Thought it was a good time for an update on this build because it’s been right at one year since I bought the S&W M&P-15 stripped lower to begin. By chance that was 8/25/2009 just hours before Ted Kennedy died. Ironic with his long career and much antigun legislation to have by chance bought a firearm that very day which happened to be manufactured in his home state!
Anyway, the rifle turned out great and I sure learned a lot. Looking at my first posts I was a real noob but have learned a lot in a year. Thanks to everyone for all your help!
Not a lot has been changed since it was completed 11 months ago but there have been a couple nice upgrades - mainly a Daniel Defense M16 BCG and a BCM milspec receiver extension/M4 stock/H buffer. Of course that means I now have spares and we all know you never really have spares because they’re just the start of another build!
Went out a week ago with my son-in-law and we put 200 rounds down range with no issues. The rifle’s up to maybe 800 rounds now and not a single malfunction with any ammo I’ve tried including cheap Tula/Herter’s steel case. I know that’s not a lot of rounds for many of you but enough that I feel confident in the rifle.
I kind expected short stroking with Tula with the heavier carrier/buffer/stronger action spring but no problem at all. No malfunctions before or after. I also removed the O-ring from the extractor and again no problems so left it off.
Here are some new pictures of Plain Mary Jane…
ETA: Links to ArmaLite, S&W builds
http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php/topic,10636.0.html http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php/topic,11614.msg72971.html#new 
