Topic: Richard's AR

[HD-DVD]

It's been time to piece together another AR for a while now. Last year I built up an ArmaLite M15 stripped lower receiver purchased from Impact Guns and married it to an ArmaLite U15A4C midlength upper from SawTac. That freed up my S&W M&P-15 lower for something new. I was having a hard time deciding on a new upper but knew it had to be lighter than the ArmaLite HBAR. Had been looking at an ArmaLite carbine upper that was lighter but couldn't decide.

Then I got news that my younger brother had brain cancer so I flew back to NC last November. Richard faded fast but I did get to spend some time with him before he died. We were both in the Army in the late '60s and he was fascinated to hear you could build an AR-15 like the M16 he was issued so we did a little research together online. If he hadn't been so sick I know he would have built one himself. I stayed a month to help my family attend to Richard's funeral and all the things that had to be done. During spare time I continued researching uppers and made a decision.

When I got back to Boise I ordered a Daniel Defense 16" midlength. It came with a lightweight profile cold hammer forged barrel but otherwise was plain jane like my ArmaLite. Daniel Defense was having a end of year sale through an online vendor and they both got swamped with orders. My order went in 12/9 and it arrived 1/20 which really wasn't too bad.

As you'd expect the DD upper is high quality and it fits and functions well on the M&P-15 lower. I added Magpul MOE handguards from SawTac, a Bushnell TRS-25 RDS Cabelas has on sale this week and S&W M&P PMAGs that Sportsmans Warehouse blew out last week. For the rear sight I went old school and hacksawed down a milspec Anchor Harvey forge carry handle.

Anyway, here she is - Richard's AR!

Daniel Defense/S&W left



Daniel Defense/S&W right


And here's a parts list so far:

Lower Receiver:
Smith&Wesson Model M&P-15 Stripped Lower $130
Stag Lower Parts Kit $65
BCM M4 Milspec Stock Kit/H-buffer $85

Upper Receiver:
Daniel Defense 16” Midlength 1:7 CHF LW profile $374
Daniel Defense M16 Bolt Carrier Group $124
Daniel Defense Charging Handle $19
Magpul MOE Midlength Handguards $34

Sights:
Colt A4 Cut Carry Handle (Anchor Harvey) $40
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 1x25mm Red Dot Sight $80
UTG RS10S3 1x1.6” Rail Riser Mount $10

Miscellaneous:
S&W M&P15 MagPul PMAG 30rd Magazine $10
Sling ----

ETA: Link to ArmaLite stripped lower thread - http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php/topic,10636.0.html
Link to first ArmaLite thread - http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php/topic,6770.0.html

[J Mack]

Another great looking build HD!

Sorry to hear about your brother.

[Steve N]

I am truly sorry to hear about your brother - - Semper fi Mac - - -

[Grumblecakes]

Nice build I total never thought of chopping up a carry handle. I may have to do that.

[HD-DVD]

Thanks guys! Richard would like this rifle.

Grumblecakes, yes it's pretty easy to make a BUIS out of a carry handle. And cheap. I picked up a few true milspec height carry handles cheap off eBay and cut up the worst looking ones. If you don't need a flip up it's hard to beat. In fact LMT sells roughly the same thing for about $125!


Dropping in a few more pictures of the upper and the DD to S&W receiver fit.

Guess you could call this a Dan Wesson AR                         or Smith Defense AR                 

[HD-DVD]

Finally found some time to get out and shoot the new AR. Also took my ArmaLite since it hadn't been tested since being reconfigured. Didn't have much time so only tested for function plus had a little fun. Only put 50 rounds of Tula white box and Herters through each AR but a decent initial function test. No malfunctions, especially shortstroking, in ether so it looks like using the H buffer in the Daniel Defense and H2 in the ArmaLite will be fine even with light loads. Wondered if the extra ounce of an H2 over H would be reliable with light stuff but it seems to be offset by the 1/2 oz less weight in the AR carrier. (The DD BCG in the new AR has the 1/2 oz heavier M16 carrier and 0.9oz lighter H buffer.) Both should be fine with hotter stuff, of course it'll take a lot more rounds to be sure. I'm really glad the crappy lightweight stuff works because that's what I use most.

The only problem, the RDS on the Daniel Defense started drifting left but then I noticed the UTG mount had loosened. Tightened it and RDS was back on. I'm embarrassed to use UTG mounts but they are exactly the right size (1x1.6") and are light. A shame they have a spring loaded thingie instead of a plain thumbscrew to tighten. I'll have to look for something better or get a real knob on them.

Anyway, just like the ArmaLite upper I got from SawTac a couple years ago, the DD upper came right out of the box working 100% - very happy about that. I also was testing a few new magazines and they fed properly and locked back on the last round. Even two 20rd Thermold plastic mags I got at Sportsmans Warehouse for $4.99 apiece worked. Will have to pick up a few more for range mags. In fact I think CDNN has them for $3.99. (Yeah, I know, don't cheap out on everything!)

I'm real happy anyway, both builds are looking and working good! Minor tweaks from now on I hope.

Dropping in pictures of the old ArmaLite since it has been revamped.

[HD-DVD]

Made a few changes to both AR builds so adding pictures below.

Of the parts pictured the ones bought locally were the ArmaLite upper, MOE and CTR at SawTac, both stripped lowers at Impact Guns, the RDS at Cabelas, the scope at Dick's Sporting Goods, S&W PMAGs at Sportsmans Warehouse and various accessories locally. Most of the other parts were bought online.

Dan Wesson left


Dan Wesson right (added MOE pistol grip, QD sling mounts)



ArmaLite left


ArmaLite right

[ballardw]

Nice build I total never thought of chopping up a carry handle. I may have to do that.

Sarco has rear sight that is basically the same thing for about the same money and no work.
 http://e-sarcoinc.com/m4rearsighta2styletopmount.aspx