[Dillinger]

Sorry Super, I must have missed this.

A two stage trigger is designed to have a bit more of a draw to it, but 5.5# does seem a bit heavy.

You can stone the sear, but you have to be real careful. Do a little bit at a time, because too much is suddenly going to get you some unwanted attention at the range.

Who makes your trigger? Is it the stock Bushmaster model?

[supergus]

JD,
It's a factory Bushy 2 stage. I didn't buy the gun because it had a 2 stage, that's just what Bushmaster put in the 20" Predator. What's the big with a 2 stage anyway? Would I get a more desireable result with a single stage?
I'll stone the sear if I have to, but I'd feel better having a factory or aftermarket trigger group.

[Dillinger]

Gus - The whole purpose/idea behind the 2 stage trigger is to make it more of a marksman's trigger as opposed to the Eugene Stoner pull and shoot trigger of the traditional design.

If the trigger is quality, it allows you to take up a slight bit of slack, make sure you are on target and then the final "stage" should break like a glass rod with a very short reset.

You can get aftermarket, drop in triggers for less than $150-$200 that are tuned, precision pieces and take minutes to install.

Now, in the shop, Brett refuses to buy a two stage or aftermarket trigger unless the customer is dead set on it. He will stone down the stock trigger and make it feel like a really good professional grade trigger with just a little bit of work. He has been doing it for close to 30 years though, so he has some practice under his belt and I know he has ruined a couple in his day... LOL

I have never tried a Bushy 2-stage trigger, so I don't know if that is normal, or not.

If you want, send a PM to slowrdy45, or search his posts. He knows a guy that makes the same trigger as the RRA 2-Stage, but it is like half the price and Slo swears it's just as good.

JD

[lunarmanathome]

Hi all,

Although I'm new to personally owned weapons, I have used them all my adult life. I was Navy EOD for 28 years before my body just couldn't handle it any more and ran into some Chinese manufactured, Iraqi fired mortar shrapnel...

So. I'm building my first AR. What a difference when you have to pay for all this...stuff...yourself!

I've already acquired the upper and lower receivers
http://shop.si-defense.com/product_p/si%20ar-15%20lwr-al.htm

SI Defense AR-15 Billet A3 Upper Receiver, Stripped
(Plus the matched bolt carrier group)

Barrel (although I'm having second thoughts on this barrel)
AR 15 Match H-Bar Rifle Barrel - 16"

We carried M4's with Vltor stocks and handguards so I will be going with something I'm both familiar and comfortable with.

Trigger? I have no idea.

Gas block, no fixed front sight, looking at probably a Yankee Hills one, but suggestions much appreciated.

I am poring through scopes, but need to settle on what works with a carbine length rifle I suppose. I am very familiar with Eotech and Aimpoint - and am also of the mindset that there may be zombies running around in the near future.

[Dillinger]

lunarmanathome

Welcome to the Forum. I am not sure I had seen your introduction thread, but Thank You for your service to our country!

I am not sure what you are asking, or if you are even asking or just looking for validation of your choices.

There is nothing wrong with your choices thus far. YHM makes some of the best bang for your buck stuff in the AR world in my opinion.

I would suggest the YHM Gas Block with Fold Down Front Sight. As I am sure you know, optics have a way of failing when you need them most.

We ALL prepare for Space Zombies around here. There is no shame in that sir. You are among like minded folks here. All of them are good men and women who share your preparation.

If you have any specific questions, while I lack your experience, I have a lot to offer in the world of building them. Please feel free to PM me.

JD

[lonyaeger]

Originally Posted by lunarmanathome

Hi all,

Although I'm new to personally owned weapons, I have used them all my adult life. I was Navy EOD for 28 years before my body just couldn't handle it any more and ran into some Chinese manufactured, Iraqi fired mortar shrapnel...

So. I'm building my first AR. What a difference when you have to pay for all this...stuff...yourself!

I've already acquired the upper and lower receivers
http://shop.si-defense.com/product_p/si%20ar-15%20lwr-al.htm

SI Defense AR-15 Billet A3 Upper Receiver, Stripped
(Plus the matched bolt carrier group)

Barrel (although I'm having second thoughts on this barrel)
AR 15 Match H-Bar Rifle Barrel - 16"

We carried M4's with Vltor stocks and handguards so I will be going with something I'm both familiar and comfortable with.

Trigger? I have no idea.

Gas block, no fixed front sight, looking at probably a Yankee Hills one, but suggestions much appreciated.

