Best places to buy an AR in Boise - or buy online?

[HD-DVD]

Yeah, I don't see those things as a problem, doubt that I'll bother with the handguards and only would consider the M16 Bolt Carrier if there was an extraction/ejection problem like pictured in that AR-15 Ejection Diagram thread you posted the other day, Jeff.

As far as I'm concerned the ArmaLite can move way more to the left on the "Chart" if you want 1:9".

If the front site post isn't tall enough I'll get that Bushmaster part. I'm pasting in a link to it just in case. No doubt I'll misplace the link later so here is a good place for safe keeping and if anyone else may need it.

http://www.bushmaster.com/products.asp?cat=21
It's the fifth item: A2 Front Sight Post for Flat-Top Colts

[HD-DVD]

Inching closer to having a complete AR-15, bought a carry handle today that Michael N. didn't need anymore. Looks good, thanks Mike!

Edit:
And some magazines from Jeff at the Gun Show on Sunday.

[HD-DVD]

Well hopefully things are coming together on my first AR. Jeff should be getting some uppers in this week and I'm looking at his M15A4CB Mid-Length Carbine Upper.

It will require ArmaLite's gas block rail mounted A2 style front sight which I believe looks like the following picture. Posting it here to be sure I'm on the same page as Jeff.  

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Ah here's ArmaLite's page on that sight: http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=E20151&ReturnUrl=Categories2.aspx?Category=a14c8168-f1cf-4f11-8859-bafe17a66e1e

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[HD-DVD]

Jeff just got in a few ArmaLite uppers this week so I bought one of his U15A4CB middies. Haven't fired it on my lower yet as I'm waiting on a front sight - it's the model that has a railed gas block instead of the A2 sight. (Could just sight down the flat rail but why waste ammo when I don't have enough already! Besides, it was test fired at the factory and I can see multiple brass streaks on both feed ramps.)

As I get range time with the midlength upper I hope to write a decent review but first impressions show excellent quality for the money. "Bang for the buck" is the phrase that quickly comes to mind when inspecting ArmaLite quality. If you have any experience with fine firearms just field stripping this upper will convince you it's ready out of the box to defend you and your family plus all the other tasks you may ask of it.

The first thing you notice picking it up is this thing is tough as nails. Sure, it weighs a little more than a milspec M4 upper but you get a full 16" barrel instead of 14.5 and the midlength gas system instead of the harsher carbine version. You don't get a bayonet lug or the M203 cutout but honestly, who's likely to need them? (Jeff does have the M4 LE version that is milspec if that's what you need.) Neither has the military 1:7" rifling twist, both are 1:9" which is suited for 69 grain bullets and below but ArmaLites do well with heavier bullets too. (There are reports that their barrels are closer to 1:8 than 1:9.)

Looking at the chamber area, the barrel extension and receiver have M4 feed ramps and they're cut as well as those in a Colt. On another forum I recently saw pictures of M4 feed ramps in a highly touted Bravo Company upper and they weren't aligned well between the barrel and receiver. You see that often because it's hard to get the barrel torqued down properly and allow for the gas tube and also get the feed ramps aligned. But in a quality upper that all should happen and it does in ArmaLite. I must say I'm impressed, especially at this price.

Another thing you hear about is the quality of the carrier key staking and ArmaLite does this right too. Enough metal is pressed over the hex screws that they aren't going anywhere. No need to restake this one like many other brands. The deep black bolt carrier group looks tough and it is. You don't read much about ArmaLites breaking bolts and I don't think these will either.

Finally, the finish is deep black and looks good on the S&W lower. It's a flatter black while the S&W has more sheen but with a little oil smudging you don't care. One interesting thing, the ArmaLite upper and S&W lower do not list the caliber. (It's not even stamped on the barrel hidden under the handguards. And it seems S&W doesn't bother with caliber on stripped lowers, at least the one I got.) Also ArmaLite has named their AR-15s "M-15" while S&W calls theirs "M&P-15". Nice match.

Oops, gotta stop, this is sounding like a review and I don't even have the rounds in... Anyway, to say I'm pleased is an understatement. ArmaLite uppers ooze quality and I expect it to show up at the range. It doesn't hurt that Jeff has a great price on these uppers either!

