Have a few ARs was thinking about bull barrel to change things up. Seems like a great price for a Lothar.
Building a featureless AR
- Thread starter Fightingfish
- Start date
Have a few ARs was thinking about bull barrel to change things up. Seems like a great price for a Lothar.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
Got my upper in!
18” BA Premium stainless, bead blasted in .223 Wylde. It has an SPR profile, which I didn’t even realize means that it’s shaped for a specific type of suppressor, which is obviously of no use to me. Oh well, as long as it still functions for me with a thread protector stuck on the end.
“Enhanced” upper receiver, which I guess is better than not enhanced.
15” Atlas handguard...love the MLOK+rail along the top, plus the QD sockets built
Rifle length gas system.
Looks great, and smelled my whole first floor up with grease. I mean, this thing is dripping in grease! At least it won’t rust while I accumulate the necessary parts, right?
Up next: thordsen gen 3 carbine stock, and matching carbine recoil system, also from Thordsen.
BCG- thanks for the advice earlier on. I’m iffy about head spacing, and I don’t have the gauges, but a built upper from BA + one of their/aero BCG’s should line up...right?
I’m still up in the air on the lower receiver, but I’ll figure this out.
I want a glassy drop in trigger in the 3-4lb range, nice snappy reset, sub 200 bucks if possible.
These, then the other supporting pins and pieces, and I’m in business.
And an optic! Some sort of lower/mid range LPVO. Maybe 1-6x.
18” BA Premium stainless, bead blasted in .223 Wylde. It has an SPR profile, which I didn’t even realize means that it’s shaped for a specific type of suppressor, which is obviously of no use to me. Oh well, as long as it still functions for me with a thread protector stuck on the end.
“Enhanced” upper receiver, which I guess is better than not enhanced.
15” Atlas handguard...love the MLOK+rail along the top, plus the QD sockets built
Rifle length gas system.
Looks great, and smelled my whole first floor up with grease. I mean, this thing is dripping in grease! At least it won’t rust while I accumulate the necessary parts, right?
Up next: thordsen gen 3 carbine stock, and matching carbine recoil system, also from Thordsen.
BCG- thanks for the advice earlier on. I’m iffy about head spacing, and I don’t have the gauges, but a built upper from BA + one of their/aero BCG’s should line up...right?
I’m still up in the air on the lower receiver, but I’ll figure this out.
I want a glassy drop in trigger in the 3-4lb range, nice snappy reset, sub 200 bucks if possible.
These, then the other supporting pins and pieces, and I’m in business.
And an optic! Some sort of lower/mid range LPVO. Maybe 1-6x.
Attachments
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
Check out rise armament Home - RISE Armament
BDinPutnam
.475 A&M Magnum
Uhm, do not match up a carbine buffer with a rifle upper. You will be... displeased with the results.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
Duly noted! I actually asked BA tech support this exact question, and they recommended a carbine buffer/assembly with their .223/5.56 barrels. I’ve heard mixed responses based on my research, which has consisted of googling these questions and reading other people’s responses.
BDinPutnam
.475 A&M Magnum
It's not the overall length of the barrel you have to be concerned about- it's the location of the gas port on the barrel (and subsequently the length of the gas tube). Just fyi when you're looking at components.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
Yes, I asked them, speaking specifically to the gas tube length, and their reply was focused specifically on recommendations for all 223/556 barrels.
I’m getting such mixed responses on the web regarding rifle length gas systems and carbine buffers.
Basically, the safest answer seems to be pick one, try it, and if it doesn’t work, change it. Which would be great if I didn’t have to commit to a whole, expensive, NY compliant stock setup. That aspect really gums things up for me...I’d love to get it right on the first swing.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
The folks at BA recommended the carbine system, but there was some disagreement here. Beyond some recreational shooting with a few friends’ rifles, I’m new to the AR platform entirely, so I defer to folks who are more familiar. I’ll prob go carbine recoil system since that’s what the BA people recommended.
Well you need a carbine or rifle length buffer tube depending on the stock you get. Standard carbine buffer and spring should work fine. Some like a heavier buffer but with rifle length gas it will be a smooth shooter any way. I'm no ar expert, but if there are function issues you have some choices between springs and buffers or even going to an adjustable gas block if necessary. Personally I run heavier buffers in everything these days but none of them really need it to function.
ETA, the stock and buffer system are two separate entities even though they do mate up. Any carbine stock will work on the carbine buffer tube, not just the thordsen. The stock used does not change how the buffer/gas system functions.
ETA, the stock and buffer system are two separate entities even though they do mate up. Any carbine stock will work on the carbine buffer tube, not just the thordsen. The stock used does not change how the buffer/gas system functions.
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PutnamCharlie
6.5 Creedmoor
Why worry? After you build the first one you will be looking to build 10 more any way.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
just put an order in for a Rave 140...thanks for the recc!
BDinPutnam
.475 A&M Magnum
Ballistic Advantage told you to mate a carbine length buffer assembly to a rifle length gas system?
