So I'm building an AR...

[Guest Schwarzgebrannt]

Mea culpa, this is technically a pistol but all the AR people are probably reading this forum and it's really an AR in design and function.

Basically I want to get as close to this, the Olympic Arms K23, as possible, without paying out $900-1000 up front. I'd even be comfortable going A2, except the nagging that I might want to put an optic on it would nag me for a long time.

Here's my idea for starting:

STAG stripped lower, $100 with $10 shipping, probably $15 transfer at the local pawnshop

DSA stripped upper A3 from aimsurplus $79.95

CMMG lower parts kit also from aimsurplus $63.60

This leaves me at around 280-300 for everything minus the buffer tube assembly, the bolt assembly, and the barrel assembly. Figure another hundred or so for each and a $50 red dot and I should be golden. The problem is finding those deals.

I'm trying to find a short (4"?) buffer tube, I know I'll need a shorter bolt carrier or to have one cut down myself to make it work with one. Also a pigtail gas tube bending plan may be in order. They also don't seem to make affordable 6.5" barrels.

Below are parts I'd need for the short buffer tube and bolt carrier. If anyone knows where I could get these, that would be great.

#AZ15078 –– $7.95 –– Buffer Tube

#AZ15077 –– $.50 –– "O" Ring for Buffer Tube

#AZ15009 –– $16.95 –– Buffer

#AZ15012 –– $2.95 –– Buffer Spring

#AZ15267 –– $75.95 –– Bolt Carrier w/Key installed (or just cut yours)

#AZ15307 –– $7.95 –– End Cap

#AZ15029 –– $.50 –– Screw (10/32) for End Cap or use #AZ15644 Stud

#AZ15644 –– $1.95 –– Swivel Stud (replaces #AZ15029 Screw)

I think duracoating it orange with black tiger stripes would be outstanding. (much more classy than just hitting it with orange spray paint and then strolling the park) The available duracoat kit Duracoat Bengal is a little too brown and the white doesn't work at all. Suggestions?

Edited January 5, 2010 by Schwarzgebrannt

[Jasongar8]

What part of the state are you in? If in middle TN you will be able to find everything you need this weekend at the gun show. J&T Dist. will be there and will have everything you need.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Mea culpa, this is technically a pistol but all the AR people are probably reading this forum and it's really an AR in design and function.

Basically I want to get as close to this, the Olympic Arms K23, as possible, without paying out $900-1000 up front. I'd even be comfortable going A2, except the nagging that I might want to put an optic on it would nag me for a long time.

Here's my idea for starting:

STAG stripped lower, $100 with $10 shipping, probably $15 transfer at the local pawnshop

DSA stripped upper A3 from aimsurplus $79.95

CMMG lower parts kit also from aimsurplus $63.60

This leaves me at around 280-300 for everything minus the buffer tube assembly, the bolt assembly, and the barrel assembly. Figure another hundred or so for each and a $50 red dot and I should be golden. The problem is finding those deals.

I'm trying to find a short (4"?) buffer tube, I know I'll need a shorter bolt carrier or to have one cut down myself to make it work with one. Also a pigtail gas tube bending plan may be in order. They also don't seem to make affordable 6.5" barrels.

Below are parts I'd need for the short buffer tube and bolt carrier. If anyone knows where I could get these, that would be great.

I think duracoating it orange with black tiger stripes would be outstanding. (much more classy than just hitting it with orange spray paint and then strolling the park) The available duracoat kit Duracoat Bengal is a little too brown and the white doesn't work at all. Suggestions?

Make sure you get the lower transferred as "other", not as a rifle lower.

The pistol buffers I've seen are pretty much standard size without the ridge for attaching a buttstock, but I haven't seen any real short ones.

I had trouble finding 7.5" pistol barrels so I got a 10.5" from Bravocompany.

Cheapest price I've seen for a shorter barrel was about $150(JSEsurplus)

when they're in stock.

I've built two(6.8 and 5.56) and I put the same quality in them as I do in my rifles. Better quality parts. Both rounded to close to a grand without optics. Of course that price included a DD Omega 7 float and a flip up YHM gas block front sight.

That paint job sounds good. I left mine black, but that's subject to change:D

I originally had an FSC30 brake but it barked too loud, so I put a Noveske Pig on that helped the bark. Both shoot real well. Enjoy!

[trblmkr13]

If the lower is "stripped" why do you need a transfer?

[Guest Papabear]

If the lower is "stripped" why do you need a transfer?

AR lowers carry the serial number. Even a stripped lower is considered the firearm as far as the law is concerned. So it will have to go through a FFL.

[Capbyrd]

GSE has a 4 inch pistol buffer tube. AR15 / M16 Weapons Carbines and Accessories, military tactical gear, Optics,

[Smith]

AR lowers carry the serial number. Even a stripped lower is considered the firearm as far as the law is concerned. So it will have to go through a FFL.

If I'm not mistaken it has to be a registered pistol lower. You can't get one that has been registered for a rifle and then register it as a pistol lower.

[Guest kennymc]

If I'm not mistaken it has to be a registered pistol lower. You can't get one that has been registered for a rifle and then register it as a pistol lower.

I believe the most current 4473s has the options of handgun, long gun, receiver. Could be wrong, I often am.

[Guest Schwarzgebrannt]

If I'm not mistaken it has to be a registered pistol lower. You can't get one that has been registered for a rifle and then register it as a pistol lower.

Any stripped reciever, even if it is filed as a rifle receiver, if it has not been assembled into a rifle, is viable.

[Smith]

Any stripped reciever, even if it is filed as a rifle receiver, if it has not been assembled into a rifle, is viable.

How in the world would the ATF know that info?

[Jasongar8]

If you are buying a stripped receiver the 4473 will (or should) be marked receiver in the "type of firearm" section. In that section the options are, rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, or receiver. This section is filled out by the FFL. So it dosent matter what the lower is engraved. A receiver is a receiver is a receiver.

[Guest VolDaddy]

Im in West Tn if you need to borrow any tools to build it. Love the tiger stripe idea. I would pit a endcap on it and run a .22 conversion kit in it.

[Guest Schwarzgebrannt]

Yeah I've managed to convince myself in the name of common sense that running a super short barrel in .223 is a bad idea. I can just get a short 9mm barrel for it later. For now I'll probably try to find a 10.5.

Thanks for the kind offer, I'm in east tn just south of knoxville though.