2 AR questions

[00Scot]

1. What is the best book to pick up that covers building AR's? I just picked up 2 stripped lowers at an amazing price and will be building them up soon. So I would like a book that will walk me thru the process.

2. What are your experiences with Vortex Scopes? I just took a look thru one yesterday and was really impressed with the scope you get for the money. I am thinking about getting the Diamondback 4-12x40 to use on my Colt AR. It will be used for Coyote and Bobcat. I'm not sure if the one with or without the AO would be a better choice. Most shots will be taken under 500 yards. I am interested in the BDC reticle. Anyone have experience with this scope and reticle?

What do you think about the Vortex scopes? Since they are new to the shooting industry and not well proven I am obviously concerned about purchasing one. They do seem extremely well built and like they would stand up to the abuse I normally give my hunting optics. But because they do not have the time tested reputation I don't feel as comfortable getting one like I would with some of the other major name brands. I did a search here and did not find any real extensive reviews.


Worse case scenario I could always buy one and find out. I figure for under $200 it may be worth the price of admission. That is why I am currently looking at the Diamondback line. They are less expensive and if it turns out not to be good glass then it is not as big of a loss as it would be if I went with the top of the line model. But if I hear form others on this board that they are in fact quality glass then I would consider looking at some of the higher end scopes in the line.

 

[gtl1946]

You might want to go to Sniper Central or Snipers Hide and look through those sites as some of those shooters are using Vortex scopes and seem generally happy.

 

[jonbearman]

Sinclairs and midway and brownells ,has books and dvd's on the subject including the dvd's by the AGI(american gun institute. Where did you get the deal on your lowers and what brand are they.

 

[00Scot]

Sinclairs and midway and brownells ,has books and dvd's on the subject including the dvd's by the AGI(american gun institute. Where did you get the deal on your lowers and what brand are they.

I know there are plenty of books out there. But some are horribly written with very bad descriptions on the assembly portion that I am looking to learn. So I was hoping someone here could point out a specific book that they found helpful.

Turners with the Calguns coupon. $69 each so I bought 2. as for the brand, I don't know nor did I care. It was tooo good a deal to pass up! It was one I have never heard of or seen before. And since the lower is not the part of the rifle that has to handle the stresses of the the shot I didn't really care what brand it was. We shall see if how the builds turn out shortly. 2 weeks and counting.

 

[00Scot]

You might want to go to Sniper Central or Snipers Hide and look through those sites as some of those shooters are using Vortex scopes and seem generally happy.

thanks, I'll take a look over there. I just don't find them very helpfull as a general rule. It's all ego and posturing.

 

[ohearchai]

The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide by Walt Kuleck and Clint McKee is pretty good.

 

[00Scot]

The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide by Walt Kuleck and Clint McKee is pretty good.

Thank you

I ordered the Walt Kuleck guide today. It looks like it should provide me with all the info I will need to build my next project.

 

[Scott Harris]

While there are plenty of good AR building books, you can simply go over to AR15.com and read their online directions. I have built several ARs following their directions with no problems: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/226782_Assemble_your_own_LOWER__UPPER__FREE_FLOAT__TRIGGER__GAS_BLOCK___Step_by_step_instructions_.html

If you are just assembling a lower, then the online instructions will be all you need. Uppers have a few nuances you should know to get the best accuracy and a good book might be useful there. Zediker has a good assembly book: http://zediker.com/books/BB/BB_main.html

 

[LAH]

While there are plenty of good AR building books, you can simply go over to AR15.com and read their online directions. I have built several ARs following their directions with no problems: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/226782_Assemble_your_own_LOWER__UPPER__FREE_FLOAT__TRIGGER__GAS_BLOCK___Step_by_step_instructions_.html

If you are just assembling a lower, then the online instructions will be all you need. Uppers have a few nuances you should know to get the best accuracy and a good book might be useful there. Zediker has a good assembly book: http://zediker.com/books/BB/BB_main.html

Assemble your own AR15 rifle from parts.... for dummies. Yelp that be what I need.

