Author Topic: My son's M4 Cristmas gun build (Read 18712 times)

Flyin6 · « **on:** December 23, 2015, 08:14:13 PM »

Well, he's 13 and has shown he is safe enough with my M4, so time to give him one of his own.
I'm starting with a Rock River Arms lower receiver and adding a complete Bravo Company 14.5" M4 profile upper.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:16:15 PM »

First of all the mag release goes in.

This build will be a simple, close to the military gun so he can familiarize and get some good muscle memory going from an early age

Flyin6 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:17:50 PM »

I liberally use oil during the assembly. On the gun, my fingers, itchy spot on the top of my head somewhere and who knows where else as the build progresses

Next up comes the pinning of the trigger guard

Flyin6 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:19:33 PM »

Then the bolt catch/release lever

Flyin6 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:21:57 PM »

Then the ever pesky front pin retention pin and spring. It is said to be the most difficult part, and may well be, but I just take my time and it works out fine

Flyin6 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:24:00 PM »

Oh, I use a chunk of wood, today a piece of 2X6 with a rag wrapped around it as my bench for the couple of times when I have to tap a pin home.

Now, the trigger and hammer are built up

Flyin6 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:25:48 PM »

Then the trigger gets inserted and pinned with the pin with the two grooves...Groove to the left please

Flyin6 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:27:08 PM »

Then the hammer with the remaining pin

Flyin6 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:28:27 PM »

The rear pin is held in place with a plunger and a spring which resides in the pistol grip

Flyin6 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:32:03 PM »

I am using a G.I. pistol grip since it's smaller diameter will fit his hand better and it's a real Armee piece

The rear buffer spring tube/stock mount captures both the pin and spring that retains the rear pin and the buffer and spring retention pin. SO it just takes some care and balance, and yes if your name is Don, you will lose the spring once or twice and put the stock nut on backwards, but what the heck, that all makes for good training!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:33:34 PM »

Drop in the buffer, carbine length pretty please, and spring assembly and this lower is nearly done

Flyin6 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:35:55 PM »

I fitted the back with a magpul stock, and used the newest MP 30 rounder, then slid in the carbine length rail system with some rubber blocks, topped it with a magpul flip-up sight and this thing became a shooter.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:38:06 PM »

I also picked up this nice nickel-boron bolt assembly.

This nice piece is going into my well used M4

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:57:13 PM »

Nice job staking the gas key Don

stlaser · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2015, 10:08:41 PM »

I build a rifle for my girls 12th b-day, kind of a family tradition at this point. I only have one to go & she has already made requests of what she wants. The older two are now asking for pistols as the next step. So what next a scatter gun after that?

Nice build Don, I'm sure he'll love it.

moto123 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 24, 2015, 01:22:10 AM »

Any chance you want to post the parts list for this build? I am new to these guns and considering building rather than buying. But if I build one I want to know at a minimum I have all the pieces before I start. You make it sound easy ... but I bet that comes with experience.

BobbyB · « **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2015, 02:43:07 AM »

Flip up sight is on backwards. What're you gonna put on for an optic? And that'll be a nice Xmas gift.

Quote from: moto123 on December 24, 2015, 01:22:10 AM

Any chance you want to post the parts list for this build? I am new to these guns and considering building rather than buying. But if I build one I want to know at a minimum I have all the pieces before I start. You make it sound easy ... but I bet that comes with experience.

Oh we'll help you out.

stlaser · « **Reply #17 on:** December 24, 2015, 09:42:42 AM »

What Bobby said but here's the basics

Stripped lower receiver (part you will need to do paperwork on most likely)
Lower Parts kit with grip
Mil spec buffer tube carbine length mil spec w/ spring & buffer
Mil spec stock of your choice
Assembled upper of your choice with bcg & charging handle
Rear sight & or optics & front sight if upper didn't have it built in such as Dons A2 (I'm fond of these for first build myself)
Magazine

Flyin6 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 24, 2015, 10:55:11 AM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on December 23, 2015, 08:57:13 PM

Nice job staking the gas key Don

I can't take credit for that...I bought it in the configuration you see it in...

Flyin6 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 24, 2015, 10:56:04 AM »

Quote from: BobbyB on December 24, 2015, 02:43:07 AM

Flip up sight is on backwards. What're you gonna put on for an optic? And that'll be a nice Xmas gift.

Quote from: moto123 on December 24, 2015, 01:22:10 AM
Any chance you want to post the parts list for this build? I am new to these guns and considering building rather than buying. But if I build one I want to know at a minimum I have all the pieces before I start. You make it sound easy ... but I bet that comes with experience.