I am poring through scopes, but need to settle on what works with a carbine length rifle I suppose. I am very familiar with Eotech and Aimpoint - and am also of the mindset that there may be zombies running around in the near future.

Good price on the lower receiver kit with 2-stage trigger. I spoke to him on the phone, he's a good guy.

Bill Springfield - www.TriggerWork.net

[lunarmanathome]

I apologize for the misposting of this....I thought I had started a new topic. Guess I was a little closer to more IED's than I thought!

It looks like I hijacked a thread on triggers....did I say I'm an idiot yet? lol

[Wheelspin]

Ok, so I'm pretty sure at some point in the near future an AR-15 of some type will be on the cards and I like the idea of going the kit route and assembling it myself. I love to read magazines and search the web but I may be just confusing myself with an overload of info from many different sources so I've got a couple of questions for the AR gurus among you...

1: I keep seeing AR15's described as carbines or rifles. A carbine is a general term for a shortened rifle right? if so at what point does a rifle become a carbine? 16'' and under is a carbine? 20'' and over is a rifle? Or am I just getting different terms for the same thing mixed up?

2: I see most suppliers of kits send the complete upper assembled and headspaced. What is headspacing? I keep seeing the term but no one explains what it is.

3: Rate of twist. I'm sure this ones been covered somewhere before but please help me out here. 1:7, 1:8, 1:9 etc. I'm thinking one is more suited to heavier grain loads? but if you were to fire the exact same load in the same rifle with the only difference being the rate of twist would one be more accurate or give you a longer range?
If the main use of the rifle was target shooting at 100 yards would a certain barrel length in a certain rate of twist be the optimum set up, if so which and which

Thanks in advance for replies and knowledge shared. Thats the one thing I love about this place the most, friendly folk who help edumacate us dimwitts

[russ]

Originally Posted by Wheelspin

Ok, so I'm pretty sure at some point in the near future an AR-15 of some type will be on the cards and I like the idea of going the kit route and assembling it myself. I love to read magazines and search the web but I may be just confusing myself with an overload of info from many different sources so I've got a couple of questions for the AR gurus among you...

1: I keep seeing AR15's described as carbines or rifles. A carbine is a general term for a shortened rifle right? if so at what point does a rifle become a carbine? 16'' and under is a carbine? 20'' and over is a rifle? Or am I just getting different terms for the same thing mixed up?
For the AR family, carbine also typically means it has a collapsible stock, while rifle implies a fixed stock. These change the buffer and spring as well. The barrel length can be a little misleading, as I've seen 16" barrels with a mid-length gas system or 18" barrels with a carbine-length gas system, so I think the stock is probably a better give away. However anything 20" and larger is definitely a rifle.

2: I see most suppliers of kits send the complete upper assembled and headspaced. What is headspacing? I keep seeing the term but no one explains what it is.
Headspacing refers to where the cartridge sits in the chamber. And while I don't know how you would adjust this, I know it is a concern if you assemble your upper from individual pieces. Here's a link to a good explanation: http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/headspace/index.asp

3: Rate of twist. I'm sure this ones been covered somewhere before but please help me out here. 1:7, 1:8, 1:9 etc. I'm thinking one is more suited to heavier grain loads? but if you were to fire the exact same load in the same rifle with the only difference being the rate of twist would one be more accurate or give you a longer range?
If the main use of the rifle was target shooting at 100 yards would a certain barrel length in a certain rate of twist be the optimum set up, if so which and which
Rate of twist will mean that a barrel will favor a particular range of bullet grain weight. A 1:7 twist will be more favorable to a heavy bullet than a 1:9 twist. So depending on your potential targets and ammunition, you should select a barrel length and twist that fits. My opinion is that for the 100 yard target shooting you mentioned, an 18"- 20" barrel with a 1:8 twist will give you a good balance of ammunition compatibility and accuracy potential. My Bushy upper in 20" and 1:8 shoots 55gr FMJBT very well and likes 69gr BTHP loads just noticeably better.

Thanks in advance for replies and knowledge shared. Thats the one thing I love about this place the most, friendly folk who help edumacate us dimwitts

The above statements are my opinions only and as such carry no warranty either expressed or implied. Follow my recommendations at your own risk.

Also, if you like the build-it-yourself for the fun and experience, that's great and welcome to the club. However, I've seen quite a few complete firearms for some really good preices lately. The local shop where I do all my non-interwebz buying had a brand new Bushmaster on the rack for $699. Just something to think about.

[Wheelspin]

Thanks Russ, that helped alot