Commie Caliber AR15 Pistol Build

[GOYABEAN]

OK, here's the finished build. (for now)
Lighting wasn't the best, but these will do until I can get some better pics.

About all that's left to do is add a hand stop, a sling, and a red dot.
I'm actually still debating using a red dot, or fixed sights in place of the flip up BUIS.
UTG has a nice fixed set that would look good and not break the bank.

Nice congrats

[Emptymag]

Thanks!

I have a few favorites, but I think this one is going to be a top contender for the number 1 spot.

It's just so compact and lightweight - notably lighter than my 5.56 pistol.

[jakebrake]

Man, I should have done a Youtube video of my "non-standard" assembly techniques and improvised gunsmithing tools.
It would be hysterical.

I would totally subscribe.

[jakebrake]

card on the table, I was never a huge fan of ar pistols.

yeah....you have me rethinking that position.

[Jkinpa1]

Thanks!

I have a few favorites, but I think this one is going to be a top contender for the number 1 spot.

It's just so compact and lightweight - notably lighter than my 5.56 pistol.

Why is it so much lighter?

VERY NICE BUILD!

[Emptymag]

Why is it so much lighter?

VERY NICE BUILD!

Thanks!
The 5.56 has a HBAR (heavy barrel) profile and this one has an Govt profile barrel.
Less steel = less weight.

The Aero Precision Quantum handguard on my 5.56 is also heavier than this Aero ATLAS handguard.
And the PWS CQB comp muzzle device is a little heavier than the flash can on my 7.62x39.

For anyone unaware (I had my first AR for several years before I knew that there were different barrel profiles), here's a very basic diagram showing assorted barrel profiles...




I'll find pics of both my barrels and add them here...

ETA:

My 5.56 (7.5") barrel



PWS CQB comp





My 7.62x39 (7") barrel and "flash can"

[Emptymag]

I'm really kicking myself for not doing a quick and dirty video of the assembly of this build.
It would really help to dispel the notion that it's hard to assemble an AR15 and/or you need "specialized tools" to do it.

I want people to understand that it's "just THAT easy" to assemble one all by yourself!

Tonight I grabbed the pistol, looked it over, and went over the process in my head, and gathered up all the tools I used to put it together.
Everything is here - including the work bench!

Aside from mounting the vise on a plank and parking the SUV on it to hold it secure while I torqued the barrel nut on, the rest of it was put together either in my lap while browsing poofa, or on the kitchen counter!
(not shown are the barrel nut "wrench/crows foot" and the hex key because they came with the hand guard)



4" vise (Harbor Freight)
White duct tape - used to protect the surface of the upper while installing roll pins/etc.
Long assed screwdriver for the grip screw
(edit: I started the grip screw with the screwdriver, but snugged it up with a hex bit and ratchet - forgot to include ratchet in pic)
Torque wrench (Harbor Freight)
Robo Grip pliers - used for roll pin on bolt catch and roll pin on gas tube. We don't need no STEEENKING PUNCHES!!!
3 sizes of hex keys
TAPCO cheapo $10 spanner wrench for castle nut
Blue thread locker (gas block set screws)
Upper vise block

EDIT: The measuring cup was not used in the assembly of the pistol - it was used to make blueberry muffins.
The gun turned out better than the muffins.

[Emptymag]

Oh crap!

I forgot the two most important tools I didn't need to buy! (ignore all those Youtube people who tell you to buy a $5 pivot pin tool)



Needle nose pliers - to hold the detent in place before applying the utility knife blade.

Small utility knife - to press in on the detent and hold it in place while you slide the pivot pin into place.

[Emptymag]

FIRST SHOTS! Quick 'n dirty review:

I tested the upper almost 2 months ago using my 5.56 pistol lower. I had some random light primer strikes.
That lower has a drop in 4.5 lb trigger, so I assumed at the time that was the culprit - not enough Ooomph to detonate hard primers on steel case ammo.

On the finished lower I installed a Wolff XP (extra power) hammer spring.

I took it to the group shoot today to test it out and it performed flawlessly.

20 rd mag, 28 rd mag, 30 rd mag - all fed just fine.
Ammo tested: Tula, OLD Wolf black box, current Wolf black box, Wolf in the cammo box, Golden Tiger, and some unmarked stuff in a white box.
There was an assortment of HP and FMJ - all ran fine.

Approximately 250-300 rounds fired - not a single issue.

[Jkinpa1]

Awesome.
With the prices of AKs right now, I’m tossing the idea of a 7.62x39 build. Not in the near future, but maybe over the horizon.