Oh we'll help you out.

No way! Really?

Got me!

No optic...Has to learn the same way the rest of us did...iron sights.

Might do better on the sights, this Mag-Pul is the only one I could find

BobbyB · « **Reply #20 on:** December 24, 2015, 12:38:20 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on December 24, 2015, 10:56:04 AM

No way! Really?

Got me!

No optic...Has to learn the same way the rest of us did...iron sights.

Might do better on the sights, this Mag-Pul is the only one I could find

Yes really! :D

Nothing wrong with learning on irons, however a simple red dot would be useful. No need for an ACOG or variable power scope. Nothing wrong with the MagPul sights for a starter. I HIGHLY doubt he's going to get the carbine hot enough to melt them.

Dawg25385 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 25, 2015, 05:44:59 PM »

Dad of the year award :D

He's going to love it

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Flyin6 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 26, 2015, 11:48:53 AM »

Quote from: Dawg25385 on December 25, 2015, 05:44:59 PM

Dad of the year award :D

He's going to love it

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He was literally speechless
The other brother wants one
And the girls were lookin' pretty hard as well...

stlaser · « **Reply #23 on:** December 26, 2015, 01:13:15 PM »

Nice, better get building......... ;)

rasimmo · « **Reply #24 on:** December 26, 2015, 01:26:05 PM »

I agree, start building. Good luck finding the parts you want right now. Christmas has hit most places hard. A lot of stuff is "out of stock"

JR · « **Reply #25 on:** December 26, 2015, 02:53:05 PM »

Nice setup Don. Why a 14 inch barrel, just curious?

You can get full kits from midway and brownells.

I also like to put tape on the lower when I drive in pins to keep the finish nice.

Can't add much but if you guys build or work on them I like using a formed block that kinda hold it in place as I fit other parts. Sometimes a magazine block in a vice is nice for holding it for tweaking.

Guess my build will be up next, just need a 12" gas tube (OOS everywhere)

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 26, 2015, 07:29:58 PM »

So question for the masses. My step son, ( 8 ) his father bought him a smith & wesson mp15/22 for Christmas. I bought the boy a daisy rider last year for Easter and he can't even manage to cock it on his own. How should I feel about this?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

stlaser · « **Reply #27 on:** December 26, 2015, 07:40:13 PM »

Well the Smith and Wesson is a definite upgrade from the daisy unit.......... :)

Sorry, couldn't help myself you asked about "feelings"......

My kids have shot since about that age. They never had BB or pellet guns and went straight to 22LR Having them grow up on the farm we always had "range days" where we went out and I monitored all ammunition. They were allowed to shoot one at a time and we went thru all the steps from loading and operating safety to clearing the weapon. I was always the person who handled the firearms between kids and safety was the priority. If it is a controlled setting there is no issue.

Edit: Also worth mentioning is that they all memorized the NRA gun safety rules before ever handling a weapon.

http://training.nra.org/nra-gun-safety-rules.aspx

Flyin6 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 26, 2015, 07:56:50 PM »

8 years old for owning their own gun is pushing it but OK.
I don't think they are GTG to use it unsupervised.

For a season (Literally) I would let my boys shoot their rifles as long as I was there doing something. The next year I let them go off on their own with the guns

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 26, 2015, 08:49:44 PM »

I didn't mean to high jack the thread

I wouldn't trust him with a pocket knife He has none of those skills nor do I see him developing

Not to be negative but some people understand and have " knack" and other just don't get it.

Raising boys into RealMen!!

rasimmo · « **Reply #30 on:** December 26, 2015, 09:15:08 PM »

As they have said, at that age supervision is a must. It depends a lot on the individual child and their capabilities as you already know. Take him out shooting with just his gun and do some training. Safety being 1st priority of course. Get a few mags and just load one round in each. Go through the drill over and over. Clear, load, get on target, safety off, finger on trigger, fire, safety on, drop mag, clear.........

