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Need help with AR build

Discussion in 'Guns & Hunting' started by TacoTabe, May 12, 2011.

  1. May 12, 2011 at 10:47 AM
    #1
    TacoTabe

    TacoTabe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys- I ran a search and found lots of good data on AR builds, so I'm convinced that I'd rather build one that buy one off the shelf.

    Can somebody give me a COMPLETE list of the parts I will need to order? Your help is greatly appreciated.

    Update:

    All done!

    AR pic.jpg
     
  2. May 12, 2011 at 6:19 PM
    #2
    showmeballer

    showmeballer Well-Known Member

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    Why does everyone tell me to build my own rifle?

    Because ARs are like legos- you can spend hours taking them apart and putting them together in different ways. There are a few other good reasons. One is that the federal govt taxes complete rifles with something called a "Federal Excise Tax" which I believe is 11% (by the way, I never realized that there was a FET of 11% on ammo as well until I looked this all up). This means if you buy a complete rifle you are going to pay this cost on top of what you would pay if you simply bought the parts and put them together. Because the receiver is the serial numbered part, it is the only part you have to buy though a FFL licensed dealer. There are several ways to go. You can buy a "stripped lower" and install a "Lower parts kit" which will include all of the parts inside the lower, and the handgrip, (but not the stock) and then add an "upper" and stock to it. This is a very easy process well within the reach of any man who has a current man card. You can also find "complete rifle kits" from most manufacturers which include all the parts you need except the lower. There are a few tricks to putting a lower together, and buying a video will clue you into them, but you can probably figure it out yourself with an exploded parts diagram if you are pretty mechanically inclined. I put two together on my kitchen floor in about 30 minutes the other day using only a punch, and allen wrench, and a wrench to tighten the receiver extension castle nut. The second way you can go is to buy a "complete lower" which includes the lower receiver with the parts kit and usually the stock already installed. Then all you need to do is install an "upper" by pushing the two pins home. When you start looking at uppers, most of the time you will find them sold fully assembled. This is handy, because you have to have a few specific tools to assemble one yourself. This is not difficult, and one of the beauties of the AR platform is that you don't have to headspace the barrel yourself. You can probably buy the tools to do this yourself for less than $100. However, if you buy a complete upper, you don't have to mess with this. Be careful when you price uppers. Sometimes you are buying an upper which includes the Bolt and Carrier (BCG) and sometimes you are not. Sometimes you are getting the charging handle, and sometimes you aren't. If you look and see that an LMT upper goes for $485, and that a RRA upper goes for $450, you might think that you are only going to pay $35 more for the LMT. However, the RA comes with the BCH but the LMT does not. Expect to pay $100-$130 more for your BCG. Pay attention to the details when you order so you don't end up frustrated. I think that at least putting together a lower parts kit is very useful knowledge on how everything works. As you learn more, and develop preferences, you will be able to build exactly the rifle you want and make changes yourself as new products become available. Do yourself a favor, and buy a video and at least learn how everything works.

    http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=492084
     
  3. May 12, 2011 at 6:39 PM
    #3
    TacoTabe

    TacoTabe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks man- that pretty much answers my question. So all I need is a 'co
    plete' upper, or an upper and a bcg and charging handle?

    Is is cheaper to get a 'stripped' lower and lower parts kit than gettin a co plete' lower?

    Thanks again for the info and advice- added rep for, sir!
     
  4. May 13, 2011 at 8:00 AM
    #4
    showmeballer

    showmeballer Well-Known Member

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    I believe it is cheaper to buy the stripped lower and parts kit since you don't have to pay that tax. I haven't bought a stripped lower yet, I've only bought a complete rifle and a complete lower. Just waiting to finish a SBR build now. :)

    If you want the easiest way to piece one together, just buying a complete lower and a finished upper is the way to go. All you would need is the Bolt Carrier Group and charging handle to finish it up. If you want to save some $$ and piece it together then the stripper is the way to go. :cheers:
     
  5. May 13, 2011 at 9:23 AM
    #5
    TacoTabe

    TacoTabe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, and sorry for the atrocious spelling on my last, that was a fat-fingered iphone post...
     
  6. May 13, 2011 at 9:48 AM
    #6
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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  7. May 13, 2011 at 9:53 AM
    #7
    GP100

    GP100 Well-Known Member

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    I just started my first build. Bought a stripped lower and the lower parts kit and put that together the other day. Got an LMT upper and charging handle in the mail, bolt carrier should be in stock next week. I bought the stock, handguard,buffer, spring and receiver extension tube from DSG ($100 package). I picked up a rear sight from DSG as well. All I need now are mags and ammo and I should be good to go for a while.
     
  8. May 13, 2011 at 10:30 AM
    #8
    Packman73

    Packman73 ^^^^ 3%er ^^^^

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    Whether you buy an AR complete or assemble your own, USE QUALITY PARTS from quality manufacturers. You should visit M4carbine.net before making your choice. They cut through the BS with a buzzsaw over there. Buy once, cry once.
     
  9. May 13, 2011 at 10:35 AM
    #9
    JTaco386

    JTaco386 Well-Known Member

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    Very true! Don't be too cheap, you will end up regretting it in the end.
     
  10. May 13, 2011 at 10:35 AM
    #10
    TacoTabe

    TacoTabe [OP] Well-Known Member

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  11. May 13, 2011 at 12:03 PM
    #11
    showmeballer

    showmeballer Well-Known Member

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    Yes, and it looks like you would need to get a handguard as well.
     
  12. May 15, 2011 at 8:00 AM
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    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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  13. May 15, 2011 at 1:11 PM
    #13
    TacoTabe

    TacoTabe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I just ordered the following:

    BCM 16'' M4 Upper
    BCM chargin handle
    LMT bolt carrier group

    Magpul CTR stock, grip, handguard

    Going to order a Spike's Tactical lower and LPK tomorrow

    Thanks to Zombie and others for the tips and info!
     
  14. May 15, 2011 at 1:12 PM
    #14
    rcbs204

    rcbs204 Well-Known Member Vendor

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  15. May 15, 2011 at 1:54 PM
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    Packman73

    Packman73 ^^^^ 3%er ^^^^

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    Congrats!
     
  16. May 15, 2011 at 3:19 PM
    #16
    TacoTabe

    TacoTabe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks- I'm excited!
     
  17. May 16, 2011 at 6:38 AM
    #17
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    :woot:

    you will love it
     
  18. May 16, 2011 at 7:11 AM
    #18
    TacoTabe

    TacoTabe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Am I missing anything? I'd hate to get all this stuff and start putting it together, just to realize I forgot to order something I need.

    I have (ordered):

    Upper Receiver Group
    BCG
    Charging Handle
    Handguard
    Stock (with buffer tube)
    Grip
    Sight (apparently the upper didnt come with both front and rear)
    Stripped Lower (to be ordered)
    Lower Parts Kit

    5 P-mags
    Ammo (to be ordered)
     
  19. May 16, 2011 at 8:06 AM
    #19
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    do you have all these parts that go with the buffer tube?

    [​IMG]
    as long as you have all these parts for the buffer tube assy I think you are GTG
     
  20. May 16, 2011 at 9:07 AM
    #20
    TacoTabe

    TacoTabe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This is what I bought, so I think im good:
    [​IMG]
     

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