total newbie to ARs, need your help

[basheesh]

attempting my first build

already bought:
spikes forged lower
spikes enhanced lower kit
spikes buffer assembly
magpul str stock

now im working on the upper and i didnt know if i should:
1. go forged [$115] or billet [$225] for the upper receiver
2. go forged [$23] or billet [$33] charging handle
3. go standard phosphate [$110] or NiB [$220] bcg
4. go chrome lined barrel [$189] or lothar walther stainless barrel w/ mid length gas [$330]
**and is the gas piston really worth the extra $$$

i'm on a tight leash when it comes to the money but i also don't mind spending a little extra on the things that might benefit me later down the line. i don't plan on selling any of my guns so i want to make sure that they don't belly up on me a few years down the line.

so please, all your wisdom, experience, and input would be much appreciated. thanks again!

[Jayock]

1. Forged - stronger and standard
2. Whatever you want. Not much difference. BCM gunfighter is nice, but easily changed later.
3. NiB is awesome. Your choice though. If you clean and lube properly there isn't a lot of difference. NiB cleans a bit easier and needs less lube. Consider though that you can replace the whole thing again if ever needed for the price of NiB. Also easily changeable later.
4. Chrome lined will last longer. The Lothar Walther will be more accurate. Do you want a run and gun carbine with tons of rounds, or an in place longer range AR. Both have their place in my rotation.

If you want a piston AR, buy one off the shelf, don't build one. The conversion kits have their own set of issues. Unless you loathe cleaning, my opinion is to DI. Piston is an afterthought on the AR, and IMO is a solution looking for a problem.

[basheesh]

thanks for the awesome feedback!
i think im leaning towards NiB for the bcg just because i hear that the action is smoother and usually last longer than its phosphate predecessor.

[Ron89]

IMO
1.Forged
2.Billet
3.Standard
4.Chrome Lined

Originally Posted by basheesh

attempting my first build

already bought:
spikes forged lower
spikes enhanced lower kit
spikes buffer assembly
magpul str stock

now im working on the upper and i didnt know if i should:
1. go forged [$115] or billet [$225] for the upper receiver
2. go forged [$23] or billet [$33] charging handle
3. go standard phosphate [$110] or NiB [$220] bcg
4. go chrome lined barrel [$189] or lothar walther stainless barrel w/ mid length gas [$330]
**and is the gas piston really worth the extra $$$

i'm on a tight leash when it comes to the money but i also don't mind spending a little extra on the things that might benefit me later down the line. i don't plan on selling any of my guns so i want to make sure that they don't belly up on me a few years down the line.

so please, all your wisdom, experience, and input would be much appreciated. thanks again!

[basheesh]

Originally Posted by Ron89

IMO
1.Forged
2.Billet
3.Standard
4.Chrome Lined

thanks ron, exactly what i was thinking.

any thoughts on the gas piston or di?

[misfit-x]

Direct Impingement. You are not going to be shooting full atuo or thousands of rounds a week. Have at least a H3 buffer, an extra power buffer spring, and run it wet and you'll have no problems. Just make sure your upper has M4 feed ramps.

[Shaniac]

I just purchase a NiB BCG from Spike's....I have done quite a bit of reading on the Nickel-Boron coating and the military is actually looking at this coating from what I have read. Supposedly the NiB coating is harder than the steel it is coated on and disipates heat much faster and has self lubricating properties...OH and cleans up much easier...

Here is one of the articles I read on NiB coating:

[Uriel999]

I just finished a build with the spikes enhanced lpk and nickel boron bcg. Love it

[spearfisher]

Originally Posted by basheesh

attempting my first build

already bought:
spikes forged lower
spikes enhanced lower kit
spikes buffer assembly
magpul str stock

now im working on the upper and i didnt know if i should:
1. go forged [$115] or billet [$225] for the upper receiver
2. go forged [$23] or billet [$33] charging handle
3. go standard phosphate [$110] or NiB [$220] bcg
4. go chrome lined barrel [$189] or lothar walther stainless barrel w/ mid length gas [$330]
**and is the gas piston really worth the extra $$$

i'm on a tight leash when it comes to the money but i also don't mind spending a little extra on the things that might benefit me later down the line. i don't plan on selling any of my guns so i want to make sure that they don't belly up on me a few years down the line.

so please, all your wisdom, experience, and input would be much appreciated. thanks again!

While Billet is stronger it is not all that necessary. I have several AR's and none are billet.
I have both types of BCG and they both run good but the NiB shows less wear on it after heavy abuse.
As for te gas piston. It is a somewhat cleaner running system. It will also keep the BCG from getting hot even on a full auto. But I have an AR chambered in 7.62x39 and we all know that that can be some of the dirtiest ammo out there. 4000+ rounds and no issues yet.
Welcome to the AR world and have fun with it.

[Shaniac]

Actually in most cases, forged uppers and lowers are stronger than billet...there are some billet receivers that are just as strong as forged but you will pay $$$ for it. Billet, however, tends to have much better contoured lines or a more exotic profile... but you really can't go wrong with either; as long as your upper and lower receiver come together nicely and you don't have any slop between the two....