I took a cheap PSA 18" rifle and added some aftermarket parts to it just to see how good I could get it. I like the 18" stainless barrels with rifle length gas. I've had really great luck out of them and they're super inexpensive. I put a JP Silent Captured Spring, CMC 3.5lb trigger, and a Wilson Combat Low Mass Carrier in it. It shoots better than a lot of the more expensive rifles I own. I go shooting with friends and they all prefer mine to theirs. I also dig the FN cold hammer forged 18" heavy barrels from PSA.

@gjmarkjesse1324

5 ай бұрын

Did a similar thing to a 16inch Anderson.

@karlgunn1209

5 ай бұрын

AT3 also has good items for your tool enhancement ..I live only hour away From Greenville SC PSA . True adult toy store

Very valid points! I wish i had this info before i built my first! "You gotta have realistic expectations". Also built vs bought can go really well but it can also be incredibly frustrating!

I like your videos; they're informative for guys like me on the low ends of the experience & knowledge scales, and you seem to save the adolescent male, 'pack of yammering baboons' silliness for the end, where it doesn't disrupt the message and can be enjoyed properly. Thanks!

Great video and advise. Wish I had seen this a year ago, would have saved me a lot of money. We learn by our mistakes. I've found each piece I've assembled on my ARs are personal, comfort and shooting ability are crucial. As stated by the hosts its not always about throwing rounds down range, its the shooting experience.

Something that wasn't covered here is that some of the best parts aren't all that expensive. Take Barrels; you can buy a Ballistic advantage for under $300 that will be more accurate than most people are even capable of achieving. Just because something isn't expensive doesn't mean it isn't high quality.

@CL-ty6wp

Жыл бұрын

Dmn, can get a complete upper with bcg for less from psa.

@michaelr130

Жыл бұрын

@@CL-ty6wp not ALWAYS the case but normally you do get what you pay for. PSA is fine for what most shooters do with a carbine, 1-200 rds a month at the range with a buddy, but for duty use type carbines there are better options out there.

@g0h0gz70

Жыл бұрын

@C L facts..I was looking for a FN barrel for one of my builds and got a complete upper with the FN barrel I wanted for $40 more than the places selling the same barrel by itself

@charlesludwig9173

Жыл бұрын

I get .5 MOA @ 100 yards from my barrel using irons in prone sling supported position which is enough accuracy for me to complete in High Master Class of NRA Long Range Competition and score in 94% arena. This is achieved only from a match grade button rifled 1/7 twist barrel and this sort of barrel costs about $600 these days. What’s worse is this sort of barrel only is X-Ring capable at long range inside 2500 rounds.

@unreal5143

Жыл бұрын

%100 I slapped a BA .223 wilde 16" hanson premium barrel in my ar for $230. Shoots around 3/4MOA with premium or better and 1.5 moa or better with pmc xtac 55 grain.

Tiggers are definitely worth upgrading to. Larue makes a sweet one for under $90. You can get single stage or two stage. Or, you can spend a heck of a lot more on other name brands.

@phild9813

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. Everyone should want a good trigger. There are great mil spec style triggers, as well as drop in. Most of everything else is personal preference and dependent on the intended use. A good scope or other optic for your intended purpose is high on the list too. Way too many people seem to overscope ARs. Also even “cheap” barrels seem to produce great accuracy with their preferred loads. Personally, in general, mine are tools and as such I don’t want them costing an arm and a leg to buy.

@afroghair6793

2 жыл бұрын

I concur. The ALG's are nice too, but I've been spoiled by the MBT2S.

@CM-nq3so

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, Larue triggers are a great value.

@raging_rhino2582

Жыл бұрын

Gents if ya havent touched the Blackout Defense Zero trigger then your life is not complete... FIND ONE, TRY IT... Just once. Imagine Zero creep, breaks LITERALLY like a glass rod at either 3.5 or 4.5lbs (your choice) with a 2mm reset... You will ruin your shorts the first time and everytime after that... You're welcome

@stephenhair5501

Жыл бұрын

@@phild9813 Speaking of scopes, I am really satisfied with a 1x8 LPVO scope made by Atibal Optics. Good glass and lighted reticle. It has served me well. I feel like over scoping is a common mistake. I've been guilty of that in the past and have moved away from high magnification scopes. Just my thoughts.

