0 ARs to 2 ARs in 10 months

[TNMTBik3r]

So about 10 months ago I did not own an AR. Had experience with them thanks to friends and family but did not own any myself. Well now I have two complete rifles built for different purposes, and have two stripped PSA lowers on the way (with plans to build one as a pistol).

 

 

Rifle on the top is half of the original rifle that I built back in December. It is a PSA lower with Magpul MOE grip and stock. I have now installed an ALG ACT trigger (installed today, not in the picture) replacing the gritty PSA mil-spec. The upper is from Radical Firearms, 16" 1:7 carbine - if you have not heard of them before look them up, very competitive prices vs Palmetto and I think the upper looks better than the few PSA uppers I have seen. Haven't shot it yet but rifling is very clear and sharp. Free floated quad rail with ladders on 3 sides for comfort. AIM NiB bolt carrier group, standard charging handle with tactical latch.

Have a Primary Arms micro dot with QD riser, and Radical Firearms polymer folding sights - set for lower 1/3rd co-witness. Also a Fenix light on the top. This rifle is built to be a dedicated home defense and general plinker at the range.

 

 

Rifle two I just built up this past week. It is based on an Anderson lower, with Magpul MOA grip and STR stock - love this stock, very comfortable and great cheek weld. This lower has a Geissele SSA Enhanced trigger - very nice 2 stage. The upper is from JSE Surplus, and is an 18" 1:8 twist Wilson Arms stainless bull barrel with target crown, chambered in .223 Wylde. Free floated vented handguard - I needed a way to install a sling (did not want a rail mount on top of the gas block) so I used two wire key chains from Lowes - a lot cheaper than the Universal Wire Loop mount and so far is holding up well. Using the JSE BCG, and a BCM Mod 4 charging handle. Have a Vortex Crossfire 4-12x40 scope in a Primary Arms mount on top. 

This rifle is built to be a precision shooter, and probably be used for deer hunting as well. 

[Stegall Law Firm]

This is the time to buy.

[Hershmeister]

[quote name="Stegall Law Firm" post="1167425" timestamp="1405043237"]This is the time to buy.[/quote] Indeed!

[TNMTBik3r]

This is the time to buy.

 

Very true! I got some great deals on parts during these builds.

Magpul STR - saved $30

Geissele SSA-E trigger - saved about $60

Radical Firearms upper  with sights for $300

 

The Wilson Arms 18" upper I have actually had for a few weeks now, but I got a good deal on it as well. I built up the lower this week though.

[KKing]

Well done man, well done. I'm interested in those radical firearms sights. I've got a budget build that needs some flip ups and those are priced right. What are your initial thoughts?

[Oh Shoot]

I'm afraid I might have set a record, from 0 to 6 in about two years, even sold one off during the Crazy Time, so "only" have 3 rifles and two pistols now.

 

But I'm done, dammit. Proved it by getting into AK stuff. :)

 

- OS

[TNMTBik3r]

Well done man, well done. I'm interested in those radical firearms sights. I've got a budget build that needs some flip ups and those are priced right. What are your initial thoughts?

Initial thoughts - well built, seem sturdy, they flip and close very easily. Taking my daughter to the zoo tomorrow so probably won't shoot them until Sunday and will test the adjustments then.
I did move the adjustments and they seemed fine in the house. Edited July 11, 2014 by jonathon1289

[TNMTBik3r]

Went out shooting today, very happy with both rifles.

 

Dialed in the red dot at 50 yards, the ALG ACT trigger is very nice for the $60 range. I may throw a scope on top and see what this barrel can do, but I am pleased with how it shot since it is a 3moa dot and was shooting unsupported.

 

 

I knew my 18" barrel was a shooter, and throwing the Geissele trigger and Magpul STR stock on just make it a lot better. 7 shot group at 100 yards, front end on a sandbag, shooting 69gr Nosler CC over TAC. I called the 2 low shots, so that is 5 in about half an inch (0.723 - .224 = .499). I need to throw this rifle on my Caldwell steady rest with a couple of sandbags to weigh it down and see what it can do.

[rugerla1]

Good shoot'n! I ordered an upper from Radical Firearms Friday. Can't wait to put it on the Spike's lower I just built. I'll have to check out the flip up sights you mentioned.

[KKing]

Yeah those polymer sights have me interested. I'd like to run some on one if my rough uppers just to see how they compare to Magpul, etc

[TNMTBik3r]

Sights are easy to adjust, flip up smoothly and close easily. The aperture sight is stiff to rotate to the small aperture compared to a couple of other rear sights I have used, but honestly that may not be a bad thing.
For the price I am satisfied but its not like I am asking a whole lot of them either.