 

[markm87]

Look through the tacked threads at M4carbine.net.

There is a lot of bad info on AR15.com. AR15.com can be useful when you know the platform and which idiots to ignore.

 

[00Scot]

Look through the tacked threads at M4carbine.net.

There is a lot of bad info on AR15.com. AR15.com can be useful when you know the platform and which idiots to ignore.

I have asked 8 questions on AR15.com and 5 off those 8 questions were locked by a mod. They are the same exact questions I had asked on this forum about AR's. That forum Is not a good place to go for a new AR owner to ask questions. Every locked thread said something to the effect that "that subject was already covered elsewhere on this board"

The feeling I got from the mods on that board was more like - Someone once asked that question here 10 years ago. Now Stop asking the stupid questions "I the all powerful Mod" already know the answer to, and go find the answer to "your" question yourself you annoying little pissant.

Thanks Markm87, I'll see if I can get some more specific AR questions answered over there.

 

[Scott Harris]

Well, in all fairness, they have an entire section dedicated to building AR-15s with extensive threads and detailed instructions. Have you looked at it?
http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_3/4_Build_It_Yourself.html

 

[jimbo88mm]

I put together an AR this spring. There are many kits out there with assembled uppers and the lower parts kit. All you have to do is build the lower. I used one of the kits from J&T Distributing.

AR15.com was a great resource for getting all the information I needed. Once I had all the parts ready I used two different sources of youtube videos (Brownells and dvdtracker).

It was very easier.. just take your time and make sure you have a vice and vice block that locks into the mag well available.

Here is one of the videos I used:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_Vkb2UB1w


Have fun!

 

[00Scot]

Thank you for all the help and advice. I finally have all the parts ready to go. I'm just waiting my ten days to get my stripped Lowers. Then the fun begins.

 

[KevinThomas]

OOScott,

Depending on what you're building it for, you might want to check out Glen Zediker's latest, "The Competitive AR15 Builders Guide." On point, if you're looking at building an accuracy oriented AR, very well illustrated and very clear instructions on every aspect of building a competitive Service or match rifle.

 

[hogan]

Big +1 for Glen Zediker's books. Have both Competitive AR books and both are well-written and enjoyable to pickup and read from anywhere. Am sure his builders book is a good one. Competitive AR books discuss most of the precision builders, preferred components like barrels, triggers, service rifle match sights, and handloading gear and loads.

If you want to just build a rifle, there is an illustrated thread at ar15.com that is very good. Sure the Fulton Armory guys have done a fine job on the process, but rather doubt they are covering nuances that might make/break a competitive shooter. You will learn what matters for precision from Zediker for sure.

As to scopes, the cheaper vortex are supposed to be decent. Unless you are building a prairie-dog gun which will always be shot from a bench or bipod, the long-tube, high magnification scopes tend to be hard to mount on an AR-15, and many will be quite heavy. Leupold is an exception. Their 4.5-14x is extremely compact and at about 1lb very lightweight. The 50mm objectives are excellent in low light. The 3x9 50mm VX-II is a very durable option, or the Euro model if you want 30mm tube. The 1.25-4x is extremely compact often chosen for 3gun competition which I have no experience of, but the scopes are very rugged and often selected for dangerous game rifles because of this. To preserve the primary benefits of the AR-15 which are lightness and speedy handling, think you'll find longtube scopes ungainly and too heavy.

 

[00Scot]

I picked up a video called "Building your AR-15 from scratch" and used that to assemble one of my lowers that I just purchased.

I took her to the range and she shot like a champ. Functioned flawlessly and basically worked out as well as I could have ever hoped for.


Thank you all for the help. It really helped this project come together. Now I just gotta figure out what I want to make with the 2nd lower. Maybe I will just keep her for the end of the world. Then I can put together my full auto version. You know...........for self defense and all.... 8)