Help me build a 223 / 556

[ARealNoob]

Looking to build a light weight but dependable 223. (Which I believe means I have to have a 16" barrel to be legal???)

Never built a gun before so please keep that in mind. I think I can handle putting a lpk on a lower but not sure about building an upper.

Would like to put a collapsible butt on it, decent optics for 100-200 yards plinking, and a bipod or tripod.

Trying to stay under $700 before bipod and optics.

I plan on reloading my own ammo so I don't know if 223 or 556 is better in that regards.

 

[aquaman]

try searching on google, this question has been asked about 20,000 times.

 

[ARealNoob]

try searching on google, this question has been asked about 20,000 times.

Google is not always up to date, products are constantly going in and out of stock, prices fluctuate etc... otherwise i would have already ordered a spikes lower.

 

[Lex Armarum]

See the thread at the top of this section on DIY AR-15s.

 

[fivepointstar]

http://www.mdshooters.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=8522

this one is for sale, i would jump on this as a complete rifle

 

[-Z/28-]

5.56 would be better simply because it can also safely fire .223. The reverse doesn't work. Given your price range you could find a complete gun if you wanted. FPS linked a good one above me. Also you could pick up a Smith and Wesson M&P15 sport in that same ballpark. Or if you really want to build check out Palmetto State Armory as they offer complete rifle kits minus the striped lower that will keep you in your price range. Just be prepared to wait if you go that route

 

[X-Factor]

try searching on google, this question has been asked about 20,000 times.

This

Google is not always up to date, products are constantly going in and out of stock, prices fluctuate etc... otherwise i would have already ordered a spikes lower.

Cop-out. Search.

5.56 would be better simply because it can also safely fire .223. The reverse doesn't work. Given your price range you could find a complete gun if you wanted. FPS linked a good one above me. Also you could pick up a Smith and Wesson M&P15 sport in that same ballpark. Or if you really want to build check out Palmetto State Armory as they offer complete rifle kits minus the striped lower that will keep you in your price range. Just be prepared to wait if you go that route

 

[Calengor]

Read up on the links the other guys have posted.

Also, what's your budget? You could put a BCM blem lower together with an upper of your choice, either BCM or Centurion arms, etc, add BCG, Charging handle, and sights, and you're pretty much good to go.

 

[04RWon]

Bcm 14.5 lightweight upper with pinned fh is your ticket for an upper

 

[ARealNoob]

Read up on the links the other guys have posted.

Also, what's your budget? You could put a BCM blem lower together with an upper of your choice, either BCM or Centurion arms, etc, add BCG, Charging handle, and sights, and you're pretty much good to go.

$700 not including optics or bipod

 

[Calengor]

You'd probably be best served by upping your budget by about $300.

While you CAN build a rifle for your budget, even a plain Jane BCM upper with MOE handguards, BCG, CH, and MBUS comes out to be a little over $700.

My recommendation if you want to keep he price down is to search for quality used parts.

 

[Semper Noctem]

Lot's of good info in here:

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=64903

 

[04RWon]

Could also do a spikes bcg and ch instead of bcm units. Spikes is good stuff, i recommend bcm uppers honestly but theres nothing wrong with spikes either. 2 of my rifles are bcm uppers spikes bcg's. If you buy from joe bob, with free shipping and discount i believe the savings are about 30 bux. Its only 30 bux but when doing an ar, little savings or spending a little more here and there add up.

Id guess budget about 800. Depends what lower you use since they can range from 50 to 150 if not more. I ususally spend about 70-80 on a standard spikes, then with paperwork, transfer, or tax, however you do it, said and dont you should be around 140 at most for a stripped lower. I part my stock kits together bc i usually want a specific stock, end plate(for sling attachment), and buffer. Lower parts kit, again i recommend spikes, but theres plenty of oter good ones.


What type of upper were you thinkIng? Carbine, midlength?

 

[knightofcydonia]

i would say for 700 your best bet is to go get a mp 15 sport. if you really wanna stay under budget your best bet is to do a ton of price hunting clearance bin hunting and some patience.

 

[Kilroy]

Tell me what research you've done already, and what products you're considering, then I'll help you.

 

[MauiWowie]

try searching on google, this question has been asked about 20,000 times.

That's not why this community is here....

We are here to help and share a common passion


These Vid's helped me when I started:

 

[ARealNoob]

Tell me what research you've done already, and what products you're considering, then I'll help you.

well right now i am trying to decide between the nfa $99 complete lower vs building one which would be probably $110 for a stripped lower, $60 for a lpk, and $60 for a stock. so thats $99 compared to $230...

Right now i am focusing on trying to find a complete upper. I don't quite know what upper to get as I want to mount a rifle scope, front and rear magpull folding sights? and possible a flashlight. My understanding is i need a rail system and all the uppers with a rail system are much more expensive than one without.

More than I would like to spend but I believe meets my needs, not sure if the plus package is worth it:
http://www.stagarms.com/product_info.php?cPath=14_24&products_id=243

These cost about the same when configured with rear mbus fde, $120-$150 rail package, $80 charge bolt, $30 charging handle with tacitial release latch:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...pers/psa-16-hammer-forged-m4a1-cmv-upper.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...mmer-forged-midlength-light-weight-upper.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...psa-16-hammer-forged-midlength-upperpper.html



Will something cheap like this be able to hold the magpull sights, an rifle optic, and flashlight?
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/51...d-handguard-single-rail-gas-block-flash-hider

 

[ARealNoob]

I have also thought about these but they are out of stock and I would rather build my own to get familiar with the parts... (only diff between the two is one is alum vs poly lower)

http://newfrontierarmory.com/catalo...=product_info&cPath=245_249&products_id=34563

http://newfrontierarmory.com/catalo...=product_info&cPath=245_249&products_id=34560

 

[jashu360]

a real noob i absolutely love putting these things together and it does not take long to do, i dont know where you are located but if you arent far then you could bring your parts to me or i would come to you and we could put it together id show you step by step

 

[-Z/28-]

well right now i am trying to decide between the nfa $99 complete lower vs building one which would be probably $110 for a stripped lower, $60 for a lpk, and $60 for a stock. so thats $99 compared to $230...

Right now i am focusing on trying to find a complete upper. I don't quite know what upper to get as I want to mount a rifle scope, front and rear magpull folding sights? and possible a flashlight. My understanding is i need a rail system and all the uppers with a rail system are much more expensive than one without.

More than I would like to spend but I believe meets my needs, not sure if the plus package is worth it:
http://www.stagarms.com/product_info.php?cPath=14_24&products_id=243

These cost about the same when configured with rear mbus fde, $120-$150 rail package, $80 charge bolt, $30 charging handle with tacitial release latch:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...pers/psa-16-hammer-forged-m4a1-cmv-upper.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...mmer-forged-midlength-light-weight-upper.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...psa-16-hammer-forged-midlength-upperpper.html



Will something cheap like this be able to hold the magpull sights, an rifle optic, and flashlight?
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/51...d-handguard-single-rail-gas-block-flash-hider

I assume the $99 complete lower you speak of is a polymer one? If that's the case I'd say go with a stripped metal one and build yourself. I know Gun Connection had some cmmg stripped lowers at a good price a while back. Personally I have a spikes and love it.

As for PSA, they are ridiculously backlogged right now. They make good stuff for the price, but it'll take a week to process your order and then another 2-3 weeks to put it together and ship it. If you don't mind the wait go for it. If you want something quicker, check Bravo Company as they ship immediately. Also before you order anything online check with local shops. Some of the IPs keep a good selection of AR uppers and components in stock.