AR-15 Retrofit Project

[Fall/Winter Hobby]

With the new title of "father" has come many new responsibilities and challenges for me, which press financially, mentally and physically. In order to combat this I have created a project for myself to complete as a hobby while colder New England weather rolls in - rebuilding my AR rifle. Nothing nefarious, but making it more efficient and easier to use and hey... a hobby is a hobby.


-Starting Ingredients-

"Vanilla" AR-15

My more or less "vanilla" AR-15 is an Olympic Arms AR-15a2. It has remained relatively unchanged since I got it 6 years ago. The concept of modifying firearms didn't really catch my attention until the last couple of years. 

It has a traditional front fixed-sight and fixed carry handle and rear sight. When I had gotten it the traditional full A2 buttstock had been replaced by a cheap collapsible TAPCO stock (along with the buffer kit), which was more or less the only thing changed from it being completely factory. Oh and you can't forget the rather bizarre muzzle brake that would knock the wind out of anybody standing next to you. At the time it was a good rifle and a fun plinker - it was my first rifle after all. Unknowingly for some time I did possess a favorable upper assembly, which was a mid-length gas system and a decent barrel with a 1:8 twist.

In the end the fixed sights and fixed carry handle highly limit how modular the platform can be, so... we must evolve.

-A Whole New World-

In my time shooting, browsing of the interwebs, taking classes and being around other shooting enthusiasts has given me countless hours of seeing, handling and firing other AR rifles. 
After years of the AR platform evolving and manufacturers racing each other to release more and better parts every year the choices are beyond overwhelming. While tinkering with my AMD-65 rifle in the past had given me a small taste of rifle modding I felt not only overwhelmed by the choices available for the AR platform, but also a bit intimidated by the AR's complexity. It was hard to beat the AK's "fix and modify with a hammer and swear words" simplicity in comparison.
With more videos and webpages dedicated to AR builds than ever before there isn't really a need to feel intimidated anymore so I start my journey...

-Where to Go?-

New Palmetto State Armory Upper Assembly

It wouldn't be much of a project if I just went out and just bought a new rifle, so I'll take what I have (the lower assembly) and improve upon it. The upper assembly, as I stated above is "fixed" and not very modular so it is, in essence "stuck in its ways" so that will go and be the first part replaced. The Olympic Arms lower assembly is solid, so that will be my base to build on. As I write this I've already gotten a few parts, chief among which was a whole new upper assembly and barrel (pictured above). Not only was the price good (even without having a bolt carrier group or charging handle), but I grabbed the last one in inventory. With AR rifles being the center focus of any US political gun conversation it's good to get stock while you can.


-Next-

As more parts come in and new developments arise I will continue posting about this build in a series. Partly because it's cathartic for me, but more because I know there's a massive community out there that supports projects like this. More to come soon...

Part II