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The AR 15 rifle has gained immense popularity in America due to its versatility and the wide range of customization options available in the aftermarket. Often referred to as adult Legos, the AR 15 market offers countless configurations and options, allowing gun owners to personalize every aspect of their rifle. In this article, we will explore the top AR platforms and discuss the various components that make them stand out.
Introduction
The AR 15 rifle has become the most popular rifle in America, thanks to its massive aftermarket and customization options. Gun owners can easily tinker and alter every aspect of their rifle, making it a highly sought-after firearm. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top AR platforms and guide you through the process of building your own AR 15.
The Versatility of Modern AR Rifles
The AR 15 market offers a wide range of options, making it akin to adult Legos. Every component of the rifle has its own niche market, allowing you to customize it according to your preferences. Let’s explore the basic components of an AR 15 rifle:
- Lower and Upper Receivers
- Barrel
- Handguard
- Bolt Carrier and Gas System
- Trigger
- Grip
- Buttstock
Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to have a clear purpose in mind for your AR 15 build. Whether you plan to use it for 3-gun competitions or as a fighting rifle, defining your purpose will help you make informed decisions during the customization process. For the purpose of this article, we will be building a general-purpose AR 15 for sporting activities and recreational shooting.
Parts Selection
To start our AR 15 build, we need to have a parts list in place. For the sake of convenience and reliability, we have chosen an Aero Precision complete upper. Aero Precision is a well-known brand that offers pre-assembled uppers, making it an easy choice for our build.
Lower Receiver
We begin by assembling all the lower receiver parts. This process can be challenging if you’re new to it, so it’s advisable to have extra springs and detents on hand. We have opted for the Quattro-15 lower receiver, which allows us to use both standard 30-round magazines and larger 53-round magazines. The Mil-spec receiver is easy to assemble and features an ambidextrous bolt catch and mag release, enhancing its usability.
Trigger, Safety, and Pistol Grip
Next, we install the trigger, safety, and pistol grip. Depending on your chosen components, these parts may need to be installed in a specific sequence to avoid interference. Our Trigger Tech Trigger came with anti-walk pins, which required a bit more attention during installation but are expected to be more reliable in the long run.
Buttstock
After installing the trigger and safety components, we carefully tighten the pistol grip to ensure proper functioning of the safety detent. Moving on to the buffer tube and stock, we have chosen the FAB Defense stock, which offers interesting options such as an adjustable cheek piece. Although we don’t need it for this build, we appreciate the versatility it provides. The GL Core Impact buttstock, featuring a built-in recoil reduction system, is a great addition, especially for larger calibers.
Upper Receiver
For our upper receiver, we have selected Aero Precision’s M4E1. Its 16-inch barrel and lightweight handguard align perfectly with our intended use for the rifle. The large diameter of the handguard complements the high-capacity Quattro lower and magazines. We might consider adding an additional foregrip for enhanced grip and stability.
The 16-inch stainless Hanson barrel with a mid-length gas tube is threaded 1/2-28. We plan to remove the birdcage and attach a suppressor for a quieter shooting experience. The M-Lok handguard offers numerous accessory mounting options and reduces weight by featuring M-Lok slots on every angle and surface. We have also added QD sling cups in strategic locations for versatile sling configurations.
Testing and Performance
With our AR 15 build complete, it’s time to test its performance. Using PMC Bronze 55 grain ammunition, we ran several magazines worth of ammo through the gun, and it performed flawlessly. We also attached a suppressor to reduce the overall package size, which increased backpressure but did not significantly affect the shooting experience.
The Trigger Tech Trigger proved to be a great choice, allowing for rapid follow-up shots due to its short reset. Even with the 53-round magazines, we were able to empty the gun quickly. The accuracy of the Hanson stainless steel barrel was more than adequate for our purposes, although a different scope could potentially yield tighter groups.
The dual Eotech optics on the rifle provided quick target acquisition and engagement. The 8x setting allowed for accurate shots at longer distances, especially when using heavier ammunition like Hornady 73 grain match. With this combination, we could easily achieve minute of groundhog accuracy at distances of three to four hundred yards.
Afterthoughts
One of the advantages of building your own AR 15 is the ability to customize it according to your preferences. If there are any parts or components that you would like to change or upgrade, it’s easy to do so. In this build, we were satisfied with the combination of parts and sub-assemblies we selected. The Aero Precision upper performed well in terms of accuracy and modularity, and its craftsmanship and finish matched perfectly with the Desert Tech Quattro lower.
The Fab Defense GL Core buttstock proved to be effective at mitigating recoil, although it would shine even more on a 7.62 rifle. If we were to rebuild this rifle, we might consider reducing its weight slightly. However, the beauty of AR 15 rifles lies in their flexibility, allowing us to easily swap out parts and reassemble them as needed.
Feel free to critique our approach to this rifle build or share your thoughts on it. We look forward to hearing your feedback as we gather the next batch of parts for our next build.
-CBM
