AR15 School

[TeamMainStreet]

I want an AR bad. My first question to all the AR fanatics is which would be the best road to take. Build or buy? If you would prefer to build one what parts are best to use on a budget. I know you get what you pay for most of the time but I am not one to spend thousands on a gun. I want a good solid rifle that I can throw some lead with if the need arises. When I say budget I mean as cheap as possible. And by build I dont neccesarily mean down to every little piece. More of like a kit gun. I have been looking around and have found several kits sold by Del-ton, Palmetto State Armory and a few more. All that is needed is a stripped lower receiver and put together. I am more than mechanically inclined its just that I have never attempted to put together a rifle from a bag of parts. I have no idea what goes where or what all is needed. I think I would get more pleasure out of it knowing that I put it together though. As for straight up buying one same situation. Not looking for the top dollar gun. I want a gun that will run flawless, throw some lead and hit what im aiming at. Anybody that has put together one of these guns, could we maybe get a thread started showing the assembly process? A list of what parts are needed to have a functioning weapon? I know that all of this has probably been asked or discussed before or can be found on another site but it would be nice to have it all in one place that I visit pretty regular. Thanks for any help

 

[rdl65]

If this is your first AR I would buy a factory rifle. If you decide that an AR is not your cup of tea, a factory rifle will be easier to resale than a parts gun.

Start hanging out on AR15.com and watch the for sale boards. There are some great deals to be had on like new rifles.

 

[infoman jr.]

If this is your first AR I would buy a factory rifle. If you decide that an AR is not your cup of tea, a factory rifle will be easier to resale than a parts gun.

Start hanging out on AR15.com and watch the for sale boards. There are some great deals to be had on like new rifles.

What he said. There are some special tools required to assemble a rifle, and it will be a lot easier for you to just buy one complete. Enjoy!

 

[TeamMainStreet]

The tools can be bought though, correct? I can build a rifle with the proper components and some sort of directions. If I can overhaul an M11 Cummins engine I know I can put together a rifle. I agree buying one would be the all around easiest thing to do but I kinda wanted to build one just so that I could say I know how if you know what I mean.

 

[infoman jr.]

Oh it's absolutely possible for you to do, but with the price of the tools, you're going to spend quite a bit more. That's up to you though. I understand the satisfaction that comes with doing it yourself. If I didn't have the proper tools available at work, I wouldn't build mine.

 

[Wildcat]

Go to Brownnells, they have EVERYTHING you could possibly want or need to build an AR-15 or M-4. They ever have books and videos that show you step by step on building one, most of those videos are on their site and are free. They also have all the tools you will ever need.

http://www.brownells.com/

 

[Jksig229]

just go buy one first and then if you like them buy the other stuff piece by piece and make it a process of fun... a cheaper AR you can go with is hi standard but if i were you the S&W m&P is awesome.

 

[BIGORANGE]

IMO if you buy an AR a complete rifle the M&P 15 Sport is hard to beat for 6 bills. The sport does not have a dust cover or forward assist, which as far as I am concerned are not needed anyway. Just my 2 cents, YMMV.