I Want to Build an AR

[OpusX]

I hate to sound like James from TFB, but if anything he sounds like me because I've been recommending the Aero/BCM combo for years now. An Aero complete lower + BCM complete upper will hands down give you the best bang for buck rifle of anything in its price point, especially if you pick up an Aero lower on one of their sales.

BCM is rock solid with quality parts for a really good price, and for a regular meat and potatoes lower you can't beat Aero in terms of basic quality/affordability. All you have to do is pop 2 pins and slap those babies together and you've got yourself a really nice rifle, and a CompMag is all you need to make it compliant until you decide whether you want to make it featureless or keep as-is.

For the money you'd save compared to buying something of equal quality off the shelf, you could also upgrade your trigger and get a decent red dot.

 

[6MMBRA]

I hate to sound like James from TFB, but if anything he sounds like me because I've been recommending the Aero/BCM combo for years now. An Aero complete lower + BCM complete upper will hands down give you the best bang for buck rifle of anything in its price point, especially if you pick up an Aero lower on one of their sales.

BCM is rock solid with quality parts for a really good price, and for a regular meat and potatoes lower you can't beat Aero in terms of basic quality/affordability. All you have to do is pop 2 pins and slap those babies together and you've got yourself a really nice rifle, and a CompMag is all you need to make it compliant until you decide whether you want to make it featureless or keep as-is.

For the money you'd save compared to buying something of equal quality off the shelf, you could also upgrade your trigger and get a decent red dot.

Yep I was gonna recommend doing this. The Reddit special is no joke. Plus BCM is giving a free BCG with purchase of a complete upper. Put a triggertech duty trigger in it and it’ll be a super solid rifle.

 

[OpusX]

Plus BCM is giving a free BCG with purchase of a complete upper.

Yep, that's exactly what I had my buddy do with his 1st AR. Got the 14.5 MCMR BFH with SureFire SFMB p&W'd with the free BCG included. He went with a regular ol' poverty pony lower, but we at least put a Larue MBT-2S and VLTOR A5 buffer system in it. All in all I think he spent around $1100-1200ish for a rifle I'd comfortably stack up against anything short of LMT/KAC. Might not be as Gucci as some manufacturers and have all the slick ambi controls and modern cuts, but it will be F-in' reliable first and foremost, and that's what ultimately matters.

 

[6MMBRA]

Yep, that's exactly what I had my buddy do with his 1st AR. Got the 14.5 MCMR BFH with SureFire SFMB p&W'd with the free BCG included. He went with a regular ol' poverty pony lower, but we at least put a Larue MBT-2S and VLTOR A5 buffer system in it. All in all I think he spent around $1100-1200ish for a rifle I'd comfortably stack up against anything short of LMT/KAC. Might not be as Gucci as some manufacturers and have all the slick ambi controls and modern cuts, but it will be F-in' reliable first and foremost, and that's what ultimately matters.

Nice! I’m a big fan of the A5 system. Running it on my 11.5” and my 18” DMR. Smooths out the recoil impulse nicely.

 

[OpusX]

Nice! I’m a big fan of the A5 system. Running it on my 11.5” and my 18” DMR. Smooths out the recoil impulse nicely.

Yeah it definitely seems to soften the impulse. I've tried just about everything from Tungsten T2s + JP flat springs, Tubbs, silent captured, but in the end I've found the A5 + Sprinco setup works best for me. Never tried Geissele though. I'm willing to spend on some of his products, notsomuch on basic parts though. They're all way overpriced imo.

 

[nubsoft]

My vote is for SOLGW (Sons of Liberty Gun works) or Evolve Weapon systems (EWS)

Both have phenomenal parts list for the value, but they are a smidge above your posted budget.

Also something to think about is how important is the resale value to you? I have helped people in the past that build an Aero/BCM and are shocked to find out how much they can "reclaim" on the second hand market.

On that note, if you just want to have something on a very tight budget, you can find a used PSA for 3-500 and have your local gunsmith go thru it and replace gas rings, springs, etc.

Also for what its worth, second hand market is littered with BCM so I reckon you could land a good deal with such a competitive market

Feel free to DM me. I do this stuff all day

 

[ChestnutBleach]

I’m looking for some help on an AR build. I’m a newb to anything AR related. I’ve heard about aero lowers and juggernaut kingpins but really need help with a build. Since I don’t know much I’ll need help exploring the options.

Overall budget 1,000-1,500.

