Need some help building an AR: It's alive!!

grimreefer

grimreefer

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I've decided to build an AR, but I could really use some advice on what parts to look for and where. My primary concerns are reliability, cost, and accuracy, in that order. I don't mind taking my time with this and scouting the EE, but I don't really know what brands/models to look for or to avoid other than DD=good, Norinco not so much. Also what are my best bets for online shops carrying receiver parts?
 
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Reliability, cost, accuracy.

It is possible to assemble a mixmaster from miscellaneous parts from assorted manufacturers. You are hoping that the various parts will have been manufactured within acceptable tolerance limits. The rifle might work just fine.
It is not easy to buy an entire set of quality rifle parts one at a time, and spend less money than if a complete brand name rifle were purchased. There is also the question of value. A complete mixmaster will probably be worth less than the sum of the parts.
Accuracy depends primarily on the barrel. A good one should shoot well.

By all means, assemble a rifle from parts. You will learn a lot about the rifle.
 
grimreefer said:
Any problems getting any of that across the border? Is it just the upper receiver that is registered and restricted?
Click to expand...

Lower receiver is subject to registration here. The upper is just a part as far as Cdn. law is concerned.
Export must be done by a licenced exporter.
 
tiriaq said:
Reliability, cost, accuracy.

It is possible to assemble a mixmaster from miscellaneous parts from assorted manufacturers. You are hoping that the various parts will have been manufactured within acceptable tolerance limits. The rifle might work just fine.
It is not easy to buy an entire set of quality rifle parts one at a time, and spend less money than if a complete brand name rifle were purchased. There is also the question of value. A complete mixmaster will probably be worth less than the sum of the parts.
Accuracy depends primarily on the barrel. A good one should shoot well.

By all means, assemble a rifle from parts. You will learn a lot about the rifle.
Click to expand...

Your points make sense. I want to learn about the rifle, but I don't need to build one to do that. So far I have torn down and cleaned/lubed/inspected each gun I own before I shoot them, mostly to learn how they work.

What do you think my best bets are for complete rifles that satisfy my reliability and cost prereqs?
 
grimreefer said:
Your points make sense. I want to learn about the rifle, but I don't need to build one to do that. So far I have torn down and cleaned/lubed/inspected each gun I own before I shoot them, mostly to learn how they work.

What do you think my best bets are for complete rifles that satisfy my reliability and cost prereqs?
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As tiriaq said,
I would buy my first AR. I would go with any of the midrange guns like Bushmaster, Windham Weaponry, Palmetto etc. Or go higher end, like the DD you mentioned or Colt USA/ CC. Building from parts will increase the cost and time of your build. Also it will likely decrease your future resale if you plan on reselling. Buy one, shoot it, strip it and learn what you like or don't like about it. At that point, you'll have a better understanding and buy what you need accordingly. Also, your initial purchase can be used as your starting point for your future build and lower the costs somewhat.
Run the gun wet and get good LAR or Beuwolf mags! ARs have been around a long time. There is nothing really you need to do to one for it to work properly.
 
I've got tons of extra parts I am too lazy to sell on the EE and ship...I see that you are also in Victoria. If you are interested shoot me a PM and you can come have a look at what I've got, I'll sell cheap if I don't have to ship, lol.
 
juancarlos said:
I've got tons of extra parts I am too lazy to sell on the EE and ship...I see that you are also in Victoria. If you are interested shoot me a PM and you can come have a look at what I've got, I'll sell cheap if I don't have to ship, lol.
Click to expand...

What is the EE?
 
jza said:
What is the EE?
Click to expand...

Equipment exchange, the classifieds section to CGN. Essentially the place where all us degenerates spend all of our money.

As for building, I just want to say I think accuracy should be a little higher on your list. Alls fun with a reliable gun but if you can't hit sh!t you're going to end up going home unhappy. That being said any reliable rifle will be relatively accurate.

If building is what you're set on for a first rifle, any basic mil spec upper and lower will do just fine. I prefer spikes tactical as they can be had for good prices from quester and most forged milspec uppers and lowers are built by a select few manufacturing plants and then branded with said companies logo.
Focus your money on 3 key areas from most to least important: barrel, bolt carrier group, and trigger.
Barrel I usually go Daniel defence because their cold hammer forged barrels are incredibly reliable and long lasting as wel as accurate for most people's needs.
Bolt carrier groups: anything milspec, DD & LMT are my preferred brands for the non Gucci stuff such as nickle boron or titanium nitrate coatings.
Trigger: if you want a great trigger for a good price, I recommend to everyone the ALG ACT trigger, designed by bill geissele who makes some of the best triggers, but in a sub 100.00 price for a standard 2 stage trigger.

