DPMS Internals
Both upper and lower receivers, if ordered as stripped components, require the addition of numerous small parts, including tiny roll pins, detents and springs, usually sold as “parts kits” or “completion kits.” These were and continue to be some of items hardest-hit by the insatiable nationwide demand for AR rifles, parts and accessories. Once Brownells informed me by e-mail that they were once again available, I chose to keep things simple and ordered their polybagged kits as supplied to them by DPMS, which has a long history of providing mil-spec AR components to the firearm industry. My thinking was that securing things in that manner would help move the project along, allowing for selective upgrading, such as with an adjustable trigger, when my needs and additional funds became available. For the Upper Receiver Parts Kit, Mid-Length ($59) that included the ejection port cover and forward assist assemblies, the gas tube and other small parts. For the Lower Parts Kit ($60) it included the trigger and safety selector components. Other required assortments include the Buttstock Mounting Kit ($52) with buffer tube and buffer components. I also ordered a DPMS Bolt Carrier ($58) and Bolt ($45) because I knew they would be military-grade and because they were among the few available.

Magpul Furniture
Having begun as a manufacturer of flexible polymer magazine pulls designed to allow more rapid and sure magazine changes in combat, Magpul Industries has evolved into one of the largest producers of polymer AR magazines, stocks, fore-ends, sights, slings and more. Its Magpul Original Equipment, or MOE, components, as their name implies, are supplied on a host of factory rifles and have come to all but dominate the aftermarket for individuals seeking to build their own ARs. For this project, I chose the fixed MOE Rifle Stock ($70), which has smooth contours that afford a comfortable cheekweld along with multiple attachment points for push-button sling swivel cups and a ribbed rubber buttpad that hinges to allow storage of a cleaning rod and other supplies. I also chose the MOE + Grip ($24), with rubber overmolding, and the company’s signature AFG2 Angled Fore-Grip ($35), which, mounted fully to the rear of the fore-end’s lower Picatinny rail, presents a comfortable purchase point for the support hand for efficient use of the gun in close-range, dynamic scenarios yet still allows mounting of the bipod ahead of it. The choice of such components is important because of how they allow it to interface with the shooter. Magpul seems to have dialed-in ergonomic design, which means the shooter can remain comfortable and relaxed during extended or stressful sessions, resulting in more hits on the targets.

Sights, Optics & Mounts
I wanted a quality set of iron sights and decided to go with a barrel-mounted front unit for a little more sight radius and because it left the upper Picatinny rail clear for possible use with a scout-mounted scope. As with a rack-grade military AR, the base of the No. 41-BL Silhouette Folding Front Sight ($160) from A.R.M.S. I chose has that familiar triangular shape when raised and serves as the gas block and sling mounting point although I chose to address the latter by mounting a push-button-style sling point on the left Picatinny rail so as to prevent influencing the barrel through sling tension. I mounted an ARMS No. 40L-SP ($120) at the rear, and was pleased to see that its base contour neatly matched that of the upper receiver. Both units are made of steel and fold quickly, allowing an unobstructed view through the riflescope or other optics.

As to optics, there are myriad choices available for ARs, from small, non-magnifying reflex sights to large, high-magnification scopes, and a host of mounts and rings as well. Regardless of which type of optic is chosen, reasonable quality can mean that it and its attendant mounts and accessories might exceed the cost of the rifle itself. So before making a decision, consider such basics as: suitability to the type of shooting anticipated; compatibility with iron sights—e. g. the ability to ”co-witness”—rail mounting area requirements; and, of course, optical quality and price. I chose the VX-R Patrol 1.5-4 X 20 mm scope with FireDot Special Purpose Reticle ($580) from Leupold set in the company’s Mark 4 Tactical steel rings ($164) and mounted atop an Accucam Quick Detach Scout Length Mounting Base ($159) from GG&G mostly because I had them on hand. Given the capabilities of the rifle, greater magnification would certainly be in order. But the combination has proven to allow for quick yet precise aiming at close targets and yet turns in respectably small groups on paper at moderate distances as shown in the accompanying table.

Bits & Pieces
Sometimes the details on a project can make all the difference, and a handful of small components helped make this particular AR more suited to my personal preferences. One was the Ambidextrous Safety Selector ($60) from Battle Arms Development. Ordered as a kit with a variety of lever styles, it allows the user to select a favorite length and thickness to install on each side of the gun. Another drop-in worth its weight in gold is the Ambi-Catch ($90) by Norgon, LLC, which allows the magazine to be released by pressing in on the left side as well as preserving the primary release on the right.

Two other items that made a big difference in handling and configurability, respectively, are the Badger Ordnance (badgerordnance.com) Tactical Charging Handle ($100) and the company’s TRAMP bipod mount ($60). The former makes grasping and retracting the charging handle faster and less demanding of fine motor skills and the latter allows a QD-stud-mounted bipod, such as the ubiquitous and durable SL ($133) from Harris shown here, easy to lock onto and remove from the lower Picatinny rail with one hand—the key to both being skeletonized grasping “ears.” Finally, the CA556AR203 ($130) combination flash suppressor/sound suppressor interface from SureFire has a reasonably traditional appearance at the end but includes a long “skirt” that allows for easy fitting of a long bayonet or sound suppressor.