Trusted Gunsmith in the Western part of the state that can put together an accurate AR upper?

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  • Trevelayan

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    Dec 11, 2014
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    Putnam Co.
    Does anyone have experience with a gunsmith in West Central IN that they trust to put their ARs together? Mainly focused on having it accurized. I don't have the tools or room to build it myself, and I want to get someone who knows what they're doing. I know Tactical Weapons and Supply down in Crawfordsville does them but they have mixed reviews on Google. Anyone had any experience with Darrel's Custom, Grells, or any others between Cayuga, Lafayette, and Lebanon? I'd be willing to have a garage gunsmith do it if they have a good rep. I've got all the parts, just need someone to put it together.
     

    55fairlane

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    Jan 15, 2016
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    New Haven
    While I understand you don't have the tools or room, I think your throwing your money paying a gunsmith. Uppers can be purchased assembled ready to shoot, at any accuracy or price point.
    So let me ask you, what are you after? Give us details and let us guide you.
     

    teddy12b

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    Nov 25, 2008
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    While I understand you don't have the tools or room, I think your throwing your money paying a gunsmith. Uppers can be purchased assembled ready to shoot, at any accuracy or price point.
    So let me ask you, what are you after? Give us details and let us guide you.

    The above advice is the way.

    Look at White Oak Armament and particularly in the 18" SPR uppers. I have one in 223 wylde, 1 in 7 twist with a mid length and it's hands down the most accurate 223/556 I've ever owned or shot. Lower has a SSA trigger, but otherwise it's all that upper.
     

    brentlacy

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    May 29, 2018
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    Rockville
    Dwight at the gun shop by Montezuma or Steve at Shots and shells in Clinton could point you in the right direction. Maybe even Duane Pearson at Marshall. He is awesome. Not sure how much he knows on the ar platform, but he will connect you with someone who can help. If none of the above works, PM me and I know someone who would be a good connection.
     

    55fairlane

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    Jan 15, 2016
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    New Haven
    The above advice is the way.

    Look at White Oak Armament and particularly in the 18" SPR uppers. I have one in 223 wylde, 1 in 7 twist with a mid length and it's hands down the most accurate 223/556 I've ever owned or shot. Lower has a SSA trigger, but otherwise it's all that upper.

    Very hard to go wrong with white oak or compass lake.

    If you can't afford either of those rock river arms
     

    Trevelayan

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    Dec 11, 2014
    292
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    Putnam Co.
    The above advice is the way.

    Look at White Oak Armament and particularly in the 18" SPR uppers. I have one in 223 wylde, 1 in 7 twist with a mid length and it's hands down the most accurate 223/556 I've ever owned or shot. Lower has a SSA trigger, but otherwise it's all that upper.


    I've got all the parts already, except for the BCG - Waiting on those to come back in stock. I know exactly what I want for the build but I just need someone to put it together.
     

    teddy12b

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    I've got all the parts already, except for the BCG - Waiting on those to come back in stock. I know exactly what I want for the build but I just need someone to put it together.
    I didn't know you already had all the parts you wanted. You're on the right track to make sure someone puts it together right. Too many homemade youtube guns have issues at the range.
     

    Trevelayan

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    Dec 11, 2014
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    Putnam Co.
    I didn't know you already had all the parts you wanted. You're on the right track to make sure someone puts it together right. Too many homemade youtube guns have issues at the range.

    That's what I'm trying to avoid, need someone with a known history of good builds.
     

    T-DOGG

    I'm Spicy, deal with it.
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    Feb 4, 2011
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    New Haven
    I agree with sloughfoot, the barrel is the most important part of the equation. A master gunsmith isn't going to make a junk barrel shoot tight groups. AR's are not like building a 1911 from scratch, there isn't hand fitting involved. Use quality parts, use correct tools, correct procedure and proper torque values. The better the components used equal easier assembly, lower probability of failure and higher probability of a happy owner. I can tell you first hand the difference between using old PSA parts versus BCM or Daniel Defense.

    The last two builds I did were an AR in 308 using all Aero Precision parts and a Ballistic Advantage barrel. The other was a 16" AR in 5.56 using all BCM and Daniel Defense parts. Both of the builds were the best I've done so far and a big part of that was because of the quality of the parts used.

    If you were closer to New Haven, I would offer up my garage and my services to help you assemble your AR correctly.

    20200819_195516.jpg

    20210212_070037.jpg
     

    Tactically Fat

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    Havlin's in Fayette. Just a few miles north of Brownsburg.


    He's a heck of a good dude. Be sure to contact him via email... Utilize the appointment setter-upper he has on his website. Do NOT just show up.
     

    teddy12b

    Grandmaster
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    Nov 25, 2008
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    I agree with sloughfoot, the barrel is the most important part of the equation. A master gunsmith isn't going to make a junk barrel shoot tight groups. AR's are not like building a 1911 from scratch, there isn't hand fitting involved. Use quality parts, use correct tools, correct procedure and proper torque values. The better the components used equal easier assembly, lower probability of failure and higher probability of a happy owner. I can tell you first hand the difference between using old PSA parts versus BCM or Daniel Defense.

    The last two builds I did were an AR in 308 using all Aero Precision parts and a Ballistic Advantage barrel. The other was a 16" AR in 5.56 using all BCM and Daniel Defense parts. Both of the builds were the best I've done so far and a big part of that was because of the quality of the parts used.

    If you were closer to New Haven, I would offer up my garage and my services to help you assemble your AR correctly.

    View attachment 127581
    How's that Aero running for you? I've kicked around the idea of one of those in 6.5 for a semi auto competition gun. I think if it's setup right it could be an accurate and reliable rifle, but I don't see a lot of reviews for those.
     

    T-DOGG

    I'm Spicy, deal with it.
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    Feb 4, 2011
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    How's that Aero running for you? I've kicked around the idea of one of those in 6.5 for a semi auto competition gun. I think if it's setup right it could be an accurate and reliable rifle, but I don't see a lot of reviews for those.
    It was a build for a good friend. He loves it. We put an adjustable Aero gas block on it.
     

    Trevelayan

    Marksman
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    5   0   0
    Dec 11, 2014
    292
    43
    Putnam Co.
    Havlin's in Fayette. Just a few miles north of Brownsburg.


    He's a heck of a good dude. Be sure to contact him via email... Utilize the appointment setter-upper he has on his website. Do NOT just show up.
    Looks like I might be giving this guy a try.
     
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