From: berin@f14.EBay.Sun.COM (Eddie Berin/SE Sun Microsystems Federal)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: SARCO AR-15 kits - long repost
Date: 13 Apr 92 17:34:16 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems Federal, Milpitas, CA.


Someone asked about SARCO AR-15 kits.  Here's my repost of my kit building:

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	I recently bought one of those Nesard CAR-15 kits
	as advertised in Shotgun News (tm).

	Since some folks are interested, I am posting my
	experience with this project.  The summary comes
	first to spare those of you not inclined to 
	read the details.

	(See extensive details below)

	SUMMARY:

	Assembled the kit and fitted the slightly
	tight trigger, the rifle functioned perfectly.
	The lower receiver was easier to assemble than
	I imagined.

	I did use headspace gauges to verify proper
	chamber size. I also used dummy .223 rounds to
	verify proper cycling of the action BEFORE 
	actual firing.

	Since the sight was not bore-sighted, it was
	a chore to sight-in the rifle.  I strongly
	recommend having the right bore-sighted.

	Overall, I was satisfied with the quality of
	the rifle;  it wasn't top-of-the-line
 	(no chrome barrel/chamber, no forged site), but 
	it was acceptable for my use.

	Standard Disclaimer:  Not affiliated with Nesard
			      etc.

	----------------DETAILS----------------------------

	VENDORS:

	Nesard  
	PO Box 56 
	Lake Zurich, Illinois  60047
	(708) 381-7629
	(708) 381-5784 FAX

	Quality Parts  
	PO Box 1479 
	Windham, Maine  04062
	orders (800) 556 SWAT
		
	TOOLS USED:

	M-16 barrel wrench
	Set of drift punches/hammer
	headspace gauges
	Break Free CLP	
	Safety glasses (use when assembling)
	Duncan Long's book, "AR/M16: A Practical Guide"
	  
	Remember: SAFETY FIRST!  Wear those safety glasses
	          particularly when installing springs. 
		  Make sure your dummy rounds ARE NOT mixed
	          with live rounds.

	All other safety rules apply...

	--------------------------------------------------

	ORDERING THE KIT:

	The woman on the Nesard phone line said that yes,
	the CAR-15 kits are in stock for $275, but were
	back-ordered on the A1 upper receiver.  She said
	for an additional $30, I could get the E2 upper
	receiver (with rear elevation adjustment) now.

	So, I said yes, give me the E2 upper and ship it
	UPS Red label (overnight for another $35) and COD.

	Sure enough, picked up the kit the next day and
	took a quick inventory - all pieces were there.
	For $340 including shipping, all the parts 
	appeared to be new.

	TAKING INVENTORY:

	Took it home and checked the fit/finish of pieces:

	* E2 rear sight piece wouldn't thread with
	  the lower disk - called Nesard and they said
	  please return it for exchange.  Received the
	  better-fitting sight about a week later.

	* Barrel was parkerized (semi-gloss green look)
	  with cast (not forged) front site;  casting
	  bubble marks obvious.  Non-chrome-lined.

	* Upper receiver was flat black with the latest
	  case deflector casted into it.

	* Telescoping stock looked OK with an aluminum
	  shaft and a plastic stock - quite sturdy.  The
	  buffer spring was OK, but lightly rusted.

	* Hammer, trigger, and springs OK, but the trigger
	  didn't allow the pin to fit well.  Ended up 
	  reaming it out with a fine drill bit.
	
	* Charging handle was aluminum and anodized an	
	  unusual shade of shiny purple/black.

	* Bolt carrier was flat black, possibly painted
	  with Gun Kote (tm) (not about to soak it in 
	  cleaner yet) with a non-chromed (bare metal) 
	  bolt carrier opening.  

	* Firing pin (stainless-like finish), bolt, pins
	  looked like standard issue.

	* Pistol grip is standard (no trapdoor).

	* Trigger guard was plastic - acceptable.

	* Disconnector was an M16 version with the tail
	  cut off - becomes AR-15 version after that.

	* Magazine not included.

	THE LOWER RECEIVER:
	
	The lower receiver used was that sold by 
	Essential Arms (EA) at $58 plus FFL fees.
	The lowest bidder philosophy was utilized here as 
	with the kit itself :-).  

	Unfortunately, EA bumped their prices up after
	I got mine - more like $99 now.

	The main disappointment was the extreme mismatch
	in color of the Nesard upper receiver and the 
	EA lower receiver.  The upper is flat black, the lower
	is flat light gray.  Looks OK, but geez, thought the
	colors wouldn't be THAT different.

	ASSEMBLY/CHECKOUT:

	Headspace was measured and checked out OK.  Just use
	the gauges accordingly and it's simple to check.
	Unfortunately, at $15/gauge, it ain't cheap for 3. 

	I ended putting it together in about 10-15 hours
	worth of work.  It's recommended (by me) to buy
	some tools such as drift punches.  I also bought
	head space guages from Quality Parts (go, no-go,
	and field) and the M16 barrel wrench.  The bolt
	key was fastened using Gun Tite (tm).  The trigger
	was reamed using a standard drill and bit.

	The E2 sight was somewhat difficult to assemble
	since the book, Duncan Long's "AR15/M16: A Practical Guide",
	didn't have an exploded diagram for it.  A government-issue
	M16 manual would probably be good for this.

	COMPLETED KIT:

	I brought the rifle to the 100 yd range and used
	Federal and Winchester 55 gr FMJ generic .223 
	cartridges.  The rifle functioned perfectly, but
	the sight was way off (time to get it bore-sighted).
	Feeding and ejection were 100%;  no problems at
	all (even using a used 20 rnd mag).

	Haven't had a chance to check accuracy.

	Overall, assembling the kit was relatively easy if you're 
	mechanically inclined.  I also studied the diagrams
	extensively before I ordered the kit just to make sure.

	I recommend assembling a kit such as this for the 
	educational value.