I'm looking to build my first AR and, naturally, I have a ton of questions. I have standard tools and am reasonably mechanically inclined (I've watched several videos on building an AR, and nothing seems too challenging). I have many of the basic hand tools I've seen used in those videos (hammer, screw drivers, pliers, punches, bench vise, strap wrench, etc.), but no torque wrench or armorer's tools. I'm perfectly happy to start with fully stripped uppers and lowers as long as I'm not going to spend more on tools than the money saved.
Budget
$900-ish (including necessary tools over and above those I already own)
Uses
Wants
Considerations
On to the questions...
Given the information above, is this achievable, or should I just buy that Rock River and be done with it?
Will I likely be better off with a complete upper (saving money on tools), or building it from the ground up?
Suggestions for specific parts (brands/models) that would fall into the budget?
Any specific combinations of parts I should avoid and why? Something along the lines of, "Don't get an upper with M4 feed ramps and a barrel without them because you're creating a lip for the round to catch on when chambering."
Source(s) for parts (ex. Brownells)?
I know this is a long post, but I wanted to put as much on the table as I could. I know I'm still leaving things out, so let me know if anything is unclear.
Thanks in advance for all your help. This is my first post, but I've been reading tons of posts over the past month. This place and the members are phenomenal.
Budget
$900-ish (including necessary tools over and above those I already own)
Uses
- Plinking (primary purpose)
- Home defense (distant second purpose)
Wants
- 5.56 capable (so 5.56 or Wylde)
- Flattop upper, preferably with extended M4 feed ramps (I know many say they're not necessary, but if I'm building new, why not remove a potential source of problems)
- 16" barrel, 1:9 twist, standard profile (chrome-lined or unlined, I'm not married to the idea of either)
- Railed handguard
- Railed gas block or flip-up front sight block
- Collapsible stock
- Mil-spec (or superior) parts, staking, etc. (Yes, I know "superior" is subjective, so I'll live with the consequences. Haha.)
Considerations
- To give a better idea of what I have in mind, I like the features of the Rock River Tactical Operator2 (http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=464). I was just hoping I could get a similar feature set, but slightly higher quality for the same price if I build it myself. (I'm not knocking Rock River by any means. I was just using that as an example of a rifle with nearly all of the features I like. From what I understand, they make a respectable rifle for the price point, but that's a different discussion.)
- I'm not opposed to piston systems, but I'm not sure that would be the best use of my budget this time around.
On to the questions...
Given the information above, is this achievable, or should I just buy that Rock River and be done with it?
Will I likely be better off with a complete upper (saving money on tools), or building it from the ground up?
Suggestions for specific parts (brands/models) that would fall into the budget?
Any specific combinations of parts I should avoid and why? Something along the lines of, "Don't get an upper with M4 feed ramps and a barrel without them because you're creating a lip for the round to catch on when chambering."
Source(s) for parts (ex. Brownells)?
I know this is a long post, but I wanted to put as much on the table as I could. I know I'm still leaving things out, so let me know if anything is unclear.
Thanks in advance for all your help. This is my first post, but I've been reading tons of posts over the past month. This place and the members are phenomenal.
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