Author Topic: Building my First AR15 (Read 57066 times)

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #150 on:** December 18, 2015, 08:28:59 PM »

I assembled that also.

I have it all but finished men.
I need to:
Receive and instal my bolt group ( chose a nickel boron for a good price)
Need to finish my charge handle ( I dropped the small pin for the release its MIA)
Finish my mid length gas system as I am waiting on shipping again.

Raising boys into RealMen!!

stlaser · « **Reply #151 on:** December 18, 2015, 10:01:39 PM »

Merry Christmas to you!

JR · « **Reply #152 on:** December 18, 2015, 10:19:25 PM »

Very nice indeed, and your first build!

I just got that front grip for my KSG and my Vortex mount came in too.

BobbyB · « **Reply #153 on:** December 18, 2015, 10:43:36 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on December 18, 2015, 08:28:59 PM

I assembled that also.

I have it all but finished men.
I need to:
Receive and instal my bolt group ( chose a nickel boron for a good price)
Need to finish my charge handle ( I dropped the small pin for the release its MIA)
Finish my mid length gas system as I am waiting on shipping again.

Raising boys into RealMen!!

You attached the rail without putting the gas tube on underneath? Or am I just tired to the point I'm glossing over something glaringly obvious to everyone else but me?

stlaser · « **Reply #154 on:** December 18, 2015, 10:57:40 PM »

Bobby, my guess was he just slipped rail on to mount to "showcase" the completed look.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #155 on:** December 18, 2015, 11:02:35 PM »

Rightomundo I won't get my gas tube till later next week. The barrel isn't torqued and I just wanted to see it all done up. The float is one set screw and a bunch of turns.

Raising boys into RealMen!!

JR · « **Reply #156 on:** December 18, 2015, 11:30:30 PM »

You can torque the barrel and mount up the rail mount fine. Won't have a thing to do with the gas tube as long as the rail mount allows the gas tube to slide in.

So looks like your gas block sits under the rail same as my build.

Any back up sites in mind? I like the idea of the little red dot offset.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #157 on:** December 19, 2015, 12:03:20 AM »

I have really no need at the moment for backup sites. I guess if I had to call it out I should have built a long rifle. In the video I posted previous to single shots I unloaded a whole mag on a target and it didn't really turn me on so to speak. I think long shots might be more of a pleasure to me.

Why do you want back up sites jr?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #158 on:** December 19, 2015, 12:18:41 AM »

I would like to do some more learning about how I can limit the climb of my weapon. The friends I was shooting seemed to climb a large bit in a 3-4 shot burst.

Raising boys into RealMen!!

JR · « **Reply #159 on:** December 19, 2015, 12:33:53 AM »

Just a good comp that channels the blast up will help with climb. There is really little though with the AR.

As for sites, what if you have a close in shot? I simple cheap red reflex would work great.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #160 on:** December 19, 2015, 02:50:03 AM »

Nicely done Big Dave!

Shouldn't be much climb on a semi. On full,aim a little low and to the left and let it walk up and over for a 3-4 round burst, crossing the torso and "stitching it up"

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #161 on:** December 19, 2015, 08:53:25 AM »

Can civilians buy tracer rounds?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

rasimmo · « **Reply #162 on:** December 19, 2015, 09:31:54 AM »

Yep, but I don't see a practical civilian use for it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/953715836/federal-american-eagle-tactical-tracer-ammunition-556x45mm-nato-64-grain-xm856-full-metal-jacket

sideways · « **Reply #163 on:** December 19, 2015, 11:27:32 AM »

Quote from: rasimmo on December 19, 2015, 09:31:54 AM

Yep, but I don't see a practical civilian use for it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/953715836/federal-american-eagle-tactical-tracer-ammunition-556x45mm-nato-64-grain-xm856-full-metal-jacket

other than lighting fields on fire. ;D

Flyin6 · « **Reply #164 on:** December 19, 2015, 11:32:49 AM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on December 19, 2015, 08:53:25 AM

Can civilians buy tracer rounds?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Yes!

But, they will start fires!
So be careful!
(Don't ask me how I know!)

Flyin6 · « **Reply #165 on:** December 19, 2015, 11:33:52 AM »

Quote from: sideways on December 19, 2015, 11:27:32 AM

Quote from: rasimmo on December 19, 2015, 09:31:54 AM
Yep, but I don't see a practical civilian use for it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/953715836/federal-american-eagle-tactical-tracer-ammunition-556x45mm-nato-64-grain-xm856-full-metal-jacket

other than lighting fields on fire. ;D

Wrong!!!

How could you celebrate the ringing in of the new year without them?

Duh!
;-)

stlaser · « **Reply #166 on:** December 19, 2015, 01:12:04 PM »

New Years partay & Big D's house!!!! :o

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #167 on:** December 19, 2015, 03:44:17 PM »

Sounds like a plan we can party on the new deck and shoot fish in the pond behind the house. I'll turn the grill on at eight. Bring your own beef

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Dawg25385 · « **Reply #168 on:** December 20, 2015, 01:43:26 AM »

You can find lots of muzzle brakes that direct the gas out and up to counter muzzle climb, versus just a flash hider.