I'm just an AR enthusiast basically and I don't know half of what these guys know about these rifles but one thing I do know is that these rifles are awesome. Low budget guns to high end novesky rifles, they're all so cool to mess with. I'm 46 years old and I've been messing with these rifles for about 10 years now and the thing I find interesting is how much division there is in this "community" for lack of a better term. I just love guns even though I don't shoot much, and I like other people that love guns, if you don't then we probably can't be friends.

@hairydogstail

4 ай бұрын

These guys know very little..Go to the School of the American Rifle if you want real instruction..The reality of the AR world is the endless amount of drivel being spewed as knowledge..There is a TDP spec for the AR platform and few people know or even understand it..

Guys…. Watch until the end. The podcast comes completely off the rails and it’s hilarious!!!

@VortexNation

3 жыл бұрын

😂

Here’s where to spend money: 1. Barrel 2. BCG 3. Trigger 4. Ammo

@CompetitionChris

2 жыл бұрын

But the guys on Reddit said I shouldn't even shoot my rifle because it has an Anderson lower...

@bcjdwbiernfjherwfbowfib

2 жыл бұрын

@@CompetitionChris pOVeRTy pOnY They work just fine 😂

@michaelvangundy226

2 жыл бұрын

Step one. Make up your mind honestly. What are you doing with it?

@bcjdwbiernfjherwfbowfib

2 жыл бұрын

@Michael VanGundy Good one!

@nicholasthompson8772

Жыл бұрын

I personally would put ammo over trigger. Just get good with a mil spec unless you are trying to create some DMR type rifle.

Very interesting video, thank you! I intended to listen in and skip stuff that isn't interresting to me and here I am, 1:23 into it and I still haven't skipped a minute. 😆

I was lucky enough to buy 3 to 4 uppers and lowers at a time so I can mix and match parts to my fitment needs...I normally get parts in bunches because of stacking issues 👍🤠⚔🗽

Thanks Mark for mentioning a resource like Brownell.....some us don't even know where to start or what type of options are available.

Was looking into doing my first build and this video is exactly what I needed to see to point me in the right direction, appreciate it!

@Roboticdoughbull3k

Жыл бұрын

Exactly, I'm just going to get a PSA, maybe even a blem because 90%+ people can't even find the blem and half of those who do say it's basically nothing or unnoticed by them. Something to be said about getting something already properly fit together imo.

I didn't know that Brownells had all that. THANK YOU, MARK. 34:08

When I became interested in shooting an AR15, I made a decision to purchase instead of building one. I bought an inexpensive $850 Bushmaster with rail for scope. While attempting to enjoy shooting it, I learned a bunch about the AR15s. When I decided to build an AR, I had a good idea what to and not to purchase. I also went cheap but built most of the problems out of the Bushmaster. As far as barrels are concerned, I have four ARs in .223 and one in Sharps .25 cal. and none of the .223 cal. barrels cost me more than $150. Two of them have $99 barrels. All have floating handguards that cost me under $40. I never planned to grow soybeans on my handguards. All I wanted was for it to be floating and to not get burned by the barrel. All of them shoot better than 1 MOA with a single load developed for good shooting in all rifles. At least two shoot .5 MOA or better and that same ammo gives me under .5 MOA in my bolt Thompson Center compass. Many of my AR's were built in a little more time that the duration of this show. I buy all the parts before I start building. Lastly, I once took a target to show my local parts store because when I saw a barrel costing $99, he told me that it would not be accurate. Of course, I bought it anyway. He asked me how I made that rifle shoot that well, I replied that I bedded the action. I had to explain that each rifle was shimmed to accomplish what bedding accomplishes. I learned that from improving the Bushmaster that had a problem hitting a ten-inch bullseye at 300 yards. Now it shoots just over 1 MOA. Optics follow the same philosophy. The first good scope was a SWFA 10X FFP. Following that I purchased two Primary Arms 4-24 x 44 FFP. I also have two Athlon Argos 6-24 x 50 FFP. All triggers were eventually replaced with $100 triggers (3.5 lbs.) from Delta Team Tactical. Keep in mind that these rifles were not meant to shoot out to 1000 yards when purchasing parts.

