An Overview of an AR Build

Let’s take a look at this interesting AR build.

 

The Lower Receiver & Parts Kit

The build process often begins with the selection of a lower, and in this instance, the introduction of the Armory Dynamics DD-214 Multi-Cal lower proved timely. The “DD-214” marking prompted a thorough investigation into the AD-15’s specifications and construction quality. The findings were overwhelmingly positive, leading to the acquisition of the lower, a decision that has since been met with no regrets.

The lower’s safety selector is uniquely marked with “Retired” for Safe, “Active” for Fire, and “Recalled” for Full Auto, echoing the DD-214 theme. This feature does more than add personality; it serves as a tribute to veterans, with a portion of proceeds supporting them. Such a detail ensures a sense of pride with every use.

Equipped with ambidextrous selector switch holes, it easily accommodates right- and left-handed users. To add, a machined hole at the bottom of the fire control well caters to those who prefer adjustable triggers, signifying a thoughtful design consideration.

Installation and removal of the bolt catch are simplified with the introduction of a dog leg screw, effectively preventing any damage to the lower. The presence of a receiver tension screw obviates the need for wedges, ensuring a tight fit between the upper and lower receivers. The rear take-down detent screw further enhances user-friendliness by eliminating the common frustration of lost springs during assembly.

This lower is primed for integration with any drop-on trigger system and supports the Battle Arms Development 45-degree safety selector without the necessity for modifications.

The AD-15 distinguishes itself not only through its features but also through its craftsmanship. With tolerances refined to less than 5% of Mil-Spec, it guarantees a precise fit, reducing any potential looseness.

Included with the lower are essential components such as the bolt catch screw, detent spring screw, and receiver tension screw, along with the Armory Dynamics lifetime warranty. This warranty, notable for its comprehensive coverage, includes protection against manufacturing defects and damage under extraordinary circumstances, excluding extreme mishaps like being crushed by a tank or domestic incidents.

Parts Kit For The Lower

The selection for the lower parts was the Strike Industries Enhanced Lower Parts Kit, specifically chosen for its superior design features, excluding the trigger components in favor of a separate drop-in assembly.

Key to this kit is the Enhanced Bolt Catch, which offers improved grip surfaces and angles for optimal control and feedback, ensuring seamless operation under various conditions. Equally important are the Strike Magazine Catch and Button, upgrades that significantly improve reloading efficiency and the overall tactile experience.

The kit’s pins, including the Enhanced Pivot and Takedown Pins, stand out for their user-friendly design, simplifying the disassembly process and eliminating the common frustrations associated with maintenance. The inclusion of the SI Selector Lever and End Plate, along with the versatile 60-90° 3-in-1 Selector Shaft, provides unprecedented customization and control, allowing for a tailored firing mode preference with a personal setting at a 60° throw.

The kit’s springs, such as the Bolt Catch Spring, Hammer, and Trigger Springs, are engineered for flawless operation and consistent trigger response. Precision is a hallmark of this kit, with components like the Bolt Catch Plunger, hammer, and Trigger Pins designed to fit perfectly, ensuring reliable performance and stability of the lower’s internal mechanisms.

The Strike Industries Enhanced Lower Parts Kit stands as a cornerstone for building or upgrading a rifle, offering a combination of reliability, user-friendliness, and performance improvement. Opting for this kit, along with a chosen drop-in trigger assembly, primes a rifle for an unmatched shooting experience. This approach is about more than mere assembly; it’s about crafting a firearm that becomes a natural extension of the shooter, epitomizing precision, dependability, and readiness.

Drop-In Trigger

The chosen trigger for this build was the Hiperfire PDI (Power Drop-In) BLK, set for an exceptionally light 2 lb pull weight. This characteristic makes it an ideal option for those seeking precision, as it minimizes movement and maximizes accuracy without compromising reliability. Despite its light pull, the trigger ensures a MIL-Grade hammer strike, eliminating concerns over light primer strikes and guaranteeing dependable performance with every pull.

The Hiperfire PDI BLK is distinguished not only by its functionality but also by its H&M BLACKNITRIDE+™ finish. This coating enhances corrosion resistance and delivers a smoothness that adds to the trigger’s tactile appeal.

A standout feature is the Curved Trigger Bow with a Backbone™, which provides stability and ensures a consistent pull each time. The incorporation of the HIPERSHOE® Finger Pad Revolution™ revolutionizes trigger interaction. This innovative component allows for adjustable trigger lever length, affording shooters precise control over weight and pre-travel. It also aids in achieving consistent finger placement, further reducing perceived trigger weight and improving shooting accuracy and control.

Included in the trigger’s design are the standard benefits of Hiperfire’s Extreme Duty Triggers (EDT), making this component a comprehensive addition to the firearm. Enhanced by the inclusion of the Strike Industries Cobra trigger guard, this setup offers an unparalleled shooting experience, emphasizing precision, reliability, and user comfort.

