No Forward Assist Carbine Build

USMC6094

USMC6094

Schnitzengruben
2A Bourbon Hound OG
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Well, the bug bit a few weeks ago and I started buying a few parts and looking over what I already had, so a totally new build is in the offing. And thanks to a new in the wrap Colt M4 barrel I already had, and just about all of the small parts I'd need to get started, I went shopping.
So here's the list.........

As I'm too lazy to type it all out, here's a picture of the long hand parts list.
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Barrel and muzzle parts will go to ADCO the first of next week before my surgery, I hope.......
 
The barrel is already packed up for its trip to get pinned and welded. But here's the rest.
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The upper is just a standard M4 upper less the forward assist. Other than the pistol grip and bolt catch, I'm trying for a slightly modernized retro look.
 
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Sounds like an awesome build.

I bought this Anderson upper a few years ago and still don't know what I have planned for it, but it's going to be epic. šŸ˜

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The BCM A2EX arrived this PM, and I found the hand guards I was looking for locally.

So i went to ADCOs website and did a little research. And I think I'm going to send them the entire upper to assemble, not just the pin-&-weld the barrel, figure I'll just kill two birds with one stone.

I'll just use my X-Caliber tool to square up the face of the barrel nut threads before I send it on to them.
 
Ive used ADCO for various AR barrel threading, pinning, etc. they do excellent and fast work.

is there a reason for the BCM muzzle device? If Iā€™m bothering to pin-weld Iā€™d want something that can mount a suppressor like a JMAC or SOLGW keymo flash hider.
 
92G said:
Ive used ADCO for various AR barrel threading, pinning, etc. they do excellent and fast work.

is there a reason for the BCM muzzle device? If Iā€™m bothering to pin-weld Iā€™d want something that can mount a suppressor like a JMAC or SOLGW keymo flash hider.
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BCM because I don't own a can, and I want the barrel to have the look of an issue M4.

One day that may change, but as it stands, gonna be a take on the K.I.S.S. principal
 
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I have several builds similar to yours, all I want are slick-side uppers these days. After seeing the originals (armalite, colt) were slick sided, and the fact that I have never used one on mine confirms it. I do like lowers that have the integrated (oversize) trigger guard. I've never swapped one out, so don't see the reason for that either.

I'm definitely a fan of ambi safety switches- two reasons (and I'm right handed, that's not one). I've found the going safe to fire is easy with the thumb but going fire to safe is much easier on the right side of the receiver by pulling my index finger on the right side. Second reason is that it's easier for me to observe when someone is firing from the right side that they're on safe.

On the bolt release- I go standard and then get a BAD lever. I swap lowers around a lot and some of the more exotic bolt releases don't fit on other uppers, I don't think I'm a fan of ambi mag releases- seems too easy to bump and drop a mag. I haven't actually used one yet, so not sure.

Have fun! Building ARs is addicting- I ran out of reasons to give my wife as to why I needed another but since prices are reasonable I get away with it.

A hint for anyone looking for a a P&W- B King Firearms has great prices on Ballastic advantage barrels (and sometimes Faxon). They also sell muzzle brakes, and on the last barrel I bought, they pinned and welded the brake for $30 as part of my order.
 
Since there's a momentary stay on getting the upper receiver assembled, I started building the lower last night.
Thus far I added the the rear takedown pin/detent/spring, BCM QD socket receiver end plate, buffer detent assembly, and five position buffer tube with parkerized castle nut.

I also decided on the trigger last night. Since I have a second hand Geissele (Single Stage) Super Dynamic 3 Gun trigger that needs a home, it's now spoken for by this build.

ƗƗƗ-edited to add- I just found the Aero ambi-safety I bought like 6 months ago, so the standard selector is out, and the Ambi is in.
 
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Well, the Strike Industries trigger guard amounted to more trouble than I was ready to invest in, so I used a plain Jane USGI part, but the Strike Industries bolt catch installed just fine.
 
Messed around with the lower attached to another rifles upper to see about getting a feel for the Geissele 3 gun trigger and my feelings are a bit mixed.
Break is nice and clean, overall it's really mushy. I'm going to try more grease where it needs to be, and that may change it, but it remains to be seen as to how great this trigger will be.
But I'm sure it'll work itself out.
 
USMC6094 said:
Messed around with the lower attached to another rifles upper to see about getting a feel for the Geissele 3 gun trigger and my feelings are a bit mixed.
Break is nice and clean, overall it's really mushy. I'm going to try more grease where it needs to be, and that may change it, but it remains to be seen as to how great this trigger will be.
But I'm sure it'll work itself out.
Click to expand...

They have a kind of rolling carrot like break. Rather than a glass rod break.
At least that is how they feel to me.
 
Old thread update..........

Last Saturday I took the upper to a local shop that also does a lot of custom builds and other work.
Yesterday I got a phone call, and the upper has been completed and test fired.
I also dropped off my Swedish M96 project rifle to be finish reamed to get the headspace right. It hasn't been gotten to yet, so once it's done, I'll pick them both up.
 
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Picked up the complete upper this afternoon. Added the front sight parts, the DD A1.5 rear sight, and the front sight rail.
It shoulders like my GAU5, and with a small light up front, and simple optic, it'll be a light and simple tool.
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Now its awaiting its turn to the range.
 
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