Some folks think I'm nuts for teaching my girl about guns and talking about safe handling at 3 years old. I know she don't get the whole concept at that age, but I don't make a gun like the forbidden fruit. She knows she can go with me to shoot when she wants, mom is always there to help watch her of course. I usually sit in a chair and shoulder the gun. She stands between my legs and pulls the trigger. She also knows that she can't touch a gun without daddy's help. I have tried a few times to get her to take one from me and she won't. I make sure it is clear beforehand and I would not actually give it to her. Her reply has been the same every time. "I can't take that silly, you have to help me". Another thing I will not have in my house are "toy" guns. In my mind there is no such thing. A gun is a gun. The main thing is enjoy the time y'all spend together training in safe gun handling and teach him to respect it.

rasimmo · « **Reply #31 on:** December 26, 2015, 09:53:55 PM »

Quote from: JR on December 26, 2015, 02:53:05 PM

Guess my build will be up next, just need a 12" gas tube (OOS everywhere)

Any specific tube you looking for? Primary arms shows to have some in stock.

http://www.primaryarms.com/ar-15-gas-tubes/c/101204/filter/100000000739eq100000004741/

JR · « **Reply #32 on:** December 26, 2015, 10:32:05 PM »

Thx, but shipping kills it. Now that I am down to just one part I am going to look local.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #33 on:** December 26, 2015, 10:37:36 PM »

Dave, every child is different and the consequences of the failure of the child to heed the rules are catastrophic.

I began to teach my girls at 5&7 respectively the 4 rules.

1. every weapon is always loaded
2. never point a weapon at anything you do not wish to kill or destroy
3. never place your finger on the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire
4. Always know your target and what is beyond it.

Now they are not excited about shooting like I wished, but they absolutely know the rules and I trust them around weapons at 10&12.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #34 on:** December 26, 2015, 11:26:44 PM »

Back to the build fellas. I am interested to see how your bolt catch ends up. Did you mention what lower parts kit you bought?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #35 on:** December 27, 2015, 05:00:10 PM »

^^^That for me?

Someone hijacked my thread (Ha! My thread...What a foreign concept to people on this site!) :o

If it was and we are still talking about Square D or the DR or my gun build or CIEMR, or whatever this started as, I don't remember whose kit. I pick them up from Aim surplus a few at a time...

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #36 on:** December 27, 2015, 07:40:47 PM »

Chop chop. I want to see the eagle eye shots from the boy.
I'm just excited is all. I want to built another

Raising boys into RealMen!!

rasimmo · « **Reply #37 on:** December 27, 2015, 08:57:27 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on December 27, 2015, 07:40:47 PM

Chop chop. I want to see the eagle eye shots from the boy.
I'm just excited is all. I want to built another

Raising boys into RealMen!!

I think we tried to warn you about that problem.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #38 on:** December 27, 2015, 09:37:05 PM »

I see no problem at all :). The wife might have a different point of view

Raising boys into RealMen!!

JR · « **Reply #39 on:** December 27, 2015, 09:49:32 PM »

Well, does she need to know? Yep, hard to just have 1.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #40 on:** December 27, 2015, 09:54:07 PM »

Momma always knows!!

Raising boys into RealMen!!

rasimmo · « **Reply #41 on:** December 27, 2015, 10:02:00 PM »

^^AMEN^^

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #42 on:** December 27, 2015, 10:11:48 PM »

that reminds me of why I have all the Glocks I do. THey all look the same to the missus.

The time I brought the S&W629 home she said, "hey, that one looks different!"

JR · « **Reply #43 on:** December 27, 2015, 10:17:45 PM »

My ARs are color coded. Mags just match up!

556 is black

300aac Tan

22 OD

rasimmo · « **Reply #44 on:** December 27, 2015, 10:24:45 PM »

I have color coded mags, just not the guns yet. Might work on that when I start doing some cerakote.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #45 on:** December 27, 2015, 10:36:44 PM »

I only have one so I have no need to color code I guess. Maybe I should buy different magazines then I can build a gun to match. If the magazines are on sale of course

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #46 on:** December 27, 2015, 11:06:19 PM »

Quote from: JR on December 27, 2015, 09:49:32 PM

Well, does she need to know? Yep, hard to just have 1.

Like eatin" tater chips...Hard to have just one!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #47 on:** December 27, 2015, 11:45:58 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on December 27, 2015, 11:06:19 PM

Quote from: JR on December 27, 2015, 09:49:32 PM
Well, does she need to know? Yep, hard to just have 1.
Like eatin" tater chips...Hard to have just one!

Pringles. Once you pop the fun won't stop

Raising boys into RealMen!!

JR · « **Reply #48 on:** December 27, 2015, 11:58:00 PM »

Pringles can=1 serving

AR=addiction (only known cure is death or more ARs)

Dave, if you are looking for plinking ammo it is hard to beat the Wolf 223 ar Wally world. At 5.40 a box it is well under 300 a K. Not reloadable and the poly can gum up the chamber sometimes.

BobbyB · « **Reply #49 on:** December 28, 2015, 01:58:42 AM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on December 27, 2015, 09:37:05 PM

The wife might have a different point of view

Build her one. Then she'll want another one.