Edit: added pictures and corrected a mistake about barrel markings

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[HD-DVD]

I corrected the above about the numbering stamped on the barrel under the handguards, was going with what I'd read. When I actually got around to pulling off the handguards the only marking on the barrel is 05/09. ArmaLite customer support says that's just a date code, of course May 2009. The barrel is a Wilson and even though not marked, it is a NATO 5.56 chamber, chrome lined 4150 CMV, and 1:9 RH twist. I believe the LE uppers are marked for caliber and twist but don't know for sure.

Interesting that I managed to piece together a rifle with no caliber marking. In fact it's the first firearm I can remember handling that didn't have caliber stamped somewhere. Anyway, not a problem, just wanted to update with what ArmaLite said today.

[HD-DVD]

Jeff got in the ArmaLite gas block sight so my AR is now complete - and well ahead of schedule. Yesterday Amazon.com delivered a cheap Leapers/UTG riser mount so I can play with an old Marlin scope, too. And for a finishing touch, got the USGI sling off eBay - looked around town a little but didn't find one - which is ok since I need to give some thought to another sling.

I want to thank everyone here for all the help bringing this rifle together, I really appreciate it. And special thanks to Jeff and Michael N for answering many questions and having great prices on most of the parts! Also it was a pleasant surprise to get this done in a month instead of being backordered forever. Really enjoyed this project and am happy with the finished rifle. The bottom line was about $900, a good price for parts of this quality. Thanks again guys!

Here's the parts list:
Smith&Wesson Model M&P-15 Stripped Lower (Impact Guns)
Del-Ton Lower Parts Kit (Michael N)
Del-Ton 6-position Buttstock (Michael N)
Bushmaster Carry Handle (Michael N)
ArmaLite M-15A4CB MidLength Upper Receiver (Jeff/Sawtac)
ArmaLite Gas Block Sight (Jeff/Sawtac)
USGI M16 Sling (eBay)
USGI Magazines (Jeff/Sawtac)
Leapers/UTG 1" Riser Mount (Amazon)
Marlin Model 700A Scope (from my 336C)

Below are a few pictures. Time to go shootin'!

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[Michael N]

Looks good ! Glad I could be of help .

[HD-DVD]

Yeah I like her! Sure, boring and basic and a little retro looking - but just what I wanted. R. Lee Ermey yells at us pukes to give our rifles a girl's name so I'll call her plain Mary Jane. Plain can be beautiful though!

[popsgunner]

Looks good, as long as YOU can shoot her straight you've got a winner. I also whip a killer trigger job on AR's for 85.00, 75.00 for Boise Shooters, a nice clean even breaking 4+/- pounds. Most stock triggers are a crappy 7 lbs. Justa thought.

[HD-DVD]

Thanks, popsgunner! I hope to get her out this weekend and see what she'll do. Better than I can, I'm sure.

Good to know about your trigger job, too. I have very lightly polished the hammer/trigger mating surfaces which has eliminated most of the creep but it's still definitely a military style pull, probably 7 pounds. Heck my WASR 10 came out of the box better than that! 

[popsgunner]

No worries, let us know how "PMJ" shoots.

[HD-DVD]

"PMJ"! Yep, that's her...

[ecocks]

Hmmm, I have a S&W OR model on my wish list but a config like this would leave plenty of room for the optics at the same price.

Good information.

[HD-DVD]

I should drop in the specs I have on this build if that helps, ecocks.

Based on the US Military M4 Carbine, A4 Picatinny railed flat top; civilian legal semi-automatic only
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington
Upper and Lower Receivers: Forged 7075 T6 construction; S&W M&P-15 lower/complete ArmaLite U15A4CB upper
Barrel Length: 16" + 1.5” threaded A2 flash hider (1/2x28)
Barrel Diameter: 0.750” medium contour, without M203 step down or bayonet lug
Barrel: Milspec MIL-B-11595-E 4150 CMV (Chrome Moly Vanadium) steel, made by Wilson Arms of Branford, CT
Chrome Lined Chamber & Bore (double lapped), barrel rifling twist: RH 1:9”
Feed ramps: M4 (extended on both the barrel extension and upper receiver)
Front Sight Base: Gas Block with Picatinny Rail for mounting a front sight (easily removed if using optics)
Upper Receiver: Forged Flattop with Picatinny Rail & Laser Engraved Rail Numbering (2 through 12)
Barrel and Bolt HPT/MPI batch tested (not individually)
Shot peened bolt with patented locking lugs that increase strength; chrome lined
Black extractor insert plus Crane O-ring
Modified M16 Bolt Carrier, chrome lined, relieved to not function with M16 auto sear, firing pin remains shrouded
Properly staked Carrier/Gas key
Gas system and handguards: MidLength
Trigger: Single Stage Military, Approximately 7 lbs. Trigger pull is within military specs and clean, with little creep
Stock: Black 6-position telescoping; Del-Ton commercial threaded receiver extension; carbine buffer
Finish: Black: Hard Anodized Aluminum, Manganese Phosphated Steel (Parkerized)
Accuracy: 1.5-2" MOA with iron sights, possibly better with a scope
Length: 36.6" (stock extended); 32.7" (stock collapsed)
Weight (unloaded): 7 lbs (without sights), 7.5 lbs (with A4 carry handle and front sight) (with full magazine, add 1 lb)
Capacity: 30 + 1 rounds
Bushmaster A4 Carry Handle/Rear sight
ArmaLite E20151 A2 style front sight mounted on railed gas block
USGI black sling
USGI magazines
ArmaLite Owner's Manual

