AR-15 BS Thread

Choco_Taco · Nov 11, 2020

LMarshall73 said: ↑

Barrel wrench is going to be determined by the handguard you plan to use (most free floating handguards attach to the barrel nut). I normally buy smithing supplies from MidwayUSA or Brownells. You will also need a castle nut wrench for the buffer tube (unless you are running a stock that uses an A2 buffer tube)

A few more items I would highly recommend:

$12 Real Avid Pivot Pin Tool (AVAR15PPT), Red

Avid Pivot Pin Tool. I just picked one up on a fluke, but it will save you a lot of heartache and headache.
Roll pin starter & roll pin punches

After looking on Midway a bit, there appear to be a handful of AR specific tool kits that will have everything you need and more (sans handguard specific barrel nut wrench). They aren't particularly cheap, but if you are going to build a few, it would probably be worth it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. I bought a BCA barrel with hand guard, so I might have to wait and see if it’s proprietary and comes with one..not sure really.

LMarshall73 · Nov 11, 2020

Choco_Taco said: ↑

Thanks for this. I bought a BCA barrel with hand guard, so I might have to wait and see if it’s proprietary and comes with one..not sure really.

Click to expand...

Understood. I don't have any experience with BCA's stuff, but from the looks of it I doubt there is a standard barrel nut under there.

ETA - good luck with your build!

JimBeam · Nov 11, 2020

@Choco_Taco

Did you buy a complete upper or just all the loose parts? Your earlier post looks like a complete upper so you don't need all those tools

A good castle nut wrench, some roll pin punches and hammer, and maybe the pivot pin tool are all you need to build the lower

Choco_Taco · Nov 11, 2020

JimBeam said: ↑

@Choco_Taco

Did you buy a complete upper or just all the loose parts? Your earlier post looks like a complete upper so you don't need all those tools

A good castle nut wrench, some roll pin punches and hammer, and maybe the pivot pin tool are all you need to build the lower
Click to expand...

It’s a complete upper.

Chew · Nov 11, 2020

Choco_Taco said: ↑

I’m building my first AR. Anyone have suggestions for a barrel wrench, an upper-receiver action block, and a bench-mounted vise? I’m not sure if there are any other tools I will need, but I’m open to suggestions, as I’m sure this won’t be the only one I build.
Click to expand...

Order an oops kit, small springs, roll pins, etc,,, they're very cheap, especially if already paying to ship other items. Even if you don't send a detent spring in to orbit, it's good to have these for repairs.
Something like this
https://www.primaryarms.com/anderson-manufacturing-oops-kit-am-556-lw-oops-kit

golfindia · Nov 11, 2020

Choco_Taco said: ↑

It’s a complete upper.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't take it apart. Just shoot it. If it doesn't work, send it back. If you don't trust BCA, buy an upper from somewhere else more reputable.

Frankly I wouldn't send a dime to BCA..... But that's just me.

LMarshall73 · Nov 11, 2020

JimBeam said: ↑

@Choco_Taco

Did you buy a complete upper or just all the loose parts? Your earlier post looks like a complete upper so you don't need all those tools

A good castle nut wrench, some roll pin punches and hammer, and maybe the pivot pin tool are all you need to build the lower
Click to expand...

golfindia said: ↑

I wouldn't take it apart. Just shoot it. If it doesn't work, send it back. If you don't trust BCA, buy an upper from somewhere else more reputable.

Frankly I wouldn't send a dime to BCA..... But that's just me.
Click to expand...

I think he might have gotten a little spooked by people mentioning finding loose barrel nuts on complete uppers they had purchased. I can see the benefit to pulling the handguard and checking the barrel nut (and possibly gas block) for peace of mind. Best case is everything is GTG and he now knows how to do it.

Enigma8246 · Nov 11, 2020

LMarshall73 said: ↑

Barrel wrench is going to be determined by the handguard you plan to use (most free floating handguards attach to the barrel nut). I normally buy smithing supplies from MidwayUSA or Brownells. You will also need a castle nut wrench for the buffer tube (unless you are running a stock that uses an A2 buffer tube)

A few more items I would highly recommend:

$12 Real Avid Pivot Pin Tool (AVAR15PPT), Red

Avid Pivot Pin Tool. I just picked one up on a fluke, but it will save you a lot of heartache and headache.
Roll pin starter & roll pin punches

After looking on Midway a bit, there appear to be a handful of AR specific tool kits that will have everything you need and more (sans handguard specific barrel nut wrench). They aren't particularly cheap, but if you are going to build a few, it would probably be worth it.
Click to expand...

JimBeam said: ↑

@Choco_Taco

Did you buy a complete upper or just all the loose parts? Your earlier post looks like a complete upper so you don't need all those tools

A good castle nut wrench, some roll pin punches and hammer, and maybe the pivot pin tool are all you need to build the lower
Click to expand...

Chew said: ↑

Order an oops kit, small springs, roll pins, etc,,, they're very cheap, especially if already paying to ship other items. Even if you don't send a detent spring in to orbit, it's good to have these for repairs.
Something like this
https://www.primaryarms.com/anderson-manufacturing-oops-kit-am-556-lw-oops-kit
Click to expand...