Also, anything I should avoid that’s illegal. Best places to purchase

Do you like to work with your hands to build things? If so I say build, don't buy. Had a similar conversion with a friend before building my first AR. Was leaning on buy, but he convinced me to build. Started super cheap in case I did something wrong. I think I had less than ~700 in my 1st full build, all in. Started with a budget complete upper and pieced the lower; stripped lower, mil-spec trigger, A2 grip...the whole 8.5-yards. Eventually lead to doing a complete, stripped upper and lower, build. Advantage is you can build it with the parts you want without spending more for the base rifle then adding parts. Down side is warranty is your wallet.

If you don't like to build, buy.

 

[Tere_Hanges]

Do you like to work with your hands to build things? If so I say build, don't buy. Had a similar conversion with a friend before building my first AR. Was leaning on buy, but he convinced me to build. Started super cheap in case I did something wrong. I think I had less than ~700 in my 1st full build, all in. Started with a budget complete upper and pieced the lower; stripped lower, mil-spec trigger, A2 grip...the whole 8.5-yards. Eventually lead to doing a complete, stripped upper and lower, build. Advantage is you can build it with the parts you want without spending more for the base rifle then adding parts. Down side is warranty is your wallet.

If you don't like to build, buy.

Another thing to consider is you don't even have to buy a stripped lower although it is a good idea to throw one on any DROS for another gun you are buying anyway. But you can buy complete lowers for really cheap now, costing just as much as it would to buy a stripped lower and LPK separately. Like for $200.

So keep that as an option, then you can buy whatever upper you want. Save a few bucks in the process and have more of a custom build than buying a complete rifle with expensive components for top $$$.

 

[DuckDawg22]

Upside of a build is that you're only paying the 11% tax on the lower, so $6 on a $50 PSA lower is a lot nicer than $100+ on a complete rifle. May matter to you, may not, but I'll be building from here on out to minimize the $ I give to Newscum

 

[Adlrpewpew]

Here’s the build please provide any recommendations. Couldn’t decide on featureless or not so decided to go fixed mag route.

Build kit:

• M4E1 LOW PROFILE STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER
• BCM® BFH 16" Mid Length (ENHANCED Light Weight) Complete Upper Receiver Group w/ MCMR-15 Handguard
• Bcm Ambi MK2 Handle (MEDIUM)
• BCM® Compensator MOD 2
• Geissele Automatics Super Semi-Automatic Enhanced SSA-E Two Stage AR-15 Trigger .154"
• EOTECH EXPS2-0 Holographic Weapon Sight
• Aero Precision AR-15 MOE Lower Parts Kit Minus FCG - Black
• hogue FREEDOM FIGHTER FIXED MAGAZINE CONVERSION KIT

Stock recommendations?

What else am I missing?

 

[ChestnutBleach]

Here’s the build please provide any recommendations. Couldn’t decide on featureless or not so decided to go fixed mag route.

Build kit:

• M4E1 LOW PROFILE STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER
• BCM® BFH 16" Mid Length (ENHANCED Light Weight) Complete Upper Receiver Group w/ MCMR-15 Handguard
• Bcm Ambi MK2 Handle (MEDIUM)
• BCM® Compensator MOD 2
• Geissele Automatics Super Semi-Automatic Enhanced SSA-E Two Stage AR-15 Trigger .154"
• EOTECH EXPS2-0 Holographic Weapon Sight
• Aero Precision AR-15 MOE Lower Parts Kit Minus FCG - Black
• hogue FREEDOM FIGHTER FIXED MAGAZINE CONVERSION KIT

Stock recommendations?

What else am I missing?

Does the upper come with a BCG (Bolt Carrier Group)? A lot of "complete" uppers are minus BCG and charging handle.

 

[OpusX]

Here’s the build please provide any recommendations. Couldn’t decide on featureless or not so decided to go fixed mag route.

Build kit:

• M4E1 LOW PROFILE STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER
• BCM® BFH 16" Mid Length (ENHANCED Light Weight) Complete Upper Receiver Group w/ MCMR-15 Handguard
• Bcm Ambi MK2 Handle (MEDIUM)
• BCM® Compensator MOD 2
• Geissele Automatics Super Semi-Automatic Enhanced SSA-E Two Stage AR-15 Trigger .154"
• EOTECH EXPS2-0 Holographic Weapon Sight
• Aero Precision AR-15 MOE Lower Parts Kit Minus FCG - Black
• hogue FREEDOM FIGHTER FIXED MAGAZINE CONVERSION KIT

Stock recommendations?

