Help me build an AR

[mattschultheis]

I was searching the forum for information about building an AR and came across you post. What did you end up going with?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Spectre6

Im really interested in building a bare-bones AR-15.. Id like a longer barrel 'match' style, but im really open to anything.

Im just overwhelmed with the choices in receavers and uppers, barrels, evrything.. if there is anyone here who has built an AR, id really appreciate any advice you may have! Cost? Components? Thanks!

[rabb60]

all I can say is let me know I am trying to do the same

[Lycanthrope]

I think you guys will find what you need using the search feature in the rifle forum, but feel free to PM me if you have questions.

Pinning a complete upper to a complete lower will take you 30 seconds your first time...if you're slow.

Building from a stripped lower and a parts kit with complete upper will take some punches, electrical tape and razor blade.
It will take you maybe an hour your first time.

Building from scratch with a stripped lower and stripped upper can take a bit over an hour depending on your options and you'll need what's listed above along with a reciever block and specialized wrench (that will depend on the build)

Lycanlovetobuildthrope

[fsted2a]

For everyone out there beware; some of the many brands of lowers out there have mag wells that are too tight to fit a GI magazine with any speed. A few are: Vulcan, Essential Arms, DPMS, and FN. I have been issued those when I was qualifying on my M16 in the Army and when I was shooting at a civillian range. Your best bet is to take an empty mag and put it in, then try to do an emergency mag drop. If it doesn't fall out just with a push of the mag release button, then it is too tight. With the Vulcan, I had to have a buddy hold the rifle while I pulled on the mag with both hands and tugged. A third guy was pushing the mag release button. Just make sure before you buy the reciever, you make sure the mag slides in and out real easy.

[rabb60]

try blackthorn prod. they are very helpful and have good stuff (armalite)

[fultonCoShooter]

Originally Posted by fsted2a

For everyone out there beware; some of the many brands of lowers out there have mag wells that are too tight to fit a GI magazine with any speed. A few are: Vulcan, Essential Arms, DPMS, and FN. I have been issued those when I was qualifying on my M16 in the Army and when I was shooting at a civillian range. Your best bet is to take an empty mag and put it in, then try to do an emergency mag drop. If it doesn't fall out just with a push of the mag release button, then it is too tight. With the Vulcan, I had to have a buddy hold the rifle while I pulled on the mag with both hands and tugged. A third guy was pushing the mag release button. Just make sure before you buy the reciever, you make sure the mag slides in and out real easy.

FN lowers out of spec? yeah im going to have to call bullshit on that one right there

[fsted2a]

Hey, it happened. Uncle Sam always goes with the lowest bidder, so they probably send their junk to the Army. I remember the aggravation at the time it caused me, 'cause it wasn't my assigned weapon.(my weapon was deadlined due to a barrel that failed the straightness test) We had miles gear on, and I emptied my mag engaging the opfor, and tried to do an emergency mag drop. It took an extra second to change mags because the mag well was too tight, so a one finger drop of the mag wasn't happening. It wasn't as tight as the Vulcan I owned, but it wasn't as easy to slide in as the Colts, either. Bottom line, don't presume until you know all the facts. FN may make some great products, but that day I wasn't too happy with them.

[Brown-Bear]

I built an "entry level" AR from scratch in the kitchen last year. I got a double star lower as a gift for being in a wedding 2yrs ago and bought a lower parts kit along with the assembled upper at the Harrisburg Gunshow. Took a friend and I maybe 30-40 mins to put together.

Just real basic, Solid stock, A2 upper. My favorite one yet, has more value cuz I put it together myself with the help of a good friend.

[fsted2a]

Spectre6, did you ever get your AR built?

[rabb60]

yes got hold of blackthorn and it came out real nice