Building an AR during "Spicy Time" ??

[Dirty Bob]

I put this here because it's not about the method of building an AR, but asking whether a build is a good idea at this time.

Before the Wuhan Virus, before the demonstrations/riots/looting, before "defund the police," I started purchasing parts for an 80% build. I finally have some time available, so I've started drilling and milling the lower. I'm taking my time and trying to build a "perfect" (for me) 7.62x35mm (300 BLK) carbine. I'm already covered for defensive firearms, so there's no stress in this.

It got me thinking, however, about the many people who are stuck: unable to find anything better for self-defense than a bolt action .30-06. If I were in their shoes, what would I do?

It seems like building a rifle -- which is easier than most people think, especially if you can purchase the complete upper and/or lower from somebody like Palmetto State Armory -- might be the best way to obtain an AR right now.

I browsed Palmetto this evening, and they had both complete uppers and complete lowers in stock. The buyer might not be able to get the "right" options these days, and might have to setting for what's available. Even if PSA is somewhat slow right now, as they try to keep up with the flood of orders, I'd rather have something on the way than nothing available at all for the foreseeable future.

If someone asked me where they could get an AR-15 these days, I think I'd steer them to a complete upper and complete lower from Palmetto. Then I'd suggest that as soon as they got it, we get together at the range to make sure they can operate it safely and to also make sure they can clean and maintain it.

Palmetto may not be Daniel Defense, but I've had no problems with their products and would be willing to suggest them to others.

If they needed something immediately, I'd probably help them in looking for a pump shotgun. At least shotgun ammo (mostly field loads) is still easy to find in my area.

Any thoughts? Where would you steer someone looking for an AR these days?

Regards,
Dirty Bob

[tombogan03884]

I'm in a similar situation.
I have "need" covered, now I'm looking at "would like to have".
I also was looking around yesterday, and my advice would be to start at CMMG, then Daniel Defense, then PSA, because after seeing the first 2s price PSA will seem down right economical.   
Rifle/carbine lowers seem to be plentiful, but pistol lowers seem to be kind of short supply.
Prices on uppers might make you gulp at first, but you have to remember that that it is mostly steel, with all the pressure bearing bits.
Don't forget the chamber brushes.   
I've done business with Bear Creek as well, and have no complaints for an upper, but my next lower will be a PSA most likely.

[billt]

I don't think there is a "bad time" to buy a gun.... Any gun. Prices along with supply have languished since Trump's election, and up until the whole Corona deal got started. Still, there are some good prices available out there. I think that is because we've been through so many of these gun panics, people are finally caught up on firearms. They're still buying, but not in such a shelf stripping manner as before.

Now it's like Tom say's, it's become a matter of want more than need. People buying today are buying their second, or third, or fifth and sixth AR's. Today we are more accepting of the fact anarchy is not only possible, it's right around the corner. So guns are becoming more of a necessity, than they were just a few years ago. Add in the "stimulus money", and it's an even better time for many people.

Especially with what's happening in Seattle, Portland, and Minneapolis. And of course the dozen-a-day or so murders in Chicago. Add it all up and it's as good time as ever to buy weapons.   

[tombogan03884]

Bill, actually most of the current sales, from a couple of dealers I know are former liberals realizing they DO need a gun, and they are no where near as easy to buy as they have been told.
I keep harping on asking them "What else did they lie to you about ?"
No need to be pushy, just set them thinking deeper for a change.

[les snyder]

just a comment.... I've had good luck with PSA and nitride coatings... both barreled uppers as well as lowers in 9mm and 5.56... my PSA 10.5s are not quite as accurate as my LMT Mk18, but still are <3moa or better with good 69 SMK at 100yd... don't have a cold hammer forged barrel, but think if I were just getting one rifle from PSA, would do so ...I pay a little extra for a Carpenter 158 or 9310 bolt that is high pressure tested and metal particle inspected, and a good 7075-T6 charging handle and not something from PRC....I prefer a pinned front sight tower and if a set screw low profile, will drill and cross pin it with a roll pin...

I got a barreled upper (chrome lined) from DSArms to go on the Colt 6920 lower that Brownells was selling and it shoots very well at 100... haven't been to the 600m range in a couple of years since I've cut down on the 3 gun shooting, and switched to the AR9 PCC

looking at specifications DelTon's LE carbines check the boxes  7075-T6 uppers and lower, 158 bolt and HPT and MPI... but have never shot one

the IWI Zion might be a choice... at the range last week, the polymer pistol display cases were absolutely bare, and all of the less than $1200 ARs were gone from the walls, and any short barrel pump shotgun the same

[Sponsor]

[Dirty Bob]

I practiced what I preached!

I went through my parts box for some of what I needed. I had a used Anderson pistol lower that's been waiting for a project for a long time. A 300 BLK upper from PSA and a pistol brace completed the package. I topped it with a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot and polymer BUIS.

It's a flame thrower, but it's comforting to have around. All told, it's maybe the best choice I have for home/travel defense. Ear pro's a must if there's a chance to put them on in an emergency.

BTW, I have some other mags, but I liked the color of the 10-rounder for the photo.

No time like the present for a build!

Respectfully submitted,
Dirty Bob

[PegLeg45]

Nice, Bob!!

Flamethrower, eh?
Indeed, Suh. 

I built a 5.56mm pistol a few years on Anderson upper/lower and the guts from Ground Zero Precision in TX. It has a 7.5" barrel because I was going as compact as possible as a traveling companion. With a linear comp  that thing blows some flames. 
I have a spare PSA stripped lower I picked up a few months ago and might go 10.5" pistol if I don't do a carbine for the wife.

[Dirty Bob]

I have a spare PSA stripped lower I picked up a few months ago and might go 10.5" pistol if I don't do a carbine for the wife.

At least gather the parts! There are some congress critters calling for the banning of gun part sales except through an FFL.

BTW, I chose 300 BLK because it's easy to reload, with lots of component choices. I can load light bullets with something like Trail Boss and make it much less obnoxious, at least for casual shooting or practice.

[tombogan03884]

We're all going to wind up shooting 9 45 5.56, and 308 because that's what the Army and Cops are handing out.
Be some 40 for a while but I doubt any of the beleaguered manufacturers will bother with it. They'll be using that capacity for 50 cal.
What you have been seeing. The riots, and destruction, The ONLY ways this goes is surrender or slaughter.
The tipping point was passed with the CHAZ (Chapel Hill Autonomous Zone).
That is Mao's step one of establishing Communist base areas .

[Dirty Bob]

We're all going to wind up shooting 9 45 5.56, and 308 because that's what the Army and Cops are handing out.

You might be right. I can make 300 BLK from fired 5.56mm cases, however, and powder-coated cast bullets should work fine.

I sincerely hope we haven't crossed the point of no return. On the other hand, when protestors and/or rioters start moving into neighborhoods and onto private property -- as has been happening in St. Louis* and other locations -- things can turn ugly really fast. Burning of businesses has been happening in downtowns, but anyone who tries to set fire to an occupied dwelling has to be stopped, by any means necessary.

*There's an allegation that the mayor doxed people, and that's why the crowd broke down an iron  gate and trespassed onto a private road.