Buffer System

The assembly included the Strike Industries Advanced Receiver Extension, a Flat Wire Buffer Spring, and the AR Enhanced Castle Nut with Extended End Plate in an eye-catching FDE finish. The Advanced Receiver Extension stands out due to its design, which ensures a tight fit with the stock for enhanced stability and minimal movement.

The choice of a Flat Wire Buffer Spring over traditional coiled springs brings multiple advantages, including quieter operation and reduced friction, leading to a smoother cycling process and extended durability of the firearm components. This translates into a more pleasant shooting experience and a better investment over time.

Adding aesthetic appeal and functionality, the AR Enhanced Castle Nut and Extended End Plate enhance the rifle’s appearance and add practical benefits. The end plate includes a built-in QD sling mount, eliminating the need for additional attachments for sling integration. This setup offers a stronger, more secure connection, minimizing the necessity for staking while ensuring a tight and reliable fit.

Further customization is achieved with the Odin Works Adjustable Buffer – AR-15 Heavy. This component introduces the ability to adjust buffer weight, a feature for optimizing the rifle’s performance across different ammunition types and gas system lengths. The adjustable buffer significantly aids in recoil management, contributing to smoother shooting and enhanced control. This adjustability is a critical aspect, offering a precision in firearm tuning that fixed-weight buffers cannot provide.

The Upper

The upper receiver chosen for this build was the Bravo Company BCM M4 Upper Receiver Assembly, meticulously crafted from 7075 T6 aluminum forgings, renowned for their exceptional strength. This selection underscores the importance of durability and reliability in a firearm, especially one subject to the rigors of use, including potential impacts and the demands of malfunction clearance drills.

A noteworthy feature of the BCM upper is its slightly undersized diameter for the barrel extension. Far from being a drawback, this deliberate design choice aims to secure a tighter barrel fit, thereby elevating the rifle’s accuracy. Although this detail may necessitate additional effort during assembly, such as warming the receiver to accommodate the barrel extension, the resultant enhancement in precision is deemed a worthy trade-off.

The upper is delivered fully assembled, complete with a forward assist and ejection port cover, streamlining the build process. It includes a Mil-Std 1913 Rail to easily add optics and accessories, ensuring a stable mounting platform.

The forward assist is constructed from heat-treated tool steel, featuring a press fit and pinned cap for increased durability and dependability. The upper’s hard coat anodizing, compliant with Mil-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2 specifications, fortifies the surface and offers added corrosion resistance.

The build’s functionality is further enhanced by the Lantac BCG (Bolt Carrier Group) MSpec TiN (Titanium Nitride), chosen for its aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. The TiN coating reduces friction, facilitating smoother cycling and diminishing wear over time while also providing superior corrosion resistance. Lantac’s commitment to precision engineering is evident in this BCG, ensuring the rifle operates flawlessly over countless rounds.

Completing the upper assembly is the Strike Industries Charging Handle with an Extended Latch in FDE, selected for both its functionality and its visual compatibility with the rifle. The extended latch facilitates easier operation, a critical feature when wearing gloves or in high-pressure situations. The design of this charging handle prioritizes ergonomics and efficiency, allowing for rapid and reliable rifle charging.

Barrel & Gas System

The barrel selected for this project was the Aero Precision 16″ 5.56 CMV Barrel, featuring a mid-length gas system and a 1:7 twist rate. This barrel strikes an optimal balance between weight and performance, offering excellent functionality without excessive heft. The 1:7 twist rate is particularly suited for stabilizing a broad spectrum of bullet weights, thereby accommodating various shooting applications.

To accompany the barrel, the Aero Precision low profile .750 Gas Block was chosen for its reliability and sleek design. Its low-profile nature ensures it fits seamlessly under the handguard, avoiding unnecessary bulk, while the .750 diameter guarantees a perfect fit with the barrel, ensuring stability and efficiency.

The gas tube selected was a mid-length option from Bravo Company, chosen for its compatibility with the chosen barrel and gas block, ensuring smooth operation and optimal gas system performance.

For the muzzle device, the decision was made in favor of the VG6 Epsilon 556 Muzzle Brake, acclaimed for its effectiveness in recoil reduction and muzzle rise minimization. This muzzle brake integrates the features of a brake, compensator, and flash hider, offering a comprehensive solution to manage recoil, maintain sight alignment, and suppress muzzle flash.\

The VG6 Epsilon 556’s design facilitates rapid follow-up shots and sustained control over the rifle, crucial for both rapid fire situations and scenarios demanding high precision. Its capability to mitigate muzzle rise helps in maintaining consistent target acquisition, while its flash hiding feature makes it adaptable to varied lighting conditions, enhancing visibility and performance.

Opting for the VG6 Epsilon 556 Muzzle Brake was a calculated move to improve the firing experience, focusing on achieving a high level of comfort, control, and accuracy with each shot fired.

