Complete Polymer AR-15 lower receiver-$99.99 + Shipping & FFL xfer fees

[hondaf17]

I'm looking at AR's.

What's the best way to get something different? I'd like just a standard .223 caliber AR, but I'd like it in dark green or tan. Could I just buy an AR at the store, buy a dark green or tan lower and upper, then replace?

 

[corwin]

I'm looking at AR's.

What's the best way to get something different? I'd like just a standard .223 caliber AR, but I'd like it in dark green or tan. Could I just buy an AR at the store, buy a dark green or tan lower and upper, then replace?

Close but your terminology is a little wrong. The lower and upper are the physical parts that make it a "gun" and aren't really replaced, you can have them "painted" (duracoat) but most everyone just leaves them black and replaces the furniture (fore-grip, stock, hand grip). Other than that you pretty much have it right, you can buy a basic AR then replace those pieces that you want as needed or you can buy one from a place like Palmetto State Armory and choose them from the start as most of theirs you can select Magpul furniture in tan, black, or green or the standard stuff. You can even go fancy if you want and get a quad rail for the fore-grip and then do ladder covers to make it tan or whatever color you want, I'm about to do that with mine.

 

[tdawg]

I'm looking at AR's.

What's the best way to get something different? I'd like just a standard .223 caliber AR, but I'd like it in dark green or tan. Could I just buy an AR at the store, buy a dark green or tan lower and upper, then replace?

Probably wouldn't be cost effective to buy a complete rifle and customized new upper and lower receivers. At a gun shop by me, they had some sweet Colt custom carbines with nice alternate-color receivers, but they charged about $1500 for the privilege to own one. Couldn't go wrong with a Colt AR if you're willing to spend the money.

 

[zijin_cheng]

If only AR-15s were non restricted in Canada.

Will these fit in in AR 180?

PS, I'm coming to one of your houses in the event of a zombie apocalypse. We could shoot real zombies then shoot fake zombies when our arms get tired...

 

[corwin]

If only AR-15s were non restricted in Canada.

Will these fit in in AR 180?

PS, I'm coming to one of your houses in the event of a zombie apocalypse. We could shoot real zombies then shoot fake zombies when our arms get tired...

I've never heard of an AR 180 before so I had to look it up...but no, these aren't in any way compatible, the AR 180 functions more like an AK 47 from what I have found.

 

[hondaf17]

Close but your terminology is a little wrong. The lower and upper are the physical parts that make it a "gun" and aren't really replaced, you can have them "painted" (duracoat) but most everyone just leaves them black and replaces the furniture (fore-grip, stock, hand grip). Other than that you pretty much have it right, you can buy a basic AR then replace those pieces that you want as needed or you can buy one from a place like Palmetto State Armory and choose them from the start as most of theirs you can select Magpul furniture in tan, black, or green or the standard stuff. You can even go fancy if you want and get a quad rail for the fore-grip and then do ladder covers to make it tan or whatever color you want, I'm about to do that with mine.

Thanks, this was super helpful.

What I want is a basic optics ready AR. I can buy that at my local gun store for $949 (or can look at Bushmaster or DPMS, or any other suggestions you guys have).

I want a quadrail forearm, stock, and handgrip (furniture as you call it) to be tan or dark green. What is the best website for looking at the "furniture". Seems like a lot of places have trouble keeping things in stock.

Also, do you have a recommendation for a basic, optics ready AR that I can then put my custom "furniture" on?

TYIA!!

 

[tdawg]

Thanks, this was super helpful.

What I want is a basic optics ready AR. I can buy that at my local gun store for $949 (or can look at Bushmaster or DPMS, or any other suggestions you guys have).

I want a quadrail forearm, stock, and handgrip (furniture as you call it) to be tan or dark green. What is the best website for looking at the "furniture". Seems like a lot of places have trouble keeping things in stock.

Also, do you have a recommendation for a basic, optics ready AR that I can then put my custom "furniture" on?

TYIA!!

Check out palmetto state armory. They've been running a special on their AR that includes a $400 Aimpoint PRO optic for $999! A heck of a deal and even includes a 1/7 twist, 16" chrome-lined barrel.

 

[gorcorps]

So, those that put together their AR with a polymer lower, did you use a non-polymer lower parts kit? Reviews I'm reading mention the need to enlarge some of the pin holes if one chooses a metal LPK.

