ARdentFan Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 (edited) I know, I know. Its another "here's a list of parts is this any good?" thread. Indulge me if you would be so kind. After much reading I have decided to put together a sample build to see how much things are going to cost and get feedback. I wanted to build in AR and as I mentioned in another thread I already own a "commercial" AR style rifle in 5.56 and it seemed to make sense to have some fun building one this time around. My goals for this rifle are twofold: to have fun at the range (I shoot for personal satisfaction, not competition) and something that will be able to hunt mid-size game (e.g. deer). I already own several rifles in .308 so there is also the convenience factor when it comes to ammunition. My gun club only has 100 yd lanes and my friend's club only goes out to 200. In the wild I don't expect to have to take any shot farther than 250. Weight is NOT a factor for me, but price is (can only spend so much on toys before I hear it from the better half). Building a rifle also means I can wait for things to go on sale since I'm in no hurry to assemble it (well I am, but you know what i mean :) ) Below are the parts I have already picked out, prices I found, and my rationale for picking them. Any feedback or knowledge of a better deal or better choices would be appreciated. I have not heard back yet if the matrix aerospace upper/lower combo my FFL ordered for me is an armalite or dpms pattern- work has repeatedly thwarted me efforts to place a quick call during business hours and I haven't head back from email yet. I am assuming in this build mockup it is armalite pattern. I don't mind drooling over parts so if I have to do this again with a DPMS pattern that's fine with me. :) Any Armalite parts listed are prices from the Armalite website.Upper/Lower: Matrix Aerospace Blem Upper/Lower Combo: $185.00 - Seemed like a good deal to get started on the 308 platform versus other suppliers.LPK: Armalite AR-10A Single Stage LPK: $90.00 - From what I have read is the best deal for a LPK under $100.00 based on feedback from people suggesting the trigger is superior to the DPMS LPK. Armalite Black Pistol Grip Kit: $7.50 - Need a grip with this LPK.Upper Parts: Armalite Ejection Port Door and related parts: $24.25 - Why not? Amralite Forward Assist Kit: $14.00 - Gotta fill that hole somehow. MechArmor TachOps1 Charging Handle: $48.00 - Priced simiarly to others on the market, but Mech Armor supports this site with a group buy so I'd rather buy through them. Plus it looks cool!BCG and Barrel: (NOTE 1: This was by far the toughest decision to make of everything. Accuracy is usually at the forefront of the decision making process but it was rediculously easy to get trapped in the "well for only a few dollars more I can have..." iterative loop. It seems unless you go super cheap your buy in for these two parts is over $700.00. I'm seriously considering cheap. Also, from what I have read as long as the bolt and the barrel are the same pattern they will work in any upper pending a headspace check. I am making this assumption here.) AIM Surplus phosphate BCG: $159.95 - A lot of people seem to go with this one when building on a budget. Rainier Arms 20" Barrel: $314.95 - Reasonably good feedback from what I've read. NOTE 2: Someone in a thread somewhere on here mentioned McGowen Barrels. They seem well priced for what you get. I was considering them. Also, is the extra $220.00 to go for the Armalite BCG and equivalent Rainier Arms 20" barrel worth it?Gas Block: Seekins Precision Adjustable (via Bronnells): $57.99 - Appears well make and fit my price point.Stock: Armalite AR-10 Black A2 Rifle Buttstock Kit: $85.00 - Seemed like a good price point to get everything all in one, but considering the Mapgul rifle stock + tube + spring + buffer as well. This also might be my one indulgence area and get Armalite's AR-10 ergo stock (Item F93-10) purely because the aesthetics appeal to me.Hand Guard: Matrix Aerospace 13.5" Key Mod Hand Guard: $125.00 - Looks good and with it being on sale for 125 its at an untouchable price point. You can also get armalite or DPMS barrel nut with purchase so I don't have to re-shop for this part should the pattern change.Gas Tube: Undecided, but they look to be about $15.00Total Price: $1,126.64 + applicable tax and/or shipping charges Wow, when i totalled this up my first thought was "how the hell did it get that expensive that fast?" But I looked at the parts and sure enough that's what it is. Amazing. I knew there would be a premium versus 5.56 but damn! So much for that Amralite ergo stock being in the budget. :( Anyway, thoughts/ideas/suggestions are appreciated. The only parts that have been firmly purchased are the stripped upper/lower set, so everything else is negotiable. Thanks! Edited April 10, 2015 by ARdentFan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARdentFan Posted April 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 EDIT - I heard back from Chris via email, and I'll try and touch base with him during business hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guruofhotrod Posted April 11, 2015 Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 (edited) With the Matrix receiver set you are supposed to be able to build it with all Armalite parts or all DPMS type parts with one exception - the barrel nut has to have an Armalite thread. Edited April 11, 2015 by guruofhotrod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARdentFan Posted April 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 With the Matrix receiver set you are supposed to be able to build it with all Armalite parts or all DPMS type parts with one exception - the barrel nut has to have an Armalite thread. Thats what my research said, but I still want to give Chris a call because I want to order that handguard