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A while back I picked up a couple of barrels and receivers for 50 dollars total from an estate sale. I have one barrel still sitting in the parts drawer and gave one upper to a friend. The other barrel and upper I decided to throw a gas system on and finish out. So this project started with wanting to finish a 25 dollar barreled upper. I had a flash hider sitting in the parts drawer already so I needed gas block, tube and crush washer. I knew that I wanted an a2 front sight because I wanted simple and it matches the carry handle nicely. A lot of people will hate it but instead of dealing with taper pins, I converted the front sight block to set screws by drilling and tapping a couple of holes. I also dimpled the barrel to keep the block a bit more secure. I also broke a tap so that was fun! After I started getting the upper near complete, I kind of got challenged to see how cheaply I could put together a complete rifle. I started looking at parts that I had at home and what I would need to complete a lower. I found a decent deal on a lower so I picked that up. I determined that from the parts that I had at home, I had probably given away enough parts that I was better off buying a complete LPK rather than just try and get missing pieces. So shopping I went for the cheap stuff. The last part came in last night for the entire build and here it is. My set screw install. And my broken tap. So here is how the cost for this rifle breaks down. Some parts will be listed together because they were part of one order. All prices include shipping and tax and are rounded up to the nearest dollar. Lower - $60 Upper receiver and barrel - $25 Crush washer, gas tube, hand guard end cap - $20 Front sight block - $10 LPK and buffer tube kit - $75 Charging Handle - $10 BCG - $88 Set screws - $1 Total - $289 for a complete rifle. I'm really happy with my sub 300 dollar AR. However, there are a few issues. The first is the completely unknown barrel. It has no marks on it anywhere which is incredibly inspiring. So I intend to do a chamber cast before shooting. I'm also going to throw a set of headspace gauges on it so that I can ensure that it won't blow up and kill me when I try to use it. This was a really fun exercise and I have no doubt that it can be done even cheaper. I had several people offer me parts for free but as part of the challenge to myself, I didn't want to accept free parts but there are quite a few things on the list that could be had from someone else's spare parts bin for nothing. As a matter of fact, I probably have some parts that I'm going to donate to someone else who is going to be trying something very similar soon. But at the end of it, I've got another usable (I HOPE) rifle that I can use as a beater/loaner. It's by no means my go-to/hard use rifle but it will do in a pinch for something. Also, I got in some parts that allowed me to finish piecing this together. I love Ruger's laminate stocks. This thing is cool.

Recently met up after an extended absence. Great guy, always a pleasure meeting and chatting and trustworthy TGO Member / Seller / Buyer. Marcel - thanks for being you!

OK...going to quote myself here to give a frame of reference. A few days after the events of the above post, I met another young couple out walking. I was taking my dog Molly for her potty walk, and stopped to talk with the couple with a gorgeous little girl. I introduced myself and Molly. Dave, said they had already met Molly, as she was always out to greet them and their little girl. I hadn't seen these guys before, however, Molly seems to know everyone in the neighborhood. Anyway, after a bit of talk, Dave and his wife, Meredith said they had seen me as I hobbled around on my cane and decided to see how I was doing. Seems another neighbor had told them of my last knee surgery and the problems I'd been having. All the while, their little girl was playing with Molly. The stroll ended with them offering to shop for us as well. So I guess my sad view of the "younger generation," at least those younger than me; is a bit off. Well...on some of them anyway. Still a lot of numbnuts out there.

Just add a switch: https://www.staples.com/NETGEAR-ProSAFE-FS105-5-Port-Fast-Ethernet-Desktop-Switch/product_446867?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:446867&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=446867&KPID=446867&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuqae64v66AIVB56fCh0Jrgo0EAQYASABEgKYlfD_BwE

Just an update after having conversation with supervisor at TBI yesterday morning and basically stating they were dragging their feet and violating the law and quoting it, etc.. FFL dealer called today and issued a full approval vs. conditional. They magically all of sudden got ahold of right entity in other state to get it cleared up.. Frustrating very frustrating, but in the end it all worked out. Just a Ruger 9mm if curious. Thanks all and just closing the loop to this thread.

Lube the o rings.

Warning_Sign_jpg-1233963 by Johnny Rotten, on Flickr

First under $1.00 I have seen even if it included points off

All my life, I've heard people say something to the effect of "locks are made to keep honest people out" ...

@Chucktshoes

If it ain't a Pony, its a phony. Still got this pre-ban Colt AR as it was a gift from my Dad many, many years ago.

Amazon, $60 1-4 ffp crapper..... You still got me by a good bit!

Nice! Man, i thought I'd done well a couple of years ago, putting a scoped .300blk together for under $400!

You left a space between the final word and closing period of your sentence.

I like it! Let us know about the barrel that would be my only hesitation.

Best use of golf clubs I have ever seen .

Same here. I pay them a lot, and always thought they were overpriced, but they have a product that doesn’t have much competition. But then my parents wanted to switch when their bill got to high and when I started pricing other carriers for them, I found they were actually the cheapest. Lazy azz worthless customer support seems to be the norm anymore whether its Xfinity or Smith & Wesson.

