5th4x4

Read minds much?? Btw, I haven't really researched grips yet, but that is something that I'm thinking (?) that I might want to purchase specifically (separately). So should I try to buy a PK that comes without a grip, or is the cost negligible when you factor in the greater number of options for those that come with one? Btw, I gotta go meet my FFL guy now. So if I didn't adequately thank you for that link yesterday Jorge, allow me to do so now! Great find! Thanks for your effort in helping me!

I've been getting so much great information and advice here. The above advice included. I'm very appreciative, believe me! The advice to go slow is one of the tougher things for me put into practice, but I did take a slight pause before I made the purchase on the lower receiver (I allowed anyone here to stop me.... as long as they did so quickly ). Anyway, even that proved to be too quick, as I didn't have an FFL already lined up. and therefore I sh!t the bed when it came to the shipping address part (lesson learned!). When it comes to research.... I've reached saturation levels at times (I really do read a lot!). So I've definitely been absorbing large amounts of information. But without possessing any practical familiarity with any of this info, some of that info becomes difficult to discern. I mean, I can read the specs on two different brands or styles or configurations, but I have no basis of understanding as to why one might be better than the other for my particular needs. I find that part to be pretty frustrating (and head-spinning). But THAT is where I'm grateful to have the knowledge and experience of you guys! And I really do love seeing how passionate you guys are about this stuff. It really fires me up! As for "teaming up" (btw, that offer was really nice, RUTGERS95!) I'm kinda expecting that you all here will be my virtual team. I'm actually quite confident (not cocky, but almost) about building this rifle; it's the choosing and compiling of the parts that I'm going to need the most help with. I'm really very good with my hands, and I'm pretty familiar with the rifle (per se), and I have no fear when it comes to challenges. And once those troublemakers in my intro thread planted the "build bug" in me, I've been hooked on this challenge ever since. Ok, there has been a bit of "parts" talk that has been discussed in this thread, so I'll join in on that stuff now..................

Yup... I emailed them right away and admitted my naive brain fart. My lack of knowledge about all of the logistics that are involved with this stuff is a pretty humbling experience. But I've got my eye on the prize, so I'll suffer the early embarrassments if necessary. But seriously guys........ when I set my sights on something, I get tunnel-vision! Therefore I can use a bit of re-directing sometimes, so don't be afraid to say something.

Well looky there!.... Same lower that I just purchased today! Btw, as per finding myself an FFL... I found a local gunshop about 10 minutes away from my house (who knew?!!!!). They were already closed by then, but I've got an email waiting for them in the morning. If that doesn't pan out, bhunted has a guy. And then there is always the place in Lincoln Park that Lalo mentioned. That's still a bit of a drive for me, but I used to go to a church out that way, so the drive is pretty familiar to me. I'm really chomping at the bit to start. And to be honest, it's putting together the guts of the lower receiver that has me the most excited. (plus.... I just want to have that thing in my hand so that I can at least be grandfathered-in in the event that the worst case scenario comes to pass)

You obviously don't do much driving in north Jersey. It sucks the life out of you

This was the very first item.... so thanks for the link. Lalo. Killer price! When I placed the order I was waiting for the part where they request the FFL info. But.... NOTHING. They sent me an email confirmation, but no mention of an FFL process at all. It's not like I do this stuff every day (or ever... until today), but I expected something. So is that normal? Do they just wait for my next move now?

I think I actually know of that place! Toms River? (south of the business district, I think). Cosmos Auto is around there, right? I think that there is a nursery somewhere around there too (I used to buy a couple of cords of wood there on my way to LBI). I go a different way now, but Cosmos is a landmark, and the firewood stop was a tradition, so that ride has lots of old familiar places that I still remember. (isn't there also a small military supply shop on the southbound side around there too? Right next door to a new-age/head-shop. Or is that further south?) Btw, that's almost 2 hours from my location. I don't necessarily mind that kind of ride, but it would need to be tied to a beach run. Next time I find myself down that way I'll certainly stop and check it out though.