All three of these are very solid advice. It's amazing how much easier building is with the right tools vs all of the 'tips and tricks' you find online that don't use the right tools. One good tip I did find online was using a 1/4" clevis pin and punch for the pivot pin spring and detent.

Aero Preicision had field repair/spare parts kits in stock a couple of days ago. They're reasonably priced and fairly comprehensive. I ordered one at $25 shipped to throw in the range bag.

Edit: Unfortunately it looks like they're back out of stock but here's a link anyway.

https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/ar15-m4e1-field-repair-kit

JimboJones · Nov 11, 2020

Having a junk mag that you can put in a vise to keep the lower immobile helps. Or a vise block.

Also an AR-15 armorer's bench block.

JimBeam said: ↑

@Choco_Taco

Did you buy a complete upper or just all the loose parts? Your earlier post looks like a complete upper so you don't need all those tools

A good castle nut wrench, some roll pin punches and hammer, and maybe the pivot pin tool are all you need to build the lower
Click to expand...

Choco_Taco · Nov 11, 2020

CurtB said: ↑

Sure it will. Prices may not come down to pre- this time panic, hoarding etc, but they will come down. This isn't the 1st time it's happened, nor will it be the last. Have patience and save your ammo money til then. Then stock up. Or, buy now shoot 'em all up and go buy more. Manufacturers, distributors, and sellers love it, altho not the local gunshop. They are being ripped off too.
Click to expand...

The store I go does have ammo, but it’s sporadic and they try not to raise the prices much - it’s weird - depending on what they bought it for the prices vary a lot.

CurtB · Nov 11, 2020

Choco_Taco said: ↑

The store I go does have ammo, but it’s sporadic and they try not to raise the prices much - it’s weird - depending on what they bought it for the prices vary a lot.
Click to expand...

They have to make margin on most everything they sell. All stores do this, or they are not in business very long. Kinda sucks when a customer comes in and says You sold Joe a box for X last week, now you want XX?

Choco_Taco · Nov 12, 2020

CurtB said: ↑

They have to make margin on most everything they sell. All stores do this, or they are not in business very long. Kinda sucks when a customer comes in and says You sold Joe a box for X last week, now you want XX?
Click to expand...

i have no doubt about companies trying to make money, but his prices are sometimes $19 a box, $24 a box, or $13 a box.....again based on what price he was able to buy it at.

JimBeam · Nov 12, 2020

Yup prices are all over the map right now

And most distributors are allocating ammo to a case per dealer or something silly

I was able to buy my store 3 whole boxes of 25rnds each of 380 last week

The imported ammo is coming in pretty steady lately but not nearly in the amounts needed for the demand

Choco_Taco · Nov 12, 2020

Yeah he told me he’s actually finding it easier to get foreign ammo in rather than US ammo. I thought that was strange but sounds like you’re in the same boat.

Congrats on getting in some 380—I can’t find any.

Chew · Nov 12, 2020

Choco_Taco said: ↑

i have no doubt about companies trying to make money, but his prices are sometimes $19 a box, $24 a box, or $13 a box.....again based on what price he was able to buy it at.
Click to expand...

While I doubt any would admit to it; I suspect some small gun stores are buying ammo from John Q Public that stocked up years ago.

Similar topic;
I'm amazed by some of the guys I shoot with or see regularly, that didn't stock up and are now looking for and seem to have fists of cash...

Enigma8246 · Nov 12, 2020

Chew said: ↑

While I doubt any would admit to it; I suspect some small gun stores are buying ammo from John Q Public that stocked up years ago.
Click to expand...

Not the smart ones. That's a HUGE liability.

JimBeam · Nov 12, 2020

Chew said: ↑

While I doubt any would admit to it; I suspect some small gun stores are buying ammo from John Q Public that stocked up years ago.

Similar topic;
I'm amazed by some of the guys I shoot with or we regularly, that didn't stock up and are now looking for and seem to have fists of cash...
Click to expand...

yeah that’s a big no no to buy ammo like that

I know personally some stores are doing that with guns

There’s a big supply chain problem with ammo. Importing primers is difficult if not impossible, US made primers are like a year behind on orders, brass cases are slow, lead is slow

Beretta4x4 · Nov 12, 2020

JimBeam said: ↑

yeah that’s a big no no to buy ammo like that

I know personally some stores are doing that with guns

There’s a big supply chain problem with ammo. Importing primers is difficult if not impossible, US made primers are like a year behind on orders, brass cases are slow, lead is slow
Click to expand...

I saw Vista Outdoors was behind 1 year on orders and is already up $1 billion on new orders for next year.

JimBeam · Nov 12, 2020

Beretta4x4 said: ↑

I saw Vista Outdoors was behind 1 year on orders and is already up $1 billion on new orders for next year.
Click to expand...

Most larger manufacturers are around there

the problem is that historically, we would be going into a sales slump so companies are likely hesitant to expand production facilities etc

Beretta4x4 · Nov 12, 2020

JimBeam said: ↑

Most larger manufacturers are around there

the problem is that historically, we would be going into a sales slump so companies are likely hesitant to expand production facilities etc
Click to expand...

Just like the last panic after Sandy Hook

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