AR15 build

jonesy67

jonesy67

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Hello everyone. I am assembling my first AR 15 and holly s%$t there are a lot of manufacturers. I was wondering if anyone who builds AR's could chime in for me. I have purchased my lower and already have it assembled and test fired but the upper scares me. I have ordered my barrel. I picked up a Daniel Defense 11.5" 5.56 nato from Wolverine Supply. I am leaning towards a Noveske upper from CTC supply as I have heard they are quality. Here is my question.... Should I assemble myself or find a gunsmith to do it? I have the necessary tools to build but very limited knowledge. I enjoy assembling my own stuff and really want to do it myself but what do you guys think?
I have learned that head space is not as big a deal as some make it out to be when buying a quality barrel and that any BCG I choose should be G2G. Any insight would be great and helpful.
 
If you have the actual tools and a torque wrench just do it yourself.
There are literally 500 youtube videos to walk you through the entire process step by step. It's one of the easiest "modern" rifles to work on.
It's grade 7 shop class simple even if you're semi retarded like me!

The single hardest part is lining up the holes through the barrel nut and spring while you torque the nut onto the reciever. If you put your gas tube through the back of the receiver and push it out the face of the receivers gas tube hole just enough to keep the gas tube holes lined up and then torque the nut on. Line up the gas tube notches by eye and hitting the required torque specs on the wrench, then you're done!

Plus there's nothing like the satisfaction of putting together your own rifle, shooting it and getting your first nice tight group with it. Save your hard earned cash for more ammo and beer to congratulate yourself Sir.

Where are you located? If you need actual help and you're close I can help you out/guide you and show you how to do it yourself for free.....maybe a coffee ;)
 
I purchased a Magpul BEV and wrench. So I think I have the right tools for the job. I have watched countless AR rifle build videos and it seems pretty straight forward. How about these two questions.... I have heard that if you buy a quality barrel that head spacing is not necessary, true or false and I have read about the major brands of BCG, I don't know which one to buy to match to my barrel. I read that the DD barrel is a good choice, The BCG will be the last thing I purchase.

Travis, I am in Kitchener, On. If you are close I might just take you up on the offer. This build will be over a few months as I am researching the parts and getting all my info to assemble a good rifle before dropping a lot of money on substandard parts.
 
Piece of cake to put one together. A good vise block or right sized piece of wood that fits the magwell and vise is key to making life easier. Headspacing is usually not an issue when purchasing new parts or only using one used part (barrel or bcg) but recommended if you are buying two used parts that were not already used together. The youtube videos that TravisBickle mentioned are very helpful in those little tricks or everyday tools that make installing the retaining pins and springloaded keepers less challenging.
Go for it. The lessons you learn about how an AR is put together is useful later if/when you want to upgrade or replace broken parts.
 
Yes an AR15 is easy to assemble if all the parts fit correctly and get a set of headspace gauges. Taking them apart can be fun sometimes, but at least the parts are cheap to replace.
Make sure gas blocks fit the free float rail and look for good quality mil-spec parts.
 
jonesy67 said:
Hello everyone. I am assembling my first AR 15 and holly s%$t there are a lot of manufacturers. I was wondering if anyone who builds AR's could chime in for me. I have purchased my lower and already have it assembled and test fired but the upper scares me. I have ordered my barrel. I picked up a Daniel Defense 11.5" 5.56 nato from Wolverine Supply. I am leaning towards a Noveske upper from CTC supply as I have heard they are quality. Here is my question.... Should I assemble myself or find a gunsmith to do it? I have the necessary tools to build but very limited knowledge. I enjoy assembling my own stuff and really want to do it myself but what do you guys think?
I have learned that head space is not as big a deal as some make it out to be when buying a quality barrel and that any BCG I choose should be G2G. Any insight would be great and helpful.
Click to expand...

If you have the tools and are handy just do it yourself. You have already successfully completed the lower which is more difficult to assembly then the upper. There are a number of videos on the Brownell's and Midway websites that can illustrate the assembly of an entire AR.

