Just built my first AR-15

[Peak_oil]

Can't wait to get out and bang a gong with it. I have never assembled a firearm before, but this was not that difficult. I still have one spring and detente to install and I have to borrow a torque wrench before I'm finally done, but I got most of the way there in about two hours tonight.

It's a PSA black friday special rifle kit and stripped lower. The stripped lower came through an FFL I pulled at random from a list in my neighborhood, Steve Riehl of Adaptive Firing Solutions. He offered to help me finish it off if I ran into any trouble, and I'm going to take him up on it. I recommend his services to anyone in the Oregon City area.

www.adaptivefiringsolutions.com

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[Brutus57]

Congrats, welcome to the club....I built it, I'm going to keep it myself, thank you.

Brutus Out

 

[PBinWA]

Let me guess the front take down pin is the one you are having trouble with.

 

[mjbskwim]

Let me guess the front take down pin is the one you are having trouble with.

He's talking about borrowing a torque wrench so I'll guess it's the barrel nut he's not sure of.
Kid next door was talking about building his first AR a couple months ago. Then last week I saw him at the range with 3,haha

 

[Goosebrown]

If there aren't pictures, it doesn't exist!

 

[Garg]

Could be he is trying to torque the castle nut...which is good, but can be more than fine hand tight. But I torque mine down as well.

 

[x2ndxall]

Kid next door was talking about building his first AR a couple months ago. Then last week I saw him at the range with 3,haha

That's awesome! It's a disease, for sure. Even shooting most every day, it's hard to cure. People who hate guns just haven't used them enough!

 

[x2ndxall]

Congrats, welcome to the club....I built it, I'm going to keep it myself, thank you.

Brutus Out

+1

 

[Peak_oil]

Let me guess the front take down pin is the one you are having trouble with.

My kit didn't come with the tool. As it was, I shot two springs out of the lower. Both of which I recovered. I didn't feel like angering the gods with my insolence a third time in one day.

 

[Peak_oil]

If there aren't pictures, it doesn't exist!

Here you go!

 

[Member 3687]

Warning! Warning! Warning!: building ARs can become an addiction and may cause hours of fun in both building and shooting.

Before May of this year I did not own any ARs as I sold what I had a few years back with all my parts. Then in May I bought a couple of lowers because of the serial number and now because of cheap parts an AR prices:

I will admit two of these are factory Colt rifles the rest I built.


Latest build 16 in Mid heavy


My 2016 projects, still gathering parts. The top Upper is complete but I am not sure if I like though.

 

[PBinWA]

Most likely...

Here is the tool mentioned:
PIVOT PIN DETENT INSTALLATION TOOL

Fancy - I just use a razor blade and foul language!

 

[Caveman Jim]

My kit didn't come with the tool. As it was, I shot two springs out of the lower. Both of which I recovered. I didn't feel like angering the gods with my insolence a third time in one day.

Don't cha know, the 3rd time is a charm? You gain experience every time that spring & detent flys.....

 

[Garg]

Ah yes, the "O crap" springs.

Spring goes flying, never to be seen again....you yell "O crap"

I remember a lower I was building, maybe my second, or third, can''t remember, I lost the O crap spring, and decided a trip to Curt's was in order, for a supply of said springs, and a few extra detents, just in case, and Curt said, "I can install that for you", so he proceeded to send a few across the shop. Hilarious.

 

[Goosebrown]

Here you go!

View attachment 270712

Ahhhh... That looks great. Congratulations!

 

[PBinWA]

I use to then I got the install and removal tool, much nicer. I don't use the install tool much since I now spring for the Battle Arms EPS.

That's nice, I think I'll try the magnet on my next build.

 

[JeremyK]

Ah yes, the "O crap" springs.

Spring goes flying, never to be seen again....you yell "O crap"

I remember a lower I was building, maybe my second, or third, can''t remember, I lost the O crap spring, and decided a trip to Curt's was in order, for a supply of said springs, and a few extra detents, just in case, and Curt said, "I can install that for you", so he proceeded to send a few across the shop. Hilarious.

"O crap" is all you yell...?

 

[Garg]

"O crap" is all you yell...?

Ummm... no, it's a family site

 

[Brutus57]

Ah yes, the "O crap" springs.

Spring goes flying, never to be seen again....you yell "O crap"

I remember a lower I was building, maybe my second, or third, can''t remember, I lost the O crap spring, and decided a trip to Curt's was in order, for a supply of said springs, and a few extra detents, just in case, and Curt said, "I can install that for you", so he proceeded to send a few across the shop. Hilarious.

I bough the 5 for two dollar Clevis pins at Home Despot and a little sanding.... Worked like a charm first time on my first build!
The interweaving is a fountain of knowledge and foolishness...the trick is telling the BS from the Bravo Zulu.

Brutus out.

 

[mjbskwim]

A towel saves the whole problem.
Just hang a towel up and aim that spring towards the towel. You let it fly,it hits the towel and goes no where.