Build a AR?

[gotboostvr]

I just finished one up for my neighbor last week, total came to just under $1000 minus sights/optic. Just a solid carbine, nothing special.

All the ones I've built for myself have been north of the $2K mark.

Alternatively, I've built "solid carbines" for just under $400.

My most expensive build (FN CL CHF barrel, spikes BCG, Gissele G2S, charging handle, and MK4 rail, Aimpoint Comp M3 with larue mount, Matech rear sight...) came in right about $1k.

You certainly can build out a great hard use rifle for less than they can be bought. Just gotta spend time looking for deals and be patient for them to come along.

It actually came out to $1202, but subtract $200 for the surefire, light mount, and the flash hider/suppressor mount and it meets the $1k mark.

The $1k carbine:

 

[Show Me]

Let's see, 30$ trigger or 300$ trigger. Strong will and shopper skill you can go shooting for little. Like above many times , upgrading is easy so just make it fun.

 

[InTheSwamp]

Palmetto State Armory is the best bang for the buck IMO.

Agree. And buy individual parts to learn the entire process. Putting a complete upper and a complete lower together is not a learning experience but a matter of pushing two pins.

Read more, watch some videos,

Yes. Plenty on YT, Brownell's, etc.

 

[gotboostvr]

...just make it fun.

This is the biggest take away.

There's merit in buying a complete carbine, and just swapping things as you see fit. Alternatively, if you've got a well defined role or niche, or there's a particularly cool rifle from a movie you'd like to recreate (Blackhawk Down, "Gordon Carbine" is high on my to-do list), it might make more sense to build from the ground up.

Maybe build the lower, and buy the upper (or vice versa). Whatever sounds more fun. I'm a tinkerer, and enjoy assembling them myself. I can understand though that some people who are perfectly capable, may view it more as a chore to be avoided if possible.

 

[Lo-Profile]

You milled them? or Assembled them?

Both .... I have mad skills

 

[Lo-Profile]

Clear trash bags that allow you to see what your doing while keeping springs from launching into low Earth orbit work really well.

 

[tws3b2]

Clear trash bags that allow you to see what your doing while keeping springs from launching into low Earth orbit work really well.

Yeah, I understand what you saying. I launched a Remington 550 sear spring into orbit a couple years ago. I think NASA has declared it a UFO.

 

[jmorris]

I'm thinking of building a ar. Not because I need one or even want one. Just because? I have good experience with tinkering with firearms. Not in any way a gunsmith, but a dang good "Bubba the gunsmith". I can completely disassemble & reassemble lever actions, pumps and some semi auto rifles using guide videos and books.

I can think of a lot of other firearms that are more difficult to assemble. You don't need to be a gunsmith to understand how to assemble the parts for an AR, a few special tools are nice to have though.

 

[gobsauce]

The first one I put together was a PSA $300 kit, just add stripped lower, which was an Anderson I picked up from the LGS for less than $50
It worked.
It's been taken apart and reconfigured more than a few times.

Wow , that was my exact first build as well! Except that mine was a "blem" kit.

It was a very simply process, and took me around two hours or so. Mostly because I hadn't ever really been exposed to the insides of an AR, so I spent most of the time trying to understand how it all interacts.

As for tools, all I used was a hemostat for those pins, and one of Wheeler Engineering's gunsmithing mallets.

 

[tws3b2]

It is objectively very easy to assemble an AR15. However my current stable exists entirely of factory built guns. They are so cheap now, I dont think you can save going piece by piece. If you can find a Del ton rifle kit on sale and a stripped lower, that would be fairly cheap and a very good rifle.

Del-Ton Heavy Mid-Length Kit 5.56 NATO 16" Barrel with Complete Upper

The Del-Ton Heavy Mid-Length Kit provides everything you need to assemble an AR 15 rifle except for the lower receiver. The upper receiver comes as complete and the kit comes ready for 556 NATO. Buy this kit for the best price from GrabAGun today!

grabagun.com

My son in-law just bought a Del ton 556 last week for $330 new on sale. It came with a 30 round mag and optic sight I think already installed. The optic added $150 to the price = $480 . I looked up a Del ton kit, same gun, no mag, no lower and no optic. $350. So, add say $60 for cheapest lower, $150 sight and what? $20 for 30 round mag? So, Only cost me $100+- more if I do all the work. ????

