Total noob...I'm about to dive in to my first build

[tcoche]

I currently have about $800 saved up and it is burnin' a hole in my pocket!  <thumbsup>  ;D

I been trying my best to research on building an AR. I thought the best and most fun for me would be to build one how I want it, rather than purchasing a complete rifle. I don't have a high budget like some peeps. I want to keep it under 1800. Unfortunately, this build is going to take me some time. I can only save about 350 a month. I am in no hurry to complete this build. It is going to be fun and thats all that matters.

So, with that said, I have this 800 bucks that is begging to be spent on parts. Let me know what you guys think....I think I am going to order my first 3 parts tonight.

-Midway USA= $524.19- SI Defense Upper/Lower Receiver Set, and

-Midway USA= $259.99- DPMS Hard Chrome Bolt Carrier Assembly

Those that have the SI Defense receiver set. Have you experienced any problems using PMAG magazines?? or any problems at all with this receiver set??

The rest of my build that I am wanting to add is as follows: (this may change)

-Daniel Defense 7.62 Lite Rail 9.0 Mid-length

-Daniel Defense low profile gas block

-16" Stainless steel Chrome lined barrel

-Noveske Pig Flash Hider

-DPMS lower parts kit

-DPMS Chrome forward assist

-Enidine Hydraulic Recoil Buffer

-Magpul MBUS sights

-Magpul MOE Carbine stock

-Geissele SSA trigger

-eventually some glass and a mount

I'm sure I am missing some stuff but that is off the top of my head.

Thanks for any and all input!  8) ;D

[jeffreyC]

Depending on how important accuracy is to you, then you may want to reconsider the chrome lined barrel.

The problem with chrome is that it tends to deposit unevenly inside the barrel. 

[98Z5V]

-16" Stainless steel Chrome lined barrel

-Noveske Pig Flash Hider

Unless you're going for looks, that KX-3 isn't going to do anything for you on a barrel of that length, or longer.  You need to go short on barrel length in order to take advantage of what the KX-3 was designed for, primarily.  It's secondary affect is directing blast forward, out of your buddy's face, in a room clearing situation.  If you think you'll be in that situation with a 16" .308, then you're on the right track for it, at least in a secondary role. 

[tcoche]

Thanks for the advice fellas! I wasn't sure on the flash hider or the barrel. I wasn't aware of the chrome lined barrels doing that. I do want my AR to look good but I also want it to be effective, accurate and light/easy to carry. I will use this AR for home defense as well.

I was also thinking the DPMS SASS stainless steel fluted 18" barrel. Not sure about a decent flash hider. Appreciate it ;)

[98Z5V]

Check Fulton Armory for a great stainless 18.5" barrel.  Accurate as all hell. 

That may not be for you, though... 

What we need to know most is what your intent is for the gun.  What will you use it for mainly, and what you'll use it for in secondary roles.  That information is critical in the kinds of recommendations that you'll get back.

[98Z5V]

I think we were typing at the same time.  If the primary reason for the build is home defense, then there are other rounds that will be much more effective at home defense, and not leave you deaf afterwards.  <thumbsup>

[washguy]

Thanks for the advice fellas! I wasn't sure on the flash hider or the barrel. I wasn't aware of the chrome lined barrels doing that. I do want my AR to look good but I also want it to be effective, accurate and light/easy to carry. I will use this AR for home defense as well.

I was also thinking the DPMS SASS stainless steel fluted 18" barrel. Not sure about a decent flash hider. Appreciate it ;)

Hi Tcoche  If want light and easy to carry forget about the dpms sass....it takes two boys and a mule to get it around with you...I had one... fairly acccurate, but just too heavy! Go take a look at the Rainier barrels :)  Wash

[george_995]

Listen to Wash, I ended up purchasing the 18" barrel from rainiers. After rattling his brain with various questions. <laughs>

16" barrel

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2688

This is a very good company to deal with, I had a problem with some C-product magazines (sr-25 patterned) and they refunded everything including shipping.

[jeffreyC]

Another barrel to consider is Fulton Armory, they use Criterion barrels, which are made by another division of the company that makes Krieger barrels, in the other half of the same building.

They are button rifled instead of cut rifled.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/barrelfatitan185nmmedss1x10936gasblock.aspx

[washguy]

Hi Tcoche    What is drawing you to the Si defense upper/lower set if I may ask?  did you already order it?

:) Wash

[98Z5V]

Hi Tcoche    What is drawing you to the Si defense upper/lower set if I may ask?  did you already order it?

:) Wash

I'd still like to know what's driving the whole build - what the primary intentions for it are.  That's gonna drive everything else, as far as recommendations go.  If the primary role is home defense, then the guy needs to lok at another caliber, honestly.  <dontknow>

[Robocop1051]

If the primary role is home defense, then the guy needs to look at another caliber, honestly.  <dontknow>

I agree 100%. Anyone who uses a .308 for home defense either lives way out in the sticks, or hates his neighbors and maybe even his family. A .308 (of any weight) is WAAAAY to heavy to be stopped with just a wall or two. Close range with that bullet into a soft target (like a person) won't even give a hollow point enough time to expand, thus slowing it down. Unless your ides of "home defense" is manning a tower and maintaining a perimeter, go back to a smaller caliber.