Relax as it is not difficult if you take your time and follow the proper torque and barrel nut timing positions.
 
jonesy67 said:
Hello everyone. I am assembling my first AR 15 and holly s%$t there are a lot of manufacturers. I was wondering if anyone who builds AR's could chime in for me. I have purchased my lower and already have it assembled and test fired but the upper scares me. I have ordered my barrel. I picked up a Daniel Defense 11.5" 5.56 nato from Wolverine Supply. I am leaning towards a Noveske upper from CTC supply as I have heard they are quality. Here is my question.... Should I assemble myself or find a gunsmith to do it? I have the necessary tools to build but very limited knowledge. I enjoy assembling my own stuff and really want to do it myself but what do you guys think?
I have learned that head space is not as big a deal as some make it out to be when buying a quality barrel and that any BCG I choose should be G2G. Any insight would be great and helpful.
Click to expand...

Pick up a copy of "Gunsmithing the AR15 Volume 2" by Patrick Sweeney. It has step by step procedures that are well illustrated. There is a volume 1 but volume 2 goes into much more practical detail as the first one is more of a history lesson. Cool on its own but 2 is much better for answering the question of "where the heck does this part go?"
 
I have already installed a DD MK18 RIS II and a muzzle brake on my prebuilt AR and had some fun with that. I will look around for a copy of "Gunsmithing the AR15 Volume 2" by Patrick Sweeney" as I like to have printed books of my hobbies. I have spoken to Frank at DD and he says that the headspace is good to go without the need to check as long as a "milspec" BCG is used.

I am going to purchase a new BCG and am really leaning towards the Sharps Rifle Company. Do any of you have a Better choice based on experience? Also if anyone can comment on my choice of parts so far. The barrel is done so I won't be changing my purchase on that but how about the upper receiver? Is Noveske a good choice?
 
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jonesy67 said:
I have already installed a DD MK18 RIS II and a muzzle brake on my prebuilt AR and had some fun with that. I will look around for a copy of "Gunsmithing the AR15 Volume 2" by Patrick Sweeney" as I like to have printed books of my hobbies. I have spoken to Frank at DD and he says that the headspace is good to go without the need to check as long as a "milspec" BCG is used.

I am going to purchase a new BCG and am really leaning towards the Sharps Rifle Company. Do any of you have a Better choice based on experience?
Click to expand...

I got my copy from Indigo/Chapters online. For BCG's, outside of testing each one/brand/type personally, I have no idea which is the best/best value. You'll get as many opinions as there are types. I went with a Daniel Defense version simply because the store had them and I had money at the time. I would really like to have 10 identical rifles and run 10 different BCG's to destruction to answer the question but alas, major lottery wins have been so far elusive.
 
dirtybarry said:
I got my copy from Indigo/Chapters online. For BCG's, outside of testing each one/brand/type personally, I have no idea which is the best/best value. You'll get as many opinions as there are types. I went with a Daniel Defense version simply because the store had them and I had money at the time. I would really like to have 10 identical rifles and run 10 different BCG's to destruction to answer the question but alas, major lottery wins have been so far elusive.
Click to expand...

that is a great answer =) looks like the lottery eludes us both for now. I am thinking of a Sharps but have read great things about the DD and Colts as well. Opinions are what I am after, people who use their equipment are generally going to say either yeah or nay to a product they have used.
 
BCGs range in price and quality. Stick with a known brand and you'll have fewer problems, usually. The more expensive ones will have fancier coatings to make cleaning easier. Nice but not absolutely necessary. I also built up a MK18 clone from DD parts and went with a DD BCG for not much more than the average prices of around $150 is you shop around. Regarding uppers, Noveske is good (great?) most of them are going to do the same job and materials in the mid-range won't be significantly different to the average user. I have both a DD upper and an Aero Precision Upper and both run the same and fit as well as the other. Saskatoon Gunworks has good prices on Aero uppers/lowers. I've put about 1000 rounds through my 20" Aero build with no issues (upper and lowers are Aero).
 
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