Glad I found your video. I was about ready to pick up the complete upper. I have seen the builder kits like you have here.. I am just to green to this space to pick the correct barrel/gas block. Maybe I’ll just pick it up and dive into info until I can figure it out. Originally I was planning on just picking out complete uppers.
The adac button mag release still drops the mag, it isnt a replacement function. it just doubles as the bolt hold open. Thats why its named that "dual action"
Keeping it real. I got enough lowers and I’m done buying more cuz it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy: financial, emotional, and mental commitment to finishing a Gucci AR “build” 🤑😳🤯
I considered radian for its ambi lower but ended up going the pdq route due to cost. If I was looking in the price range for a complete one I think I'd go with an lwrc though. Both have good reviews though
If the gun store would've had a LWRC stripped lower, I would've gone home with one too and you'd be watching different video. I agree. The price range is a real negative seeing there's more inexpensive options on the market.
@2A Michael J < after I had assembled my first ambi lower, never looked back. All of my other builds are ambi. I use the pdq ambi bolt catch, botach ambi mag release, cheap no name ambi safety and charging handle. It does require a little dremel work but it works and looks like a factory run of the mill ar15 lower
@@hansgruber6381 I think I've seen the PDQs on Aeros lowers too on their website, already installed which is nice. They typically sell out quickly. I'm pretty much a mil spec lower guy. ADM and Radian are the only 2 ambi lowers I have and I'm kinda a sucker for buying in store nice lowers I see. JL Billet makes a relatively inexpensive ambi lower although I don't believe it has an ambi bolt catch. Just a bolt release and left side magazine release. I've seen them 2nd hand for $150 before but got sold to the guy looking at it in front of me. I always appreciate the conversations with you. You seem to have some good information to add.
Sort of wanted to see the barrel nut and the side of the handguard that faces the upper. Cool set though. I'd love to take a gucci upper/lower/handguard set and build out a Grendel spr/recce, either from Radian, Cobalt, or Larue.
If lock up securement is what you're looking for Cobalt has a promising design with their uppers and handguards but Aero has the enhanced versions of their M4E1s that look pretty similar in design. LaRue is probably the best dollar for dollar SPR. Their barrels are always in the top spots in rifle matches which says a lot. They don't look as fancy but they are nice. I've actually been looking at LaRue for an upper in the future. I appreciate the view and comments like always.
I just got my ar15 hk416 tribute build assembled today it's in DI for now but I am going to be running a gas piston setup that kit is pretty nice but have to say for 140 bucks Sharp Bros. Livewire forged lower receiver give the same feature set as the Radian
What's a tribute set? I've seen manufacturers offer piston gas block/bcgs. A 416 is an excellent choice if it's basically a replica. I was on the piston driven train about 2 years ago. Ended up going PWS for the price but also looked at LWRC and Type A. H&K other than pistols are pretty much a unicorn around here. Superlative Arms and Adams Arms sell piston parts for DI systems I believe. I was always curious about those and almost bought an Adams Arms piston build too. I subbed your channel so I can follow the process.
@@2amichaelj I will be running like a Adams arms or one of the other piston kits and my build just kinda looks like a 416 with the fde and ral8000 color scheme even though it's completely ar15 lol
It's about $650 more than it should be. Even at $1,350 it's really quite high but Radian does use Shinlen barrels which are high quality and Azimuth BCGs which are nice as well. I definitely agree. The price on Radian receiver sets and uppers are blood pressure inducing prices.
I think my next AR will be a radian receiver set with a 18" 6mm ARC barrel. Can't justify getting another .223/5.56 AR pistol when I already bought a PWS and those aren't much cheaper than Radian 😂
True the barrels that they use aren’t theirs and don’t have longer life compared to noveske 316r or criterion core but the fulll set is expesnsive 700 and change for a upper no bcg upset me and offered to pay for the carrier but none in stock I have my build using geissele buffer and tube plus trigger and no else 300 10.5 barrel and surefire 762 warcomp waiting also for surefire to have a can in stock whether it’s the mini 762 or the 300 sps what’s up w them ?
There was a set screw by the grip putting pressure on the upper/lower to reduce the wiggle between the receiver sets. It's the same thing you'll find on Aero and some other manufacturer of lowers. I had to back out the screw slightly to put less pressure on the receiver set and both pins snapped in place.
as an owner of a Radian Mod 1 -- I wouldn't recommend unscrewing or loosening anything -- you need to push pivot pin in FIRST, with the upper + lower at a 45 degree angle to each other -- once pivot pin is locked in place, you can continue to close up that 45 degree angle, and with the upper against the lower, you can lock in the takedown pin (located near the forward assist) -- hope this helps -- and BTW the Radian Mod 1 is hands down my FAVORITE rifle.
