The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: huntnelk on March 02, 2011, 10:51:00 PM

Title: Building an AR...help
Post by: huntnelk on March 02, 2011, 10:51:00 PM
So I took the plunge and have started to order all the parts for my first AR. I got a DPMS lower and was wondering what parts kit is a good one.  I just want a good trigger, not looking for match quality just yet.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Building an AR...help
Post by: tombogan03884 on March 03, 2011, 01:53:44 AM
Can't go wrong sticking with DPMS
Title: Re: Building an AR...help
Post by: twyacht on March 03, 2011, 04:13:17 AM
Can't go wrong sticking with DPMS

+1

Bushmaster makes a good one also. The parts are all pretty much the same, and can always be "tweaked" later.

The single stage triggers are very crisp. You will also certainly want one of these:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR535-7.html

Huge difference in felt recoil.

Good Luck.

Title: Re: Building an AR...help
Post by: kilopaparomeo on March 03, 2011, 06:32:50 AM
. You will also certainly want one of these:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR535-7.html

Huge difference in felt recoil.


There's felt recoil in a 5.56?  :)  OK, shot to shot recovery time I'll give you...

DPMS lower parts kits are on sale at Midsay right now
Title: Re: Building an AR...help
Post by: alfsauve on March 03, 2011, 07:03:13 AM
You will also certainly want one of these:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR535-7.html

Huge difference in felt recoil.


Compensators?   Nah-h-h-h.   Get a "man" barrel.  4pounds worth of ER Shaw extra heavy bull.  Add to it a solid aluminum Hogue float tube and you don't need no stinkin' comp.

http://www.galatiinternational.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GIO&Product_Code=MDB203&Category_Code=AR15uppers (http://www.galatiinternational.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GIO&Product_Code=MDB203&Category_Code=AR15uppers)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_udyXWMnOGhI/S_ArdRxOtHI/AAAAAAAAd8U/ThR7RPm-P7Q/IMG_0948small.jpg)



Trigger?  Go ahead, splurge.  You know you want it.   Get the Timney trigger.  You can get it in 4.5# tactical or 3.5# match.
Title: Re: Building an AR...help
Post by: capbyrd on March 03, 2011, 07:23:37 AM
Do what I'm doing.  Buy a standard mil spec LPK and send the trigger off to Bill Springfield. 
Title: Re: Building an AR...help
Post by: Paraguy on March 03, 2011, 07:57:18 AM
Trigger?  Go ahead, splurge.  You know you want it.   Get the Timney trigger.  You can get it in 4.5# tactical or 3.5# match.
I did a review and the Timney 3# trigger and can not say enough good things about it, but they are not cheap ($160-$230.)  The compensator makes it fun, and combined with the 3# trigger you can squeeze off a lot of rounds quickly.
Good luck and please keep us posted on progress with some pics.
PS - Nice pic Alfsauve!
Title: Re: Building an AR...help
Post by: alfsauve on March 03, 2011, 08:14:45 AM
PS - Nice pic Alfsauve!

Actually, Paraguy, that's an old picture with my ER Shaw upper on my A2 lower.   I've since built up a new lower and only lack two things the Timney trigger and  a charging handle. (yeah, I know, dumb, when I bought the bolt carrier group, I forgot to get a charging handle.)  I'll take some pictures of the new configuration soon.
Title: Re: Building an AR...help
Post by: bafsu92 on March 03, 2011, 08:41:53 AM
So I took the plunge and have started to order all the parts for my first AR. I got a DPMS lower and was wondering what parts kit is a good one.  I just want a good trigger, not looking for match quality just yet.  Any suggestions?
First off for your lower parts take a look here. The quality is the same as your basic kits from DPMS, Bushy etc. but you get a MOE grip and trigger guard basically for free. If you want Magpul furniture then the complete kits are an even better deal. If you want a high end trigger then get a kit with the Geiselle and don't pay for a trigger you're not going to use.

There are a lot of nice suggestions above for a lot of different types of builds but no one asked you what you wanted. What type of rifle are you wanting to build? There are literally thousands of ways you can go with your build but it's all about what you want and what you're going to use it for. The Timney trigger is nice for a bullseye / range gun, same with the heavy upper but neither one is that great for a self defense weapon. If you just want a plinker / toy then there's no need to put a $250 trigger on it. If you're planning on using it for self / home defense then you want a good flash hider, not a muzzle brake. The Miculek is great on the range and for 3-gun etc. but if you have to use your rifle inside at night you won't see anything but spots for about an hour after you fire the first round, not to ideal for defense. When I do a build for someone we sit down and go over everything they'd like to use it for then prioritize those things to get a plan to optimize every part that goes into it.

I also do a trigger exchange where you send me the stock trigger out of your LPK and I polish all contact points and fit it properly. It gives about a 4-4.5# clean single stage tactical trigger. I usually have a couple ready to go so there's little to no turn around time involved. You place the order and pay $35 for the trigger job and a $25 deposit and I send out the trigger that day. As soon as I get your stock trigger I refund your $25 deposit, preferably by paypal so it's instant. I'm not trying to sell you on this though, just giving an example of different options available beyond spending hundreds on an aftermarket trigger that is more than most people need for their application. I'm also a big fan of the Alexander Arms trigger which is about $135 direct from them and is as good as most triggers that cost up to twice that. The biggest thing is without knowing what you want you'll get tons of suggestions of what someone likes on their personal AR without knowing if it would work for your needs.