 

[d2wing]

I'm thinking of building a ar. Not because I need one or even want one. Just because? I have good experience with tinkering with firearms. Not in any way a gunsmith, but a dang good "Bubba the gunsmith". I can completely disassemble & reassemble lever actions, pumps and some semi auto rifles using guide videos and books. I've repaired, brought back to life several old junk rifles and shotguns including a Remington 550-1, complete disassemble, repair and reassemble. Wasn't easy but Now works perfect.
I've watched some videos and read some articles on building ar's. Doesn't seem to be that hard.
Probably in 556 or 223.
Just wondering if any tips, tricks or advice that anyone would care to share. I would like to keep the price down as much as I can. But, in the end I would like to end up with a gun that actually works.
I'm assuming the upper would have to be shipped through a FFL?
Where to get the parts at the best price?
Good brand names.

I have had the best accuracy and parts fit with Del-Ton kits and they are not expensive. Get a tool to help with installing detent pins and springs. It wouldn't hurt to have a spare on hand in case yours launches itself into the great unknown. Pin punches help to with the little pins. You should do fine.

 

[Chuck R.]

Alternatively, I've built "solid carbines" for just under $400.

My most expensive build (FN CL CHF barrel, spikes BCG, Gissele G2S, charging handle, and MK4 rail, Aimpoint Comp M3 with larue mount, Matech rear sight...) came in right about $1k.

You certainly can build out a great hard use rifle for less than they can be bought. Just gotta spend time looking for deals and be patient for them to come along.

It actually came out to $1202, but subtract $200 for the surefire, light mount, and the flash hider/suppressor mount and it meets the $1k mark.

The $1k carbine:

I think every one might have a differing opinion of what constitutes a solid carbine..

This one for instance had a BA Hanson barrel, Aero Precision stripped upper and lower, Larue MBT 2S trigger, Toolcraft nitride BCG and Magpul furniture.

I agree about watching sales, that's how I normally do it, but my neighbor wanted his now.

 

[gotboostvr]

I agree about watching sales, that's how I normally do it, but my neighbor wanted his now.

You can be frugal, or you can have it now. Not both

 

[Skylerbone]

Tips are pretty easy, don’t spare the tools! For me that’s punches (including roll pin), a Magpul BevBlock, a properly sized hammer (small), a bench vise, and a good armorer’s wrench. You can round these things up for around $225-$250. Finally, and highly suggested, would be a lapping tool for the receiver.

I’ll recommend an Aero M4E1 lower as it will save you the heartache of damage that may come from installing your bolt catch. It will also save modest price of the KAK or similar long starter punch. Should you choose this particular lower it follows that the matching upper will of course match cosmetically. Both are well machined forgings and hey, life is too short for ugly rifles.

I would suggest spending extra for an adjustable gas block because they make sense. If someone tells you different, that person isn’t making any sense. It need not be absurdly priced but it should cost more than a bargain basement lo-pro. Check your barrel profile before ordering to ensure you’re getting the correct diameter part.

I always expect really really good things from mid-priced barrels but it’s rarely so. Now is the time in your build to open that wallet wide. I know you’re looking to control cost but dammit boy, make it make sense! 2 Yugos do not a Honda make. I have a small pile of ARs vs 2 great shooters that have shaped my resolve to never again cut corners here. $250 would not be an unreasonable starting amount. Starting. Starting. I said starting.

Consider your charging handle based on your sights. Big is easy when paired with a scope, and simply a luxury if clearance is not needed. If you can save $50 here then you can have that better barrel you deserve. I love fancy parts and I repeat, I hate cheap barrels (even when they suffice for their designated purpose).

Buy a free float handguard. If you don’t require weight savings then longer generally offers more options in addition to real estate.

