AR-15 BS Thread

I just ordered one of these. While it will be a few months before all the paperwork is complete, I will have the ability to have conjugal visits to use it.
I got it for $1299. Its good to have friends. Already have the registered SBR lower.

http://aeroprecisionusa.com/m4e1-sd.html

 

Hickok did videos on both the M&P sport and Ruger 556 recently, might want to watch both to see if there's one you like more than the other.

But as said, they're basic entry level rifles. You can also look at getting a complete upper and lower and just pinning them together (such as Aero Precision, Palmetto, etc)

 

Love my Ruger SR-556, great gun! Only downside is it's on the heavy side (front heavy) due to the full rail. But it shoots great off a bipod from the extra weight!

 

Oh nice. I have a Redfield 3-9x50 mounted with the one piece 223 mount.

 

How many of you guys have actually built an AR from just the machined lower? I have a lower just sitting in a box, and I kinda want to build one. So long as it's not a complete nightmare

 

If you can field strip one, you can build one. There are a million youtube videos that walk you through it. The most fun part of AR's is building them!

 

I've built 3. Take your time. Buy quality parts. If you have a friend that's done it before and doesn't mind helping you that's a great resources. If not, There are more than plenty of youtube videos to help you out. Here's the three I built.

 

Wouldn't a field strip just be separating the lower and upper and taking out the bcg? Where if you build one from a stripped lower you have to add in all of the small parts to construct the lower. I am sure it isn't too hard with all the stuff on youtube. I have only bought a complete one but always field strip and clean it after each use.

One day I'll put a lower together like this

 

Nice. I've always wanted to do it, and I have a couple different AR handbooks. Just never pulled the trigger, so to speak
I'll order up a parts kit this weekend. Thanks!

 

As docloco said if you take your time and are patient it's pretty simple, I've built 2 lowers for myself and 3 for friends. Never an upper though, haven't been able to justify cost difference. The small parts can be a pain but you get better every time, especially once you add more and/or better tools to do it.

 

and if your friend does mind helping you, then he's not a friend lol

 

Haha everyone I've met out here just bought theirs complete. I've got plenty of precision tools and technical know how

 

Building the lower is very easy. I've done 2 and planned on building the uppers both times as well but a complete upper can be had so cheap I really don't see the point. I didn't have any friends with experience, just hit up YouTube and go to town

 

one of my mini-ARs that I built:

 

Ive built like 4 or 5 uppers (sad i cant even remember now) and have built 3 lowers now. The first time on each was just by myself and youtube/guides found online. Its pretty dang simple. The uppers are a little bit harder but not that bad really

 

A barrel nut wrench and a vise are really the only specialized tools you need. It's easier with a $30 upper action block, but it's not absolutely required. Other than that, punches, an adjustable crescent wrench for the muzzle device and a hammer are all you really need. I don't do it professionally but I've built a double handful of them.

 

Sweet. Gonna start stockpiling parts soon. Thanks guys

 

I assembled my lower (From a stripped lower, LPK, and stock kit) and bought an assembled upper, but I have since rebuilt the upper in a different caliber.
You don't really need a vise if you have some ingenuity, but I recommend getting one.
This is what I used.

 

headspacing with an AR isnt really an issue if you buy a barrel and bolt from a reputable shop. It's not like an AK where you have to actually set the headspacing. I've built 3 uppers from random distributors the internet with barrels from one company, bolt from another, etc, and never had a problem. The biggest headache with building uppers is hammering in the pins for the forward assist and gas block.

 

I don't do it to justify cost difference, I do it to have what I want the first time so I don't have to change it. However, I have changed rails twice. But my barrel, receiver, bcg, and brake have not changed.