@TheChristonline

Жыл бұрын

cool

I’ve been building my own ARs since the early 1980s. Usually not problem unless you change cartridges. If you turn and chamber your own barrels there are some things particular to AR gas guns that you need to keep in mind. I’ve seen factory guns in non-standard configuration that were half baked. Now a days there’s much more options. Regarding barrel life, my Krieger match barrels started to lose 600 yard accuracy at about 6,000 rounds. They would continue to shoot good at close range 100-300 for another 15,000 rounds. With cheaper barrels I would get about 40% less barrel life in terms of 600 yard accuracy. So yes changing .223 barrels every year for a competitor is not uncommon and often necessary if you want to win competitions. Cheap 2 stage triggers are fine. You can mig build up the tail in the disconnector and then fit it so that the second stage is clean a crisp just like a high dollar trigger. This is the beauty of ARs. Anyone can be a gun plumber!

I built a retro A2 because I wanted an AR that was similar to 4 look like the M16 A2 I carried when I was in the army the upper receiver with integral carry handle and I already had the round handguards from a previous build

Most important parts are bolt and barrel. The most important thing to know while building is the specs like tourque of barrel nut Castle nut hand guard gas block and so on. Also where to/not to add grease, thread lock, anti seize. Having the tools is a rifle price all in itself. The rest of the items depend on the builders likes. Hand guard, pistol grip, butt stock, trigger, that's all preference.

In my humble opinion, a lot of people sleep on relatively "basic" triggers, my first build has a CMMG parts kit "mil-spec" trigger (I'm assuming it was like maybe a "mil-spec enhanced" trigger) it has 0 creep and 0 pre-travel, it's mil spec heavy (a hair over 5 pounds) but it's very clean, and I am able to get very fast with it. I don't consider myself a trigger snob, as long as the trigger isn't god-awful I'm pretty happy, but my favorite trigger has to be a binary trigger, because I still have the ability to take single carefully-aimed shots, or I can get stupid fast. I do really like flat-bow triggers for speed, it's just very easy to get very fast with a flat trigger.

@patrickthompson7998

7 ай бұрын

Straight bow triggers are awsome, esp on a pistol or AR.

You guys are definitely right about the touch points on the rifle. I’ve only ever swapped out 1 barrel because I didn’t like it, and that was just a weight thing, but I’ll go through 3 or 4 grips and/or stocks trying to get it to feel just right when I shoot it.

@skeetorkiftwon

2 жыл бұрын

Rifles, bows, pool cues, hell even pens. It's just gotta feel right.

@didamnesia3575

2 жыл бұрын

Charging handle makes a difference in overall feel as well

Very informative. I've owned so many guns in my life, only recently started down the AR rabbit hole. I have some that have more in accessories than the original halves. I love love FAB gradus grips & MFT minimalist stocks and have too many Surefire muzzle devices. Just tried my 1st 2-stage trigger. Not sold on Magpul.

That was good, thanks all of you!

I'd like to see a podcast on rifle tuning.

@didamnesia3575

2 жыл бұрын

La la la la la..... clears throat... la la la la laaaaa 🎶 All tuned up bro, you're good to go. Seriously though, you have to handload and find the bullet/powder/OAL that matches up with your specific setup. Just my opinion.

@wildchild795

2 жыл бұрын

Good suggestion

@jimklemens5018

Жыл бұрын

What do you want tuned?

@randomchannel4886

Жыл бұрын

@@jimklemens5018 gas

@jimklemens5018

Жыл бұрын

@@randomchannel4886 Buy an adjustable gas block.

Loved the gunsmith analogy. Very true statement.

@VortexNation

3 жыл бұрын

🤜🤛

Only time I ever needed to use a forward assist was on my m16 in the army. I'm sure there was something else causing the malfunction but I was able to smack it, shoot a few times before I had to smack it again. (This was during qualifications, nothing crazy) Never needed it on any of my personal Ars but I can't seem to stomach not having it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Personally, I think the places to spend money are the barrel, the optics, the BCG, and maybe the trigger. Out of those, the barrel and the optics are the most important. I can buy cheap lowers, grips, foregrip, stock, and use a mil-spec trigger. Not a problem for me. What makes the biggest difference is the barrel and optic. Those things will help you so much. A quality BCG is also super important but you don't need to spend an arm and a leg for it. Simply get one that is capable and call it a day.

@Lovenlife139

Жыл бұрын

"Maybe" a trigger 🤔

@keggerous

Жыл бұрын

@@Lovenlife139 I use the mil-spec trigger to great effect. It's not as important as the other parts I talked about.

@patrickthompson7998

7 ай бұрын

I would have agreed about the mil-spec trigger until I got a LaRue Tactical MBT. It has a straight bow trigger which I LOVE and the action is so smooth. It comes with a few different weights of trigger springs (I like the 2.5). But I never knew a component would make that much of a difference. Maybe not in accuracy but just functionality.

