First true build, 20" A2

[Dustin Cantrell]

My first AR was a BCM 16" carbine. Then I assembled an ULW .22 LR AR that consisted of me building the lower and slapping an upper on it. This rifle is my first true build. I've been researching for a little while. I wanted a 20" A2. They just look sexy to me. I got the barrel back from Adco today after I had them taper pin the FSB. This build is nothing fancy at all. When I got this together I tried the 5.56mm field gauge. Didn't close. Tried the .223 go gauge. Closed. Then I was headed out the door to test fire it.

Green Mountain 20" A2 profile 5.56mm 1:7" chrome lined barrel
PSA stripped lower
Surplus stripped A2 upper advertised as Colt (bought on Gunbroker, haven't researched the forge markings)
BCM BCG
PSA lower build kit with A2 stock, spring, buffer, LPK, etc
PSA upper build kit

My gf came over and helped me assemble it as I explained all the parts.

This is her put together.

Took her out to test fire.

I didn't have time to zero it and shoot for groups, I just wanted to test fire it. I just ran about 50 rounds through it. She shot wonderfully! Spent brass ejected into a nice little 6" circle on the ground about 6'-8' away at 4:00-4:30. The milspec trigger that came in the PSA LPK is very gritty. I think that will be the first upgrade on this rifle. In the last lower I built I used a milspec FCG but polished it and used JP reduced power springs. After reading about surface hardening and polishing of the FCG I don't think I'll do that to this rifle.

I would have gone with a CHF FN barrel had I been able to find them in stock when I went to order. I'll give this Green Mountain barrel a thorough testing, though. I posted a thread not too long ago asking about Green Mountain barrels. They don't seem very popular for ARs. Can't wait to see how accurate it is.

 

[jtischauser]

Those are cool. I'd like an original M16 clone someday.

 

[Dustin Cantrell]

Those are cool. I'd like an original M16 clone someday.

I was going for a clone, but not as anal about it as some are. The Nodak Spud receivers were out of stock when I started buying parts. Some people really get into making them as correct as possible. Some of the original stripped receivers can fetch a hefty price as well as NOS complete uppers.

This one will probably get camo painted. I've been looking into different techniques. Some of the ones with a base coat and sponge painting on top look surprisingly very nice.

 

[Dustin Cantrell]

A triangle end cap for round handguard? odd..

Funny you mention that. When buying parts, I ordered a round handguard cap seeing as how I was going to use a round hanguard. Makes sense, right? I guess with rifle length handguards you have to use a triangular handguard cap. I tried the round and there was no way it was working. I got the triangular cap at a LGS for free when I bought some other parts. The round cap definitely did NOT fit and the triangular does.

 

[Dustin Cantrell]

Thats cool. I love the triangle handguards myself. My brother is a cop in the city and he was issued a full auto A2 for is duty rifle. I dont know the year but i know it was stamped in the 70's ill have to ask

When I build a true clone, it will be a M16 A1 with triangular handguards. The A1 uppers are even sexier than the A2s.

 

[MrTheBigOx]

That is very cool.
Good on you for building it one day Id like to build one too, one day.
I saw a cool old colt with trianglehand guards on it the otherday had 3K on it!!! it was all origonal but I'll bet you coudnt hit the moon from 5 paces with it, most of the older ones around here have been used to shooting deer out of choppers = smoothbore