Furniture

For the grip, the choice was the FAB Defense AGR-43, which offers unparalleled comfort and grip enhancement due to its distinctive rubberized texture. This grip is designed for optimal control and to minimize hand fatigue during extended periods of use. Its ergonomic shape conforms to the hand, offering a natural and firm grasp that seems irreplaceable by any other.

The selection for the stock fell on the FAB Defense GL-Core, noted for its slim profile and ergonomic features that contribute to the rifle’s balance and ease of handling. This stock facilitates both quick engagement and precise aiming, demonstrating that comfort does not have to be compromised for performance.

The foregrip chosen was the Strike Industries Link in FDE, chosen for its aesthetic compatibility with the rifle. Despite some reservations about its feel, attributable more to habit than to its quality or design, the Link foregrip’s ability to mount on both Picatinny and M-LOK systems, coupled with its ergonomic benefits, ultimately justified its inclusion.

It aids in control and maneuverability, fostering quicker targeting and steadier shooting. The foregrip is designed to support a natural grip, lessening strain and enhancing handling over prolonged periods. Despite occasional doubts, possibly leading to considerations of a smaller hand stop, the Link foregrip remains an integral part of the setup for its tangible benefits.

The Midwest Industries Slim Line Free Float M-Lok Handguard was chosen for its lightweight construction and free-floating design, which contribute to enhanced accuracy by allowing the barrel to remain undisturbed and free from additional stress during operation. The handguard’s slim profile affords a comfortable and firm grip, aiding in control and precision over long shooting sessions.

A Fortis QD sling mount was added to the handguard’s end, reflecting a preference for a sling attachment point that offers convenience and accessibility. This placement is particularly advantageous for ease of transition between shooting stances and for carrying the rifle over extended periods. Although the handguard includes integrated sling mounts, the addition of the Fortis QD mount provides increased flexibility and customization in the carrying and handling of the rifle.

The sling selected was the Grovtec 2-Point Sabre Sling. While it has not yet been tested in field conditions, its selection was based on thorough research and positive reviews, indicating that it aligns perfectly with the desired style and functionality. The choice underscores a commitment to quality and suitability in selecting components that enhance the overall shooting experience.

Sight System

For the optic, the selection was the SIG SAUER TANGO-MSR LPVO 1-6x24mm in Coyote, a choice influenced by the optic’s low-power variable magnification (LPVO), offering versatility across a range of distances. The 1-6x magnification provides adaptability for close-quarter scenarios as well as for targets that are further away, while the 24mm objective lens ensures a clear and wide field of view.

The TANGO-MSR has garnered acclaim for its optical clarity, robustness, and user-friendliness. Although extensive range testing is pending, preliminary shooting trials have validated its suitability and performance, aligning with expectations for an LPVO that delivers both flexibility and efficiency.

A set of 45-degree Back-Up Iron Sights (BUIS) from Feyachi was added to the setup. Despite being a more cost-effective solution, these sights offer a dependable alternative for aiming, which is valuable in situations where the primary optic is compromised or when transitioning swiftly to nearer targets is necessary. The BUIS’s angled placement ensures they do not obstruct the primary optic line of sight while remaining readily accessible.

Putting it Together

This meticulously assembled rifle is a testament to precision engineering and a thoughtful selection of components tailored to deliver unparalleled performance across various shooting conditions. Starting with the Armory Dynamics DD-214 Multi-Cal lower and its veteran-honoring design, coupled with the Strike Industries Enhanced Lower Parts Kit and a remarkably light Hiperfire PDI BLK trigger, the foundation of this rifle sets the stage for reliability and precision. The inclusion of a Strike Industries Advanced Receiver Extension, alongside a finely tuned Odin Works Adjustable Buffer, ensures smooth operation and customization to shooter preferences.

The build continues, focusing on handling and ergonomics. It incorporates the FAB Defense AGR-43 grip and GL-Core stock alongside a Strike Industries Link foregrip for improved control and comfort. The selection of the Midwest Industries Slim Line Free Float M-Lok Handguard, paired with strategic sling and QD mount placements, enhances the rifle’s versatility and maneuverability.

At its heart, the Bravo Company BCM M4 Upper Receiver Assembly, equipped with a Lantac BCG and a Strike Industries Extended Latch Charging Handle, epitomizes durability and functionality. This is complemented by the Aero Precision 16″ 5.56 CMV barrel with a mid-length gas system, optimized for accuracy with its 1:7 twist rate and harmonized with a low-profile gas block and VG6 Epsilon 556 Muzzle Brake for superior recoil management and muzzle control.

Rounding off this build is the SIG SAUER TANGO-MSR LPVO 1-6x24mm optic, offering a versatile magnification range and clear vision for both close and extended ranges, supplemented by Feyachi 45-degree BUIS for reliable backup sighting.

This rifle is a confluence of tactical innovation, operational reliability, and shooting precision. It is designed for enthusiasts who demand the best in terms of performance, adaptability, and quality.