's what was in stock. I don't have a problem with the UTG one. It's US made and just a basic standard M4 stock. I do like Mega, but again, it's only what was in stock at the time. heh __________________ Glock 17 OD \| Glock 19 G4 \| Glock 21 G4 \| Glock 20 G4 \| Springfield TRP Black \| Springfield Champion Operator \| Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Pro \| Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Daniel Defense DDM4 V4 \| Arsenal SGL 21 \| ASA SBR w/ Side Charger \| Mega/PSA M4 Clone \| Remington 700 SPS Tactical \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg 590A1 18" GR \| Mossberg 500 Cruiser w/ 590 14" front end \| Remington 870 Tactical

March 15, 2013, 01:28 PM	#5
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,486	yeah, I hear ya! I'm on that "notify me when available" list with JoeBob, AIM, and some others for Spike's, DD, BCM, etc BCGs... __________________ Glock 17 OD \| Glock 19 G4 \| Glock 21 G4 \| Glock 20 G4 \| Springfield TRP Black \| Springfield Champion Operator \| Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Pro \| Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Daniel Defense DDM4 V4 \| Arsenal SGL 21 \| ASA SBR w/ Side Charger \| Mega/PSA M4 Clone \| Remington 700 SPS Tactical \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg 590A1 18" GR \| Mossberg 500 Cruiser w/ 590 14" front end \| Remington 870 Tactical

March 15, 2013, 12:40 PM	#2
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,291	Since you're going with PSA's upper why not, for about the same money, consolidate the LPK and stock kit into PSA's MOE LBK? PSA receiver extensions are milspec, I have no idea about UTG but wouldn't want theirs. Nice choice on the upper and stripped lower.

March 15, 2013, 12:56 PM	#4
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,291	Oh, I missed that you already have the stock kit. Good luck with the BCG. I also couldn't find a PSA BCG when I bought my PSA upper a few months ago but lucked into one from BCM instead. Right now that's what it takes to find a decent BCG - luck.

March 16, 2013, 01:20 AM	#6
tgreening Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 204	Shoulda hit up MidwayUSA yesterday when you made your post. They had one style BCG in stock. Unfortunately, gone today....

March 16, 2013, 03:09 AM	#7
accident Junior Member Join Date: March 1, 2013 Posts: 1	Some thoughts... Maybe watch for another upper from PK Firearms or BCM that comes with a bcg, then swap the bcg over to your psa upper or just keep the new upper and sell the psa upper if you prefer the new one. It may be a stretch on the budget immediately... but you should have no problem unloading the upper you don't want quickly, sans bcg, and not lose money. I did this (buying a second upper w/ a bcg) and actually traded my original psa upper for a custom handgun (plus he offered an extra hundred), which I will likely sell if my wife doesn't like it. Other thing, some notification emails are just not being sent out as they can't deal with the load (except midway). Try http://www.arpartsfinder.com/ to watch for a bcg or maybe an upper with a bcg if you can swing what I did. Anyways, good luck.

March 16, 2013, 10:12 AM	#9
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 1,384	You might check Core15. They have had BCG's when no one else did.

March 17, 2013, 09:28 PM	#10
Justice06RR Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Central FL Posts: 933	You're doing pretty good if you started this build during the "panic". The BCG is really the toughest part to get right about now, and it will probably set you close to $1k depending on which one you get. I lucked out and found a new BCG from a local gun show for $175; have yet to test fire it in my Spikes AR build.

March 18, 2013, 02:08 AM	#11
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,067	Pre-panic, it cost me a little over $900 for an M16A4 clone. Of course it would cost me much more to build the same one today. I'd say you are doing pretty well. Take a look at the EE in AR15.com for a carry handle. Could usually find those cheap lightly used.

March 18, 2013, 03:02 PM	#12
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,291	Looking at a current thread at AR15.com there are some bad bolts out there lately. In the last week, four reports of bolt lugs shearing off new bolts. I believe all came with ceramic coated carriers. Seems in this time of shortages/inflated prices more improperly constructed/treated bolts are being released. I'd hold out for BCM or equivalent if at all possible.

March 18, 2013, 06:09 PM	#13
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 6,362	I just completed my AR build and have about $1,250 into it. But, to be fair, I had a 20" Colt barrel and bolt carrier (no bolt), - all other parts had to be purchased. I did pay for some premium parts which include: Matched billet 7075 receiver set 7075 buffer tube 7075 one-piece free-float 12" rail system with end cap Nickel Boron plated bolt (already had M16 Chrome bolt carrier) Magpul ACS stock Steel Miculek Charging handle The thing is rock solid - no rattles, gaps or things that don't fit together smoothly. So, I am very pleased with my build - just need to find time to shoot it and see how it groups. I went "cheap" on the iron sights for now - decided to go with some standard bolt-on front and rear sights - no flip sights. They are pretty rock solid and I think they will hold zero pretty well - we'll see.