Just recently replaced my pins with normal steel ones. They fit fine. I think I just went with cheap DPMS pins from Midway USA

It wouldn't surprise me at all if somebody got the wrong pin size and blames the lower.

For those that don't know... there's 2 pins. There's the takedown pin which is the one by the safety, which is the one you use to break open the rifle to clean it. Then there's the pivot pin which is generally just used as the hinge when you take down your rifle to clean it. Get .250", NOT .315"

 

[gorcorps]

Thanks, this was super helpful.

What I want is a basic optics ready AR. I can buy that at my local gun store for $949 (or can look at Bushmaster or DPMS, or any other suggestions you guys have).

I want a quadrail forearm, stock, and handgrip (furniture as you call it) to be tan or dark green. What is the best website for looking at the "furniture". Seems like a lot of places have trouble keeping things in stock.

Also, do you have a recommendation for a basic, optics ready AR that I can then put my custom "furniture" on?

TYIA!!

I've never heard anybody use the term furniture, so don't feel bad about saying "accessories"

I use Midway USA for most of my parts and accessories. They aren't always the best price (but often are) but I've had to deal with their customer service a time or two due to my own stupidity in ordering the wrong size for a part, and they took care of me nicely.

I also use cheaper than dirt at times, especially for ammo. Midway is usually not the place for good ammo prices.

 

[hondaf17]

Thanks for the help guys, I think I am starting to get this figured out. Also, Midway USA is the best website I've found - actually something that is a one-stop-shop, and easily navigable. Would appreciate thoughts on the following plan:

Purchasing this DPMS Panther Oracle for $679 from Cabela's:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat105522480;cat105524280

Then purchasing the following accessories/furniture:

This quad rail handguard for $60:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/57...5-carbine-length-matte-with-black-rail-guards

This pistol grip in flat dark earth for $20:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319177196/magpul-moe-pistol-grip-ar-15

This foregrip in flat dark earth for $24:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319118741/magpul-moe-rvg-rail-vertical-forend-grip-ar-15-polymer

This stock in flat dark earth for $57:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319180434/magpul-stock-moe-collapsible-ar-15-carbine-synthetic

A magazine in flat dark earth for $15:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/23...magazine-ar-15-223-remington-30-round-polymer

Three rail covers in flat dark earth for $33 total ($11 each, assuming I need these to get the flat dark earth look, since the quadrail I selected is only available in black):

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319130182/magpul-low-profile-picatinny-rail-cover-6-1-2-polymer


My total cost would then be:
$679 rifle
$60 quadrail
$20 pistol grip
$24 foregrip
$57 stock
$15 magazine
$33 rail covers

$888 total + tax

Then I would just need to add optics.

How did I do? Thoughts? Are all the items I selected compatible with everything?

 

[corwin]

Thanks for the help guys, I think I am starting to get this figured out. Also, Midway USA is the best website I've found - actually something that is a one-stop-shop, and easily navigable. Would appreciate thoughts on the following plan:

Purchasing this DPMS Panther Oracle for $679 from Cabela's:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat105522480;cat105524280

Then purchasing the following accessories/furniture:

This quad rail handguard for $60:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/57...5-carbine-length-matte-with-black-rail-guards

This pistol grip in flat dark earth for $20:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319177196/magpul-moe-pistol-grip-ar-15

This foregrip in flat dark earth for $24:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319118741/magpul-moe-rvg-rail-vertical-forend-grip-ar-15-polymer

This stock in flat dark earth for $57:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319180434/magpul-stock-moe-collapsible-ar-15-carbine-synthetic

A magazine in flat dark earth for $15:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/23...magazine-ar-15-223-remington-30-round-polymer

Three rail covers in flat dark earth for $33 total ($11 each, assuming I need these to get the flat dark earth look, since the quadrail I selected is only available in black):

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319130182/magpul-low-profile-picatinny-rail-cover-6-1-2-polymer


My total cost would then be:
$679 rifle
$60 quadrail
$20 pistol grip
$24 foregrip
$57 stock
$15 magazine
$33 rail covers

$888 total + tax

Then I would just need to add optics.

How did I do? Thoughts? Are all the items I selected compatible with everything?

Not a bad start but a couple things to note...