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Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #169 on:** December 20, 2015, 09:24:51 PM »

Ok fellas. I have a issue with my barrel nut. It's not lining up with in torque specs. I have ran the nut tight a few times and am still not able to line up the gas tube. How do you all feel about some fine sandpaper and removing some thickness of my barrel nut?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

stlaser · « **Reply #170 on:** December 20, 2015, 09:46:57 PM »

What torque specs are you using?

Are you using grease on the threads? You should be breaking the threads in to 30' #'s (tighten & loosen nut a few times) Then you can tighten the nut all the way up to 80' #'s so if you do this then there should be no issue lining up the gas tube. Note max is 80' #'s not a must have spec.

Edit:
Oh & when you're breaking in those threads don't forget to scratch your balls & pay homage to Stoner...... ::)

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #171 on:** December 20, 2015, 10:46:22 PM »

Well I was having some technical difficulties. Between me being a cheap ass and not purchasing the upper vise block. I was improvising with some 1x1 I wasn't able to put a lot of torque on the setup alone. I called a neighbor to come lend a 6 foot 9inch tall help. We ran the nut on maybe six or seven times and the wrench was slipping on the nut so I measured my thread movement with some feeler gauges and decided I only needed to remove at the most 0.0010 of material and it should allow me to meet my gas tube. Sandpaper from 220-800-2000 and I made it work. Chinese machine tolerances I am sure are far less accurate then what was needed. I have a installed gas tube.

Just waiting for a bcg

Raising boys into RealMen!!

stlaser · « **Reply #172 on:** December 20, 2015, 10:56:14 PM »

Ar wrench & upper vice blocks are bare min tools when building an upper unfortunately.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #173 on:** December 20, 2015, 11:36:29 PM »

Next issue

The bolt isn't catching

Raising boys into RealMen!!

BobbyB · « **Reply #174 on:** December 21, 2015, 03:43:49 AM »

Could be one (or more) of the following:

Your BAD lever
Faulty magazine
Out of spec buffer tube
Make sure when you pull the charging handle the bolt to the rear the bolt face should be behind the bolt catch
Bolt catch tang might not be long enough
Lower might be out of spec
Do you have the a RIFLE buffer in the CARBINE buffer tube

I was bored this morning so I browsed the interwebz getting more answers for you. One of those should help.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #175 on:** December 21, 2015, 07:03:05 AM »

How would or should I verify my buffer tube ?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

stlaser · « **Reply #176 on:** December 21, 2015, 09:15:01 AM »

It's a spikes lower I doubt it is out of spec. Built plenty & never any issues I'm guessing rifle buffer in carbine tube. Look up what you purchased, it should say what it is on your invoices..... What lpk did you use?

BobbyB · « **Reply #177 on:** December 21, 2015, 09:21:13 AM »

I'd say start with the magazine. If it still does it, then move on to the bolt catch. Some LPKs have been known to do that in the past. If still does it, check the buffer. Make sure you have a carbine buffer in there as the rifle buffer won't move back far enough let the bolt get captured. If I remember right the carbine buffer spring is 10-1/16" to 11-1/4", I had to google that number.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #178 on:** December 21, 2015, 12:50:09 PM »

Here is the rundown. I sought out help at a gun shop.

First tried a proven bolt. SR
Removed bad leaver. SR
Tried new bolt catch. SR
Switched charging Handel. SR
Noticed at this point the bolt doesn't move as far back into the upper as a pre assembled AR. Check the buffer and spring and what not

Switched springs. SR
Removed buffer tube. FIXED!!! My buffer tube has to thick of an end cap ( portion next to your shoulder) and wouldn't allow the bolt to slide back as far as required.

This is the seller on Amazon. I have emailed them to see what can be done.

I bought the new buffer tube as it was installed and working. Not wanting to wait.

Raising boys into RealMen!!

JR · « **Reply #179 on:** December 21, 2015, 01:51:17 PM »

To thick a cap? Mil spec is mil spec. Carbine tube is flat on the end, rifle is angled and has a larger OD.

I have had a carbine function fine with the rifle spring until we shot it. Had a couple bursts from her!!

Sounds like maybe you have a rifle buffer, vs a carbine or the tube is threaded in to much. The tube just has to seat far enough as to not block the buffer stop plunger then lock it with the nut.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #180 on:** December 21, 2015, 02:05:10 PM »

This is the item description. I think anyone can claim something is mill spec. Nothing is regulatory of it

Raising boys into RealMen!!

BobbyB · « **Reply #181 on:** December 21, 2015, 02:07:26 PM »

Quote from: JR on December 21, 2015, 01:51:17 PM

To thick a cap?

Might be out of spec. Or one of those things where Murphy decided to play his hand and see what shenanigans he can cause.

