AR Complete and Fired!

sigcurious · May 1, 2012, 05:36 PM

Finally finished my AR assembly yesterday and took it out today! Assembly was surprisingly easy, not a single spring launched or small bit scrounged for.

Parts List:
YHM Black Diamond Specter XL Complete Upper
New Frontier Armory Stripped Lower
PSA LPK w/o FCG and Ergo Grip
PSA Buffer Tube Assembly
Geissele SSA Trigger
Magpul MOE Stock

Only one malfunction, a failure to feed, which occurred after the first shot was fired. I was a bit worried I did something wrong in assembly or something of that nature. However after the rest of the magazine and all subsequent magazines fired without a hitch, I figured it just had first round jitters.

I finally got to see what all the fuss is about in relation to ARs. It is just plain fun to shoot. Also I was pleasantly surprised that it makes a nice pile of brass that's not in the next county.

I can't really review it since I'm new to the platform. However, there are a couple of parts I'd like to comment on. The trigger, while I've never shot a stock AR trigger, the SSA is fantastic as far as general trigger characteristics. Ergo grip, again can't compare it to others, but I really like the feel of it and the way it fits my hand.

All in all, I ended up spending a bit more than I had planned, but if the first 100 rounds is any indication, I'll be shooting this frequently and for a long time to come.

Palmetto-Pride · May 1, 2012, 06:50 PM

Congrats on your build great looking rifle! You are now hooked and there is no turning back......lol

Will Lee · May 1, 2012, 06:58 PM

Nice looking gun and you built her out of good stuff.

Remember this about ARs:

They like to be clean

They like to be well lubricated (bolt & Bolt Carrier).
IMHO, Safariland CLP is the best.

Uncle Malice · May 1, 2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

The trigger, while I've never shot a stock AR trigger, the SSA is fantastic as far as general trigger characteristics.

You're not missing anything from the stock trigger. Not terrible... but no where near as awesome as Geissele.

I have purchased the SSA-E and the SSA.... both are great, but I would stick with the SSA for the money on anything that may be used as a battle type rifle. The SSA-E is great, but I think it's just a little bit too light for a fighting gun... but excellent for precision shooting.

Good looking gun. I was a fan of the Ergo grip when I started as well, but I moved to the Magpul MIAD. I just found it to be even more comfortable, even though it doesn't have the rubberized coating. If that's something you want, check out the MOE+

I also recommend the Magpul AFG. Very comfortable shooting.

Congrats on the build!

sigcurious · May 1, 2012, 08:33 PM

I've been thinking about the AFG. Right now I'm just resisting the urge to buy anything else for it lol.

Beentown71 · May 2, 2012, 09:18 AM

That is the New Frontier upper in AL correct? I wanna try one of their polymer jobs on the next build.

Marquezj16 · May 2, 2012, 10:01 AM

Nice build.

How does the New Frontier Armory lower fit with the YHM upper?
And how well did you shoot?

sigcurious · May 2, 2012, 11:22 AM

The upper is YHM, but yes the I got the aluminum stripped lower not the polymer one.

They seems to fit together well, no glaring issues that I am aware of. Both parts went together easily. I am not sure I am capable of noticing some of the finer points as this is my first AR, so if something minor is wrong, I don't know that its wrong. lol

I shot pretty poorly. I was standing, shooting from 40-50 yards, and kept everything in the black on a B-27 silhouette. I also shot my bowling pins a bit at around a 20% hit rate. I can hopefully do better. I was kind of just letting the shots fly to make sure it works, and I have not benched it and zeroed it yet.

But even after I get to a real range and zero it, I'll still be a mediocre shot for awhile.

Marquezj16 · May 2, 2012, 03:06 PM

The reason I asked about the fit is because sometimes some uppers and lowers don't go together well.

Also, I was curious as to how accurate the YHM barrels are as I am in the process of collecting the parts (all YHM major components) to my next build.

