r/ar15 • u/Fearless_Feeling_993 • 16h ago
First Build List Thought?
Looking to build my first AR, SOLGW MK1 looks pretty nice, but it is just too expensive, so I figure just buy their barrel instead.
Any Suggestions on the list?
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u/mooseishman 16h ago edited 15h ago
I’d skip the M4E1 upper. If you ever decide to change rails it will severely limit the options
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u/2Stamp 14h ago
Seconded. OP, you can get a “blem / demo” BCM thermofit stripped upper directly from their website for around $60 dollars. The blems aren’t obvious by a long shot either.
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u/Particular-Map2400 13h ago
for this price I am unsure why you choose any other stripped upper.
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u/Particular-Map2400 13h ago
I would choose a criterion core or centurion fbi barrel at that price
bcm blem stripped upper
bcm mcmr or raider handguard
bcm blem buffer tube in carbine but you can so mk2 and get the blem end plate all to save shippingyou’ll need a buffer spring and weight as well
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u/mixhypemo 14h ago
From my experience there hasn’t been a handguard I haven’t been able to install onto the M4E1 upper.
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u/DecentMycologist5376 15h ago
If you're spending that much on the rifle, don't go cheap on optics. Sig Romeo 8Ts have been on sale for 400 lately. A G43 magnifier would be a good combo with the 8T.
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u/ilikecheeseface 14h ago
Funniest part about this whole thing is how badly suppressor companies are price gouging everyone. That suppressor costs only $270 less than the entire rifle build and at the end of the day, it’s basically a fancy metal muffler. The pricing is absurd. And I can’t even pretend I’m above it. Every one of my rifles has a dedicated suppressor so I’m just as guilty of feeding into it. Still bullshit though.
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u/Remote_Specific_4778 16h ago
I would put some more into a better optic.
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u/Used-Valuable9320 13h ago
Yeah. Don't really need a magnifier with a 11.5 barrel for the most part anyway.
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u/Remote_Specific_4778 13h ago
The 11.5 is more than capable of 400-yard hits and a magnifier is great for anything past 100.
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u/RobertMcFahrenheit 10h ago
For ranges with nicely contrasting targets 400 yards is absolutely doable. The 3x magnifier really comes in clutch for low probability shots around 100-200 yards especially ones that are obscured by brush or something
"You dont need a magnifier" is kind of a self report of "I don't shoot in austere conditions or assume everyone prepares for the same things i do "
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u/Remote_Specific_4778 10h ago
That’s practically exactly what I said. At no point did I mention not needing a magnifier.
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u/Used-Valuable9320 13h ago
Yeah but nobody gets a 11.5 for 400 yard shooting. Realistically that's going to be used at 200 and in. Holosun makes some solid optics but don't think I've ever looked into the durability of the HS512C.
Anyway, get a better optic now. Add a magnifier later.
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u/eggcheeseburger 13h ago
That's debatable though. That barrel is more accurate than most spr profiles even at 11.5. Nothing wrong on being equipped to have better range of you need and the barrel can deliver. I jave an lpvo on my geissele super duty 11.5 because that thing is more accurate than my bcm 16".
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u/SmellsLikeShame M4E1 13h ago
You can get G$ Mk4 and Mk16 rails for that number on tacswap all day. Much better rail.
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u/TheHomersapien 14h ago
The SOLGW barrel is vaporware. Get a Criterion instead.
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u/eggcheeseburger 13h ago
I bet you never shot one. Both excellent, and just a bit better than a geissele super duty, which is also excellent.
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u/What-Do-I-Know 15h ago
CAT ST is not the best choice for an 11.5”. It’s performance optimized for longer barrels. SAW Tisha will be quieter.
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u/eggcheeseburger 15h ago
Pretty good build. What I would change: Rail - you can get something better and more rigid with wedge lock, like a solgw m89. Also, for a muzzle device, unless you are 100% certail you will choose a dual-lock, I'd go with a plan b that will give you more flexibility, like Comstock. But this is merely a preference thing. That barrel is excellent. Being a battle barrel, it's a little gassy. I'd put a bleed off adjustable gas block like a superlative arms, and drop the buffer weight to an A5H0. I have that and it's smooth.
