Been building ARs for awhile with varying degrees of premium parts but just bought my first premium factory built rifle, a DD M4A1, which I'm planning to be my main hard use blaster. It was between that and the MK18, but I wanted to avoid NFA this time around. What's everyone else training with?

Can't go wrong with the DD. I've had a few, and they've never failed to impress.. I'm currently using a BCM RECCE-16.

Ooo sweet rig! Was looking at that one too

Just started using Bear Creek side gas discharging uppers in some builds. I'll report back how I like them.

I have an old Ruger SR556 AR and G17 for my main squeeze 💕😁👍🗽

Are milspec parts different? I haven't built any yet.

Milspec parts are built to a certain spec in line with requirements outlined by the military. Milspec and commercial buffer tubes are dimensionally different. Everything else is pretty much interchangeable. Also, milspec does not automatically mean better. Often it actually means " meets minimum standards"

For my AR: Sig M400 lower (has great ambi controls). Geissele SD-C Trigger. JP captured buffer. Aero Precision Upper (14.5) with BCG and a SOLGW break and Radian charging handle. Magpul furniture and a Vortex Razor Gen 3 for the glass.

That depends on the day, for rifle i am either running a British made lee Enfield no4 mk2 in 303britsh from 1954 (ammo prices hurt me). or my ar15 i built it my shelf for about 400, it is nothing fancy but it is mine. as for pistol i am shooting my canik tp9 elite SC with a holosun 507k and a stream light tlr7a and that rides in my T1C axis slim. i am working on getting a war belt together that i can strip down to just the belt and gun for when i am on hikes and stuff.

Thought this was interesting to share: I was at Sportsman's (Rancho Cordova) yesterday to pick up a few items. I was looking at their rifles in stock. Almost half of the new and used rifles were 6.5 Creedmoor. I asked why and they said almost 100% of the rifles sold back to them are 6.5 Creedmoor because no one can find ammo. They probably had 300 rifles there in stock and row after row were 6.5 Creedmoor.
Personally, I absolutely love this caliber. Last night I found some for 80 cents a round. Still expensive though.

I currently use a Ruger mini14 with archangel stock and specter gear sling. :)

I have built two: First was with a Spikes Tactical barrel and upper receiver with a ST lower; and ST parts kit. This first build help prep me for the second which was a "tighter tolerance" fit (aka no slop): Aero Precision lower, FN barrel and upper receiver without BC; Geiselle parts kit with SSA-E trigger (for both platforms). The ST is 16" and the FN is 18" CHF.

WAR POET pistol, Daniel Defense MK18
Mini-gun for home defense. Maybe. One day.

I carry a War Poet MR920 EDC in a Warrior Poet Tier 1 Appendix. Took forever with the backorders but was totally worth it.
Bought it in January 2022 and have 1,800+ rounds through it. Have taken USCCA pistol 2/3/4 courses with it, about 12 hours practice and about to take a close quarter combat course with it. Absolutely love it. Built a 5.56 16" with Daytona Tactical 80% lower, Palmetto Arms 16" upper with nitrate carrier group, AT3 tactical 1x6 LPVO and and AT3 tactical red dot 45 degree offset with WP sling. Just used it in a USCCA carbine 2 course and performed perfectly. Also built a 300 Black AR pistol with a Daytona 80% lower, Aero Precision 10" upper, AT3 Tactical 3x Prism and AT3 Red Dot on top and it is running awesome. Built both AR's myself and was an awesome way to learn how the AR goes together and works. Thinking of building an AR-10 next. Put together a Blue Alpha Gear battle belt with a Tier 1 hooded holster, tourniquet, medical pouch, 2x AR pouches and 2x pistol pouch. Getting better at using the AR and pistol with a shot timer. From 10' from the war belt holster getting a 1.5 on target and about a 2 on concealed but working on it. Love the video training plus the in person training. Training has taken me from a super average shooter to an ok shooter. Thank you John and team!!

For carbine Ive assembled several of my own. Its not cheaper, I just end up with exactly what I want. I stick close to Aero Precision receivers cause Im a Pacific NW guy, and the rest is per the task.
For pistol I love my CZ75 SP01, but am currently running my P80 build (G17 gen3) after finding an awesome trigger for it. If you have a Glock and hate the trigger I cant recommend Johnny Glocks customs enough. Expensive but a whole new gun. I also enjoy a Canik TP9SFx and have an unfired stock Glock 17 just because?