It's official- I'm now one of the AR collective

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Also, what is "good" price for ammo? Like for instance the M855 or M193?


sgammo.com
targetsportsusa.com
the-armory.com
ammunitiondepot.com

Wolf Gold is exceptional target ammo. Clean and accurate. Good prices too. $289 per 1000/shipped at target sports

This made in Belgium FN mil-spec ammo is a FREAKING steal right now. This is real deal mil-spec ammo, in an ammo can. This FN stuff sells quick, dries up, and then isn't found again for years at a time. Its available now, and I would highly recommend getting some. This is not shooting ammo. This is ammo you stick in your closet for the next 20 years, just in case.
https://www.ammunitiondepot.com/2175-fn-m855-556-62-grain-steel-core-penetrator-ss109-bulk.html

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
I picked up the PSA lower that bubbatime recommended today, so I pinned the upper to it to see how it worked- as you can see, it was fine. So obviously the issue lies with the Noreen lower.


Yep. The Anderson upper is a mil-spec upper, so nothing to go wrong there. The Noreen lower, being billet, doesn't play nice with the Anderson upper. Like I said earlier, its not a REAL problem, as pivot is not needed for any real purpose.

 

[bubbatime]

As to the barrel, its pretty bottom of the barrel stuff. It should be ok for a plinker. The barrel is unlined, with no chrome or nitride. The gas port is also on the huge side fora carbine gas, so it will be over-gassed.

Next time you build an AR, you spend your money on the barrel and the bolt carrier group. And then perhaps the trigger. Everything else is just parts.

These are GREAT barrels. 4150 steel, nitride, preferable mid-length gas. They seem kind of expensive, but they also include a pinned on gas block, which is a $75 to $100 value.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?i...mp;groupid=6477

 

[billt460]

Classic Arms now has stripped Anderson forged lowers for just $39.99. They are forged from T-6 7075.

https://www.classicfirearms.com/anderson-ar-lower

 

[The_Eric]

Well gentleman, it's done! I took it out to the gravel pit just to make sure it functioned and I'm glad I did. Turns out that I had the spring for the hammer in wrong. While it would fire, the primer strikes were soft and more importantly, the legs of that spring didn't lay across the notch in the trigger retaining pin, allowing it to back out.

So after sorting get that out my wife and I headed to the range. This target was at 25yds using iron sights. Still have a way a to go but at least I know it'll work properly. So far it's got 200 roundso through it.

 

[billt460]

Good for you! Glad it runs good for you.

 

[Robenstein]

Looks like you had a great learning experience with the build, both how to put them together, and to troubleshoot them when they don't function properly.

I have three Spikes lowers I got from the same local former LEO dealer as you. Going to be building a DMR style gun in the future.

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Well gentleman, it's done! I took it out to the gravel pit just to make sure it functioned and I'm glad I did. Turns out that I had the spring for the hammer in wrong. While it would fire, the primer strikes were soft and more importantly, the legs of that spring didn't lay across the notch in the trigger retaining pin, allowing it to back out.


Good job figuring that out. 99% of the time the pins walk out of the lower receiver, its because the hammer spring is installed incorrectly. I swear I fix that issue on someone else's gun about once a month at the range. I keep a punch in my range bag for that very reason.

 

[billt460]

Primary Arms has this deal going if anyone is interested. Buy a barrel and get a complete bolt carrier group free. They also have forged Anderson lowers for just $35 bucks eack. Limit 2 per customer. I had a thread started about those, but it got deleted for some reason. I don't know why this stuff keeps disappearing without any explanation. Anyway, both of these are pretty good deals.

http://www.primaryarms.com/M4N160-AMM16N...886701746345492

http://www.primaryarms.com/anderson-manu...lwfor-um-closed

 

[wkcars]

Originally Posted By: billt460
Primary Arms has this deal going if anyone is interested. Buy a barrel and get a complete bolt carrier group free. They also have forged Anderson lowers for just $35 bucks eack. Limit 2 per customer. I had a thread started about those, but it got deleted for some reason. I don't know why this stuff keeps disappearing without any explanation. Anyway, both of these are pretty good deals.

http://www.primaryarms.com/M4N160-AMM16N...886701746345492

http://www.primaryarms.com/anderson-manu...lwfor-um-closed

Looks ilike the thread was moved to the sales and promotions section

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

There is nothing mil spec about your lower. It dimensionally differs from spec and is not plug and play in all aspects as you found out with your upper. It is not a parts issue at all, simply that both parts are not designed to the same spec sheet as a whole.

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

And as far as alloys go.....
Here's 7075 in the lower, 6013 in the upper and 6061 in the handguard at work in an SBR Beowulf.You will have no issues with your 556 rifle.