[Vertiviper]

I've been going to the range an awful lot with a buddy of mine who's showin me the ropes.

I really like the .223 cal.

What would be a good starting point of a semi auto .223 for target shooting 100-200 yards? The AR15 is really...sexy.

 

[Dillinger]

The AR is a very good platform to start with, plus parts are very common and every police, military and sporting goods store has ammo stockpiled in the event of the crappola hitting the spinning blades....

There are several good threads in the AR section and recently we have had a couple of members build their own from scratch. One person built one for under $700 and got great results in his first trip to the range...

JD

 

[Vertiviper]

The AR is a very good platform to start with, plus parts are very common and every police, military and sporting goods store has ammo stockpiled in the event of the crappola hitting the spinning blades....

There are several good threads in the AR section and recently we have had a couple of members build their own from scratch. One person built one for under $700 and got great results in his first trip to the range...

JD

Not to veer too much off topic... If i piece together an AR do I have my local shop run my liscence and fill out the paper work before it's built or once it's fully assembled?

 

[hillbilly68]

cant go wrong with a good AR like JD said, and the rifle cost is quite reasonable (for now). Depends on what your budget is and what other uses you may have for it (hunting). Just remember, firearms are like potato chips, cant have just one!
Good luck with your choice, let us know what you end up with.

 

[Dillinger]

Not to veer too much off topic... If i piece together an AR do I have my local shop run my liscence and fill out the paper work before it's built or once it's fully assembled?

The only paperwork that is needed from a legal standpoint is the lower receiver. You can buy a stripped lower, or a full built one, but one way or the other, you will need to purchase the lower through a licensed Firearm's dealer.

Once you have a lower receiver, you can build the unit into any number of different configurations. You can even build a CQB style upper and a longer range tack driving upper that can be switched on and off of the same lower.

The real key if you are going to go the AR route is to get your lower receiver on the books before any change of President leads to any new Nazi-esque gun laws...

JD

 

[Vertiviper]

The only paperwork that is needed from a legal standpoint is the lower receiver. You can buy a stripped lower, or a full built one, but one way or the other, you will need to purchase the lower through a licensed Firearm's dealer.

Once you have a lower receiver, you can build the unit into any number of different configurations. You can even build a CQB style upper and a longer range tack driving upper that can be switched on and off of the same lower.

The real key if you are going to go the AR route is to get your lower receiver on the books before any change of President leads to any new Nazi-esque gun laws...

JD

Fair enough; with that said..I'm going to most likely build my own, I always enjoy putting projects together and to physically see how one of these works I think will be rewarding. It may take a while, but in the end it's gonna be worth it.

Could you recommend a lower receiver?

Also, depending on the lower receiver I eventually pick out, will that ultimately effect how the rest of the rifle will be built (kinda like if you pick a certain type of transmission on a car will determine the engine...so forth)?

 

[Dillinger]

Well, the lower receiver is the same, regardless of who's name is on the outside. A lot of the "top names" all get their receivers from one or two manufacturers anyways.

If you buy a basic stripped lower, all that means is you have a basic stripped lower. If you buy the most expensive lower receiver, you have the most expensive lower receiver, and it's only about 10%, if that, better than the basic stripped lower.

The lower is merely one piece, and it really isn't THAT intricate to the overall performance of the weapon. It is going to hold a bunch of other parts in place, so you need one that is well made, perferably milled from a solid block of aluminum instead of one that is made of pot metal.

Pretty much any of the "named" receivers that everyone is talking about would be fine for an at home build...

JD

 

[Dillinger]

Here's a couple of threads to read through. Might help you get some build ideas...

Junho's AR Build

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6910
JD

 

[denjask]

Try nodakspud.com for lower and upper recievers. Pick up a "Shotgun News" there a several good parts companies ads in every issue.

 

[Dillinger]

Guys - Meet the newest member of the Black Rifle Club. Our good member Vertiviper is undertaking his first build of an AR platform and will be ordering his first parts in the coming weeks.

How about a little encouragement for the Right of 2A and the American Spirit of Building It Yourself???

JD

 

[Vertiviper]

Guys - Meet the newest member of the Black Rifle Club. Our good member Vertiviper is undertaking his first build of an AR platform and will be ordering his first parts in the coming weeks.

