Best AR Kit?

[cimmaronkid]

First off, this forum has been a significant drain in my wallet as it has forced me to spend large amounts of $$ for new toys. I am wanting to build up a AR HB Varmint rig with flat top receiver and need to know who out there has the best and most complete kit. Built 5 cetmes and just finished my first AK so this should be a piece of cake. I can reload either milspec brass or commerical but don't know the difference in the various chambers. I could go to the AR forum and try and sort this out, but figured I would do this here as quite honestly I value the opinions of the people here more and feel that their knowledge is greater. I want the barrel free floated, the butt stock may be replaced with either a Choate hand hook or a "space gun" type stock and the trigger replaced with a McCormick match trigger drop in. Give me some sound advice.

[wulf50guy]

Hey Cimmaronkid,
I've had good experiences with a company called Del-Ton here in NC.
they have a pretty good choice or parts and Kits.
And when you are building the kit of your choice you can customize it through drop down menus for almost every part of the kit.
Plus they will quote you custom kits.
They are great people to deal with.
Majority of the parts they work with are DPMS, CMT, some RRA parts.
Barrels are all DPMS or Wilson.

[woofert]

Cimmaronkid,

First thing I’d look at is what you intend to use the rifle for, which sounds like you have already done. Next, I consider what ammo I’d be shooting. If you’ll be mostly shooting ammo that you’d buy then something in 5.56/223 would be the way to go. If, as you said, you reload and are looking for max range/accuracy then there are other chambering available.

When I was looking at kits, I took a close look at the varmint kits available in 204 Ruger and 6mm PPC, as well as the tactical kit in 6.8 SPC at Model 1 Sales.

I am planning on building another rifle, if I build it in stock dress it’ll probably be in 5.56/223. If I go with a heavy barrel, float tube, flat top, it’ll probably be in something other than 5.56/223.

Do some looking around on the internet, most AR part suppliers have kits, find what you want and then ask if anyone has delt with them here, chances are someone here has or knows someone who has.

Woofert

[KnobCreek]

+1 on Del-Ton. They are always a pleasure to deal with and are very accommodating to questions. Email or call them and ask for Tony.

[weasel_master]

For a varmint rig would you want to be hauling around a heavy rifle? Does a HB make that much of a difference?

[cimmaronkid]

Weasel Master, Almost 99% of my varmint hunting is done off of a bench under an umbrella with a cooler of non alcoholic drinks close by with the awning set up and the charcoaler cooking away. My LIGHTEST rifle for this weighs 10 lbs and most go around 12-14 lbs. I won't be carrying this thing except from the truck to the bench and back which is usually no more than 20 yds. I am even after a 24 inch barrel and would like to figure out a way to mount the gas block by a dovetail so that I can use the maximum diameter possible and then have this straight fluted. (Not sold on helical fluting yet) This will help in keeping the barrel cooler. I will use a Choate off hand butt (E-2?) and weight this. Will use a flat top receiver without forward assist or cover.(No need for these items) Trigger will be a McCormick drop in with a straight trigger and set at the lowest possible pull. I will also equip it with a shell catcher so I won't be losing the brass. Object of this gun is to give me a faster method of shooting prairie dogs out to 300 yds as the bolt guns I have are just too slow this early in the year as there are so many young, dumb, and not shot at PD's out there. I know this is like retro engineering, trying to make this thing heavy, but in order to shoot little groups at 300 yds, this is what has to be done.

[weasel_master]

I got ya. Man, sounds like a fun time. More relaxing than anything.

[Alaskagrown]

I am not sure who I would go with it wouldn't be Del-Ton, Model1, M&A or JT I would probably go through RRA and get a varmint upper since it has the 1/8 twist so you could use the longer heavier bullets to take farther shots.

[KnobCreek]

Normally, I would suggest RRA as well, but having to wait 20 weeks (and still counting) on 3 lowers I ordered in October, it's kindda leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Their quality is up there, so if you're patient enough, go with them.

[woofert]

I am not sure who I would go with it wouldn't be Del-Ton, Model1, M&A or JT I would probably go through RRA and get a varmint upper since it has the 1/8 twist so you could use the longer heavier bullets to take farther shots.



Sound advice there Alaska grown.

My experience with a 1 in 12 twist Contender barrel was that it shot 45-50 grain bullets very accurately, but shot a “pattern” with the 62-64 grain bullets.

I would be hard pressed to check into the 6mm PPC as it does have a proven track record in accuracy.

Woofert

[cimmaronkid]

Didn't know that the PPC round would work in the AR because of the case rim. Other problem I see is the cost of brass for the PPC cases as they are quite expensive compared to commerical .223 and really pricey when compared to once fired milspec. We usually go out for 3 days at a time and will shoot over 1500 rounds for the 3 days at the PD's. Since we are all retired, we would stay longer but just get tired of looking through a scope all the time. After day 1, we don't shoot anything closer than 200 yds. and still have over an 80% hit ratio. The 1:8 twist works really well with the heavier bullets and these little pills just VAPORIZE a PD when hit. The other thing it does is give the 55 grainers a really fast rotational velocity and if the bullets will hold together, they just turn them into red and brown goo. I also need the 24" barrel to wring out every fps of velocity from the round. If you have never shot prairie dogs before, you owe it to yourself to go. Just bring lots of ammo.

[7.62Slinger]

I don't know about the best, but is is one of the cheaper ones I've found.
Check this out: http://akpartskits.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=5_9&products_id=287&osCsid=7277d840f8524cb5c1f697adbf361784

AR15.com has a long thread on it..........

