Thinking about starting my first AR build...Good God what am I getting myself into!?!

S.W.A.R.M

S.W.A.R.M

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As the title states, I am thinking about starting my first AR build. I have to admit I am very excited to get this underway and see what I can create. I hope by posting this all you experienced individuals out there on this inter-web will be able to share a few experiences, ideas, or drop a tip or two on where I can find some reasonably priced parts to get me started on my new, exciting, and probably expensive hobby!!

Thanks all who take the time to leave a tid bit!
 
I think if your invested in building your own (if on a budget) you gotta live on the EE to get the good deals. Otherwise wolverine, OST and Brownell's have been my go to places for parts and tools.
Do you have a factory AR? If not you might want to consider getting into the game with one. The prices they are these days you might be better off buying a basic model and slowly upgrading as you decide what you really like
 
Solid points raised by the Chief about buying your first AR factory built.

Have you bought your tools yet? You can get some AeroPrecision upper/lowers from Saskatoon Gunworks at a pretty good price.

The Magpul BEV block is an amazing multi-function tool worth looking into. The Magpul wrench looks pretty good but I don't own one yet to compare it to my $40. generic AR wrench.

A torque wrench in inch pounds (not foot pounds) is good to have as well. I just use a Mastercraft one which usually go on sale for 40-50% off every so often.

A hockey puck or masking/duct tape roll makes for a good bench block.

Pickup a set of roll-pin punches and small non-marring hammer if you don't already own one.

Be warned, it's addictive as heck building your own ARs.
 
Before you buy anything make sure to buy an armourer wrench and a reaction rod. I'm not a fan of the upper receiver vice clamp because when tightening the barrel nut all that torque is transmitted through the upper. A reaction rod isolates the upper and only the barrel extension see's any torque. Other than that all you need is a decent punch set and a light mallot.
Once you have the tools the best thing to do is go through a few of our site sponsor websites to price out parts then visit the EE twice a day looking for parts knowing what they are worth new so you don't pay too much for someone else's used crap. Pricing everything out also helps find the best deal if you plan to buy things new. Don't forget to consider shipping costs, sometimes saving a few dollars on parts is washed away after shipping costs are added. Sometimes it's just cheaper to go to the local store and buy it.

Where do you live? If you're near Edmonton I can help you out with the tools and give you a hand. It only takes a couple hours to put one together and I take beer as payment for helping.

Don't forget that this is very addictive, next thing you know you'll have a few AR's. I was up to 6 not long ago but am back to 4 (all different calibers). I would guess I've owned around 15 AR's total now, they come and go but the ones I have now seem to be keepers for now.
Best thing about an AR is that if you get tired of it you can just swap out a few parts and it's a completely different rifle.

Good luck
 
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OP,
Listen to cr5 or his buddy Moe. If you live near them, take up the offer. These guys know their black guns
I personally will buy factory for my first. By the time you source out all the parts and the tools and spent the time figuring out what you want or need ( don't confuse want and need), you could almost have bought 2 good ARs and enough spare parts to service them.
 
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Building anything requires your definition of what you think is "reasonably priced". Building a rifle is not a cheap way of acquiring whatever it is.
You'll note there's a lot of tools being mentioned. That's because tools are usually the biggest expense. Mind you, not all of 'em must be purchased. You can rent without much fuss. Even across the border. Far more practical if you're thinking of just one rifle.
If you don't have a good solid work bench with a 4" bench vise on it, you need that. The bench and vise is something everybody tends to forget about. Happens with reloaders too.
TheM4chef's idea of buying a whole rifle and customizing it isn't a bad one. Even though it can become a money pit.
 
I did live in Edmonton up until a year or two ago, but I returned to the motherland of Saskatchewan...and none to soon, hopefully the NDP works out for you folks over there. Would have gladly taken you up on your offer to help me out, I do have a wealth of experience shooting black rifles but sadly when it comes to the nitty gritty of creating and piecing one together sadly I am very ignorant. I am a quick learner however.
 
Trinimon said:
Solid points raised by the Chief about buying your first AR factory built.

