My New Mongrel AR (build)

[mikegideon]

I have been trying to fit an AR into my budget for awhile now. After more than a year, I figured out that my AR stash kept getting depleted because of other gun purchases. So, last weekend I decided to buy a stripped lower. Then, I could throw a little bit of money into the AR over time. I also knew that my OCD would force me to finish the rifle, no matter how long it took.

So, after two long days of scrimping, saving, and buying a few parts at a time, I managed to get all the stuff on order. Did I mention my OCD?

Double Star Stripped Lower

Double Star Lower Parts Kit

Hogue Grip

DPMS Pardus 6 Pos Stock Kit

DPMS A3 Assembled Upper

Magpul PMAG (gonna get a bunch more)

Bushnell Trophy MP Red Dot (not sure about this one yet)

The hand guard is gonna have to go. Will probably replace with a Magpul MOE. Gonna hit the range sometime today.

[Reservoir Dog]

Looks good!

Yeah, I hate DPMS handguards. They look odd. You will like the Magpul MOE handguards; I have them on one of my ARs, and I really like them.

[mikegideon]

I've been wrestling with the handguard thing. Part of me wants to stick a real rail package on it, but I have no plans to hang a bunch of crap on the gun. A bipod mount would be nice. Already have one, so the MOE with a short bottom rail is perfect.

BTW... I'm real happy that i decided to do a partial build. I appreciate the platform a lot more because of it. Don't think I saved much money.

Edited August 27, 2010 by mikegideon

[Reservoir Dog]

If you are looking for a good rail system that won't break the bank, Midwest Industries and Daniel Defense make drop-in rail systems that replace the plastic handguards, and require no modification to your rifle. They both lock up tight, and are a great value for the money ($130 to $150 range).

Yeah, you don't save a lot by doing your own build, it's more about the satisfaction of putting it together yourself.

[mikegideon]

Just don't know that I want a rail system. They look cool. I've looked at the Midwest and Daniel Defense. If they're any heavier than the polymer, I'll probably pass.

The main think about the build... if the lower malfunctions somehow, I'll know where to look. I also know what falls out when you change the grip :-)

[Guest FNEG]

i got the same grip on my build and love it,

[Reservoir Dog]

I also know what falls out when you change the grip :-)

Yep, got to love those little springs and detents!

[mikegideon]

Yep, got to love those little springs and detents!

Especially on the rear takedown pin. That one's a little gnarly, even with the box cutter trick

[mikegideon]

Well, headed over to Stones river to see if this thing is gonna blow up. :-)

[MacGyver]

Nice work! I was talking to someone recently who argued that it should be considered a civic responsiility for every citizen to have a working knowledge of their country's primary battle rifle. I would extend that out to being able to put one together as well. It's not a hard task by any means, but it feels good to know that you can do it.

[mikegideon]

Nice work! I was talking to someone recently who argued that it should be considered a civic responsiility for every citizen to have a working knowledge of their country's primary battle rifle. I would extend that out to being able to put one together as well. It's not a hard task by any means, but it feels good to know that you can do it.

Haven't tackled the upper yet, except to clean the grease out and get it ready to run. I'm sure I'll get intimate with that too.

[memphismason]

Looks nice to me.

I have been considering doing this for the same reasons you mentioned. I can't just come off the cash that easy, but building one would evaporate the money slowly over time.

Edited August 27, 2010 by memphismason

[mikegideon]

Looks nice to me.

I have been considering doing this for the same reasons you mentioned. I can't just come off the cash that easy, but building one who evaporate the money slowly over time.

The stripped lower and parts kit are both fairly cheap. So is the stock. the upper was a chunk of change, but you could bust that up too. The thing I liked was the fact that it's 100 bucks, and you're done with the store and the background check. The rest, you can take your time, read up, and buy when you're ready.

[mikegideon]

She runs pretty well. Forgot to pull the handguard and wipe the grease off the barrel, so I gassed myself pretty good with the obnoxious smelling smoke. I really like the optic for what it is. This is 30 rounds, fairly rapid fire at 25 yards.

[Backon4]

I built my most recent AR as a Budget build and have $580 into it including the optic. It's no show queen but it shoots well and didn't cost me a fortune.

[mikegideon]

I have 725 in this one plus the optic, but wasn't really trying to shave pennies that much. My OCD wouldn't let me

[Backon4]

$725 isn't bad either. Nice grouping too.

[JeffsSig]

Nice shooting and a nice setup.

(I have a thing for ARs)

[mikegideon]

I'm a huge fan of AR's since I dug into one. I not going to get a bunch of them. I like all my other rifles too. I will wind up tweaking this one a little, but will probably wind up leaving the 3 MOA T dot on it. Great optic for what it is.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Looks good, Mike. But it will have to eventually have a

companion.

[mikegideon]

Looks good, Mike. But it will have to eventually have a

companion.

Probably, If i can make some more room in the safe. It kinda already does...

[leroy]

...I've been wrestling with the handguard thing. Part of me wants to stick a real rail package on it, but I have no plans to hang a bunch of crap on the gun. A bipod mount would be nice. Already have one, so the MOE with a short bottom rail is perfect.

BTW... I'm real happy that i decided to do a partial build. I appreciate the platform a lot more because of it. Don't think I saved much money. ...

Mike:_____________

You may want to take a look at the round freefloat handguards. You can put a small peice of rail where you want it and leave the rest of the handguard for your hand, and not spare rail. I like the free floats. I believe they are the best accuracy improver you can do to a non-precision AR (...or any other rifle, for that matter...).

RE: Saving money. I agree, we have done a couple or AR's. The great thing is that you get what you want.

Keep up the good work!

Kind reagrds,

leroy

[mikegideon]

Yeah. 6.8 AR mentioned free float too. I'll do a little more schooling. Weight is a big deal to me on this rifle, and dead nuts accuracy isn't a big priority. I think I'm going to leave the red dot on there, and it's plenty accurate with that optic. I would have to put a real scope on it to find out what it's really doing.

BTW... looks like I'm probably going to build up another lower for a buddy that's been sitting on one forever. The next one will go fast.

[mikegideon]

I tweaked it some. Added ...

UTG rail package

Magpul rail covers (the UTG covers kinda suck)

Magpul MBUS

Primary Arms M4 clone

The Bushnell optic is great, but doesn't leave enough room on the rail for a backup sight. I'm also tickled with the PA optic. Haven't sighted it in yet.

[Il Duce]

Very nice man