next while it is still on sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted April 11, 2015 Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 (edited) Ar scrap the 20" barrel....go short....why would you wanna lug a 20" hunting or to a 100/200 range?...and Rainier 's barrels are just fine...no need to spend more :) Wash go here for the real thing no blem 129 bills http://www.brownells....zz1zzClearance Edited April 11, 2015 by washguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARdentFan Posted April 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 (edited) That's a great price for a lower, but a family member already spoke to our FFL to order the upper/lower combination for me. That $185 I quote is for the upper and lower too :) Edited April 11, 2015 by ARdentFan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted April 11, 2015 Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 AR, if you want to save a few $... I have a complete Colt A2 Stock and extension with DPMS LR308 buffer (you just need to get a spring). The stock and extension are used but the buffer is brand new. S75 shipped... I recommend a Tubb CS Flat Spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted April 11, 2015 Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 If I were you, I'd jump on the group buy for the Mech Armor match trigger. A great trigger at a relatively low price. Buy once, cry once.... it's only money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARdentFan Posted April 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 Robocop - I have to head out for the day, but when I get back I want to talk to you about that stock. Can you provide a link to the trigger group buy? I tried to get to the page but my browser had issues so I'm not sure I'm going to the right place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted April 11, 2015 Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 http://mechdefense.com/products/308ar-com-group-buy-trigger-sale Welcome to the matrix club. I'd go with a 16" for your purposes. I went to 18" for 1k shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyjet Posted April 16, 2015 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Hotrod is correct on the matrix using a Armalite barrel nut. Here is my Matrix with a 16 inch barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 Nice rifle brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARdentFan Posted May 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Sorry for the late reply to this. Work and the home fronts have been challenging lately. Thanks for the replies everyone. And jonnyjet that's a sweet looking rifle! Thanks for posting! I have a few parts here and there that are on the way but things are in a state of flux due to work. I have to get in touch again and get a handguard from Chris. I expect the pace of this build to pick up in July once all the selected parts are here and time allows for assembly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazenT45 Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 I just picked up one of the Matrix handgards and I love it got mine through gunbroker, from the same gentleman you mentioned. If I can figure out how to post pictures I'll put one up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazenT45 Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazenT45 Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazenT45 Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsquared Posted May 9, 2015 Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 She's lookin nice. I'm a fan of the UBR stocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazenT45 Posted May 9, 2015 Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 I took a shot in the dark buying the UBR, hadn't seen or held one. It's heavier than I thought it was going to be but it ended up balancing the rifle well. Just need a few more things and she's ready for optics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsquared Posted May 9, 2015 Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 Yeah, they have a little heft to them. But if the rifle ever goes "click", you can beat them with it. <laughs> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazenT45 Posted May 9, 2015 Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 True.....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted May 9, 2015 Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 I took a shot in the dark buying the UBR, hadn't seen or held one. It's heavier than I thought it was going to be but it ended up balancing the rifle well. Just need a few more things and she's ready for optics. Yep 5 pounds on each end ought to balance it :) Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazenT45 Posted May 9, 2015 Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 (edited) That's okay a little extra weight will help me stay on target when I get trigger happy. ..lol Edited May 9, 2015 by BlazenT45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zignzag Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Thanks for the thread, very interested in the Matrix upper / lowers. How is the lockup / fit & finish? Is it nice and tight with no wobbles? OP, dying to know where you found the upper lower set. Anyone have any sources on this - Matrix Aerospace Blem Upper/Lower Combo: $185.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Thanks for the thread, very interested in the Matrix upper / lowers. How is the lockup / fit & finish? Is it nice and tight with no wobbles? OP, dying to know where you found the upper lower set. Anyone have any sources on this - Matrix Aerospace Blem Upper/Lower Combo: $185.00 Gunbroker, Do it! Do it now! Awesome stuff, mine is most excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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