Well, it probably costs more. That's an improvement for the seller...

Marcel is the best. Great TGOer

Thanks. I was thinking router, but I guess I just need a switch.

It became the VX-II in 2003 Leupold catalog.

The VX 2 was introduced at the 2002 SHOT show. Hope this helps.

A few years ago I got inspired to see if I could build a complete AR off eBay minus the stripped lower. Not quite as cheap, but after some wrangling I got it. Even got the evil black rifle stripped upper off eBay. Also one that I wouldn't bet my life on, but goes bang every time so far. Don't have any pictures close and too lazy to pull it out of storage. lol Good work on both. I have some lowers I need to get around to building. Until things went haywire, 22mods4all seemed like the cheapest route, but their cheapest stuff is staying sold out.

Just placed an order from CH precision weapons for one.

This old Dan Harmon tweet seems to be more appropriate than ever before.

A barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery settled at -$37.63 today. That is, a barrel of crude oil (42 gallons) which was around $60 in January - would now require a trader pay a buyer? $37.63 to accept it. It fell 250 percent today. I literally had a conversation with my wife last night to the order of, "there's no way we should invest in oil right now - but at $16/barrel - that's below anything we've seen in our lifetimes."

Not to mention that looks like one of those Chinese clamp on blocks. Its highly possible it was out of spec from the jump. Let your friend know you really get what you pay for in the gun world.

Some jacketed hollow point pistol bullets have a copper base instead of exposed lead, like many jacketed round nose and flat points. This can reduce fouling.

Hollow base usually to increase accuracy by putting more weight forward. They can also act as a type of gas seal. Flat nose is just as you said, clean hole. Think wad cutters.

I would suggest 2 areas to work on. 1. I would address the buffer system first, I'm going to suggest getting the V5 buffer system, its basically 1" longer buffer tube and a rifle buffer that weights a fraction more than a std H3 buffer. https://www.vltor.com/shop/ar/receiver-extensions/vn-re-a5-a5-receiver-extension/ https://www.vltor.com/shop/ar/buffer-components/sp-a5-a5-spring-and-buffer-kit/ the V5 set up will address several areas from ROF, bolt bounce, short stroking as you change to various lengths (10.5",11.5",12.5",14.5",16") of uppers. Best $100 bucks I've ever spent. 2. Adjustable gas block This will fine tune ROF and reduce the amount of gas in your face. Both will reduce wear on your lower.

Don't ever sucker punch anyone....

Is it a test for covid 19... Or just a covid like virus? My guess is later we find out the test is broad. And detects various virus exposures of that type. happy wheels

You might be surprised - we have people of all levels come shoot with us. If you can be safe with a firearm during strenuous activity (good muzzle awareness and finger off the trigger while moving) you'll be fine. And you have plenty of time to get into shape!

Including being in the business at just the right time and getting out early enough to walk away a success.

I don’t know that there’s ever been another gun store in Tennessee that understood marketing as well as Joe did. Man that’s a hard business.

I miss Hero Gear

A member started a company years ago and created the Battle Mug along with several other products. The one above is a cheap knock off. https://battlemug.com/

bigun asked today how this project was coming along so I thought I'd share with you guys. It's actually coming out better than I was expecting.

Turn it around. You have the flow going backwards

You really should learn how to spell Stupid before you handle firearms and ammo .

It's LEGO! Dang. Can't they get anything right?

I have been watching Guilty of Treeson on you tube. Very informative but it would be cheaper to pay someone than end up in the hospital.

This is in the Tennessean today. Page 8.

Stress tests are supposed to be academic exercises...we're seeing a real world application.

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing on Friday of 5SFG Medal of Honor recipient (R)Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins. We mourn the passing of a distinguished member of the Special Forces Regiment. Our thoughts and prayers are with CSM Adkins’s family during this difficult time. De Oppresso Liber Take a minute out of your day to read the story of an amazing man we just lost: https://sofrep.com/specialoperations/march-9-12-1966-csm-bennie-adkins-awarded-medal-honor/?fbclid=IwAR0DyerNfHctTEZUbBbKtzO_MScklHghtADPUZ6ubDnCUU2-isnIBpPpFMI A small snippet to get you to click the link and read more: "During the 38-hour battle and 48-hours of escape and evasion, Adkins fought with mortars, machine guns, recoilless rifles, small arms, and hand grenades, killing an estimated 135 - 175 of the enemy and sustaining 18 different wounds." I used to think I was a badass. Then I started learning about these men and I quickly realized I had no idea what "badass" even meant. Think about how on earth a Match Director might take a situation like this and turn it into something that MOST people can finish in 3 minutes. And that ROs can reset with minimal time and effort 200 times in a weekend. And then you'll have an idea what you might expect for just ONE stage in this match.

I saw those too. I was disappointed I didn’t get one in time. I like the pony soldier portion the most .

No waiting hqdefault by Johnny Rotten, on Flickr