Bargain Basement Budget AR-15 Build - Documenting my progress

[mjbskwim]

I have a sub $400 AR and several sub $500 AR's And I agree. There is a sense of accomplishment when you build a nice rifle for small bucks.

Not fair to count the free stuff you forgot you paid for a couple years ago

 

[IronMonster]

Actually the cheapest AR I have built to date was a full rifle kit that came from Sportsman Guide that came with everything but a lower for $333 shipped. Put it together with a $37 80% lower for a well sub $400 AR. Actually a pretty nice rifle, shoots good and seems solid. I gave it to one of my boys as his first AR and he has run a pretty good pile of ammo though it with no issues.

 

[Flopsweat]

Do it now.....................While you can
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr376/text

These people are like maggots on rotting meat.

They just don't stop do they? I can't remember reading of a single crime committed with a firearm made from an 80% receiver. So it's yet another proposed law that would punish the good guys instead of the bad guys and not save a single life. Mr. Honda, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Schakowsky, and Mrs. Capps should be ashamed of themselves. I have a suspicion that they will not, even if shown the truth.

 

[Joe13]

Got the list from my buddy of things I still need.

Bcg, charging handle, forward assist, dust cover, and a magazine.

Going to make a separate post and see if I can find someone with those laying around they might be willing to part with for trade.

 

[etrain16]

Got the list from my buddy of things I still need.

Bcg, charging handle, forward assist, dust cover, and a magazine.

Going to make a separate post and see if I can find someone with those laying around they might be willing to part with for trade.

If you don't find a magazine, I can spot you one, for the cause.

 

[Joe13]

If you don't find a magazine, I can spot you one, for the cause.

Your the man! Ill see what I can find and let you know

 

[etrain16]

Your the man! Ill see what I can find and let you know

You bet. Just let me know, it's your's if you want it. Magpul.

 

[Flopsweat]

You bet. Just let me know, it's your's if you want it. Magpul.

I was just thinking about that ratty old steel mag I'm sure I still have lying around here somewhere, but never mind. It's just been totally outclassed.

 

[etrain16]

Your the man! Ill see what I can find and let you know

Did you ever find a magazine?

 

[Joe13]

Did you ever find a magazine?

Not yet so lets do coffee. I think I have almost everything at this point but my buddy helping me assemble it is pretty busy right now so I'm waiting for that too.

It's so close I can taste it lol.

 

[Stomper]

Is it true AR's taste like chicken?

 

[etrain16]

Not yet so lets do coffee. I think I have almost everything at this point but my buddy helping me assemble it is pretty busy right now so I'm waiting for that too.

It's so close I can taste it lol.

Sounds good. I'll PM you and we can set something up.

 

[Joe13]

First AR built and ready to go be sighted in (hopefully tomorrow).

Took the red dot off my sks to get a sight on there but will keep looking for some flip up irons for backups.


===================
I would like to give a big Thank-You, to some folks that donated parts or time or both to get this thing completed for me (including a new box of ammo to get it sighted in).

In no particular order:
@ridnjon
@dwaineshort
@etrain16
@IronMonster

(This has been a long build and I think I remembered everyone - If i somehow forgot you, please PM so I can fix it)

===================


Total cost out of pocket was $285 + $200ish in ammo trade puts me just under $500 from start to finish.

I've certainly seen much nicer AR's in fit and finish but I think after playing with this first FrankenAR, my hope is to start buying higher end parts as I gain a better understanding of some of the pro's and con's of the different configurations and companies. (Not to mention more income... Lol)

Pics to follow

 

[IronMonster]

Be careful, It becomes habit forming...

 

[Joe13]

 

[IronMonster]

not a thing wrong with that. Damn fine looking first build

 

[etrain16]

That looks great Joe! Can't wait to hear back on your first range trip! Enjoy it!

 

[Sgt Nambu]

Nice work, Joe! I hope it shoots like a match rifle!

 

[YoungBlood]

Nice! A perfect example of patience paying off.

 

[Joe13]

I'd love to say so far so good, but I do learn more when things don't work out lol.

I believe that I have the gas block misaligned. It won't cycle the bolt unless I manualy cycle it with the charging handle - so no simi auto yet .

I also had a light primer hit on the 5th of the 5 shots I took with it.

After I look into the gas issue I'll take it apart and lube it really well; question, do AR's like to run wet or dry? Not sure if she will want more lube then a bolt gun or less like a .22lr.

Might play with it today and take it back out to the range tomorrow.

I'm making some leather strops today so maybe if I get those done I'll dig into this.