Building an AR from a Kit

I have been looking at AR's for a while now. I am fairly handy and competent with tools and feel confident with online resources and friends that I'd be able to put together an AR from a kit.

My concern is if there are any special tools that I may not currently have that would be needed to put a kit together. I figure a set of brass punches will be needed for some of the pins. Are the required tools a function of how exploded the kit is, or is it fairly standard?

The kit that I am eyeing right now is: http://model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=208

 

Looks like a good deal.If you are in need of the stripped lower check out a Spikes Tactical..

 

check out aimsurplus for cosmetically blemished lowers

 

Half the fun is researching the various parts that are available. A stock wrench will come in handy, so will an automatic punch to stake the castle nut ($2.00 at HF works fine). A tool to help with the pivot pin detent will save you from launching detents all over your workshop too. Roll pin punches help. Other than that, just the parts and a set of instructions will do for the lower. I've only built one and bought the upper complete, so I can't comment on what you might need for that.

 

http://palmettostatearmory.com/AR-rifle-kits.php

then get your lower from your local FFL or have them order you one.

all you should need are some punches. you can even do the castle nut with the punches but having the wrench for it is nice too.

 

I've had good luck with a M1S upper. I'm looking forward to a complete review of a complete rifle (from kit).

 

i used 5 household tools to assemble the lower from an LPK: vice grips, flat-head screw driver, hammer, small allen wrenches, and a butter knife
you'll also need painter's tape and electrical tape

 

x2, I didn't use any specialty tools but that was/is mainly because I'm cheap...

 

http://youtu.be/iYmWJCAY3rg

 

I've built an MI kit for a friend before - no surprises to the build. Not premium parts but not pure crap either. Perfectly adequate as a ranch rifle or plinker.

 

Good company to look into:

www.tacticalmachining.com

Built my AR from their parts.

 

Thanks for all of the information so far. When I finally pull the trigger, pun intended, I'll take pics and let everyone know how it went.

 

This looks like a GREAT deal! I'd jump on this if I was looking to build a carbine.