I got 3 builders kit, excellent quality. Just not worth the price but I had to have it. I agree though, building your own Radian is way better than buying a Model 1. You can put a better barrel in there. Their barrel is fine, the Radian spokesman told me they use Shaw blanks. I plan to put a Compass Lake Bartlein or Criterion in mine. Please show us the final build with this beauty, I'm also going to Cerekote mine if I can figure out how to remove the proprietary parts.
My main complaint with the barrel is the weight. I'd prefer a chrome lined barrel over 416R too. At least Radian isn't pulling the "I'll just use a $120 Rosco barrel" like Cobalt and charge premium pricing. Criterion are probably one of the best dollar or dollar premium barrel manufacturers on the market. I'm thinking on using a 14.5" Criterion core with a Badger TDX I going to cerakote this builder set with deadlock coatings. The same company that SLR uses but they're like a 40 min drive from me. My next purchase in about a month for that cerakote service when I go in for my appointment. They're an appointment only service. When I strip everything I'll make a video. The proprietary parts seems to all use set screws, almost like M4E1 lowers from what I'm seeing. I just hope there's not a bunch of springs and detents that fall out or I lose in the process as Radian doesn't really sell their small proprietary parts. What length did you end up going with? I do wish they offered better lengths for suppressor use as that's probably in my future and handguard length is pretty important for that feature. 14" and 15.5" might not give enough clearance for a 14.5" barrel and 16" barrel. BCG is another option I'm on the fence about. I might try a full chrome bcg from microbest or just go good ole phosphate BCM. I appreciate the conversations like always M&C.
The Radian upper is not heavy.And quit frankly you keep saying how high price this Radian is,its not but then don't buy it.Stick with your Psa stuff. Radion AR IS Always top 5 . And you definitly will get your money back.
The left side mag release is made to be stiff so when you wear the rifle against your kit your mag doesn't fall out constantly 👍🏻
@3:56 -- "and this is in Radian Black" -- gun is Radian Grey AF* 😅
The charging handle is black.
@@2ndamendment-noinfringement ohh.. I feel dumb 🤣 thx for clarifying 💯
Glad I found your video. I was about ready to pick up the complete upper. I have seen the builder kits like you have here.. I am just to green to this space to pick the correct barrel/gas block.
Maybe I’ll just pick it up and dive into info until I can figure it out.
Originally I was planning on just picking out complete uppers.
The adac button mag release still drops the mag, it isnt a replacement function. it just doubles as the bolt hold open. Thats why its named that "dual action"
When are you locking the bolt open but not dropping the mag? I'll answer for you: never
Keeping it real. I got enough lowers and I’m done buying more cuz it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy: financial, emotional, and mental commitment to finishing a Gucci AR “build” 🤑😳🤯
It's for the content... 😅
@@2amichaeljhehe sure. Me too
I considered radian for its ambi lower but ended up going the pdq route due to cost. If I was looking in the price range for a complete one I think I'd go with an lwrc though. Both have good reviews though
If the gun store would've had a LWRC stripped lower, I would've gone home with one too and you'd be watching different video.
I agree. The price range is a real negative seeing there's more inexpensive options on the market.
@2A Michael J < after I had assembled my first ambi lower, never looked back. All of my other builds are ambi. I use the pdq ambi bolt catch, botach ambi mag release, cheap no name ambi safety and charging handle. It does require a little dremel work but it works and looks like a factory run of the mill ar15 lower
@@hansgruber6381 I think I've seen the PDQs on Aeros lowers too on their website, already installed which is nice. They typically sell out quickly.
I'm pretty much a mil spec lower guy. ADM and Radian are the only 2 ambi lowers I have and I'm kinda a sucker for buying in store nice lowers I see.
JL Billet makes a relatively inexpensive ambi lower although I don't believe it has an ambi bolt catch. Just a bolt release and left side magazine release. I've seen them 2nd hand for $150 before but got sold to the guy looking at it in front of me.
I always appreciate the conversations with you. You seem to have some good information to add.
Yep. Pdq bolt release is the poor man’s ambi control. Almost want to add one to all my ARs 😊
Sort of wanted to see the barrel nut and the side of the handguard that faces the upper. Cool set though. I'd love to take a gucci upper/lower/handguard set and build out a Grendel spr/recce, either from Radian, Cobalt, or Larue.
If lock up securement is what you're looking for Cobalt has a promising design with their uppers and handguards but Aero has the enhanced versions of their M4E1s that look pretty similar in design. LaRue is probably the best dollar for dollar SPR. Their barrels are always in the top spots in rifle matches which says a lot. They don't look as fancy but they are nice.
I've actually been looking at LaRue for an upper in the future. I appreciate the view and comments like always.