Have you bought your tools yet? You can get some AeroPrecision upper/lowers from Saskatoon Gunworks at a pretty good price.
Click to expand...

I am thinking of doing a semi build as well. (Colt IUR Upper & a built lower for it.) I have heard some really good things about Aero Precision Lowers. Do you have any experience with them (or with Saskatoon Gun Works)?

Thanks.

FWIW, here is what I am thinking about:
Colt IUR Upper
IUR-Colt-Canada.png

Aero Precision Lower
p_953000001_6.jpg

Aero Precision LPK
Aero Precision Carbine Buffer Tube & Assembly (Mil-Spec)
Daniel Defense BCG
Daniel Defense Collapsible Buttstock, Pistol Grip & Vertical Foregrip Combo Pkg
28-102-06145-006_460.jpg
 
Trinimon said:
I've dealt with SGW in the past. Great guys to deal with.

AP makes receivers for a few other manufacturers. They're good stuff.
Click to expand...

DD, Spikes and BCM have been touted as using Aero made forged lowers for their units at various and current points in time.

Also +1 on SGW, good people there..
 
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Hoag said:
I am thinking of doing a semi build as well. (Colt IUR Upper & a built lower for it.) I have heard some really good things about Aero Precision Lowers. Do you have any experience with them (or with Saskatoon Gun Works)?

Thanks.

FWIW, here is what I am thinking about:
Colt IUR Upper
IUR-Colt-Canada.png

Aero Precision Lower
p_953000001_6.jpg

Aero Precision LPK
Aero Precision Carbine Buffer Tube & Assembly (Mil-Spec)
Daniel Defense BCG
Daniel Defense Collapsible Buttstock, Pistol Grip & Vertical Foregrip Combo Pkg
28-102-06145-006_460.jpg
Click to expand...

Aero and Saskatoon gunworks both solid choices... have a 14.5 M4 with the classic fatty h/g on a Stag upper!
 
S.W.A.R.M said:
I did live in Edmonton up until a year or two ago, but I returned to the motherland of Saskatchewan...and none to soon, hopefully the NDP works out for you folks over there. Would have gladly taken you up on your offer to help me out, I do have a wealth of experience shooting black rifles but sadly when it comes to the nitty gritty of creating and piecing one together sadly I am very ignorant. I am a quick learner however.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of YouTube videos out there that go through everything in detail, watch a few different ones first then they are pretty straight forward.
As mentioned, you won't be saving any money building one these days, with brands like core available for under $1000 you're getting a really decent rifle for less than you can build one. My last upper cost more than that to build but I used a custom made stainless 300Blackout barrel which drove up the price pretty fast :)

I'm worried about what the NDP will do once they settle in. Time will tell.
 
Unless the project is to assemble an uberkewl rifle based on appearance (which some folks think is a lot of fun), decide what you are going to use the rifle for, and then select the parts to optimize performance.
 
tiriaq said:
Unless the project is to assemble an uberkewl rifle based on appearance (which some folks think is a lot of fun), decide what you are going to use the rifle for, and then select the parts to optimize performance.
Click to expand...

A great point! While it is wonderful to have and fondle, I removed all my rails and cheese grater rails after a few years. I realized I compete without a weapon light and a PAQ 4 laser. Well, truth be told, I did enjoy the "mirror kommando" effect for a while but now I need to earn points at matches, so I've gone back to more practical handguards.

My rifle down below, and my wife's on top...



Enjoy the build process! It's all gonna be good! :wave:


Barney
 
If you look at the lower rifle in TacticalTeacher's photo, you will note that the gas block has a short rail on top. I have the same block on one of my rifles. We do shoot at night on occasion, and with a little Streamlight TLR-1 clamped in place, targets can be readily engaged to 100m, perhaps further. A combination laser/light could also be mounted. The body of the light is not visible through the optic, and the switch can be easily controlled by the thumb of the support hand.
I would also suggest an aftermarket trigger unit. Standard AR triggers tend to be rather heavy and creepy. Rather than rework the standard unit, just install a unit that will produce a better pull. I use a Rock River 2 stage. Price is reasonable, the trigger will lift a 4 1/2 pound weight, the second stage is very crisp.
 
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