[HD-DVD]

Hmmm, I have a S&W OR model on my wish list but a config like this would leave plenty of room for the optics at the same price.

Good information.

Honestly I hadn't heard of S&W's new M&P15OR until you mentioned it. After looking at the specs and pictures, it is very similar to "PMJ" above. The main differences I can find is the barrel, the OR uses 4140 Steel, has the carbine length gas system and has an M203 cutout while ArmaLite's Wilson barrel uses true milspec steel and medium contour with no cutout and is a middy. If I had used a milspec stock they'd be even closer to the same...

Anyway, I think Jeff has another ArmaLite midlength in stock.

[calidarkman619]

Rk gunsmith has a bunch of ar stuff for sale. He will help you figure out what to get too. I bought my lower from him and some other parts too.  He is a great guy. He won't try to get you to buy something you don't want or need.  He's got lots of ar stuff!!! Lots!!

[HD-DVD]

I agree, calidarkman619!


Dropping in a picture of a couple of old vets...
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[popsgunner]

All you need is a pump 12 gauge, HD and your set. Thanks BTW, we aim to please. Nice set up.

[HD-DVD]

Actually do have another old vet that fits the bill, a 35 year old Remington 870 Wingmaster with 3 barrels. 

[mrkimberfan]

At the risk of repeating calidarkman619...RK Gunsmithing has (or can get) anything that you need for an AR.  Then of course my own personal soapbox...I really think that we as local shooters need to support our local gunshops.  I am not talking about the big box stores either.  I'm talking about the single proprietor members of our community that are service and sport oriented.  If you have ever purchased anything from one of the box stores and had a problem with it, you will know what I mean...that dumb look says it all...which widget is doing what??? Uh...we'll have to send that back.  Let's keep our friends and LOCAL businesses IN business.

[HD-DVD]

Well said MKF and I couldn't agree more.

When I started this project a couple months ago I didn't know where to go or who to buy from but as I began learning I found that you can do very well shopping in the Treasure Valley so bought everything here except for two small parts I couldn't find in town, an $11 GI sling and $12 riser. No doubt there were solutions locally for those two as well, I just didn't find them.

One thing - I was very impressed when buying a used pistol from Cliffs a couple years ago, when I noticed something that bothered me he took it in the back and test fired it for me to be sure it was ok. Try getting that kind of service from Cabelas. And continuing with Cabelas, they gave me the worst AR information I got from anyone, anywhere. (No doubt there are good people there but the two I talked to were not knowledgeable yet went ahead and gave ridiculous advice.)

Anyway, we all need to support the little guys locally and I definitely need to get over to Nampa to check out RK Gunsmithing - keep hearing great things about them!

Edit: adding a later picture with a chopped carry handle...
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[mrkimberfan]

Once you go RK...you'll never go back!!!  lol  Robert is a great guy.  And, for that matter...so is Mary.

[jordonhurd]

Another vote for RK. He finished mine about a week ago, and it's pretty much bad ass! When I get another one, RK is where I am going.

[HD-DVD]

Thought I'd drop in a picture of Plain Jane with an A2 stock. She cleans up real good!

Also a couple posts above I added a picture of what she looks like with a chopped carry handle...

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[rixret]

Buy Independent, Local Guys; RK, SawTac, Cliffs. Just to name a few. Support your local independent and often.