Is the lower the more difficult piece of the puzzle if things go down that path?
For $1200 you can piece together a quality rifle from PSA and have $400+ to spend on an optic. Sign up for their daily deal e-mails and grab a complete lower with your preferred Magpul stock. They range from 160 for MOE to 190 for STR or ACS. I'm not a big fan of standard mil-spec triggers. For $40 you an grab the EPT trigger which is cleaner and under 6lb pull. Next step up would be Velocity which is a great 3 or 4lb drop in around $130. Watch for their CHF upper(or lightweight variation) to go on sale, and choose your own full auto BCG/CH.
I would build My rifle again. The upper is all pretty much all BCM,
BCM upper receiver
BCM BCG
BCM medium Charging handle ( dont remeber which Mod that is)
BCM 14.5 inch light weight barrel
Surefire 5.56 socom break pinned and welding
Surefire Warden
Surefire M300 on a BCM keymod mount
BCM KMR alpha 13 inch
BCM low pro gas block and gas tube
Magpul MBUS front a rear
BCM KAG
Primary Arms advanced micro dot on a AMD QD mount ( I would probably replace this or have in addition to a 1-4 power optic after messing with this a bit)
The Lower is just a delton stripped lower with a PSA parts kit and some BCM gunfighter stuff and a magpul CTR, I plan to rebuild the lower using a better trigger and what not.
Also have the HSP D3 sling, I would also switch this with the vickers Padded Combat sling, As I've found I only use the 2 point setup because it works.
The most difficult part about this, for me atleast, is not knowing EVERYTHING that I need to purchase. Every time I go to the gun shop to ask about it they are busy so I haven't been able to get a full parts list. So then I think to myself its just easier to buy off the shelf and change a bunch of stuff.
Thank you sir,
And I understand your problem. Unfortunately buying off the shelf and changing everything is just a good way to waste money and end up with a box full of parts you'll never use and wont get your money back from. I don't regret building from he ground up because it allows you to get it right the first time. Id be happy to compile a list of parts that would be needed to build the rifle. Most everything from my rifle I ordered straight from BCM everything else is off primaryarms.com I believe.
The only thing I could imagine being a bit difficult to find is an 18 inch barrel that fits the budget. But then again I've never actually spent too much time looking.
You have no idea how much I would appreciate that!!
If I'm not able to find the 18 inch then I can bump down, that's not a 100% necessity for me.
Make a spreadsheet and start comparing prices and stuff for lots of different options.
Parts list:
Lower stripped receiver
Lower parts kit (grip, trigger guard, trigger, and lots of other parts may be customized)
Buffer tube / receiver extension kit
Stock
Trigger
Upper stripped receiver
barrel
bolt carrier group
charging handle
forward assist and dust cover kit
barrel nut and handguard
Gas block and gas tube
back up sights
You have been a huge help, so I hate to ask more questions...BUT as far as the lower goes...billet or forged? And for the barrel...chrome lined? or no? 1-7 twist or 1-8?
Again, thank you so much for all your help!
You will pay far more for a billet receiver than a forged and I'm not certain its worth it, Id just get a good standard forged receiver, I wouldn't worry to much on brand either, some may be better than others but they will get you to the same end result, Especially for your purposes.