Wish you guys would have posted a parts list of what’s in the basket/box. Great podcast as usual. Thanks

Bought mine a few years ago. Going to build a 6.5 grendel upper for it. I am currently building a whole rifle for a friend who wants to get into the ar game

@BadazzShovelhead

Жыл бұрын

Good luck I went through that awhile back and for some reason I really broke my brain over thinking it. In my mind I was thinking intermediate range precision and got WAY too hung up on it. I ended up with a really nice shooting rifle but man my tiny lizard brain can't go through that again.

Love the content 👍🏽very informative wondering if it’s possible to bookmark each area of discussion so we can find a section and go back to it later. It would make the video more user friendly

As a lefty who has shot right handed guns most my life, the only thing I NEED to be ambi is my charging handle. Aside from that, I run my lower basically the same way you guys were saying why righties like ambi controls. I hit my mag release with my off hand thumb and hit my bolt release with my trigger finger

I have several AR's and I bought one from Tombstone about 3-4 years ago for 500 and it was a 300 blackout caliber with a great setup for the money and I was planning on changing out the trigger, but I just could not do it! The trigger is so good for this rifle it falls into the if it's not broke don't fix it. I just tested it again with my Lyman gauge and it is between 3-4 lbs. which is perfectly fine for a range/hunting/home protection type rifle. I don't know if I got lucky or if they were standard issue from Bushmaster but being a competitive shooter from the Army way back in the 80's I know what to look for when shooting an AR rifle or M-16 which I shot competitive for 2 years in the Army. It was the only AR that I did not change the trigger on and it is now part of a 6MM ARC AR that I just had to the range and it shot very good at both 100 and 200 yds. Love the AR rifles and every time an idiot goes on a shooting rampage I cringe because the anti-gun fanatics will keep trying to find justification to take away our rights to shoot and enjoy our hobby of target shooting and hunting.

I would have benefitted from this video 6-7 years ago. I jumped into the deep end on my first build... based on Mega Arms MATEN stripped upper and lower. EVERY component "hand" picked. In the end, there's no such thing as a free lunch. several redundant purchases $$ = lessons learned. The rifle is a beast. Biggest challenge was matching a the rifle length adjustable gas system to buffer. Ejector smear on case heads ended up being too much gas and too much mass on JP SCS buffer. Got that sorted, but didn't shoot the rifle for near a year while I researched. I didn't know what questions to ask the inter web. In contrast, my first ever AR, a Sig 516 Patrol...super reliable but handgaurd, buttstock, trigger and charging handle all changed out. Now I enjoy shooting both.

@nateburns5933

5 ай бұрын

How did you have set up issues with a rifle length gas system and adjustable gas block? I mean lol those two combined are quite literally the "easy button".

@scottnj2503

4 ай бұрын

@@nateburns5933 One would think, right. In retrospect the variables; barrel gas port size and alignment, the variable gas block itself, buffer and spring, lubrication. My inexperience being critical nexus. These few years later I've yet to tear it down and rebuild with new knowledge and some new tools. It's a journey. 🤓

Jp ent. braided spring is awesome! Especially suppressed!

"It'll be a while before that comes back." It's a week later, wanna run that pistol brace thing past me again?

Love y'all!!! Except the grips. Long live the A2!! Thank God for Hogue and the rubberized A2.

Yes I agree podcast on tuning. One ambi control every one should have is the safety selector

I just got hand me down firearms from my grandma she had a 20 Guage single shot and a few .22's with 2 wicker baskets full of various ammo and two ammo empty boxes you gotta love the wicker baskets grandma approved

I don't try to build something I already have. I have 6 ARs and they all serve a purpose 1 16" 223 wylde 1 16" 762x39 side charging 1 16" 458 Socom 1 10.5" 300 ACC blackout 1 7.5" 9mm 1 11.85" 223 wylde long stroke piston driven I'm working on a an AR-45, an AR-10mm, and a AR-6.5 grendel. I find it hard to truly finish the projects I already have. I'm still needing the triggers I truly want in 2 rifles, some CQB and PDW stocks and braces on 2, maybe a radian Raptor in all 6 with 3 already sporting them, having extra buffers in different weights, side folding adapters, buffers and grips in different colors and textures, like I have a list of all the parts I want and it comes to like $8,000 and that's no uppers or lowers just parts... this hobby sucks at blowing $ Oh and don't get me on optics. I spend $500-$1,500 on optics on each rifle with LPVO being the new fashion for your AR. My Swampfox 1-10, Aimpoint T2 and Trijicon RMR were like $2,000 by themselves. God hates my wallet.