[TNMTBik3r]

May have to take back my praise of the sights....cannot get them zeroed. 8" high at 25 yards, with the front post topped out.

I pulled everything off the rail last night and stuck a level on, appears to be straight across from rear of the receiver to the front of the rail.

Going to research post height measurements and see if mine is topped out or just not adjusting properly (or built too short). This is a clone of the MBUS so should be able to get info on one of them easily.

Probably going to send Radical Firearms an email and see what they say, but I scratched the sight up with pliers applying upward pressure to the post to see if it would move any higher so I don't expect a return. May buy a different front sight and see what happens with it, don't want to run just a red dot and don't want the dot and backup sights to be considerably off.

[Guest 04 Rocko Taco]

Love the look of both of these and am interested in those flip ups!

Nice groups from both rifles for sure. 

[rugerla1]

May have to take back my praise of the sights....cannot get them zeroed. 8" high at 25 yards, with the front post topped out.

I pulled everything off the rail last night and stuck a level on, appears to be straight across from rear of the receiver to the front of the rail.

Going to research post height measurements and see if mine is topped out or just not adjusting properly (or built too short). This is a clone of the MBUS so should be able to get info on one of them easily.

Probably going to send Radical Firearms an email and see what they say, but I scratched the sight up with pliers applying upward pressure to the post to see if it would move any higher so I don't expect a return. May buy a different front sight and see what happens with it, don't want to run just a red dot and don't want the dot and backup sights to be considerably off.

My RF upper should be here tomorrow. I added a set of Magpul BUIS to the order. I called them Saturday to check on it since the previous Wednesday they'd said it was shipping that day. I actually got one of the owners when I called and he apologized for the delay after he went to check on it and my order hadn't even been started yet. He did not sound too happy, but I assured him I was not upset just making sure nothing was wrong. Both people I talked to with them seemed really nice and eager to get the mix up straightened out. The owner said "If you don't have an email notification by lunch on Monday, call me back". About 3 pm I called and was told he was in a meeting and 23 minutes after I hung up the phone I received an email notification that my order shipped. 

[TNMTBik3r]

I sent an email to them asking what the max height of the sight post is, and if it is removable. Cannot get the post to pull free, and it will not adjust to even close to flush with the ears.
If I slowly flip the rear sight down about 1/3 of the way, everything lines up and it zeroes.
These are MBUS clones and I read that they are shorter (or at least the front is shorter) than a standard front sight.

It would be nice to use them since I bought them, but with the discount code I used I basically got the sights for free. Am considering a set of Diamondhead or Troy sights now but haven't decided if I want to spend that much.

[TNMTBik3r]

My RF upper should be here tomorrow. I added a set of Magpul BUIS to the order. I called them Saturday to check on it since the previous Wednesday they'd said it was shipping that day. I actually got one of the owners when I called and he apologized for the delay after he went to check on it and my order hadn't even been started yet. He did not sound too happy, but I assured him I was not upset just making sure nothing was wrong. Both people I talked to with them seemed really nice and eager to get the mix up straightened out. The owner said "If you don't have an email notification by lunch on Monday, call me back". About 3 pm I called and was told he was in a meeting and 23 minutes after I hung up the phone I received an email notification that my order shipped.

Sounds like good service. I am very pleased with the upper I received, post pics and a review of yours when it arrives. Edited July 23, 2014 by jonathon1289

[rugerla1]

Sounds like good service. I am very pleased with the upper I received, post pics and a review of yours when it arrives.

It appears we have the same exact upper lol. I posted pics of it in a new Show and Tell thread, but no review yet since it just arrived today. Looks to be really nice with the only thing I noticed was that the handguard rail was a tiny bit lower than the upper receiver rail. Won't make any difference for me though except that I noticed it.

[TNMTBik3r]

I posted this in Rugerla1's thread, but since I could not get the Radical polymer flip up sights zeroed I bought a set of Diamondhead flip up sights.

 

Also, just threw a Vortex 3.5-10x50 scope on top and if the weather cooperates tommorrow am going to the range to see how this barrel will group.

 

The RF front sight was too short, the post would not turn high enough. It had a lip on the bottom of the post that was acting like a hard stop. I emailed RF customer service but no reply, didn't want to waste time calling since this isn't very important. I pulled the sight apart and took a dremel to the post and it will now turn high enough but is too loose and will fall out with any amount of pressure. Before I tore the sight apart, I discovered I could zero the sights if I folded the rear about 1/3 of the way down.... I set these aside and may try to buy a front post and see if it will fit so they could be used on something else.