Ok...
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
Yes, that is what the tech support folks at Ballistic Advantage recommended for the 223/556 barrel setups.
I have a trigger group and a lower parts kit on the way. Getting there!
Vapor
.308 Win
That combo works fine. I've run it. As long as the buffer/spring matches the buffer tube.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
fighting fish, if you are anywhere near Rochester, Allstar Tactical should have some of there Delta V2 lowers ready soon. A little fancier then Aero and it is kind of cool to have a New York roll mark. AT stuff is well done. Sells out fast though, may want to reserve one if you are interested.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
I wish I was, pal...could probably piss without pissing off my neighbors, unlike here on LI!
I’ll def look into them, though. Thanks for the heads up.
dwa12479
.338 Win Mag
AT does have nice gear, but DO NOT pre-pay for anything with them. Money changes hands at the same time as merchandise.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
Hey folks! I ordered up a Thordsen Gen III stock, carbine recoil system, and barrel thread cap today. They’re running a free shipping deal on orders +$60 this weekend.
Quick question: say someone were to go the red loctite route to secure something permanently to threads. Would that person also use a crush washer?
Quick question: say someone were to go the red loctite route to secure something permanently to threads. Would that person also use a crush washer?
Crush washer is basically a sacrificial piece that allows you to correctly time/align a muzzle device. Not needed with a thread protector.
There’s debate on pin and weld vs. loctite vs silver solder. Lots of threads on forum. Do your research and fix as to your comfort level.
There’s debate on pin and weld vs. loctite vs silver solder. Lots of threads on forum. Do your research and fix as to your comfort level.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
Copy, thanks.
Spur grip and Patrick Henry trigger guard is the G.O.A.T in my novice opinion. I've ran my AR quite a bit with it I don't feel that underguned when compared to regular grip. Alexander Arms is selling their 10rd .50 Beowulf mags again, Big Daddy Unlimited has then for 20 bucks.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
Stock, recoil system, and barrel thread cap are in! I know I won’t need a crush washer, but I kinda placed the order before I found that answer, so I’ll either hold onto it for the inevitable fixed mag build or karma it up.
At this point, I’m just waiting for my lower of choice to come back in stock. I’m holding out for the BA enhanced lower...I like the aesthetics, plus I'll hopefully avoid some of the LEGO issues I’ve read about with regards to mixing and matching parts, since I have one of their uppers.
Once that does, I’ll prob order the BCG at the same time. From there, I’ll have all the parts acquired, sans optic/sights. I do still need an armorers wrench for assembly...right? Any leads on those, preferably through amazon?
Then I’ll get to losing springs and stripping threads.
At this point, I’m just waiting for my lower of choice to come back in stock. I’m holding out for the BA enhanced lower...I like the aesthetics, plus I'll hopefully avoid some of the LEGO issues I’ve read about with regards to mixing and matching parts, since I have one of their uppers.
Once that does, I’ll prob order the BCG at the same time. From there, I’ll have all the parts acquired, sans optic/sights. I do still need an armorers wrench for assembly...right? Any leads on those, preferably through amazon?
Then I’ll get to losing springs and stripping threads.
Attachments
While I try to avoid them CDNN has the Tapco wrench on sale for $20.
CDNN SPORTS - AR15 ARMORERS TOOL HEAVY DUTY TAPCO
<strong>AR15 ARMORERS TOOL HEAVY DUTY TAPCO</strong> This all-in-one tool has a number of essential features, including a hammer, barrel nut, muzzle device, spanner wrench, forearm wrench and flat tip screwdriver, just to name a few. Manufactured from
www.cdnnsports.com
Tapco, as much maligned as they have been over the years, sells a damn fine armorer's wrench. I have one, works great. You don't need it though. The punches used to install those roll pins will also work to install the castle nut if need be. Or any spanner wrench that fits works also.
Pro tip, install anything with a spring and detent in the shower with curtain closed and drain plug in. Easier to find that stuff when you inevitably try to beat space x into orbit. There are other methods, but this is quick and easy.
I also like the spikes tactical tool less trigger guard. Those ears on the lower are the most likely place to break something. Otherwise just don't pound on the thing like a gorilla and you'll be good.
Pro tip, install anything with a spring and detent in the shower with curtain closed and drain plug in. Easier to find that stuff when you inevitably try to beat space x into orbit. There are other methods, but this is quick and easy.
I also like the spikes tactical tool less trigger guard. Those ears on the lower are the most likely place to break something. Otherwise just don't pound on the thing like a gorilla and you'll be good.
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
Exciting isn't it?
Elwood
.223 Rem
I changed the trigger out on my Beretta 96A1 a couple weeks ago and sent the trigger spring clear across the room and behind the headboard of the bed. Thankfully the dust bunnies caught it for me.
Fightingfish
.40 S&W
Thanks for the lead! I just picked up that wrench plus 2x 10rd mags.
dwa12479
.338 Win Mag
My wife would be very unhappy when I install a bench vise in the shower.