Building an AR15 with fixed mag and a featureless AR 9mm

[jw816]

To featureless or not to featureless. That is the question.

After carefully considering all the suggestions here and watching some home defense videos on YouTube, I think I am going to build two rifles. A fixed mag AR15 and a featureless AR 9 mm. As a newbie, I was overwhelmed by the AR15 market. There are so many parts and options. I could just get a Ruger PC Carbine Model 19116, but I think I hooked on building rifles now and want a 9 mm in AR platform.

I ordered all the parts for the AR15 plus a Vortex OPMOD Strike Fire II, Rise Armament RA-140 trigger, and Mean Arm Maglock. I will order the Bear Flag Defense quick loader as well. The only thing missing is an Aero Precision complete upper. It is out of stock almost everywhere.

For the 9 mm AR, I ordered Spike Tactical's low receiver and will get their upper and BCG. The barrel will be DSI stainless non-threaded one. However, I am open to any recommendations.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Just keep an eye on weight in your AR9 build. Mine was heavy AF (in a good way) but something to keep in mind if you intend it for the HD role.

 

[jw816]

I changed the thread title to Building AR15 with fixed mag and featureless AR 9 mm.

Here is a photo to show the progress of the AR 9. I am waiting for picking up the lower from my FFL dealer and a Rise Armament RA-140 trigger now. I wanted a black stock but they shipped an FDE one. However, I think it looks not bad. The DSI stainless non-threaded barrel is a bit heavier than I expected. But I don't think I have too many choices. The charging handle is a cheap one. I paid $22.99 for it. After watching some Youtube videos, I am thinking of getting a Geissele super charging handle although I am not sure if it is justified to pay the high price for a charging handle.





For the AR15, I have been looking a complete upper by Aero Persicison but no luck. I finally had enough and decide to build one completely by myself. Here is a question for the experienced gun owners. Does it make sense to get an adjustable gas block?

 

[Blimey]

I changed the thread title to Building AR15 with fixed mag and featureless AR 9 mm.

Here is a photo to show the progress of the AR 9. I am waiting for picking up the lower from my FFL dealer and a Rise Armament RA-140 trigger now. I wanted a black stock but they shipped an FDE one. However, I think it looks not bad. The DSI stainless non-threaded barrel is a bit heavier than I expected. But I don't think I have too many choices. The charging handle is a cheap one. I paid $22.99 for it. After watching some Youtube videos, I am thinking of getting a Geissele super charging handle although I am not if it is justified to pay the high price for a charging handle.

View attachment 74737



For the AR15, I have been looking a complete upper by Aero Persicison but no luck. I finally had enough and decide to build one completely by myself. Here is a question for the experienced gun owners. Does it make sense to get an adjustable gas block?

You made the right choice. Fixed is a range toy. You're smart enough to realize you'll need two so the second one can be featured with the fixed mag.

As for gas block I think if you get a carbine length you're good to go and I don't think you need adjustable.

 

[togmaster]

DSI?

 

[jw816]

DSI?

Not good?

 

[jw816]

I bought two red dots for the rifles. One is a $35 Sight Mark for the 9 mm and another is Vortex Strike Fire II for the AR. After watching some of the videos on Youtube, I realized that shooting at a range, preferably indoor range with moving targets, maybe is the only way to calibrate the red dot sights if I understand it correctly. However, even if I can do it at a range, I think I may need

A bipod to keep the rifle stable. Binoculars to check the target since I can't move the target close to me if it is an outdoor range. Finally, I may need a specially marked target to judge how much the red dot is off. It seems to me that calibrating a red dot involves a lot of things. Are there any other ways to calibrate a red dot?

I am also not sure about the magazine. I want to get a Lance magazine. Lance makes two kinds of 10 round magazines. One is just regular one and another looks like 20 round but it is actually a 10 round just for the look. Does anyone have the experience with the fake 20 round magazine? Is the 20 round magazine as reliable as regular 10 round one? On Thordsen website, it states that Due to the placement of the rivet by the factory, A fully loaded magazine WILL NOT load into a rifle on a closed bolt. I am not sure if this has anything to do with me since the magazine will be permanently fixed on the AR.

 

[jw816]

I just finished the AR 9 mm upper. Before I started to assemble the upper, I watched many Youtube videos. All the videos I watched indicated that I need a barrel wrench, a torque wrench, and a breaker bar. But I realized that if I want to loose the barrel nut, I can simply set the torque on the torque wrench larger than the torque to tighten the nut and loose the nut in the same clockwise direction. So I don't need to buy a breaker bar for using just one or two times. A breaker bar is not expensive but it just doesn't sense to buy one. I have just bought a crowfoot wrench, two comb wrenches due to non-standardized barrel nut designs. I think I may never use them again.

 

[dsdmmat]

I just finished the AR 9 mm upper. Before I started to assemble the upper, I watched many Youtube videos. All the videos I watched indicated that I need a barrel wrench, a torque wrench, and a breaker bar. But I realized that if I want to loose the barrel nut, I can simply set the torque on the torque wrench larger than the torque to tighten the nut and loose the nut in the same clockwise direction. So I don't need to buy a breaker bar for using just one or two times. A breaker bar is not expensive but it just doesn't sense to buy one. I have just bought a crowfoot wrench, two comb wrenches due to non-standardized barrel net designs. I think I may never use them again.

Always buy large tools like breaker bars. They come in handy for vehicle tires, makeshift weapons and for loosening or tightening mouths.

 

[jw816]

I finally finished the uppers.