The Oracle doesn't have a chrome lined bolt/carrier or barrel, many people prefer it for ease of cleaning but I've had both and can't say I see that much of a difference

Check out Primary Arms, their "house brand" is made very well and they have a quad rail for $40 and they give a discount on the ladder rail covers or the XTM covers if you buy them at the same time. They might even have some better prices on the other parts as well, I have 2 of their red dot sights and can say they have been excellent.

You might consider a Magpul AFG grip instead of a vertical grip, I just don't like the vertical grip on mine and after holding an AR with the AFG at a store I am switching mine over.

I can't remember for sure but the Oracle may have a commercial size buffer tube, not a big deal but if you get a mil-spec sized stock it won't fit right on a commercial tube or vice versa, just make sure you get the matching size for what it has.

One last suggestion, go check out this deal thread at AR15.com, they find tons of deals all over the place all the time, I just looked real quick and there's a listing for PMAGS somewhere for $10.25


Edit: Just did another quick check and you really should check out http://palmettostatearmory.com/ for their current sales...on the front page they have multiple full rifle deal including one with vortex strikefire optics, backup up iron sights, full chrome lined parts and it's only $799. The strikefire is usually over $100 on it's own so it is a great deal

 

[tdawg]

Anybody here tried the Cammenga EasyMag? Looks really slick. Cheaperthandirt has them for about $15, almost half as much as rainier arms sells them for.

 

[hondaf17]

Thanks. I saw that deal on PSA for $799. However I saw it has a permanent front sight. The guy at my local gun store suggested I stay away from the permanent front sight, as it can make a range of optics (red dot, holo, etc) more difficult to use. Any thoughts on that?

Does the chrome lined bolt, carrier, or barrell have any affect on accuracy/reliability?

What is a buffer tube? How do I know which size buffer tube the AR has so that I can make sure to match it with the stock that I want?

What are XTM covers?

Thanks again,

 

[corwin]

Thanks. I saw that deal on PSA for $799. However I saw it has a permanent front sight. The guy at my local gun store suggested I stay away from the permanent front sight, as it can make a range of optics (red dot, holo, etc) more difficult to use. Any thoughts on that?

Does the chrome lined bolt, carrier, or barrell have any affect on accuracy/reliability?

What is a buffer tube? How do I know which size buffer tube the AR has so that I can make sure to match it with the stock that I want?

What are XTM covers?

Thanks again,

The chrome mostly helps with cleaning, the 1/7 twist of the barrel helps with accuracy using different weight bullets, the oracle is 1/9.
The front sight doesn't hurt a thing when using a red dot, its in the sight picture but doesn't interfer at all. And one thing to always remember, a red dot is great but its best to have backup iron sights in case of battery failure.
The buffer tube is what holds the buffer spring which absorbs the recoil and returns the bolt to battery, its inside the stock and screws onto the lower receiver. Whatever one you get you should be able to look up what size it is or you can just buy a new buffer tube to match what you want.
Xtm rail covers you can look up for the best explanation, they are modular and look different than the ladder rail covers.

XTM rail covers look like these pieces

And can look like this assembled

Of course if you get them all one color then it wouldn't be patterned but you get the idea and of course ladder rails look like this

 

[gorcorps]

Just to clarify the barrel twist thing: the measurement 1/7 means that there's one complete twist in the rifling for every 7" of barrel. A 1/9 will have 1 twist every 9" of barrel length. So a 1/7 barrel will give more rotation coming out of the same length of barrel which is good if you happen to be using very heavy specialty bullets. 1/9 used to be standard but they've been moving to 1/7 as standard due changes in ammo demand.

It's almost never going to affect people who are just target shooting. The type of round where it would be noticed is not used just target shooting at the range, and you have to shoot at quite a long distance to notice. In short, you don't really have to worry about it and it'll work either way. You can also do what I did and buy a 1/8 barrel which seems to be perfect.

 

[hondaf17]

Thanks guys. Good explanation on the barrel twist - that makes sense.

Cabela's has this Bushmaster Carbon 15 w/Red Dot for $649 on Black Friday:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bush...roducts&rid=11&WT.mc_id=cj1122587&WT.tsrc=AFF

How would that compare to the DPMS Panther Oracle which is currently $679 from Cabela's? The Bushmaster is Carbon 15. Is the Oracle Carbon? If not, what is it, and what is the difference? The DPMS has a 16" 4140 Chrome-Moly Steel barrel whereas the Bushmaster has a 16'' blued barrel. What is the difference there?

