Another black rifle is born

[skruske]

Mike has been Zac's best friend since they were in grade school. A few months ago Mike told me he wanted to build his own AR15. He decided on a 20" flat top with a stainless barrel. Very well suited for varmint & accurate target work.

He & Doug put together the lower assembly a couple weeks ago. I missed out on that fun but I was able to help & take pics of the upper build.

He started with a CMT T-marked A3 upper receiver and applied some lithium grease to the threads for the barrel nut.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/skruske/mikestart.jpg

Then followed the new White Oak Armament service rifle stainless barrel & barrel nut.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/skruske/mikenewbarrel.jpg

He next fitted the flat gas block.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/skruske/gaspin.jpg

We bumped into a small snag while trying to fit the free float tube to the barrel nut. We couldn't line up the threads with the gas block in place so it had to be removed.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/skruske/miketube.jpg

Once the tube was properly installed the gas block & gas tube were secured in place again. The next step was to mount the one piece scope mount.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/skruske/mikescopemt.jpg

The finished product was topped with a Mueller 4.5-14x44AO scope.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/skruske/mikefinished.jpg

Cool, I didn't even have to mention proper trigger discipline.

We should be able to get out next Sunday for some breakin shooting and a timely range report.

[doughboy]

Very Nice Shruske, I love my Bushmaster Preditor, Similar set up but factory, have heard good things about the White Oak products. For my coyote calling It just handles so well while sitting on the ground.
Mike

[Alan in GA]

it's posts like this that cost totally innocent varminter/rifler's like me lots of money.
How hard is it to fit those gas blocks?? Just looking at the ARs in the local shop I thought it might be a pretty critical fit.
Actually I know NOTHING about these rifles but posts like this are similar to looking at pretty women at the mall---
I can look but not touch.
However,,,there's no law like that with rifles,,,right?
I'm trying to be happy with bolt action rifles but it seems some of you precision riflemen like this type rifle.
Maybe I need one to find out. I'll ask around here if anyone is 'into' those. Guess I'd better start saving a few dollars, too.:D

Neat post and pictures,,,,"more!,,,,More~!"

[skruske]

How hard is it to fit those gas blocks?? Just looking at the ARs in the local shop I thought it might be a pretty critical fit.

The gas block is actually quite simple as it only bleeds off gas from the barrel to operate the bolt. I place a long level across the flat top of the receiver and eyeball it for true.

Mechanical front sights are critical though as they must be inline with the bore. Typically mechanical sights pinned in place by a qualified armorer. Generally you would by a barrel assembly that has the front sight fitted.

These particular White Oak barrels are machined with knotches for set screw front sights so it would not be difficult to adjust the sight assembly as needed.

[Terry N.]

Aren't ARs fun? They do tend to be expensive, as they tend to multiply, and morph into different configurations!

I just did this to my varmint AR rig a few weeks ago, only with a 24" Krieger barrel. I almost wish I'd gotten a shorter barrel, as the current configuration is very muzzle-heavy. I guess I need to put some weight in the butt to move the balance point further back.

The limited test firing I've had the chance to do so far has yielded bughole groups with 13 year-old handloads, so I can't complain - yet, anyway!

[TinMan]

For less than $10, you can pick up a copy of the USMC M16 Armorer's publication. Everything you always wanted to know is in there, except you will probably not have a 3 round burst trigger assembly. With your skills and if you are not looking to build a Camp Perry class rifle, it is only slightly more involved than modifying a 10-22.

[MI VHNTR]

AR15.com has complete instructions for building an AR-15. There are also pictures included for each step. It's very easy to build an AR. :) MI VHNTR

http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=4

[Doug Roberts]

I can verify that they will multiply in your safe if left unwatched. Sometimes they become multiple guns. Sometimes they only reproduce uppers which can be very cool. A complete personality transplant is as simple as pushing out 2 pins, swap uppers, and ta-da, your 16" HBAR becomes a 24" .204 varminter! I gotta' admit the varminters turned out to be more accurate than I expected, also.

[kelbro]

I know what you mean. Had an extra 16" lightweight upper laying around and found a good deal on a RRA stripped lower last week. Got off at noon yesterday so I stopped by the shop and picked up a lower kit and 6 pos. collapsible stock. About an hour later, the upper wasn't lonely any more. ARs aren't my favorite rifle but they can be a lot of fun. Some of the places that I hunt, light and quick with good open sights can be an advantage.

[Terry N.]

Every time I buy or build another upper, it turns into another rifle! That's a problem - lowers are so inexpensive that I figure why just build another upper when I can have another rifle, instead? I've only got 4 1/2 ARs at the moment - not too bad, I guess. ;)

[Army]

Love all of mine, including my latest 1 hour build:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/Messkit/tatandrifle005.jpg

24" BBL, RRA trigger, 9+ pounds of lead in the buttstock, grip, and handguard. Absolutely no recoil lets me watch the bullet go downrange:)

[hazard]

sweet build man hope it works well which it should, have fun.

adam

[dannybracy]

Hey Army, nice looking rifle! I have been looking for the "perfect" AR for the last 6 years and I finally found my baby! Superior Arms 20" Bull Varmint w/ a RRA 2 stage match and a tact. latch. I chose the Superior b/c they 2 gents that make them are super nice and they personally put each rifle together. Also they are made in my home state of Iowa which I thought was pretty cool.
I was wondering about your forearm---where did you get it or who makes it? Also.....need to put a riser on my flattop....any suggestions? And I was just wondering what barrel you have in your AR? Thanks! -Dan

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/dannybracy/IMG_0953small.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/dannybracy/IMG_0955small.jpg