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+--- Thread: AR Build, or Upgrade? (/thread-347.html)
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 12-19-2014
Uppers. Well Surplus Ammo has their own brand made by Aero Precision on sale for $54.99. While Hamlund has the Aero on sale for $69.99 and Primary Arms has the Anderson upper for $49.99. These are all stripped uppers. Personally I would not buy the DPMS parts. I have had issues with the quality. All three of the uppers I have named above, I have used along with Mega Uppers. I have had excellent success with all of those brands. I like the Aero uppers the best. I have bought around 10 of the Aero, 5 of the Anderson and about 5 of SA brand (aero made) and only one of the mega. While I have a friend that has purchased around 40+ of the Andersons and they were all great units.
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 12-19-2014
Here is a deal going on right now with Aero. http://aeroprecisionusa.com/aspx/store/productdetail.aspx?pid=42&utm_source=Retail+Customers&utm_campaign=14e6b5dddc-ar15_blem_blowout_121914&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fae430ccdc-14e6b5dddc-188775689&mc_cid=14e6b5dddc&mc_eid=8a832be96a
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - Ringo3632 - 12-20-2014
That's actually pretty good.. Do you use any particular upper parts kits with those? Anything that works better than the others?
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 12-20-2014
I usually order CMMG or better. I stay away from DPMS. I have had issues with parts. I order less grip and trigger control since I order other grips and certain triggers. That is probably why I have never purchased a complete rifle. I have always started with the Lower and Upper ( I try to match them) then research parts based upon the looks and function I am trying to achieve. Right now I am setting up for a 10.5 pistol build and so far I am looking at the Lancer LCH5 Mid-Length Handguard. It's carbon fiber and will make this build a little lighter. It is more expensive but I stay away from the traditional quad rail look.
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - BelieveIn308 - 12-20-2014
hmmm... I have had good luck with DPMS products. I too, have been routinely replacing all the triggers on AR10 & 15 type rifles with Geissele SSA-E triggers. I can understand mixing and match parts creating problems. I've found that the DPMS parts fit perfectly in my rifles. I have seen some parts not fit certain lowers and uppers well, but the problem was with the lower or upper. If they fit perfectly on my colt and function I cannot blame DPMS.
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 12-21-2014
Agree. My issues have been with the magazine catch, release, and rear take down pin. I was required to send them back for warranty, waited 2 weeks and the new parts work just fine. I have purchased a couple of LPK's from Anderson Mfg out of Kentucky and they worked just fine. The last few LPK's that I bought were CMMG and they seem to be of a better quality. Could have just been a bad batch of parts.
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - Ringo3632 - 12-21-2014
I've been looking at the cmmg already anyhow. I did take your advice with the aero upper. Looking forward to see how this all comes together! Just need to get the parts kits for the upper, and the barrel ect.
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 12-21-2014
You will love the Aero. Aero make some nice parts at good prices. Here is an article on Aero back from 2013, http://www.majorpandemic.com/2013/12/aero-precision-upper-lower-review-who.html
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 12-21-2014
The only other thing beside wrenches, roll punch tools is a good set og Head space gauges. All though not requred it is a good ideal to check the head space.
http://shop.pacifictoolandgauge.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=160_161&products_id=1359
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - Ringo3632 - 12-21-2014
So far so good. I know I need to get a wrench and various other things... but my uncle lent me a couple things so I put the lower together today! Need to tighten everything down and all of that... but I felt accomplished at least having gotten this far!
![[Image: IMG_20141221_133945841.jpg]](http://s4.postimg.org/59hmt7ym5/IMG_20141221_133945841.jpg)
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 12-21-2014
Looks good. I am sure function test all passed? I have a couple set up and I will try to get a few images posted without the barrels on. What brand was the lower?
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - Ringo3632 - 12-21-2014
It's a Palmetto Lower, and I thought it was a CMMG parts kit, but my uncle said it's an RRA Single stage. He had it left over so he gave it to me. I bought the blemished lower from Palmetto when they had them on sale over thanksgiving. couldn't even find a mark on it. but yeah, passed all of the function tests that I've seen. Not that the internet is always the best, but out of all the videos and sites I've read so far, it seems to be spot on.
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 12-21-2014
I remember reading somwhere that Aero made the Palmetto lowers
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 01-21-2015
(12-21-2014, 10:20 PM)Ringo3632 Wrote: It's a Palmetto Lower, and I thought it was a CMMG parts kit, but my uncle said it's an RRA Single stage. He had it left over so he gave it to me. I bought the blemished lower from Palmetto when they had them on sale over thanksgiving. couldn't even find a mark on it. but yeah, passed all of the function tests that I've seen. Not that the internet is always the best, but out of all the videos and sites I've read so far, it seems to be spot on.
Here is one I built
![[Image: 2014_07_26_17_28_07_1.jpg]](http://s2.postimg.org/om47uiuy1/2014_07_26_17_28_07_1.jpg)
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 01-21-2015
(12-21-2014, 10:20 PM)Ringo3632 Wrote: It's a Palmetto Lower, and I thought it was a CMMG parts kit, but my uncle said it's an RRA Single stage. He had it left over so he gave it to me. I bought the blemished lower from Palmetto when they had them on sale over thanksgiving. couldn't even find a mark on it. but yeah, passed all of the function tests that I've seen. Not that the internet is always the best, but out of all the videos and sites I've read so far, it seems to be spot on.
Here is my little guy:
![[Image: 20140726_191108_1.jpg]](http://s5.postimg.org/s71ciia8n/20140726_191108_1.jpg)
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 02-04-2015
Here is a different type of a grip:
https://www.starkequipment.com/ar-pistol-grip--se-1-.html
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - Ringo3632 - 02-21-2015
I have my lower finished, and I have an empty upper... but ran out of funding to finish it so far... I needed to order some parts to get my motorcycle back running and since spring is rapidly approaching that took priority... I would really like to get this finished though for summer so I can take it out! It kills me having projects partially finished...
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - BelieveIn308 - 02-21-2015
It will be a sweet rifle when your done...
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - fromtheplaines - 03-25-2015
Any one have any thoughts on stag lower parts kit. As well as a durable but stock. I just started an ar build myself. And I wanted to get some input.
RE: AR Build, or Upgrade? - bradberry - 03-25-2015
(03-25-2015, 11:52 AM)fromtheplaines Wrote: Any one have any thoughts on stag lower parts kit. As well as a durable but stock. I just started an ar build myself. And I wanted to get some input.
I have used many different Magpuls but I usually get he ACS-L but that depends on the rifle I am building. I also use Mako RECOIL-REDUCING M4/AR-15 STOCK AND ADJUSTABLE CHEEKPIECE and the next one I am buying is the Mako M4/AR-15 SURVIVAL BUTTSTOCK W/BUILT-IN MAGAZINE CARRIER - GL-MAG.
As for lower parts I usually use CMMG without the pistol grip. If I am installing a Geissele trigger I will try to find one without the grip and trigger control group. Stag's are made by someone else and I don't like their price. I have used DPMS even though it is made overseas.