 

 

Here are the new flip up sights from Diamondhead. They are not spring loaded but are easy to flip up and the lock is very solid. The diamond aperture is awesome BTW! And even better, they will zero - front post lines up with the red dot and with a laser bore sighter I grabbed.

[rugerla1]

That sucks about the RF sight, but maybe you can rig up something even if just for a set of spares.

 

I REALLY like those DH buis!!! 

[TNMTBik3r]

That sucks about the RF sight, but maybe you can rig up something even if just for a set of spares.

 

I REALLY like those DH buis!!! 

Yeah, I think if I buy a replacement sight post it will fit. From some posts I read, Bushmaster sells an extended post - normal A2 is about 0.270 inches, Bushmaster has a .310. May grab one from Brownells or wherever on a future order and rig the RF sights up as a spare or to put on one of my future builds - just picked up 2 PSA stripped lowers today with plans to build one as a pistol (sig brace is sitting up on a shelf already).

[rugerla1]

Yeah, I think if I buy a replacement sight post it will fit. From some posts I read, Bushmaster sells an extended post - normal A2 is about 0.270 inches, Bushmaster has a .310. May grab one from Brownells or wherever on a future order and rig the RF sights up as a spare or to put on one of my future builds - just picked up 2 PSA stripped lowers today with plans to build one as a pistol (sig brace is sitting up on a shelf already).

yeah, that should get it usable again anyway. I've got two uppers, just have to get the rest and I'll be done for a while. Probably be after deer season before I have them done though. I want to do a pistol as well, I almost grabbed one of the Sig braces just for it, but other items took the money instead. Pick your poison right? Little by little.

[KKing]

[quote name="jonathon1289" post="1172095" timestamp="1406336146"]I posted this in Rugerla1's thread, but since I could not get the Radical polymer flip up sights zeroed I bought a set of Diamondhead flip up sights. Also, just threw a Vortex 3.5-10x50 scope on top and if the weather cooperates tommorrow am going to the range to see how this barrel will group. The RF front sight was too short, the post would not turn high enough. It had a lip on the bottom of the post that was acting like a hard stop. I emailed RF customer service but no reply, didn't want to waste time calling since this isn't very important. I pulled the sight apart and took a dremel to the post and it will now turn high enough but is too loose and will fall out with any amount of pressure. Before I tore the sight apart, I discovered I could zero the sights if I folded the rear about 1/3 of the way down.... I set these aside and may try to buy a front post and see if it will fit so they could be used on something else. Here are the new flip up sights from Diamondhead. They are not spring loaded but are easy to flip up and the lock is very solid. The diamond aperture is awesome BTW! And even better, they will zero - front post lines up with the red dot and with a laser bore sighter I grabbed. [/quote] I hate to hear that, I was really planning on these being a good budget option.

[TNMTBik3r]

I hate to hear that, I was really planning on these being a good budget option.

It may have just been the set I received... Who knows. For $25 it is worth taking a chance on, at the very least the rear sight is usable. And with a new front post the entire set may be good to go.

I am hoping I will hear back on the email I sent, if not I may call when I get time and ask about the front post.

[TNMTBik3r]

I was able to get the Diamondhead iron sights zeroed at 25 yards today, they are awesome. The diamond aperture is great, much more natural than a round aperture.

 

Anyways, I threw a Vortex 3.5-10x50 scope on top and tested how this RF barrel would group. I am happy with it, with a better scope I could likely squeeze them in a bit tighter. For the price, I am very satisfied with performance - remember this is a 16" chrome lined barrel with a ALG Combat trigger.

 

This is at 50 yards with 69gr SMKs. I wasn't paying enough attention, I think the far low shot in the white that the caliper arm is next to was from a different group not pictured, but since I didn't mark it before shooting the 69grs I included it anyways. 

 

 

77gr SMKs at 100 yards.

 

 

69gr SMKs at 100 yards.

 

 

 

And here is another 10 round group of 69gr SMKs from the 18" WIlson Arms barrel.

[rugerla1]

Glad got to run it out and ended up with good results! I sent a couple hundred rounds through both of my new ones today. They only hiccup I had was with the RF bolt, I thought something was wrong with it at first, but pulled it out and it seemed dry. Put some oil on it and ran like it should. I may have wiped it down too much in the final check when i got to the range.