I just got my ar15 hk416 tribute build assembled today it's in DI for now but I am going to be running a gas piston setup that kit is pretty nice but have to say for 140 bucks Sharp Bros. Livewire forged lower receiver give the same feature set as the Radian
What's a tribute set? I've seen manufacturers offer piston gas block/bcgs. A 416 is an excellent choice if it's basically a replica. I was on the piston driven train about 2 years ago. Ended up going PWS for the price but also looked at LWRC and Type A. H&K other than pistols are pretty much a unicorn around here.
Superlative Arms and Adams Arms sell piston parts for DI systems I believe. I was always curious about those and almost bought an Adams Arms piston build too.
I subbed your channel so I can follow the process.
@@2amichaelj I will be running like a Adams arms or one of the other piston kits and my build just kinda looks like a 416 with the fde and ral8000 color scheme even though it's completely ar15 lol
I just looked at the website its like $1969.00 for the Complete Upper, omg.
It's about $650 more than it should be. Even at $1,350 it's really quite high but Radian does use Shinlen barrels which are high quality and Azimuth BCGs which are nice as well.
I definitely agree. The price on Radian receiver sets and uppers are blood pressure inducing prices.
I think my next AR will be a radian receiver set with a 18" 6mm ARC barrel. Can't justify getting another .223/5.56 AR pistol when I already bought a PWS and those aren't much cheaper than Radian 😂
Which PWS model did you get? How is it holding up? Appreciate the feedback.
True the barrels that they use aren’t theirs and don’t have longer life compared to noveske 316r or criterion core but the fulll set is expesnsive 700 and change for a upper no bcg upset me and offered to pay for the carrier but none in stock I have my build using geissele buffer and tube plus trigger and no else 300 10.5 barrel and surefire 762 warcomp waiting also for surefire to have a can in stock whether it’s the mini 762 or the 300 sps what’s up w them ?
Start with the front pin.
I’m sorry, but this will be me. Just slowly saving up the money. Don’t even need it whatsoever. It just looks too fucking cool.
Wait till this guy finds out about KAC
Right!! I’ve got an SR15
Did you figure out why the pivot pin doesn’t lock in?
There was a set screw by the grip putting pressure on the upper/lower to reduce the wiggle between the receiver sets. It's the same thing you'll find on Aero and some other manufacturer of lowers. I had to back out the screw slightly to put less pressure on the receiver set and both pins snapped in place.
as an owner of a Radian Mod 1 -- I wouldn't recommend unscrewing or loosening anything -- you need to push pivot pin in FIRST, with the upper + lower at a 45 degree angle to each other -- once pivot pin is locked in place, you can continue to close up that 45 degree angle, and with the upper against the lower, you can lock in the takedown pin (located near the forward assist) -- hope this helps -- and BTW the Radian Mod 1 is hands down my FAVORITE rifle.
If the bolt catch is held down manually or by a half cocked bolt, can you still release your magazine using the magazine release button?
yes
I got 3 builders kit, excellent quality. Just not worth the price but I had to have it. I agree though, building your own Radian is way better than buying a Model 1. You can put a better barrel in there. Their barrel is fine, the Radian spokesman told me they use Shaw blanks. I plan to put a Compass Lake Bartlein or Criterion in mine. Please show us the final build with this beauty, I'm also going to Cerekote mine if I can figure out how to remove the proprietary parts.
My main complaint with the barrel is the weight. I'd prefer a chrome lined barrel over 416R too. At least Radian isn't pulling the "I'll just use a $120 Rosco barrel" like Cobalt and charge premium pricing.
Criterion are probably one of the best dollar or dollar premium barrel manufacturers on the market. I'm thinking on using a 14.5" Criterion core with a Badger TDX
I going to cerakote this builder set with deadlock coatings. The same company that SLR uses but they're like a 40 min drive from me. My next purchase in about a month for that cerakote service when I go in for my appointment. They're an appointment only service. When I strip everything I'll make a video.
The proprietary parts seems to all use set screws, almost like M4E1 lowers from what I'm seeing. I just hope there's not a bunch of springs and detents that fall out or I lose in the process as Radian doesn't really sell their small proprietary parts.
What length did you end up going with? I do wish they offered better lengths for suppressor use as that's probably in my future and handguard length is pretty important for that feature. 14" and 15.5" might not give enough clearance for a 14.5" barrel and 16" barrel.
BCG is another option I'm on the fence about. I might try a full chrome bcg from microbest or just go good ole phosphate BCM.
I appreciate the conversations like always M&C.
Looks amazing but oh so expensive.
You aren't designated to run a mil spec trigger. I have a cassette style trigger in my Radian.
What did you do? And what pins did you use? What kinda trigger?
The Radian upper is not heavy.And quit frankly you keep saying how high price this Radian is,its not but then don't buy it.Stick with your Psa stuff. Radion AR IS Always top 5 . And you definitly will get your money back.
Way overpriced....but I do have one 😮
send me your stickers! pls
Been very hesitant to buy this and it’s not battle proven