For the AR15, I love Aero Precision's M4E1 upper. It uses a set screw for forward assist. Its quad rail handguard looks wonderful and is very light. My only complaint is that the slots on the handguard are neither m-lock nor keymod. So the slots are basically useless. The barrel nut can be more precisely machined. I used all the shims come with the barrel nut. It was still not enough. Luckily, I bought an extra pack of shims. I really like Strike Industries' dust cover and forward assist but not the finishes. They look like anodizing gold. It will be perfect if they are finished with FDE cerakote.

I bought a regular charging handle for $22.00. In my opinion, it is completely a waste of money. First, the pressure of the handle is too high. Secondly, it is not smooth comparing with Aero Precision's charging handle. I used 1200 grit sandpaper to sand the handle and added some oil. It helped but it is still not good enough. Aero Precision's charging handle isn't bad, but I don't like the handle design. Its handle is a bit too wide and its design integrity is not as good as Raptor and Geissele. It is understandable why both Raptor and Geissele are so popular among experienced gun owners. I placed an order for a Geissele's charging handle.

 

[jw816]

Finished the 9 mm. The 9 mm is heavier than I expected. It is 8 lbs 4 ozs. Both the stock and the barrel add weight substantially. Here is a question. I found that I can't line the rear and front iron sights in my most comfortable position. And, I can't make absolute co-witness among the iron sights and red dot in my most comfortable position either. It seems to me that both the red dot and the iron sights are too low. If I add risers under the red dot and the iron sights, will it solve the problem?

The trigger is Rise Armament R-140. The charging handle is Aero Precision one. Both work nicely.

 

[jw816]

I just got the FC Hook. This thing works very nice. I have Mean Arm mag lock as well and am glad that I didn't install the Mean Arm mag lock. It is a bit expensive, $36.00, but as long as it leaves the option for me to remove the mag. I think it is worth it.

The magazine is Lancer 10/20. It has a look of 20 round but its actual capacity is 10 round only.

The enhanced buffer is hard to install. The buffer detent pin flew out three times. It is nowhere to find the escaped detent and spring now. I had to order them again.

 

[Twogunwilly]

It seems to me that calibrating a red dot involves a lot of things. Are there any other ways to calibrate a red dot?

Rest the upper on something that doesn't allow it to rock much, look through the barrel at a spot on the wall 10' away or so. Without moving the upper look thru the red dot, go back and forth with your eye and adjust the dot til they're close to the same spot. You must have your tongue sticking out of the right side of your mouth north of the equador.

 

[jw816]

Rest the upper on something that doesn't allow it to rock much, look through the barrel at a spot on the wall 10' away or so. Without moving the upper look thru the red dot, go back and forth with your eye and adjust the dot til they're close to the same spot. You must have your tongue sticking out of the right side of your mouth north of the equador.

That makes sense. I will do that. Thanks!

I changed Vortex Strikefire II to a Strike Eagle Scope after watching some videos on Youtube. I will do this for both scope and red dot.

 

[jw816]

I just realized that I bought an H3 heavy buffer. In fact, I had no idea which buffer I should buy. Is it still ok to use a heavy buffer? Or I have to order a different buffer. What weight I should start with?

 

[BDinPutnam]

I just realized that I bought an H3 heavy buffer. In fact, I had no idea which buffer I should buy. Is it still ok to use a heavy buffer? Or I have to order a different buffer. What weight I should start with?

For the 9mm or the .223?

You want a heavier buffer with a 9mm.

 

[jw816]

For the 9mm or the .223?

You want a heavier buffer with a 9mm.

For the .223. I knew I needed a special buffer for the 9 mm so I got the correct one. But I didn't pay attention when I ordered the buffer for 223. Should I start with H buffer?

 

[BDinPutnam]

For the .223. I knew I needed a special buffer for the 9 mm so I got the correct one. But I didn't pay attention when I ordered the buffer for 223. Should I start with H buffer?

Do you have one?

If not I say give the H3 a whirl and see how it performs.

 

[jw816]

I have an H3 only. You are right. Maybe I should try the H3 first to see if I need to get a different one. Thanks!

 

[BDinPutnam]

I have an H3 only. You are right. Maybe I should try the H3 first to see if I need to get a different one. Thanks!

Let us know how it turns out.

They're fairly cheap but I might have an extra regular one somewhere.

 

[Robin]

Featureless with 9mm tits!

A NY kind'a gal!
Robin

 

[jw816]

Featureless with 9mm tits!
View attachment 77561
A NY kind'a gal!
Robin

Haha! That is funny!

 

[jw816]

I just ordered 3 steel buffer weights. It is cheap, 3 for 2.25. 8.20 shipped. Therefore, I can make a whole range of buffers from carbine up to H3. I may start with H1 first.

 

[jw816]

Finally, I got all done.

On the AR 15, its charging handle is Geissele's, I like the charging handle very much. It is very well designed and made. The trigger is Rise Armament RA-434 High-Performance Trigger. Initially, I bought a Vortex Strike Fire II red dot. But I have a low level of astigmatism and can't use the red dot. But I don't understand that I have no problem with the cheap Sight Mark red dot on the AR 9. So, I bought a Vortex Striking Eagle scope. The total weight of the AR 15 is 8 lbs 13 ozs.

Looking back on the whole process of building the AR's, it had been a learning process for me. I had a lot of fun to build. So, what is next? I am going to order some ammo and head to the range. In the meantime, I am determined to start the process of applying for a pistol license. My target is a Glock 45.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Outstanding. Good work.