How about a little encouragement for the Right of 2A and the American Spirit of Building It Yourself???

JD

Thanks!

I can't wait..i'm actually heading to my local shop to order two Stag stripped Lowers this week...one extra as insurance in case our rights change next year.

 

[Dillinger]

Good for you - and a wise move I must say. Who knows what fool will end up in office, what their new policies will be, or even if we will have a chance to get to the election the way the market is crashing.

JD

 

[mudpuppy]

Thanks!

I can't wait..i'm actually heading to my local shop to order two Stag stripped Lowers this week...one extra as insurance in case our rights change next year.

You made a good choice with the Stag - in my opinion. I bought an assembled Stag 2T and modified it a bit with some add ons. Sweet gun and fun to shoot.

 

[Vertiviper]

I'm finding the toughest part of this whole build is finding a FFL that won't rape me on transfer charges.

The cheapest shop around me charges $55 to recieve the Stripped Lower. And another shop has a Bushmaster Stripped Lower for $250....YES..A STRIPPED LOWER ONLY!!

I'm really debating just buying one prebuilt...but that's no fun. I may have to take a drive to find someplace cheaper within the state (oh right, then it'll cost me in gas, lol)

I think i need to bite the bullet on this one (no pun).

 

[Dillinger]

Wow! $55 to receive a stripped lower and run in through the books? That seems like a bit of rape there to me. The most EXPENSIVE shop around here that I have heard of charges $45, and they are a small store front that doesn't move many pieces.

We charge $35, as it's just to do the paperwork and run it through the books and out the door. Most shops are $35-$40.

Sorry Brother - You can pay for the whole build, and get what the kit includes, or you can take in the shorts and get input on each and every piece. That does suck though....

JD

 

[Angeleyes]

My favorite .223 lead slinger is a accurized Ruger Mini 14.
I bought mine cause I always loved the REAL M 14 and thought I would never afford one! Well I now have both an M1a and the LRB M14 and I gave the Mini to the wife. She loves it and I do too! I have to beg her tho to let me pop off a 30 rd mag once in a while!

 

[Txhillbilly]

I'm finding the toughest part of this whole build is finding a FFL that won't rape me on transfer charges.

The cheapest shop around me charges $55 to recieve the Stripped Lower. And another shop has a Bushmaster Stripped Lower for $250....YES..A STRIPPED LOWER ONLY!!

That is highway robbery,my local dealer only charges $25 to transfer anything I have sent to him. I would check with some other gun shops in the area. It really doesn't matter what brand of lower you get as long as it is a mil spec lower,and most of the lowers on the market are mill spec and I see them from $100-150 at every gunshow in Dallas-Ft.Worth. You just pay more for the brand name that is on them. The DPMS lower that I bought was $120 and I could have got a no name for $109 or a Rock River for $140. Just look around and you can find some good deals.

 

[Vertiviper]

I'm finding the toughest part of this whole build is finding a FFL that won't rape me on transfer charges.

The cheapest shop around me charges $55 to recieve the Stripped Lower. And another shop has a Bushmaster Stripped Lower for $250....YES..A STRIPPED LOWER ONLY!!

That is highway robbery,my local dealer only charges $25 to transfer anything I have sent to him. I would check with some other gun shops in the area. It really doesn't matter what brand of lower you get as long as it is a mil spec lower,and most of the lowers on the market are mill spec and I see them from $100-150 at every gunshow in Dallas-Ft.Worth. You just pay more for the brand name that is on them. The DPMS lower that I bought was $120 and I could have got a no name for $109 or a Rock River for $140. Just look around and you can find some good deals.

I've been to three shops and they all charge abour $50 for the lower. One of the shops had an assembled mil spec Lower with buttstock for $265..all it needs is a complete upper...i'm debating it.

 

[Vertiviper]

Gentlemen, i've takin the first and most important step:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Double_Star_Corp_Star-15_AR15_.223_Lower_Receiver.html

Ordered.

 

[Dillinger]

Congrats. With the bombshell of last night it was probably the best move at the best time while it's still "legal" for you to do so.

Welcome to the Black Rifle Club...