So Caiman Builds a Home Defense Rifle....

Hey everyone, just wanted to make a post about the new rifle build I have going on. I shoot pistols WAY more than I shoot rifles, so this is still a bit of a learning experience for me. There’s been quantum leaps in the available products on the market since I last used a rifle in a professional setting, so here’s my attempt to build something useful on a tight budget. If you don’t know much about AR-15’s yet want one, I just recommend you go out and buy one from a reputable manufacturer. You absolutely can build one for cheaper from parts or pre-built kits, but there’s so much to know that it takes tons of research to know what’s worth the money and what’s not. Let’s get into it.

PART ONE: ESSENTIALS

The Upper and Lower Receiver on this are from Palmetto State Armory. In my experience, any receiver made to the right specification works just fine for anything but the most exotic builds. Competition shooters and precision engineering aficionados will pay big money for receivers that have been honed to match together perfectly with nanometers of tolerance, but that’s not me.

The barrel is also PSA. This is where I took a shortcut to save money. Although PSA makes some good barrels for the buck, they are often installed poorly. I’m not a gunsmith, so although this barrel *appears* to be timed (inserted) correctly, I’m going to have it checked out after the first 100 rounds just to make sure it’s kosher.

Finally, the trigger is PSA. PSA makes a polished standard trigger that’s better than the typical trigger you find in rifles the military uses. It’s an excellent product and I would highly recommend it if you want a “military spec” build eschewing fancy parts.

Lastly, the Bolt and Bolt Carrier Group are Toolcraft, Not PSA. Toolcraft is probably the largest manufacturer of BCGs, and their testing is guaranteed to meet military standards. They also produce the BCGs for the big notable rifle makers like Daniel Defense and Bravo Company (though they try to keep this secret). Toolcraft is where you want to be if you want good quality BCGs (the “heart” of an AR-15) for the money. This one is Nitride, which is much easier to clean and less demanding on cleaning and lubrication than the Phosphate coating of most BCGs. That said, if you want your gun to be as close as to what the military uses, use Phosphate.

The BCG and the Barrel are the two most important parts of a rifle, and where you should feel encouraged to spend money. It would be 100% cope to say my PSA barrel is “Just as Good”.

PART TWO: ERGONOMICS

The rail is PSA, a nice simple M-LOK rail that’s slim enough to get a “beer can” grip around, yet firm enough to mount accessories and not worry about them. I don’t plan on using this gun with night vision, so I’m cutting costs hear by going with a cheapo rail. If I did plan on using Night Vision, I would use a more expensive, sturdier rail to ensure that my IR Laser Sight doesn’t shift its point of aim.

The grip is a Magpul SL. Magpul grips are cheap and pretty much industry standard at this point. The SL has less “rake” (closer to vertical angle) that makes close range shooting easier. If your gun still has the A2 style canted grip found on military M4’s, ditch that shit right now and get a $20 Magpul to replace it. It is the *Single* cheapest thing you can do to make your rifle shoot better

The stock is not actually a stock, it is a SBA3 BRACE, because braces are not stocks, and using a stock without a tax stamp is a good way for you and your dog to meet some guys from a three letter agency that will not be named.

The Optic is the Sig Romeo5 red dot, because they’re the most dogshit tough piece of glass you can buy for under $150, and there’s enough Youtube videos of rednecks trying to destroy them and failing to convince me that I won’t be able to break it without trying really hard.

I’m using a Red Dot because I don’t see myself ever having to use this rifle out past 100m or so, and within the typical distance I would expect to ever have to shoot someone (God Forbid) the dot is just faster than a scope. And obviously faster than iron sights.

PART THREE: FUTURE PLANS

Biggest priority for this thing is to get it to the range and break it in. It “feels” nicer than the 10.3” guns I’ve used in the past, so I’m hopeful it shoots better.

As I gain experience with this rifle, you’ll probably see me swap parts here or there. First thing to change is probably that muzzle device at the end of the barrel. I want something that will further reduce recoil, reduce muzzle flash, or ideally both.

Thanks for reading. Got a question about AR-15 parts? Drop it in the comments or DM me on Twitter. Have a great weekend.