I appreciate all the help as I'm new to this. Plan to figure out the best optics ready rifle and then customize per my plan above in the next week or two.

Thanks again,

 

[corwin]

Thanks guys. Good explanation on the barrel twist - that makes sense.

Cabela's has this Bushmaster Carbon 15 w/Red Dot for $649 on Black Friday:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bush...roducts&rid=11&WT.mc_id=cj1122587&WT.tsrc=AFF

How would that compare to the DPMS Panther Oracle which is currently $679 from Cabela's? The Bushmaster is Carbon 15. Is the Oracle Carbon? If not, what is it, and what is the difference? The DPMS has a 16" 4140 Chrome-Moly Steel barrel whereas the Bushmaster has a 16'' blued barrel. What is the difference there?

I appreciate all the help as I'm new to this. Plan to figure out the best optics ready rifle and then customize per my plan above in the next week or two.

Thanks again,

The DPMS would be a better option overall, it's pure aluminum construction whereas the carbon 15 has not just a polymer lower but the upper is polymer as well, the lower I don't worry about but the upper is another story all together. I haven't heard of any breaking but it still makes me nervous that all the moving parts are held in place by plastic. The barrels are probably the exact same, one is just touting the material it's made from while the other is talking about the finish. Neither of them are chrome lined so there's not much, if any, difference there.

 

[pontifex]

Brownells is also another very good place for parts.

when getting furniture, be aware of whether your lower is mil-spec or commercial. there is a difference in size and they are not interchangeable.

 

[tomatom]

I'm looking at AR's.

What's the best way to get something different? I'd like just a standard .223 caliber AR, but I'd like it in dark green or tan. Could I just buy an AR at the store, buy a dark green or tan lower and upper, then replace?

http://www.m4carbine.net/forum.php?

===> Lots to learn from guys on the same path ...

 

[finbarqs]

ar15.com also has some good research... Funny, I'm building my airsoft GBBR gun with the usage of real parts, and now I have enough for a colt AR (except for the lower receiver, FCG, BCG, and barrel)

I think i'll just finish finish off my real AR... But I will say, the total of parts will be > $1200, which you can get a SP6920CA for 1100.

 

[corwin]

ar15.com also has some good research... Funny, I'm building my airsoft GBBR gun with the usage of real parts, and now I have enough for a colt AR (except for the lower receiver, FCG, BCG, and barrel)

I think i'll just finish finish off my real AR... But I will say, the total of parts will be > $1200, which you can get a SP6920CA for 1100.

You're in Kalifornia, you'll never have a REAL AR

 

[finbarqs]

You mean an armalite? Or you're talking the bullet button plus the 10 round limitation, or the SBR license? Yeah republic of California...

 

[corwin]

You mean an armalite? Or you're talking the bullet button plus the 10 round limitation, or the SBR license? Yeah republic of California...

Yeah I was just making fun of the restrictions imposed in Commiefornia...can you even legally own a SBR there?

 

[boomhower]

Thanks guys. Good explanation on the barrel twist - that makes sense.

Cabela's has this Bushmaster Carbon 15 w/Red Dot for $649 on Black Friday:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bush...roducts&rid=11&WT.mc_id=cj1122587&WT.tsrc=AFF

How would that compare to the DPMS Panther Oracle which is currently $679 from Cabela's? The Bushmaster is Carbon 15. Is the Oracle Carbon? If not, what is it, and what is the difference? The DPMS has a 16" 4140 Chrome-Moly Steel barrel whereas the Bushmaster has a 16'' blued barrel. What is the difference there?

I appreciate all the help as I'm new to this. Plan to figure out the best optics ready rifle and then customize per my plan above in the next week or two.

Thanks again,

Buy a S&W Sport for that money any day of the week and have a much much better rifle than either of those.

 

[hondaf17]

Buy a S&W Sport for that money any day of the week and have a much much better rifle than either of those.

I'd agree but the sport has the built in front sight and I think a carry handle, which makes it harder for me to do the optics of my choice. I want optics ready so I can trick it out the way I want.