Project Vera Update – Breaking News

SAMSUNGFinally.

The Fed Equis man dropped a small box on my front porch about a half hour ago, and the cam pin was among the pieces inside. Actually, since the shipping was the same, I ordered 2 cam pins, and a firing pin, and 2 firing pin retainer pins.

Now to put it all together, and hit the range later in the week.

As you might remember, Vera was a placeholder name for this project, so . . .

Coming Soon: Name The AR.

Project Vera Update

Just found out that my upper has shipped from Palmetto State Armory. Now all I need to get is a charging handle and a bolt carrier group.

There is a gun show next weekend so I may just load up with cash and see what I can find.

Good thing I bought PMAGs before the late unpleasantness.

Project Vera – Update

Some time back I took the plunge started building an AR-15. As with my other guns, I planned to build this with someone else’s money, so it’s taken about 8 months to complete.

So far, I’ve completed the lower. Here’s the specs:

Completed lower

The lower is a an aluminum billet lower from New Frontier Armory, While they have made a name with their polymer lower, I went with the aluminum.

The lower parts kit is from DPMS, via Lakeside Guns. Assembly wasn’t too difficult thanks to several Youtube videos and a resolve to be patient.

The stock is a collapsible Tapco stock, made right here in Kennesaw. I also added a padded ERGO grip, that I got from Adventure Outdoors along with the stock.

Then, the pause. I had to earn more money to finish the project. In the meantime, I picked up some PMAGs, so I can be ready.

+++++++

Time passes. I cut grass, save money, and wait.

In the meantime, I do my research. Based on my experience putting together the lower, and on my research, I decided to let a professional put together the upper. For one thing, most of the houses that did this (and the one I would choose) test fire them afterward, so I would know it was a good assembly.

Finally I made a decision, and started to look for the right combination of specifications.

Here is what I ordered:

Upper

It’s the MWA-16 upper assembly from New Frontier Armory, the same company that made my lower. Here are the specs:

  • A3 Upper Receiver forged from 7075-T6 aluminum with extended M4 feed ramps and T markings
  • 16” MATCH GRADE M4 profile stainless steel barrel (from Black Hole Weaponry) with a black finish
  • 1 in 8” Twist with 3 groove polygonal rifling and M4 Feed Ramp
  • 1/2 x 28 threads / .750″ diameter gas block/YHM front flip up sight / gas block combo
  • Chrome lined MIL-SPEC bolt carrier group
  • MAGPUL MOE Handguards
  • MAGPUL MBUS rear flip up sight

What I really like is all the extras like MAGPUL furniture is already included.

+++++

So, I finally got on line, and placed my order. Bad news, this was 2 days after the school shootings in Connecticut, and the frenzy was already on. I was first told one to two weeks lead time, but it has now stretched to 6 weeks.

We will see. All I know is I’m willing to be patient, I’ve waited this long.

+++++

In the meantime I have adhered to The Diaper Rule, thus: when my kids were young, I knew whenever I was at Walmart, I should pick up diapers. I knew I would need them. Similarly, when I was at the gun store, I bought a PMAG. I now own 4 PMAGs that I paid $15 each for. And, sadly, the stores I go to don’t have any more in stock.

+++++

Where can I order a Skittles dispenser?

 

Project Vera

Last summer, I posted a wish list of guns I planned to buy next. A lot of interesting things have transpired in the meantime, and I use the word “interesting” in the full sense of the old Arab curse, “May you live in interesting times.”

The first gun on my list was an AR-15, and I’m happy to report the kickoff of what I am calling Project Vera.

The first step, and really the one that kicked it all off, was getting a great deal on a stripped aluminum lower made by Northern Frontier Armory, from Mike at Dog Leg Arms. Once I had this, I read a bunch, and tweeted some, and came up with a plan to build a home defense gun with the following general specs:

  • Flat top upper, maybe a Sporting version without forward assist.
  • 16 inch barrel, 1:7 twist. Chrome lined.
  • Red dot optic with co-witnessed iron backups – either 1x or 1-4x.
  • Multi position stock.
  • Single stage military trigger.
  • Weapon light, possibly with a laser.

Later, as finances allow, I plan to get a shorter barrel and a suppressor, since this will likely be used indoors in a defense situation.

I did some research on trigger groups, and looked at some on the interwebz. On Saturday I happened to be at Lakeside Guns in Acworth, Georgia, and saw a DPMS lower parts kit, for just a little more than what I’ve seen. I had no problem spending it, since I not only saved shipping cost, but I got it right now, and I supported a great local business.

Of course, the best part of all is that the lower receiver, the part with the serial number, is the only part of the gun that I have to buy through an FFL. The rest I can buy from Lakeside Guns, or over the Interwebz, or gun shows, or wherever I want. And, not coincidentally, it’s the only part that’s subject to the Ad Valorum tax. This means, if nothing else, I’ll save a little over buying a complete gun then making the mods I want.

Up next: assembly of the lower. Pray for me.