The bolt. THE bolt. I still think of something requiring a washer and nut before overthinking this one. I buy ToolCraft bolts because they’re reasonable and they work. Don’t waste tons of money on some hype that’s not real. If someone tells you you’ll gain accuracy or whatever here, well, ask that guy about his $129 barrel and all the accuracy it affords him. If you want some sort of finish on your bolt to protect it then I’d say a $20 up-charge is still gonna let the sun come up at dawn.

Finally the stock. Can you picture a rifle from your past that you dislike? Did it have a lousy stock? It probably did, most do, and most people including me just put up with it. But you’re about to assemble a rifle meant for you. Its first purpose is to suit the owner. That’s you. Don’t you buy no crappy stock. Research. Ask. Try if you can.

If the price of all of the above puts you off, don’t do it. If you feel the need to own one, grab a Ruger or Smith and get in cheap. If the effort is worth it, go all-in. Best of luck to you.

 

[Mk-211]

One last item, if you don't have some already.



Any place that you have to drive a pin in with a hammer, cover the area with tape. That way if you slip, you don't scratch the finish on your lower or upper.

 

[tws3b2]

So, Palmetto State Armory has a Blemished AR 15 5.56 m4 carbine Kit $320. It says all I need is stripped lower.
So, my dumb question. Any ar 15 5.56 stripped lower will work? Even something like the Anderson $60 lower? I know it may be a dumb question for most. But, For me it's a starting point.

 

[Mk-211]

Yes, any AR15 lower will work.

 

[gotboostvr]

So, Palmetto State Armory has a Blemished AR 15 5.56 m4 carbine Kit $320. It says all I need is stripped lower.
So, my dumb question. Any ar 15 5.56 stripped lower will work? Even something like the Anderson $60 lower? I know it may be a dumb question for most. But, For me it's a starting point.

I've slapped alot of different uppers, from various manufacturers onto Anderson lowers.

Love the Poverty Ponies. I bought a stash of them at $25ea

 

[mavracer]

My son in-law just bought a Del ton 556 last week for $330 new on sale. It came with a 30 round mag and optic sight I think already installed. The optic added $150 to the price = $480 . I looked up a Del ton kit, same gun, no mag, no lower and no optic. $350. So, add say $60 for cheapest lower, $150 sight and what? $20 for 30 round mag? So, Only cost me $100+- more if I do all the work. ????

If you want a basic M4gery you won't save anything by assembling it yourself.
But if you're wanting something more that fits a niche or mimics some military version you can save a little.

Alternatively, if you've got a well defined role or niche, or there's a particularly cool rifle from a movie you'd like to recreate

Yep that too.
I've put together my spin on several a Recce/Mk12 mod H, a Mk18 SBR and while unintended my 308 AR comes pretty dang close to the specs of a M110A1 SDM. I also have a basic A4ish service match rifle.

 

[tws3b2]

Well I bought the PSA Freedom m4 carbine from Palmetto. Complete gun except the stripped lower. Reg $620, for $320 "blemish". I read others reviews and most said the blemish was very light or couldn't find the blemish at all. Anyway, now to pick up a lower and get started. And I may even get to fix the blemish.

 

[mavracer]

Well I bought the PSA Freedom m4 carbine from Palmetto. Complete gun except the stripped lower. Reg $620, for $320 "blemish". I read others reviews and most said the blemish was very light or couldn't find the blemish at all. Anyway, now to pick up a lower and get started. And I may even get to fix the blemish.

So you've opened the bag of chips lol.
Good luck

 

[powermad]

I used what I had laying around to put the $300 PSA kit together.

Wound up with quite a bit more over the years.
Having specific tools makes things go so much smoother.

 

[InTheSwamp]

So you've opened the bag of chips lol.
Good luck

He passed the point of no return, ...lol

 

[Mk-211]

Rock it brother! Put this together for my wife.

 

[tws3b2]

I used what I had laying around to put the $300 PSA kit together.

Wound up with quite a bit more over the years.
Having specific tools makes things go so much smoother.

I think I have all those tools. But, I'm gonna need to get some duct tape.