+Deerslayer1912 100% agree. It's 2016 and alot has changed. For instance on i dont even run a sling anymore (run a s-ring set-up on the carrier). Also boots are a must too for all the guys doings Soldier Boy.

Great work Auggie. I think Nutn and most other people would say you rock and do what works for you. You're happy with what you have created and that's important along with whether it actually functions properly. Everyone has their own needs, skill-set, budget and time constraints. Only you can decide what's best for you. You don't sound stupid to this 40yr old.

August Tirone Being 18 I did essentially the same thing. I built a Spike's lower and put a BCM upper on it, 100% reliable. However I've not put a single steel-cased round through it. No real reason other than I like shooting accurately and Wolf, while it fires every time, doesn't print fantastic groups. I would say that the ammo you stock for SHTF might ought to be brass-cased, for two reasons: 1). it keeps your chamber cleaner, and in WROL you might have to go long periods of time without cleaning your rifle and 2). Reloading. My dad and I have started hand reloading, and we can make match 5.56 for Federal American Eagle prices, and blasting 5.56 for Wolf prices. And there's no shortage of good range brass to find from OTHER people, too, haha. You might ought to look into reloading. It's a really cool and fun hobby and it will eventually start to save you money.

August Tirone Not stupid man, you cant argue with reliability. My ar is a lower I built, with a bcm upper, and ive shot mostly tula out of it. Im prolly at about 6-700 rounds and some of it hot, fast and dirty, and I haven't had a single malfunction. Now im not throwing it in the mud first but I think that's a decent enough sample to feel comfortable with its performance.