@2amichaelj

2 жыл бұрын

Of course I have a bunch of vortex stuff too. Love my strike Eagle, Venom, viper, and optics planet exclusive Sparc AR in fde.

@b.a.lineman7582

2 жыл бұрын

I like your style… also test positive for BRD

A flashlight, a laser, a chainsaw.....where do I buy that? This is a great podcast, keep them coming, great information thank you

8:00 - regarding limited availability for lower receivers, 3D printing is a very viable option. Hoffman or Wildfire are two great options.

@Lovenlife139

Жыл бұрын

3-D is plastic.. grab your nut and get a jig and a router and cut your own 80% lowers.

@TheJBerg

Жыл бұрын

@@Lovenlife139 I concur that taking a PLA lower into the Arizona desert is a bad move, but if you are in a colder/milder climate Plastic is just as good and a lot simpler than milling out a lower from aluminum. But yes, if you want your lower to be just as good as what you get through the FFL, yes aluminum.

Good video thanks dudes

Nice discussion!

Great content👍🇺🇸

Interesting to listen to this one year later and find that our friendly ATF went through with making sure everyone became a felon with the pistol brace. Hahahah.

@texaspatriot9159

Жыл бұрын

🥴

@MrSabram07

10 ай бұрын

I was thinking the same thing

@Jbg1217

7 ай бұрын

Aaaaaand they ultimately failed

lol i just bought a reliable full upper. and simple lower. so i had a working gun to begin with and replaced the most important parts, over time. i went trigger first. then watched a video where a guy tested over 200 muzzle breaks/comps. and picked the one with the best performance. i still need get a buffer and spring. and a stock, lol i can manage with the cheapo airsoft stock they gave me with the lower. but otherwise gun still has never had 1 malfunction while chugging all the wolf steel i put thru it. also chose to get a cmmg .22 converter bolt over a ruger 10/22. just so i can use the AR im dropping all this gucci gear in.

Very informative

I build mine basically to pass them down to my son one day. I want him to have thing's that I put my thought and blood into. It's different when a company mass produces them, in my opinion.

First you start with a barrel. It is what you need to decide what you want to do. Even in the video when he grabs for everything he grabbed for the barrel first. It matters the most for accuracy or bore size needed for that lower receiver. I did enjoy the show.

I hooked. My next build I want a 7.62 in the AR platform

@SteveBernthal

Жыл бұрын

Did you get to the 7.62 hopefully 7.62 * 39

I’ve always wondered how the aluminum upper receiver doesn’t wear with the steel bolt carrier running along inside it.

@BadazzShovelhead

Жыл бұрын

Magic and Eugene Stoner spit. Just stating facts.

@JG54206

Жыл бұрын

@@BadazzShovelhead Lol. Of course. I should have guessed.

@TacticalTerry

Жыл бұрын

This is true. I imagine that it's a combination of machining tolerances within the tunnel that the bolt carrier travels in and the self-limiting polishing action of the bolt carrier on the aluminum (irregularities are worn away with use). Wild guess though :)

Th last 5 minutes are the most hilarious part 🤣😂🤣😂

From what I understand, the reason magpul didn't go with keymod was because their polymer accessories didn't interface well with the way keymod attached

When I saw the BCG, I immediately asked myself “Why?” Unless you have a lot of experience and know exactly what you’re doing, there is ONE reason to stick with standard gas tube length, gas port size, buffer tube, buffer spring buffer weight and bolt carrier: *DEPENDABILITY* In the early AR-10 prototypes the buffer and the bolt carrier were one part. If you take weight off the bolt carrier, you have to compensate for that loss of reciprocating mass *somewhere else*. If that’s a heavier buffer, you have accomplished exactly nothing. Otherwise, be prepared to experiment with springs, adjustable gas blocks, etc. but ask yourself “Why?” Before you go down that rabbit hole. All of those parts make up a system and you don’t need to reinvent it. Just use known good parts and move on. There’s an old saying that “if I t’s not accurate, it’s not interesting.” Here we need an adage along the lines of “If it’s not 100% reliable, it’s not a rifle.”

