Building a AR

[duckriver]

Who has built one and are you any better off than just buying complete? I have a M&P 15 and have thought about building one or possibly a ar-10. What uppers, lowers, trigger, barrels etc do you like?

 

[infoman jr.]

I've built a few dozen, maybe more. Most aluminum upper and lower receivers are ok. Aero Precision are good. Most everybody makes a decent lower parts kit (get one without the fire control). Spend a decent amount on the barrel. Rainier and Nordic make a good one. The bushmaster chrome-lined barrels are OK, too. I like Geissele triggers, AAC muzzle devices (to mount a suppressor) and Magpul furniture.

Building one requires a few tools that you'll probably never use again, so take that into consideration.

 

[duckriver]

Awesome, the aero is the lower I'm going to order. I'm leaning towards 308 so I could use it deer hunting if I wanted to and long range target.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

Built a few. Most all lowers are created equal. ARPerformance is my favorite barrel, but they have short supply. If you aren't in a hurry and shop the sales, you can piece a rig together for $500. 308 is a little different story.


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[cozy23]

I'm almost done "building" one now. I say "building" because I bought a complete upper from Stag simply because I did not want to have to put the barrel on myself. I also spent a little more $ because I got the left hand upper. Then I bought piece by piece for the lower. Having it almost complete is almost saddening. It's definitley a fun process because you get everything you want for it without wasting money on "stock" items that you end up taking off and setting aside. There will probably be more builds in my future!!!

 

[Plateau Hunter]

It's hard to beat a Palmetto State complete lower with Magpul furniture for $160-180. An ALG or higher end Geissele trigger makes it a fine lower. For my upper assembly, I used a BCM upper, Black Hole barrel, YHM gas block, and Young free float hand guard and the rifle turned out great. It's so easy a cave man can do it!lol

 

[TRIGGER]

Building one is way better than buying one IF you are wanting anything custom. If your going to buy one and leave it alone then it's a different story. Here is a good video on the subject.
http://youtu.be/glk1qMbj7S0

 

[utkjsilver]

I have built several complete rifles. Mostly using Palmetto State Armory products when they are on sale. All of mine were done completely without any new tools. Use channel locks to insert the roll pins. Tape teh jaws with electrical tape to protect the finish. Use two strap wrenches for the barrel nut. One on the upper and one on the nut. Its simple as pie.

 

[infoman jr.]

I have built several complete rifles. Mostly using Palmetto State Armory products when they are on sale. All of mine were done completely without any new tools. Use channel locks to insert the roll pins. Tape teh jaws with electrical tape to protect the finish. Use two strap wrenches for the barrel nut. One on the upper and one on the nut. Its simple as pie.

What kind of torque wrenches do you use?

 

[utkjsilver]

I have built several complete rifles. Mostly using Palmetto State Armory products when they are on sale. All of mine were done completely without any new tools. Use channel locks to insert the roll pins. Tape teh jaws with electrical tape to protect the finish. Use two strap wrenches for the barrel nut. One on the upper and one on the nut. Its simple as pie.

What kind of torque wrenches do you use?

Under most conditions there is no need for a torque wrench. You can only tighten the nut so much or it does not clock properly with the gas tube. I used strap wrenches. There is 50lbs play to be in Mil Spec.

Basically hand tighten the nut, loosen it, hand tighten it, loosen it hand tighten it and then use the strap wrenches to tighten it into a properly clocked position for the gas tube.