Building an AR

[C'mereDeer]

I'm wanting to start building an AR, but this is a new field for me. Can anyone give me some tips on what pieces I need to build a complete working gun and any other advise that could help?

[Ksig512]

If you want to start from the ground up ...
-Lower Receiver "stripped"
-Upper Receiver
- Bolt , Cam pin , Firing pin retaining pin.
-Bolt carrier , Carrier key
-Lower parts
- Grip
- Semi Trigger
- Semi Hammer
- Semi Disconnector
- Semi Selector
- Bolt Catch Spring
- Detent Spring
- Bolt Catch Buffer
- Take Down Detent
- Bolt Catch
- Magazine Catch Spring
- Bolt Catch Roll Pin
- Magazine Catch Button
- Magazine Catch
- Front Pivot Pin
- Hammer Spring
- Trigger Spring
- Pistol Grip Screw
- Pistol Grip Lock Washer
- Selector Spring
- Detent Selector
- Hammer Pin
- Trigger Pin
- Take Down Pin
- Buffer Retainer Pin
- Buffer Retainer Spring
- Disconnector Spring

- Stock , Buffer spring and Tube
- Barrel and flash/comp.
- Hand guard / free float rail
- Optics and or Irons

You will get a lot of comments regarding what you need and what you want. For me , I use the Daniel Defense Lower Parts kit with all of my builds .... Its fun and good luck..
Here is a photo of a 6.8x43 in the process...



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[C'mereDeer]

If you want to start from the ground up ...
-Lower Receiver "stripped"
-Upper Receiver
- Bolt , Cam pin , Firing pin retaining pin.
-Bolt carrier , Carrier key
-Lower parts
- Grip
- Semi Trigger
- Semi Hammer
- Semi Disconnector
- Semi Selector
- Bolt Catch Spring
- Detent Spring
- Bolt Catch Buffer
- Take Down Detent
- Bolt Catch
- Magazine Catch Spring
- Bolt Catch Roll Pin
- Magazine Catch Button
- Magazine Catch
- Front Pivot Pin
- Hammer Spring
- Trigger Spring
- Pistol Grip Screw
- Pistol Grip Lock Washer
- Selector Spring
- Detent Selector
- Hammer Pin
- Trigger Pin
- Take Down Pin
- Buffer Retainer Pin
- Buffer Retainer Spring
- Disconnector Spring

- Stock , Buffer spring and Tube
- Barrel and flash/comp.
- Hand guard / free float rail
- Optics and or Irons

You will get a lot of comments regarding what you need and what you want. For me , I use the Daniel Defense Lower Parts kit with all of my builds .... Its fun and good luck..
Here is a photo of a 6.8x43 in the process...



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Thanks.....time to start shopping.

[kcmarullo]

if you need any help with parts send me a pm.

[C'mereDeer]

If you have any websites.....put em on here. My buget is $300 for this month, so looking for good quality items(but yet affordable).

[kcmarullo]

A complete lower will cost you right at $ 200.00

[Quackerbox]

Just finished a .204 ruger. Came out cheaper in the long run with alot of upgraded parts.

Bought from. . Palmetto state armory. Joeboboutfitters. Model1sales. Brownells. Midway. Gunkings. Com

Model 1 and gun kings are Texas store's. Joe bob had some smoking prices but are out of stock alot. I started buying parts in December. My lower I got local cause I couldn't get it online as cheap.

[akey]

I have a buddy who builds these and he gets alot of his parts from surplusammo.com

[kmitchl]

I've built several from stripped lowers from Essential Arms and kits from either Delton or Model 1 Sales. If you can get Model 1 at a gun show they will usually negotiate a little. They should be in Houston at the next Houston Gun Collectors show. If you will call ahead of the show they will make sure they have what you want at the show and save some shipping. I would recommend a kit for the first try so you get everything together. The instructions are on AR-15.com and are easy to follow if you have some mechancial appitude.

[mperez76er]

joeboboutfitters.com heres a lower check it out really cheap build for plinkering check out video at 100.00 bucks for a complete lower

[C'mereDeer]

Thanks kmitchl! I think I will buy the sets for the first build.

mperez76er - I saw that and jumping on it. The only downside is it may take up to 60 days to get it.

[Mike D]

Any reason you are choosing to build vs buying a factory rifle?

In my experience, now there is no cost advantage to building vs buying factory WHEN USING EQUAL QUALITY PARTS. There used to be a significant cost advantage to building vs buying but not anymore if you follow the above guidelines. In addition, I have found it much more difficult to sell a self built AR than a factory one unless someone is uneducated on ARs in general or are just wanting to buy as cheap as possible.

What is your total budget goal?

[hotdog]

SOG army off the beltway @59 has all the parts as well.

[C'mereDeer]

Any reason you are choosing to build vs buying a factory rifle?

In my experience, now there is no cost advantage to building vs buying factory WHEN USING EQUAL QUALITY PARTS. There used to be a significant cost advantage to building vs buying but not anymore if you follow the above guidelines. In addition, I have found it much more difficult to sell a self built AR than a factory one unless someone is uneducated on ARs in general or are just wanting to buy as cheap as possible.

What is your total budget goal?

Im trying to stay below 800.

[jimmytillman06]

Check out redxarms.com