The brn-180 has my attention. I've seen a bullpup configuration that uses 3d printed parts..

Great video men 👍, enjoyed it much better point of view than most channels , but that word failed came up all guns have their moments but a malfunction at a match is crazy stuff to me. I love ARS but you can get to farr away from what it was intended to do, with specs one change may be just enough to make it less reliable than a hammer.

I really love mark's operator beard

Priceless! Great discussion.

This is on heavy buffer a heavy buffer will help with jam stove pipe and it be all together smother there thinking backwards a heavy spring will make sure bullet chambers correct and the weight out weighs the recoil so I wonder how his 9 mm buffer tube is doing in ar 15 223

Magpul Miad w bottle of G96, "G" triggers, Vortex Optics. Try a CROSSFIRE SCOUT 3x9 on it. 9" eye relief is wonderful for brush hunting hogs.

“Let’s get into hand guards” “Let’s go fishing” Haha, yeah boi! 🍻

"Let's go to hand guards" "Let's go fishing" Lol. That go a chuckle out of me

Your building and you start with a 80% because you are building. Spend the extra money on high end parts to get a great gun. JP Enterprises bolt, Proof Research barrel, JP buffer, Timney trigger, Timber Creek carbon handguard, A2 gas block. Some of my favorite parts! But building requirements would include lapping the upper lapping the scope mount using the proper lubricants torque of the barrel alignment of the glass block and tune a gas block. Stake the buffer tube ring and.viber tite anything with a bolt.

Question: Regarding 5.56 barrels, if it’s not chrome lined or maybe nitride treated, if it’s just a plain button rifled barrel like a budget Anderson AM-15 if I were to shoot like 200 rounds a month how many rounds will that barrel be able to keep up with before it loses accuracy?

12.5” middy FTW!!!

I'm glad I got the premium detent... 😂🤣😂

I really wanna see a segment on this subject but in accurizing an ar. Making an ar a precision shooter..

@sn1perdude7110

Жыл бұрын

Step 1. Git gud. List over.

First I want to thank you for these videos. I learn a lot from them. Now with that said, I want to get my 2 cents in on this topic. Please forgive me. I am only 14 minutes into this video. I will watch the entire video, but I have some place I need to be right now and I wanted to get my comments in while they are fresh on my mind. The 1st thing I want to comment on was Jim's comment about how a factory built gun felt better than one that he "hobbled together." If you are "hobbling together" guns, STOP!! Please STOP!! I have personally witnessed the results of a "hobbled together" gun. It is amazing how important a properly installed roll pin can be. Since you don't like the feel of a gun you build anyway, please let me recommend that you buy, not "hobble together" your guns. Now, let me tell you why I build most of my guns and all of my ARs. The primary reason(s) I build my own guns are so that I know exactly what is in the gun and how it was put together. I know that the barrel nut has anti-seize on it and it won't be a nightmare to get off when I need to change the barrel. I know that all the torque specs are correct. I know my headspace is correct and I know that the castle nut and gas block are properly staked. Building from the ground up saves me from having a bunch of left-over parts that I will never use, because I had to upgrade that off-the-shelf gun. What started me building my own ARs was my experience with a Sig MCX. I hated the trigger, so I put a Geissele SSA in it. Then it had to go back to Sig twice for recalls. I changed out the handguard because I really didn't like the feel of the stock aluminum handguard. I put on a buffer tube with a Magpul stock because I hated the skeleton stock, and there have been many other necessary modifications. After doing all that, it seemed to make more since to [research] the type of gun I wanted, [research] the best parts for the gun I wanted and then [learn] how to properly assemble the gun. To date, my system has not failed. Bottom line. If you are willing to [research] and [learn] what to use and how to put it together, you can build a better gun than you can ever buy.

I'm in IT and always say the same thing about building your own computer, at the end of the day you can't match the resources of a factory that produces 1000s of this one model and there will always be things you miss, like optimal airflow, combination of parts, drivers, etc

57:00 what are the "hunting opportunities" oh an AR pistol he was talking about?

Two questions: On a budget Anderson Am-15 is their trigger mil spec or should I look for an upgrade? I like the weight so it’s not that I don’t like it, I just want a trigger that is not going to brake. Number 2 question: If the budget Anderson came with an aluminum gas block, should I change it out for a steel gas block if I only shoot 200 to 400 rounds a month? I did buy a steel block but I thought to wait till the aluminum block degrades first before I change it out. Bad idea?

