This post was originally published on Athlon Outdoors.
Are you one of those people who have parts earmarked for a certain project, but they just sit around? Well, thanks to the communists running Washington state, there is sufficient motivation to finally put this one together. The firearms laws here are going through some unconstitutional changes that will illegally make most things that go “bang” illegal to purchase, sell, or import here in the PNW. That’s right, even spare parts for those evil “military-style” rifles won’t be able to be shipped into Washington state once our braindead governor signs off on the bills he had rammed through this session. So, that’s how this one starts….I was going to build a Frankenstein 5.56.
Frankenstein 5.56 – Building My Perfect DMR
This small pile of AR parts needed a handguard, receiver set, and a good trigger to be whole. That’s when the idea hit me; it’s been a while since I’ve built a designated marksman rifle (DMR). A quick trip to my favorite local gun shop, 3 Aces, and a few moments later, I had everything else that I needed for this project. It was an easy choice, as the shop offered complete builders’ sets available from Aero Precision.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
I settled on the Aero Precision M5E1 Builders Set with a 15-inch Atlas S-One M-Lok Rail. Not just because the M5E1 builder sets are nice, but because this set was called Yorktown and was Cerakote-painted in the sacred red, white (FDE), and blue with our beloved American flag painted on both sides. The barrel is an 18-inch Ballistic Advantage barrel in 5.56mm, which is a company owned by Aero Precision.
Inner Workings
Most of this build is made by Aero Precision, as they have become synonymous with high-quality, well-built parts. Additionally, I had the good fortune of touring their production facilities about four years ago and gained an insider’s perspective, which made me a loyal customer.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
If anyone has put together their own AR, then you will know that the bolt catch can often elicit bouts of profanity during that part of the installation. Not on the Aero Precision (AP) M5E1 lowers, as they come with a threaded bolt catch pin, making life so much easier and saving paint jobs as well. The lower parts kit for this build was all Aero Precision, except for the safety and trigger. The safety is an ambi-safety from Seekins Precision.
Rise Armament Trigger
Have you ever used a Rise Armament drop-in trigger for the AR before? They offer several different styles of drop-in triggers that are, indeed, true drop-in trigger modules. I’ve run pretty much every trigger that Rise offers and found them all to be exceptionally well-made and engineered, especially its brand-new, one-of-a-kind, two-stage drop-in trigger called the Iconic. It has a very crisp break and can even be installed by the dumbest gun plumber on YouTube.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
That’s how easy a Rise Armament trigger is to install. Rise offers several trigger models, depending on the rifle’s intended use. They even make a specific trigger aimed at the law enforcement market, the LE145, and it’s a much nicer trigger than the gritty types that you find in many off-the-shelf AR-15s.
Finding a BCG (bolt carrier group) is standard these days, as everyone and their brother is producing them. Aero Precision makes a fine BCG, but I didn’t have one on hand when I started this build. Because I was ordering up the Iconic two-stage trigger from Rise Armament, I decided to grab one of their BCGs as well. I trust Rise to make one of the better BCGs out there. Plus, when the dust cover is open, the wicked-looking Rise logo with the scorpion is staring right at you.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Raptor LT
The Raptor-LT charging handle from Primary Weapons Systems was selected for this build, as nearly every AR I own or have built in recent years has received a Raptor charging handle. They speak for themselves; they are ambidextrous and won’t snag on everything they come near, unlike some other huge charging handles I’ve seen on some Gucci rifles out there.
You will be just fine with a standard lower parts kit and not need to add the fancier stuff. That being said, I am from the camp of not knowing how to leave things well enough alone. I’ve used the Geissele Maritime Bolt Catch on a few other builds and really liked it, so I used it on this rifle as well.
It’s much easier to actuate when one is wearing gloves. The Primary Weapons Systems’ FSC Compensator was chosen to cap off this custom DMR build. I’ve used it on a couple of other rifles and was impressed. It’s marketed with recoil reduction being the primary function and flash suppression being the secondary function. It does a great job of both, based on my experience.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Dressing
Everyone has their own personal preference on the subject of furniture for the AR-15. I opted for Magpul for this build, as their pistol grip is comfortable and performs well. Plus, you can store small objects inside the grip itself. The PRS Lite Stock was the perfect choice for this DMR build. It’s adjustable for both the length of pull and cheek height. Add the LAW Tactical Folder and it’s a match made in heaven. The problem with a DMR-type rifle is the overall length, as you want that added barrel length to be a proficient long-distance communicator. Adding the LAW Folder enables the user to reduce the overall length for storage and transport.