Shooting offhand is tough. I've been practicing with mine and I'm not even close. It does help a lot when I use a sling.

Safe shooting.

sigcurious · May 2, 2012, 03:15 PM

Hopefully next week I'll make it to the county range and be able to shoot it off the bench at a known distance. I can post an update afterwards with a better idea of the rifle's capabilities once I take out the "me" factor to a greater degree.

Beentown71 · May 2, 2012, 09:18 PM

Done! Packing it in to test fire tomorrow...

sigcurious · May 2, 2012, 09:20 PM

Nice!

Marquezj16 · May 3, 2012, 05:44 AM

Very nice indeed!

Achilles11B · May 3, 2012, 09:06 PM

Only one way to cure mediocrity: a whole lot of shooting. It will be difficult, I know, but it's the only way. If that means going shooting every weekend, then so be it.

Congrats on the build!

greentick · May 4, 2012, 03:48 PM

Nice build! Just the beginning...

May 1, 2012, 06:50 PM	#2
Palmetto-Pride Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,071	Congrats on your build great looking rifle! You are now hooked and there is no turning back......lol __________________ “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” -Margaret Thatcher-

May 1, 2012, 06:58 PM	#3
Will Lee Member Join Date: November 30, 2011 Location: North Texas Posts: 99	Nice looking gun and you built her out of good stuff. Remember this about ARs: They like to be clean They like to be well lubricated (bolt & Bolt Carrier). IMHO, Safariland CLP is the best. __________________ Always Remember the "6P" Principal Prior Planning Prevents P**s Poor Performance

May 2, 2012, 09:18 AM	#6
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	That is the New Frontier upper in AL correct? I wanna try one of their polymer jobs on the next build. __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

May 2, 2012, 09:18 PM	#11
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	Done! Packing it in to test fire tomorrow... __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

May 3, 2012, 09:06 PM	#14
Achilles11B Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Posts: 595	Only one way to cure mediocrity: a whole lot of shooting. It will be difficult, I know, but it's the only way. If that means going shooting every weekend, then so be it. Congrats on the build! __________________ Good equipment will never be a substitute for good training.

May 1, 2012, 08:33 PM	#5
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	I've been thinking about the AFG. Right now I'm just resisting the urge to buy anything else for it lol.

May 2, 2012, 10:01 AM	#7
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	Nice build. How does the New Frontier Armory lower fit with the YHM upper? And how well did you shoot?

May 2, 2012, 11:22 AM	#8
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	The upper is YHM, but yes the I got the aluminum stripped lower not the polymer one. They seems to fit together well, no glaring issues that I am aware of. Both parts went together easily. I am not sure I am capable of noticing some of the finer points as this is my first AR, so if something minor is wrong, I don't know that its wrong. lol I shot pretty poorly. I was standing, shooting from 40-50 yards, and kept everything in the black on a B-27 silhouette. I also shot my bowling pins a bit at around a 20% hit rate. I can hopefully do better. I was kind of just letting the shots fly to make sure it works, and I have not benched it and zeroed it yet. But even after I get to a real range and zero it, I'll still be a mediocre shot for awhile.

May 2, 2012, 03:06 PM	#9
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	The reason I asked about the fit is because sometimes some uppers and lowers don't go together well. Also, I was curious as to how accurate the YHM barrels are as I am in the process of collecting the parts (all YHM major components) to my next build. Shooting offhand is tough. I've been practicing with mine and I'm not even close. It does help a lot when I use a sling. Safe shooting.

May 2, 2012, 03:15 PM	#10
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	Hopefully next week I'll make it to the county range and be able to shoot it off the bench at a known distance. I can post an update afterwards with a better idea of the rifle's capabilities once I take out the "me" factor to a greater degree.

May 2, 2012, 09:20 PM	#12
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	Nice!

May 3, 2012, 05:44 AM	#13
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	Very nice indeed!

May 4, 2012, 03:48 PM	#15
greentick Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2011 Location: Deep South Posts: 261	Nice build! Just the beginning...