Question: Can I use any BCG on a budget AR? I feel the Anderson’s bolt that came with my rifle is not a good quality bolt due to the materials used to make it…It’s made of the same steel as the carrier, 8620. I’m thinking about maybe just buying a bolt, just a single bolt from Faxon that is made from 9310 steel. It’s a solid quality bolt but the question is, can I use it in my budget carrier? I don’t think the gas key looks poorly staked on this budget BCG, but what do I know, I’m new to the AR platform. Would it be better then to just buy a brand new whole BCG to replace this Anderson budget 8620 bolt or just buy the Faxon 9310 bolt. It’s like $75 for just their bolt, where the Faxon BCG is like $200, I can’t remember .

I have all mlok and pic with a single Keymod but I also wish keymod won. It’s much easier and seems like it’s easier to get the accessories back in the exact position.

*I want a squre wheel" hilarious

I actually wouldn't mind a better detent for my safety 😂 it feels a little bit loose

I love your show . but I installed a new drop in trigger in my new 300 black out and now my safety doesn't work it will hold one shot and then it slip any ideas on what's wrong

@omegaentertainment1

2 жыл бұрын

Did you get anti walk pins with your drop in trigger?

You know I Got that ADM with the catch and release 😂

The best part of a build is the research. The worst experience is if you ask too many people for their opinion. My first build I started with an Armalite lower and I ran into some frustration as the buffer tube for example was commercial size and other areas were milspec. IT has been 14 yrs so I may misremember it but I don't recall any issues other than the buffer tube but it did make me doubt stuff.

I wish there was mention of the AR-10 pattern. What to look for as far as part compatibility, where the reliability issues arise/mitigation, what parts are AR-15 compatible etc. General themes are the same, but for the newbies who didn't pay attention to what they're buying and get frustrated. (Guilty)

@kevinmullaney2072

3 жыл бұрын

@vettelover2009 on your barrel. What options did you get? I know the cryo treatment is about 100 bucks but I'm debating if it's worth it.

This may have been said already but in my opinion, and I may be wrong, but as long as a lower is mill spec and functions as it should, place a decent drop-in trigger...it should have zero impact on how accurate or well the rifle runs. To me the most important items are the trigger and the barrel and thirdly would be the bcg. You can have the cheapest free float handguard, cheap grip, 80% finished out lower and cheap stock.. but decent trigger and decent one MOA barrel with a good compensator and you should be shooting as well as any high-end rifle. Again, this is my opinion, somewhat backed up by building one like this. Am I missing something or totally wrong?

@hairydogstail

4 ай бұрын

Most manufacturers parts will not meet the mill spec TDP tolerances..The chamber is one of the most poorly manufactured part that escapes peoples radar..There are expensive function gauges that most so called experts don't even know exist that is needed to check chambers..Then you have the 3 bores in the bolt carrier that most so called experts have no clue about..Go to the School of the American Rifle if you want to watch a real expert..

A bit late, but I look at it as proportions So, my barrel, BCG, and trigger will make up the largest bulk of the cost That said, for as nice as a Geissele trigger is.. I tend to go for the LaRue MBT For the lower receiver, I really only look at feel, look, and the magwell flare Small things like mag release buttons can also make a big difference in the feel of operation.. BUT, kits like B. Kings "Combat Control" LPK cover that for just a bit more than "standard" LPKs (they ship fast too and have good buffer tube kits with 8 pos tubes & sprinco springs)

Question: A quality made expensive upper receiver like a DD, what is so much better on them than a budget Anderson upper receiver? Is a budget Anderson upper receiver as good as like a PSA upper receiver, and if not what not? Is the PSA on par with like an Aero Precision, If not why not?

I'm assuming the cheek spreader you're talking about is the cheek rest or comb riser??? LOL it sounds funny but I'm kind of curious what exactly you're talking about...

@fivex4756

3 жыл бұрын

It is only used in a seated position.

@DanielBoone337

3 жыл бұрын

@@fivex4756 LMAO

I got a rock river upper I put on a PSA lower and I have about 16th of an inch play in it going forward towards the mussel and back to the lower it fires fine but drive me nuts what to do about it????!!! I don't know 😕

@jasonnichols7813

5 ай бұрын

The hand gard I mean moves!!!