Slinger

[SteelCore]

"Almost 99% of my varmint hunting is done off of a bench under an umbrella with a cooler of non alcoholic drinks close by with the awning set up and the charcoaler cooking away"

Dang, I gotta hunt w/you man...that's really 'roughin' it'! :)
Sounds like fun. I'd have to bring a few guns fer fun...the .270 would be a blast at 200-300yds! it does get pricey tho...

[Hoot]

I don't know about the best, but is is one of the cheaper ones I've found.
Check this out: http://akpartskits.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=5_9&products_id=287&osCsid=7277d840f8524cb5c1f697adbf361784

AR15.com has a long thread on it..........

Slinger

The coincidence of this is hilarious. I just ordered one of these yesterday. Regardless of the company's colored history, their current stuff looks very nice, especially for someone on a budget. They're local to me and I know several of their technicians. Yeah, they made some bad designs early on, but they have their stuff together now. Most of their money is coming from Military contracts that are booming with things in the middle east being what they are. That's why some of their products are out of stock. They are stretched to capacity right now and as such do not have a lot of time to correspond or chat on the phone. Probably going to build on either a Superior Arms receiver (the owner is a good guy) or a DPMS that the folks who do my transfers are a rep for. I like the adjustable trigger take-up screw iincorporated in the Superior receiver. Nice touch and did I mention, they're $95 shipped.

Now, to decide whether to get some prvi partisan M193 from AIM or some once-fired, remanufactured LC from Ammunition To Go. My intent is to reload, so I'm probably not looking for a large amount of brass to start out.

As you can probably tell, I'm doing this one on-the-cheap. Not interested in bragging rights, just a good grouping.

Hoot

[GearShanty]

I don't know about the best, but is is one of the cheaper ones I've found.
Check this out: http://akpartskits.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=5_9&products_id=287&osCsid=7277d840f8524cb5c1f697adbf361784

AR15.com has a long thread on it..........

Slinger

I ordered two from them on 2/24 to play with. The one I got looks good. The other one won't be here until 3/15. Their customer service is HORRIBLE. They charged my card for 2 kits, only shipped one and never let me know about the other kit. Not even on the invoice. It took a total of 8 phone messages (none of which were returned to me) and 3 emails to get it somewhat resolved. They also said they would ship my second kit on 3/5 with 2-day service. It shipped on 3/9 regular UPS Ground. Some times a little savings isn't worth the hassle. If I ran my business that way, my kid's would be starving.

[jonboy20]

I ordered two from them on 2/24 to play with. The one I got looks good. The other one won't be here until 3/15. Their customer service is HORRIBLE. They charged my card for 2 kits, only shipped one and never let me know about the other kit. Not even on the invoice. It took a total of 8 phone messages (none of which were returned to me) and 3 emails to get it somewhat resolved. They also said they would ship my second kit on 3/5 with 2-day service. It shipped on 3/9 regular UPS Ground. Some times a little savings isn't worth the hassle. If I ran my business that way, my kid's would be starving.




That is hesse...stay away!!!!

http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=307172

[KnobCreek]

Yeah, alot of folks are tempted into purchasing from them because they are saving $30 or so dollars, but when you look at all the aggrevation that several folks are encountering, that $30 is well worth it to go to a reputable dealer.

[franks71vw]

so what is a reputable dealer... I have been trying to build an ar in 9mm and one in .223 for a ferret top but no luck so far:bubba:

[mrbgt]

hey knobby how are the shurluk kits ? i was checking out some of their varmit rigs they look nice and are priced good

[KnobCreek]

hey knobby how are the shurluk kits ? i was checking out some of their varmit rigs they look nice and are priced good

I'm quite happy with the kits that I purchased from Shurluk. They're a relatively local outfit and they know that if I am not happy with what I got, I'd be driving down to their location to demand an exhange. Normally, if something wasn't to my liken, I'd just call them up and ask that they'd bring a replacement to the next gunshow that I'd be attending. This hasn't happened much except for a time when they forgot to put a sight post spring under the post and the thing fell down the hole and got stuck there. I wound up drilling it out and getting a replacement...no biggie though.

As far as reputable dealers, I tend to stick to Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, Rock River, Del-Ton, J&T, and Stag, among others. They've proven their customer service to me numerous times.

[texlurch]

I am looking at doing the same thing. I bought from M&A in the past, but they don't have all the options I want, so I'll probably try Model 1 sales.

I want a 24" flattop, fluted, Ergo grip, RRA 2-stage, ACE stock. The ones they have listed are 1:8 twist, so since I shoot either 55 or 62 that will work.

As soon as I get my bonus check from work, I'll be ordering.

[Alaskagrown]

so what is a reputable dealer... I have been trying to build an ar in 9mm and one in .223 for a ferret top but no luck so far:bubba:
RRA and JT both have 9mm kits IIRC M&A does also might not be in stock though

[thedavel]

Cimmaronkid,

First thing I’d look at is what you intend to use the rifle for, which sounds like you have already done. Next, I consider what ammo I’d be shooting. If you’ll be mostly shooting ammo that you’d buy then something in 5.56/223 would be the way to go. If, as you said, you reload and are looking for max range/accuracy then there are other chambering available.

When I was looking at kits, I took a close look at the varmint kits available in 204 Ruger and 6mm PPC, as well as the tactical kit in 6.8 SPC at Model 1 Sales.

I am planning on building another rifle, if I build it in stock dress it’ll probably be in 5.56/223. If I go with a heavy barrel, float tube, flat top, it’ll probably be in something other than 5.56/223.

Do some looking around on the internet, most AR part suppliers have kits, find what you want and then ask if anyone has delt with them here, chances are someone here has or knows someone who has.

Woofert

Model 1 sales rocks. They're only about 50 miles from me. I bought my 20 varmit upper from them.