06-02-2011, 10:09 PM
Gents,
Unfortunately, in the last 8 months, many sources of my affordable parts have risen in price significantly. I got a bunch of blem uppers from LAR for $48 per, but they are now $68. I got a bunch of excellent 7075 T6 A2 lowers from NoDakSpud for $65 per, but they are now out of stock. Blems from BCM used to be $69.95, but now they're $79.95, and they tend to fit loose so I don't buy them anymore.
The LAR blems looked and fit better than most of the other standard uppers I have ever dealt with. They just had an issue with the brass deflector where a tool had shaved off .004" where it joins with the upper-totally not noticeable to the human eye, but a laser ISO9001 picked it up so they failed QC. Beautiful uppers really.
I order LPK's for $30 from Brownell's, minus the trigger and hammer, since I have extras or will install a match trigger anyway.
I was getting actual Military Colt bolts from foreign military sales guns returned to the US as parts kits, with no signs of actual use. Those bolts sold for $50, so I bought a bunch. Now they are $75! You can get a brand new MPI shot-peened bolt from BCM for $69.95, so I wouldn't even bother with the surplus ones now.
I build the bolt carrier up from scratch using a stripped BCM carrier, and whatever bolt and small parts I choose. Wolff extra power extractor springs from Brownell's in a 3-pack when needed.
With the deals on those previously available lowers and uppers, and a deal on nitro-carb'd barrels, I could do a high-end carbine for $630, with quality parts you will never see on factory guns from the big makers. Add a Troy free-float TRX or Apex machining handguard and a JP trigger, and you're still under $1k. I also spray and bake-on Cerakote on all my receivers, barrels, gas blocks, extension tubes, end plates, and lock rings before re-assembly. It's really the way to go with firearms finishes, and I've seen long-term results with Duracoat, KG, Alumahyde, etc. Cerakote is in a world of its own as far as surface texture and durability are concerned.
Here are some of the blasters I have done:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]203[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]204[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]205[/ATTACH]
The last pic shows how I like to funnel the magwell on a standard A2 lower before I Cerakote it.
LRRPF52
Unfortunately, in the last 8 months, many sources of my affordable parts have risen in price significantly. I got a bunch of blem uppers from LAR for $48 per, but they are now $68. I got a bunch of excellent 7075 T6 A2 lowers from NoDakSpud for $65 per, but they are now out of stock. Blems from BCM used to be $69.95, but now they're $79.95, and they tend to fit loose so I don't buy them anymore.
The LAR blems looked and fit better than most of the other standard uppers I have ever dealt with. They just had an issue with the brass deflector where a tool had shaved off .004" where it joins with the upper-totally not noticeable to the human eye, but a laser ISO9001 picked it up so they failed QC. Beautiful uppers really.
I order LPK's for $30 from Brownell's, minus the trigger and hammer, since I have extras or will install a match trigger anyway.
I was getting actual Military Colt bolts from foreign military sales guns returned to the US as parts kits, with no signs of actual use. Those bolts sold for $50, so I bought a bunch. Now they are $75! You can get a brand new MPI shot-peened bolt from BCM for $69.95, so I wouldn't even bother with the surplus ones now.
I build the bolt carrier up from scratch using a stripped BCM carrier, and whatever bolt and small parts I choose. Wolff extra power extractor springs from Brownell's in a 3-pack when needed.
With the deals on those previously available lowers and uppers, and a deal on nitro-carb'd barrels, I could do a high-end carbine for $630, with quality parts you will never see on factory guns from the big makers. Add a Troy free-float TRX or Apex machining handguard and a JP trigger, and you're still under $1k. I also spray and bake-on Cerakote on all my receivers, barrels, gas blocks, extension tubes, end plates, and lock rings before re-assembly. It's really the way to go with firearms finishes, and I've seen long-term results with Duracoat, KG, Alumahyde, etc. Cerakote is in a world of its own as far as surface texture and durability are concerned.
Here are some of the blasters I have done:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]203[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]204[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]205[/ATTACH]
The last pic shows how I like to funnel the magwell on a standard A2 lower before I Cerakote it.
LRRPF52