Why is it that people think the .223 is an anemic caliber? Have people forgotten that the US has ruled the world for 40 years using the .223? There are a LOT of dead people out there that will tell you the .223 is plenty effective. There is a reason why every NATO country uses the round. There is a reason why every LE agency uses it. The bullet works!

[tcoche]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I plan on ordering ALL the parts tonight. I had a BIG win at the casino tonight. So, I am ordering ALL the parts to build this beast!  ;D ;D I plan on using this AR for all around shooting (range, in the desert at targets and what not, and home defense). I also have a friend who hunts big game in CO so I plan on going hunting with him.

I honestly don't know what attracted me to SI defense for the upper and lower. I feel that billet machined parts are better than forged (dpms). I also like how the SI defense has a forward assist. I may never use it, but its better to have it than not. I also read some good reviews on SI defense. Plus, it is a matched set. So, I didn't want to go DPMS for upper and DPMS for lower since they are forged and plus a lot of people have negative reviews towards DPMS.

I was going to go with Mega Ten but they do not have a forward assist.

What matched upper and lower do you recommend??

[tcoche]

Another barrel to consider is Fulton Armory, they use Criterion barrels, which are made by another division of the company that makes Krieger barrels, in the other half of the same building.

They are button rifled instead of cut rifled.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/barrelfatitan185nmmedss1x10936gasblock.aspx

I really like this barrel! Thank you for posting it. I really like those Rainier Barrels that were posted above. Thank you george_995 and washguy!!

[98Z5V]

I feel that billet machined parts are better than forged (dpms).

The DPMS LR-308 lower is billet, and final-machined.  The DPMS upper is extruded aluminum and final-machined.  Neither piece is forged.

I also like how the SI defense has a forward assist.

The DPMS upper has a forward assist.

So, I didn't want to go DPMS for upper and DPMS for lower since they are forged...

Not true... 

Food for thought, in red... 

[tcoche]

Food for thought, in red...

Thanks for correcting me. I was looking in to DPMS and whenever I looked online it says forged. This is copied and pasted from Midway USA....

Features:

•Forged from 7075 aluminum that has been T6 heat treated, hard coat anodized (Mil-A-8625A)

[98Z5V]

You might want to do a couple things here:

1. Call Midway, and ask them what the source of their information is.

2. Call the manufacturer, and ask them directly, what their products are made of.

[tcoche]

You might want to do a couple things here:

1. Call Midway, and ask them what the source of their information is.

2. Call the manufacturer, and ask them directly, what their products are made of.

Thank you! So what you're recommending is you also think I should go with a DPMS upper and lower??

[98Z5V]

I did - no fancy machined stuff from other companies, that doesn't fit together or work properly. No headaches matching other parts, etc.

It works.  It's not as pretty as somebody's fancy machining, but that doesn't bother me in the least. 

We've seen fancy machined stuff that has major issues with functioning...

I'm not referencing SI Defense in any way, above  - just correcting your bad information about forged parts in the LR-308 upper and lower.

[98Z5V]

FWIW - forged is stronger than billet, too.

[tcoche]

Thanks a million 98Z5V!!  :D

[98Z5V]

Ask away, man - that's the best way to find out about this stuff.  There is no "bad" question, really.  Fire off as much as you need to before you order everything up.  <thumbsup>

[tcoche]

Ask away, man - that's the best way to find out about this stuff.  There is no "bad" question, really.  Fire off as much as you need to before you order everything up.  <thumbsup>

Thanks again, appreciate it!  <thumbsup> :D

Here is what I have in my cart so far at Midway USA...(I think I am gonna go with that Rainier barrel.)

-DPMS Buttstock Assembly 6-Position Collapsible LR-308 Carbine Synthetic Black

-DPMS Lower Receiver Parts Kit LR-308

-DPMS Bolt Carrier Assembly LR-308 308 Winchester Chrome

-x2= MagPul Pmag 20LR Magazine LR-308, KAC SASS/MK11 308 Winchester 20-Round Polymer Black

-Troy Industries 12" TRX Extreme Battle Rail Modular Free Float Handguard LR-308 with Low Profile Upper Receiver Black

-DPMS Forward Assist Round AR-15, LR-308 Chrome 

-DPMS Upper Receiver Assembled LR-308 A3 Flat-Top Matte

-DPMS Lower Receiver Stripped LR-308 Forged Matte

[tcoche]

I need a good flash hider. Any recommendations??

[tcoche]

Do you think I should build this AR with what I have above or just buy the DPMS Recon?? Cabelas is selling it for 1399