Add a Magpul Bipod and you’ve got nice stability for the front end of the rifle. One of the really nice things about the Magpul Bipod is its weight, or lack thereof. It’s largely made of polymer, so it’s not a boat anchor hanging under your barrel. I’m sure there are trade-offs, as steel is stronger but also weighs significantly more. That’s where the Magpul Bipod shines, as it uses metal bones but encases everything in a strong polymer. Moreover, Magpul has already proven the strength of its products in terms of polymers.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Sights
At the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, I happened to catch EOTech showcasing their new VUDU 1-10×28 FFP (first focal plane) with SR4 reticle. I was immediately impressed, as it’s the size of a typical 1-8 LVOP-type scope. The reticle is crisp and clear—exactly what one can expect from EOTech.
The VUDU 1-10 is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and is fogproof, waterproof, and shock-resistant. The lens features an anti-reflective coating. It features push-button controls that allow for 10 brightness settings, along with a two-hour “auto off” feature. There are no dedicated night-vision settings; however, the tech from EOTech assured me that it will work fine together. The detachable throw lever is a must-have feature for scopes that get mounted on a tactically minded rifle. It makes switching between magnification ranges that much simpler.
Optic Choice
You may notice that there are no iron sights on this rifle. This is a first for me, as I am a big believer in them. However, I used the EOTech EFLX. It comes with either a 3- or 6-MOA dot and has eight daytime settings and one night-vision setting. The CR2032 battery is conveniently located on the top, so the user won’t have to remove their optic for battery replacement. There is an expected 25K-hour battery life with the 3-MOA version and 20K battery life expectancy with the 6-MOA model. I like everything about the EFLX, but don’t understand why, for convenience’s sake, all of these smaller optics can’t use the same footprint.
When it came time to pick a mount for both optics, my first thought went to American Defense MFG. One simply cannot go wrong with an ADM mount, as it clamps to your weapon’s rail like a vice. ADM mounts have served me well over the many years, so naturally, they are my first thought for a scope mount. The EOTech EFLX mount with offset is perfect for this mission, as it’s reversible for right- or left-handed shooters. Both mounts are a quick-detach type.
Range Impressions
This is truly one nice boomstick! It’s a perfect example of getting what you want by building it yourself. Not only do you get the satisfaction of knowing that you built your own AR, but you also get to pick all of the parts going into it. I’ve bought off-the-shelf type ARs in the past and upgraded, added, and removed accessories and parts until I felt it was “done.”
But is it ever really? That’s why I’ve always referred to the AR-15 as being like Legos for adults. It’s very rewarding to simply build it your way, the way you want it.
The 18-inch Ballistic Advantage barrel is spot on. This rifle is proof that one can have a sub-MOA rifle if they are patient and build it themselves. This custom build itself is very capable. The Black Hills .223 Rem 77-grain MatchKing HP came out screaming at 2,635 fps and printed a three-shot, 0.8-inch group at 100 yards. Granted, the Vudu 1-10×28, with its magnification power cranked up, was a great help in achieving this.
Everything about this rifle just feels right. The Magpul PRS Lite Stock’s ability to customize the length of pull greatly aids in that. The Rise Armament “Iconic” two-stage, drop-in trigger is every bit of its namesake. Rise Armament nailed it when it comes to this trigger. Another nice feature is the Law Tactical folder that I installed. This rifle can be stored in the same bag as my 36-inch rifle if I fold it for transport. Don’t get me wrong, a great many of the factory-built ARs out there are fine weapons.
Frankenstein 5.56
Building your own AR simply helps instill a special confidence in the user. It also helps the user better understand their rifle, including how it functions. Store-bought or home-built, either way, as our founding father, George Washington, always said, “Stay strapped or get clapped.”
SPECIFICATIONS: Designated Marksman Rifle Build
| Caliber: | 5.56mm NATO |
| Barrel: | 18 inches |
| OA Length: | 39.25 inches |
| Weight: | 8.9 pounds (empty) |
| Stock: | Magpul PRS Lite Stock |
| Sights: | none |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Finish: | Cerakote |
| Capacity: | 30+1 |
| MSRP: | $2,186 |
Performance
| LOAD | VELOCITY | ACCURACY |
| Black Hills 77 MatchKing HP | 2,635 | 0.80 |
| Magtech 62 FMJ | 2,978 | 1.30 |
| Sig Sauer .223 Rem 77 OTM Match Grade | 2,354 | 0.90 |
| Speer 75 Personal Protection GDSP | 2,569 | 1.00 |
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second (fps) by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 100 yards.
WHY OUR ARTICLES/REVIEWS DO NOT HAVE AFFILIATE LINKS
Affiliate links create a financial incentive for writers to promote certain products, which can lead to biased recommendations. This blurs the line between genuine advice and marketing, reducing trust in the content.
The post Frankenstein 5.56 – The Perfect DMR appeared first on Athlon Outdoors Exclusive Firearm Updates, Reviews & News.