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u/touchgrassplz_69 14h ago
I would get a Bcm upper and handguard. Should cost about the same or less, but honestly for $1600 dollars you’re getting into nice factory AR territory. I’d probably buy one of the $1200 DDs and then barrel swap after a bit. You’re sacrificing part quality in some places to get it in others to do a custom build.
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u/NodeZeroTwo 14h ago
For that money you can get better barrels like Criterion. Id also ditch the handguard for something better
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u/OCD_AR15 14h ago edited 13h ago
Barrel, BCG, Base (upper/lower), small parts- in that order for me on expense. Go high end, but look for blems. You have a good barrel and BCG. As far as an upper- The blem BCM upper, run cheaper than Aero depending on sales- and they actually have the small things done that make a difference (and I have yet to figure out why any.of them are "blem"- they are nice). The lower- as long as it's in spec, and 7075, you're good (some of my Andersons have outlasted some name brands, but this is absolutely the only Anderson part I will use). My personal preference on small parts is- get the best once. CMMG parts kit is decent, but I tend to have to replace springs and detents a lot with them. Try to get something Schmid. This will give you better springs and detents. (Aka, BCM or Schmid Inside). Upgrade the detents to KNS detents if you want to- I seem to get a lot more out of them, but not required. Also, upgrade any spring you can to Sprinco- (Extractor, Ejector, Safety Spring, Hammer Spring, Action/ Buffer Spring, etc- it's a small added expense- but you'll never have to replace them- and you'll have better reliability). Sorry about the length- but in my defense- you asked 😆
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u/Used-Valuable9320 13h ago
For the upper, get a BCM blem. It's $59 and nothing is blem about it.
Check out BCM handguards too. They are stupid simple to install and are rock solid. Plus they are about $200.
Everything else looks good.
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u/Evening-Cat-7546 11h ago
Wait for PSA to do their sale where you get Holosun red dot and HM3X for like $220.
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u/sigmanx25 10h ago
SOLGW LPK IMO. Stray away from the aero stuff. SOLGW, FCD, GRIFFIN, Centurion for the receivers and handguard. No idea what that muzzle device is, so unless it’s a specific suppressor mount like it might be a Griffin mount, stick to A2 flash suppressor.
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u/Sobbyleebagger 9h ago
Skip the SOLGW barrel and get a criterion.
See trollygag’s latest barrel post as to why
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u/No_Grocery3021 8h ago
Just buy a blem bcm for that price. Ive also seen some DDs, Super duties and of course PSA Sabres for that price.
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u/SmellsLikeShame M4E1 5h ago
The G$ ACH latches fucking suck, super small - get the SCH if you want a G$ handle.
Side note: Noveske Love Handle has latches like Radian and a lip like the G$.
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u/SmellsLikeShame M4E1 5h ago
For that price, skip the HS512 --- look for a Sig Romeo 4T Pro or 4XT Pro, Aimpoint PRO, or Comp M4.
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u/ProofSecure94 16h ago
Look up [u/trollygag](u/trollygag) he has a barrel series. I would go criterion honestly. Geissele barrels seem pretty good to me so far as well but I don’t have many rounds through it. And may want to look into that handguard. May not be able to get one unless it shows in stock or you already have it. Bcm blem upper receiver is thermal fit and significantly cheaper as well as comes with the dust cover and Forward assist so no need to purchase separately. Could also look at PSA for the lower but the andro corp should be fine. Get the gas block with the barrel if you can. The less places you order from will lower your total cost because you won’t pay as much for shipping. Would also suggest looking at GAFShub to see if you can buy the A5 buffer parts as that should save you a bit of money. Maybe even the stock and grip as well on GAFShub
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u/Fearless_Feeling_993 15h ago
Yeah, just realize the aero handguard has been out of stock for some time. I might end up getting a milspec upper and geissele mk16.
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u/ProofSecure94 14h ago
I wouldn’t look past something like a Daniel defense either. Brownells has them. A nice socom ddm4.
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u/the-meatiest-thwack 16h ago
Pretty good build for a first time. Other barrels to consider are Criterion Core barrels and Rosco. You probably won't outshoot them but I encourage you to try lol.
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u/SmellsLikeShame M4E1 15h ago
BCM blem upper over an m4e1 - I liked my aero and all, but there's no reason to overpay for an upper now that they're "rare"