I must say i have had my lower just waiting for almost 8 years now... finally im getting to it

Had to comment on “you can get anything but a lower shipped to your door.. .” Depends on seller and what state you live in. Some sellers like OpticsPlanet wouldn’t send me flipping UPPER saying it was restricted item :(

the portion about "is it a model?".... if you don't really have enough experience to know what parts you want, then buy a model because it is a commodity and can be resold most easily because other people can know a lot about it by knowing which model it is. if you want to try a specific part (s) or want an uncommon configuration or like parts of different models, then you kind of have to do a build. it will be harder to resale, but presumably, if for some reason you don't like a part, you can replace it with a different part without changing a "model" into a "Frankengun" because it already is a "Frankengun". most guns, that are not collectable, you will sell as a loss (unless it is discontinued or something) because the store buys wholesale and you buy retail, so you are unlikely to get back what you put in. as a result buying something new with an idea of resale value requires specific knowledge of what parts/firearms are worth or will potentially worth (i.e. you are investing, not using) it is not as economically sound to build from parts in a lot of cases, so unless you have a specific need, it is less financially risky to buy a pre configured model. but if you want something specific, it might be hard to find what you want pre-made by a reputable company.

I was going to build an ar. Through the shopping process I found the ruger ar 556 mpr. Essentially this is the rifle I would have built for myself so I took the lazy way out and just bought it. Im sure the factory fit and finish surpasses what I could have built and for my first rifle, I probably ended up with a more reliable end product. To each their own I guess.

@barrettanderson2781

Жыл бұрын

That's the best AR for the money in the market today. But I would spend the $800 for the version with the cold hammer forged, chrome lined barrel and carrier.

I ordered the receiver from classic firearms and it was at the ffl in 2 days

I wish you had shown more or talked more about the side charging AR.....ive never seen on in use.

@matthouston8411

2 жыл бұрын

That's because it's dumb on an AR

@bradbo3

2 жыл бұрын

@@matthouston8411 i agree after shooting a friends. I didnt realize you have to take the side charger off to get the bolt out. Way to much more work if you have an issue.

@didamnesia3575

2 жыл бұрын

@@bradbo3 yep, and non standard parts. I wasn't calling you dumb btw, just saying the change in parts is kinda dumb and limits the ability to buy other cool parts. Personally a good ambidextrous charging handle is where to improve feel/ergonomics.

Frank Galli at Snipers Hide equates barrels just like tires. They are a wear item that will need to be replaced at some point.

@VortexNation

2 жыл бұрын

Very true!

ARs are grown ups Lego sets

LOL, I'm a home builder but I have huge bins full of parts, I custom fit everything

It’s hilarious that I came here with a plan to build and left with a plan to buy a complete AR. Aim has changed from custom to finding the company with the best QC and pull the trigger on the cheapest they got. Change out the touch points and a $300ish LPVO/Red dot + magnifier and be done with it.

@alexgrinage

10 ай бұрын

Same now, I know why my Ar9 had some hiccups in the build. And I've been looking at shops that build them for u but those price. I say don't do it.

@ksand6718

10 ай бұрын

@@alexgrinage dang bro.. that must be upsetting to say the least! I hope you’re able to source the issue and get it changed out asap! I’m actually looking at other peoples builds that work on both forums, yt vids and comments as I still have hopes in building mine. Difference is less one off and more reliable. That said, I doubt any custom build will ever have the tolerances and reliability of a reputable company with extraordinary QC. In that regard, three companies come to mind from my research. Sons of Liberty, Q and Radical Firearms. I’m sure there’s more but those are the ones I’ve done extensive research on, regarding QC protocols.

I ordered every part I needed from classic firearms and Optics Planet they came all everything came to my house within 2 days for classic firearms and a week for Optics Planet I have every part required to build the AR I am currently in another state as soon as I get home I'm building it

Fun fact I hung onto one lower for 12 years before I decided what to do with it.

lol the outro 🤣

What is the difference in shooting between glass beaded and free floating?

I’ve heard from 3 large manufacturers now (my own inquiries) that nickle boron BCGs are just not as good and typically cause failures more often than not. Can you guys do a podcast just on BCGs or is there one out there right now?

@hairydogstail

4 ай бұрын

Nickle boron is terrible..Go to the School of the American Rifle if you want a real expert opinion..

@Dmounts

4 ай бұрын

@@hairydogstail I’ll check it out. Thank you!

The brn 180/seems to be a good suppressed set up I'm surprised he says this

Ambidextrous stuff makes me laugh because it’s only for lefty shooters yet a lot of people need to have it