JR · « **Reply #182 on:** December 21, 2015, 02:56:49 PM »

Yeo it happens. Just like the rifle tube with the carbine spring. Worked great until shot a little. Rifle spring is longer and diff rate.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #183 on:** December 21, 2015, 03:49:11 PM »

I wonder what would have happened if I had shot a round. With it being that much to short. Would I have shoved the bolt into my shoulder? Would I have not been able to chamber a round at all?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #184 on:** December 21, 2015, 06:32:43 PM »

Can someone measure one of your buffer tubes?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

rasimmo · « **Reply #185 on:** December 21, 2015, 06:49:03 PM »

Just picked up an extra one I had and checked it. 6 7/8" at the top and that little lip on the bottom is about 1/16" longer

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #186 on:** December 21, 2015, 08:31:48 PM »

Wtf

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #187 on:** December 21, 2015, 08:32:30 PM »

No kidding all we did to achieve a successful difference in the bolt was the tube

Raising boys into RealMen!!

rasimmo · « **Reply #188 on:** December 21, 2015, 11:04:44 PM »

I had to go back and look, but the one I measured came from the same seller on amazon. Same part description you bought. I bought a few several months ago. Only have that one not being used. No issues with the others. You just got a bad one I reckon.
That is not something I usually measure but now I'm curious. I'll blame you when I start taking buffers out of perfectly good guns just to see what that measurement is.

PFIRich · « **Reply #189 on:** December 22, 2015, 07:05:56 AM »

I think the 16" barrel is the way to go. 18" and 20" are too long and heavy to haul around if you have to. The 16" is more than capable of 1/2 to 1MOA impacts to 600 yards which is about the max effective range of 5.56x45 anyways...although I've heard many stories about hits beyond. I can tell you that even the M4 with the 14.5" barrel works well enough as reported by my colleagues in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sub-MOA impacts at 400 to 600m. A solid gun with the right training and optics will give the balance you need in a weapon system.

I do have an SPR with a 20" bull barrel. She shoots super tight groups at any distance, but damn, I hate carrying her around. My LWRC M6IC-E is my AR of choice and is just as capable, plus I can maneuver in CQB.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #190 on:** December 22, 2015, 01:29:34 PM »

You had better post a photo of two in the photo section of yours

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #191 on:** December 22, 2015, 06:19:34 PM »

Ok next and last part is to buy ammo. With options to the sky. Can someone help me with brand favorites, grain quantity?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #192 on:** December 22, 2015, 09:02:08 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on December 22, 2015, 06:19:34 PM

Ok next and last part is to buy ammo. With options to the sky. Can someone help me with brand favorites, grain quantity?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

For me and what I do, all the play ammo is 55 gr cheapo stuff. Some steel case, some brass. I just use if for training. when you are just training shouldering and firing a rapid pair then lower, then repeat, cheapo anything works fine.

For any distance and any sort of kill power the green tip M855 is your starting point. Then up from there a good 70+ gr bullet can add some distance to the weapon.

The grunts (Who know more) will disagree with me, I'm sure, but I was never impressed with this little .22 at any range at all. I'd shoot that thing all the time from my helo and getting like 500 feet up, I could barely see the bullet impact.

Now switching to my AK or one of the bubbas Socom rifles, you could see that bullet hit...EVERY time.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #193 on:** December 22, 2015, 09:30:21 PM »

If I recall you were wanting longer range. Not my thing with a 556 but if that's your bag then stay away from steel cases ammo In your chamber. Black Hills makes some good ammo and they have a 77gn Sierra Match King that will get out there well.

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JR · « **Reply #194 on:** December 22, 2015, 09:53:51 PM »

62gr minimum, 69-77gr for max effect. I would like to find some 69gr that doesn't break the bank, they seem to want as much as loaded ammo sometimes.

SGAmmo has a good sale on it all now and fair shipping too. Think 450 for 1200 rnds.

Ares is now called American Weapon Components now and has 16 uppers for $500 with this code; XMAS30

http://aresarmor.com/store/Item/aa_BAupper

I have one and it is sweet.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #195 on:** December 23, 2015, 03:28:06 PM »

Took her out to the range today. Indoor rang is so nice, heated and clean.

My grouping shot is ok. I am terrible at standing and shooting for sure.

No issues except for agile in the bolt catch not being consistent. When the range master shot single shots it would catch the bolt like desired. When I shot it was sporadic at best and mostly not at all.

Is there something else I might be able to check?
Is my gas tube in the correct spot?

Raising boys into RealMen!!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #196 on:** December 23, 2015, 06:44:27 PM »

Further inspection. My gas block is or was maybe not square on the venting hole from the barrel. I have suspicion that it could cause this. Maybe. Just maybe. I reset the block and will see about shooting it again maybe this weekend.

Kind of makes you long for property where you can stand off your back porch and let a few loose

Raising boys into RealMen!!

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #197 on:** December 23, 2015, 06:52:00 PM »

Help me understand. Do you mean the bolt it not going into battery or is not being held open on last round in mag?

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #198 on:** December 23, 2015, 09:25:02 PM »

It's not locking open on the last round.
I can manually lock it open but it's not doing it like designed upon empty magazine

Raising boys into RealMen!!

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #199 on:** December 23, 2015, 10:31:29 PM »

What mags are you using Dave?

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