Thanks Jon - I went through the entire vendor list trying to find locations. That was some tough sledding. Some of those vendors don't even have an address on their website. And those that did might as well be located on the moon - quite a long hike for a north Jersey guy to make. Anyway, I found one that is close enough to travel to (I'll need to take out a second mortgage to fill up the gas tank first though). I'll rattle his cage and see if he's willing. Thanks again for the info.

Ok, so Mr. Impulse-buy wasn't taking into account that he's gotta set up some sort of a relationship with a local FFL. Lower recivers must be shipped to a valid FFL. After placing your order contact the receiving dealer and have them send a copy of their FFL to us. The FFL can be emailed [email protected] or faxed to 757-282-5943 (kinda interesting how they misspelled "receivers" on their website. But I digress) I think that maybe this is one of those instances where I could really use some knowledge imparted in my direction. Please.

Hmmm.... that Spikes lower is on sale for $89. So if anyone here has any reason as to why me and that lower should not marry, speak now or forever hold your peace!

Well, the way I'm kinda looking at it is: That lower is my ticket to build. I don't trust this state for one nanosecond. I want the part that requires the license and which is lawful to have right now. Christie can only be trusted as far as we can throw him... and there's no one throwing him very far. I waited 5 months for my license... so the last thing I want is to own everything but the lower.... and then POOF: NY State style gun laws :/

I'm in the Paramus area.... where there are NO stores for miles and miles!!!!!

I suppose I should clarify a bit: I have looked around. It's just that I don't know whether I'm comparing apples with apples... or with oranges... or with lemons. So I've definitely come across plenty of "in stock" items. I just don't know "why" I might be better off choosing one over the other. When it comes to parts kits, I've seen some that are sold without a grip, and that's probably the way that I'd want to go, since I plan to make that a "preference" purchase instead of a "kit" purchase. But the bottom-line is: what separates one kit from the other? Am I giving that too much thought? Do people generally just buy what's in stock? No significant difference from one to the next? These are the kinds of things that I'd like to learn. I mean, if I'm gonna build this thing, I want to have some reason for having chosen what went into it. Make sense?

On my very first first day as a member of this forum I found myself being thrown right into the deep end by some rather determined dudes (bhunted, Krdshrk, Arbelest, T Bill, alowerlevel and HuntingPaper). And despite my original intentions when I arrived, they succeeded in convincing me to built my own (and it did take quite a bit of convincing, I can assure you all of that!). But now here I am ready to get this party started! So I'm hoping that I can count on them - and whoever else would be kind enough to impart their knowledge and experience towards this mission. Ok, so I figured it would be best to get the main guts out of the way first, so I'm going to be looking to obtain a stripped lower and a parts kit. That's where I hope that you guys come in. So here are my (uneducated) questions regarding that: Is there any specific kind of material (metal or whatnot) that I should specifically look for (or specifically avoid)? Is there any specific type of finish that I should specifically look for (or specifically avoid)? Is there any specific websites/manufacturers/sellers that I should be focusing on (or avoiding at all costs)? And lastly (for now) is... does anyone have have any reason (or reasons) for dissuading me from trimming a bit off of the budget by getting one of those blemished lowers? Oh, and as for the parts kit.... I'm sure that not all parts kits are the same. So.... does anyone have any suggestions on what to get (or what to avoid)? And just so you all know, my credit card is locked and loaded and ready to pull the trigger on this first round of purchases (<< how do you like that triple gun pun. Pretty stupid and embarrassing, huh?). So if there are any sales out there that anyone is privy to, I'm ready to pounce! Ok, so I'm really hoping that you guys will help me with this (especially those trouble makers that I already mentioned who planted this bug in me to begin with!). I'm actually very confident about building it. I've field-stripped an M16 a million times, so this will now be about taking it down to the nuts and bolts (pins and springs) level, so I'm totally game for this. It's just the "parts" part - as well as the "options" part - where I'm not confident enough to know what I'm doing. So any suggestions, guidance, and advice that I can get from you knowledgable guys would be highly appreciated. Thanks!

