Gonna' build my first AR kinda'.

[DirectDrive]

Watching youtube like an addict.

There are some junk AR build videos on Youtube, so beware.
Here is what I consider to be the best, free AR Build Video series.
Professionally done by a gunsmith...
https://www.brownells.com/guntech/how-to-build-an-ar/index.htm

 

[GOG]

Thank you @DirectDrive, Brownell's is excellent. I looked there for parts, but didn't think of them for build info.

 

[Tony617]

I found this PDF file useful for the lower receiver:

https://www.mcarbo.com/AR-15-Lower-Reciver-Build.pdf

I printed them out so can reference them in future if need be. Pretty much know what parts go where now.

 

[nammac]

Larry Potterfield from Midway USA has an AR build video that I followed to build mine, still have all my fingers...

 

[Tony617]

When I was building my first upper receiver another NWFA member @Mister Bisley posted this youtube video. Very helpful.

 

[nwslopoke]

I decided it's time I build one. I don't care for them much, but I want to build a pistol for my fiance.
So I cheated and bought a nitride Shockwave pistol kit on sale at PSA and a Sig Romeo5 with 10 Pmags.
I know it's cheating to start with a kit, but it makes sense at that price.

I could use more than a few pointers, I'm a rookie at the whole process.

Thanks.

Don't laugh.

I have just got the bug or inspiration for another build. 4th of July, why not a classic M4 clone with 14.5" barrel. Everything is on sale. So over the last few weeks I've been ordering parts. This gives you a week or so before you start have to start answering questions when parts start showing up. Well, they did.

But, I only build lowers. I never got into uppers because I was only going to do the one...or just this last one, so why buy the parts? For the lower, you only need one special wrench, sort of.

This one will come in well under $500 with only the parts I want and a few extras I didn't need, like the PSA M4 marked lower for $20 more but saved $10 on shipping. So, right. How could you not? I don't drink, cheat or cuss on Sundays. It's the little things that keep you going.

 

[GOG]

I can see how they could be addictive. It's a whole world in itself.

 

[DirectDrive]

I can see how they could be addictive. It's a whole world in itself.

Yes, and it's a brilliant design.
I think I enjoyed discovering the genius of the design more than anything during my first build.

 

[Tony617]

Yes, and it's a brilliant design.
I think I enjoyed discovering the genius of the design more than anything during my first build.

Assuming you have the punches and such, you just need a castle nut wrench to complete the lower receiver.

Tool Barrel Wrench Castle Nut .223 Rifle Stock Install Removal | eBay

 

[Diamondback]

Assuming you have the punches and such, you just need a castle nut wrench to complete the lower receiver.

Tool Barrel Wrench Castle Nut .223 Rifle Stock Install Removal | eBay

Yeah, lowers you can pop out all day, it's the uppers and that whole "vises and precise torquing" thing that make the real work.

 

[Caveman Jim]

I'd have preferred the 80% route, but it's not financially practical for me. The tools to do it right would mean too much outlay to build one firearm.

If you were to find a D5 jig for a decent price, buy it, use it on a few lowers then resell it for the same price....

 

[titsonritz]

I'm also being cheap because this is likely the only AR I'll ever build.

Seems bass ackwards to me.

 

[Diamondback]

Seems bass ackwards to me.

Good parts and ammo are cheap, compared to the lives of loved ones. If there's even the SLIGHTEST chance a build may be pressed into Serious Social Work service...

 

[nwslopoke]

Good parts and ammo are cheap, compared to the lives of loved ones. If there's even the SLIGHTEST chance a build may be pressed into Serious Social Work service...

The AR15 is really Americans rifle. The adaptability, reliability and long service history where millions of men & women have been trained on it as their first firearm has left a mark. But that is still a small percentage of America.

Politics and politicians brought me here about 10 years ago. Back then I only wanted a shot gun for home protection but then they wouldn't let any tragedies go to waste. It made me take a second look and then I fell down the rabbit hole. Apparently I'm not the only one.

 

[Tony617]

Assuming you have the punches and such, you just need a castle nut wrench to complete the lower receiver.

Tool Barrel Wrench Castle Nut .223 Rifle Stock Install Removal | eBay

The other thing you is a bit of grease to lube the magazine release, the bolt release, part of the FCG, and for the springs of take down pins. At least that is what I did for my lowers. It is the one chance to lube some parts before driving in the roll pins.

 

[GOG]

Good parts and ammo are cheap, compared to the lives of loved ones. If there's even the SLIGHTEST chance a build may be pressed into Serious Social Work service...

I meant cheap like I don't want to buy tools that I'll likely only use once, not cheap like building junk.

I'm using a PSA Freedom pistol kit, an Anderson lower and a Larue trigger which are relatively inexpensive but good quality parts as far as I know.
A Sig Romeo for an optic and gen 3 Pmags to feed it. I can't remember which rear mbus I bought, but it was a brand name.

I don't know AR's well at all, but you guys do and the stuff I bought was from manufacturers I've heard of for years.
So it won't be Noveske or LWRC quality, but it should be a pretty decent little pistol.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Diamondback]

The AR15 is really Americans rifle. The adaptability, reliability and long service history where millions of men & women have been trained on it as their first firearm has left a mark. But that is still a small percentage of America.

Politics and politicians brought me here about 10 years ago. Back then I only wanted a shot gun for home protection but then they wouldn't let any tragedies go to waste. It made me take a second look and then I fell down the rabbit hole. Apparently I'm not the only one.

That's about where I came from--I don't even LIKE AR's and much prefer the irons of WWII, but the Bloomingdouches just had to keep poking the bear...

 

[titsonritz]

FYI...

ATF Rescinds Prior Methods to Measure a Firearm's Overall Length when Equipped with a Stabilizing Brace

 

[titsonritz]

For your build, consider a VLTOR A5 Buffer System Overview

 

[DirectDrive]

I meant cheap like I don't want to buy tools that I'll likely only use once, not cheap like building junk.

You may want roll pin punches.
They have a "nub" that keeps them centered on the roll pin.
You can use common flat-faced punches but your chances of slipping off the pin and gouging the receiver increase if that's a worry.

On building a lower the bolt catch roll pin and the trigger guard roll pin can give the first timer a challenge.