What else am I missing?

I wouldn't get an SSA-E trigger for a duty-style rifle. Way too light, intended more for precision shooting. Either stick to a standard SSA, SDC if you want a flat trigger, or save yourself a few bucks and get a G2S or a Larue MBT, which are for all intents and purposes just as good.

Besides that you still need a BCG (if BCM is still offering their free BCG with purchase of upper get that), a basic lower parts kit, anything milspec will do (Stoner/CMMG/etc), and also a buffer kit assembly. I'm a big fan of the VLTOR A5 kit with Sprinco green springs, and for stocks I think B5 Bravo or SOPMOD are the best. Everything else you've got there looks solid, and is mostly down to personal preference.

 

[Adlrpewpew]

Does the upper come with a BCG (Bolt Carrier Group)? A lot of "complete" uppers are minus BCG and charging handle.

Yeah it comes with the Bcm upper BCM® Bolt Carrier Group (MPI) (Auto)

 

[SheepDog45]

Just save up the extra cash and get yourself a Daniel Defense. The new Sig spears just hit my local discount gun mart. Those are CA legal and neat.

 

[OpusX]

Just save up the extra cash and get yourself a Daniel Defense. The new Sig spears just hit my local discount gun mart. Those are CA legal and neat.

DD are way overpriced, but they have a great marketing team that’s for sure. Their barrels and BCGs are good, but for the price of one of their full builds you can build/buy your own, and get something better or at least of equal value for considerably less money. The Aero/BCM combo is pretty hard to beat, and is probably the best bang for buck in its price range.

 

[wtf_calguns_migration]

Assembling isn't difficult.
The issue is not knowing what you want or dealing with surprises in a "known good" brand.
I prefer to deal with issues myself.
It's an excuse to collect tools.

A rifle is a rifle, I care about bolt -> barrel -> ammo spec for my use case.
Then work out the specific needs from there....ie break a bunch of things actually stress testing.

Hosing within 200yds using whatever cheap 55gr shouldn't spend too much time cork sniffing parts.

 

[wadmemoryleak]

Grab yourself the highly discount MCX-Regulator from PSA. Slap whatever lower built you want to it

 

[mustang]

I’m looking for some help on an AR build. I’m a newb to anything AR related. I’ve heard about aero lowers and juggernaut kingpins but really need help with a build. Since I don’t know much I’ll need help exploring the options.

Overall budget 1,000-1,500.

Also, anything I should avoid that’s illegal. Best places to purchase

I was in your position 6 years ago and since have built one AR15 and one M4 both of which are direct impingement gas guns. The most important part of your build is the barrel with the correct rate of twist and chambering for the cartridge you select. The length of the barrel generally determines the length of the gas system The metal of the barrel and the method of manufacture is very important. The trigger you select is also critical as is the quality of the bolt and BCG. I could write volumes so it would be better if you reply and give specifics on want you want.

 

[Jimi Jah]

After years of building those I have 2 cents.

Barrel, glass and trigger are the important parts. Don't skimp. Gristle SSA-E triggers are on sale for $123. Check out the link on that other CA web site in the deals section.

Or, a nice polished nickel boron single stage for around $50. I like those 3 lbs yellow springs and a light pull.

Barrels by Criterion, White Oak, Craddock precision are all great picks. Pick the length, weight and finish and chamber. I usually go Wylde.

For glass I like Leopold. They make an excellent lower cost Freedom range, pick your magnification. A 1x lower range scope will perform better than a red dot if you have any vision issues, it will keep both reticle and target in focus.

For stocks I like Mission First Tactical. Very low weight. Add a rubber stock stuffer plug for featureless of buy their fixed version. I like 3 oz tungsten powder filled buffers. Smoother operation and no clang.

Cheap freefloat tubes are available. I like adjustable gas blocks for tuning. I use both blocks or adjustable gas ports fitted to the BCG.

I use linear compensators rather than barrel plugs or brakes. Less noise.

Get your parts together and have a good smith assemble it for you. You will have a better rifle than you can buy.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

I hate to sound like James from TFB, but if anything he sounds like me because I've been recommending the Aero/BCM combo for years now. An Aero complete lower + BCM complete upper will hands down give you the best bang for buck rifle of anything in its price point, especially if you pick up an Aero lower on one of their sales.

I can't find any article or video where TFB recommended BCM Upper and Aero Lower. But I do know that has been the Reddit Special for many years now. What's your Reddit handle?