Wecome aboard devildog! I joined these boards way back in, let's see, what is it now.... uhhhh.... oh at least 25 hours ago! But these guys don't waste any time making you feel right at home. As a matter of fact they turned this "I wanna buy, and I wanna buy it stock - no frills!" guy, into a "build it myself... and build it the way I want it" guy! (although it did take some effort on their part - for which I am grateful for their patience and inspiration). Anyway, it's great to have another (new) jarhead here. I know that there are others around - I stumbled across a profile pic with a 1stMarDiv logo somewhere around here. And besides, this is a gun forum; catnip for jarheads. See you around on the boards. S/F T

Oh, ok. I see. Guns and cars... there are no limits for taking them to the next level. Very interesting. Thanks T Bill.

Btw, I kept meaning to respond to this. Good for your boy. You must be very proud of him. And he is a young stud(!). Plus he's been on the 2-way rifle range, so he's got the BTDT card that he now carries with him for life! I have the greatest of respect for him! And I'm so glad to hear that he's home safe. Every evening before dinner me and my wife say a prayer for our troops - whether they are in harms way, or just far fom home. It's not an easy life, so we should all appreciate the sacrifices that these (especially young) men and women make. They get asked to do so much compared to their peers back home, and they give up a lot of the fun years of thier lives... and they are aware of that. But they do it. God bless them all, and God bless your son. Enjoy him. And thanks for the info about the range! I'll probably be hitting you up for more info in the near future.

Oh.... and what does "chamber on 300blk" mean??? (you guys talk to me like I build weapons in my sleep!)

OMG... you could take a nap on the butt of that rifle! Obviously there is no limit to the luxuries that can be slapped onto these rifles. I was telling Krdshrk how I knew only military-grade hard rifle butts, and that those were good enough for me then, so they are good enough for me now. And then he sends me a link that essentially takes me back to my past, and I couldn't believe how clunky the butt on that rifle actually looks after seeing all of these other modified versions! That said, those clunky rifle butts were as much a part of the weapon's lethal blow as the rest of it (including the bayonette end). The military version of an assault weapon doesn't waste any valuable kill opportunities... and a genuine rifleman can use his weapon to kill at 500 yards with a round... as well as at arm's length, with the full force of the weapoin itself. There's some 'romance' in that for those who can truly appreciate it. So anyway, yes(!!) I would be very grateful for your help when I build my own. And it's really getting to be that time, I think. So I'll let you - and the other "build your own" troublemakers I've already encounterd here.... bhunted, Krdshrk, Arbelest, T Bill, alowerlevel - know when I've finally posted my new thread in the AR forum. (so stand-by to stand by for that) What a crazy freakin place this is. NJ gun guys. Who knew!!!

Oh. Internet acronym this time. Thanks

Yeah, good call on that link. (I'm pretty sure that I've slept with her big sister ) Btw, a little help: IIRC? =============== Oh, and Arbelest... I haven't opened a new thread in the AR forum yet. I've been trying to work on a deadline-specific project while simultaneously keeping an eye on what's going on here. Incredible links though. Love it! The prices hit ya right in the solar-plexus though. OOOOOF!!! (I already had a concept of the cost.... but the closer I get to the commitment, the more the reality sets in)

WOW!!!! THAT'S HOT!!!!! How much you want for it? And yes, you are correct that I'd like to be able to shoot for distance, but you had mentioned the shorter barrel earlier in our discussions, and it started me thinking that I may need to seriously consider sacrificing distance for practicality. After all, if a squad-sized zombie force infiltrates my house in the middle of the night, I'd like be able to do some effective room-to-room clearing Seriously though, that's a sharp looking weapon Nick! I could definitely go for something like that. Any idea of it's the range? (that's more of a curiosity question than a must-have question). Sans scope, what do you think that it would that cost me to build (or even buy, if someone already churns those out)??

Btw, me thinks that I'm not really your typical NJGF gun owner (eventual). But I really do like hanging out with you guys! Great passion here!