Other than that, buy whatever other parts you fancy and go from there. The only other recommendations I have for building is don't buy a POS optic, spend your money and get a good "never fail" optic like an aimpoint and get a professional gunsmith to mount your barrel to your upper and make sure they use the proper tools like a reaction rod. Some smiths use cheap upper receiver blocks and can sometimes damage the upper when torquing down your barrel nut, as did happen with my recent BCM upper.

Closing statement, if you've never owned an AR, I'd still take the advice of most and just buy a decent quality complete rifle like a DD, colt, BCM, or something of those likes. Building a rifle, especially in canada is NOT cheaper than buying a complete rifle but it is enjoyable and beneficial if you know what you're doing and you're as fussy about parts as I am.
 
There are a couple of advantages to building rather than buying complete. First, you can buy parts as your budget allows, no need to go out and drop all your money at once. Second, you can pick exactly what you want. Half of AR owners buy a rifle then start removing stock parts to replace with aftermarket stuff. Now you skip that step (for the time being anyways ☺). Also, if you watch the EE closely you can get great deals on parts (often new) and close the gap on the cost vs buying complete. Then there's the satisfaction of building something yourself and seeing it work. I just finished my first build and taking it to the range and cranking out a hundred rounds without a hitch felt good.

On the downside, if you build it and it doesn't run you can't just ship it off for warranty.
 
I have built _one_ AR rifle. I didn't save much [any] money, but I did get exactly what I wanted, which was the point.

My tips: Look around for sales. My whole lower assembly was a kit that cost me US$200 and came with nicely compatible parts. I found a carbine length handguard on a gun store remainder table
that cost $10. If you're willing to take time, you won't be overspending [as much].

Look for _part kits_. My lower hardware small parts were a matched set from CMMG. Related parts and pins etc. were packaged together so I didn't have to figure out which spring and detent worked together. This made it soooo much easier. As for sourcing...IRunGuns USA has tons of name-brand parts and part kits.

Try to get parts from the same manufacturer. My upper and barrel were both from Aero Precision and there were zero issues with putting it together. Of course milspec parts _should_ be compatible, but I've heard stories...

Use Youtube to help with assembly. Even before you buy a single part, you can get a handle on what part is what and how it all goes together. Putting together an AR lower is dead easy...I did it at my desk watching the steps on my computer. When it came to putting the upper together, I went to a gunsmith. Assembly isn't hard, but it requires some specialized tools, and the costs were a tossup. I decided the easy way was better. If you plan to build future guns, you may want to invest in the tools as well.

Good luck!
 
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BE ADVISED: dont buy cheap ass crap parts!
I REPEAT: dont buy cheap ass crap parts!
I SAY AGAIN: dont buy cheap ass crap parts!

you'll get a problem and you'll drive yourself insane trying to figure it out

if you need a list of good parts, start another thread titled what are the best ar branded parts for:
barrel
hand guard
compensator muzzle device
gas block
gas tube
upper
lower
lpk
bcg
stocks
buffer
 
The problem you may encounter is that of a cheap ass part masquerading as a good quality part.
I bought a completed Gen 2 Noveske lower which was supposedly completed with high quality parts.
I didn't really care about the parts since I already had more than enough parts needed to complete the rifle.
I receive the lower and I installed one of my uppers to it and as soon as I pulled back on the charging handle I could hear the action spring being dragged backwards through the poorly finished carbine receiver extension tube (milspec).
If I didn't know what a good quality part feels and sounds like I would have never known the difference.
 
I just assembled a lower last night. If you are going to do it I'd suggest you get a set of the proper punches for driving and starting roll pins. How the hell I got it together without even a scratch is beyond me...never imagined I'd be "making" tools from a paper clip and a WD-40 straw.
 
tiriaq said:
Reliability, cost, accuracy.

It is possible to assemble a mixmaster from miscellaneous parts from assorted manufacturers. You are hoping that the various parts will have been manufactured within acceptable tolerance limits. The rifle might work just fine.
It is not easy to buy an entire set of quality rifle parts one at a time, and spend less money than if a complete brand name rifle were purchased. There is also the question of value. A complete mixmaster will probably be worth less than the sum of the parts.
Accuracy depends primarily on the barrel. A good one should shoot well.

By all means, assemble a rifle from parts. You will learn a lot about the rifle.
Click to expand...

It will be easier to sell a completed single brand OEM rifle, however stripping down the Frankengun and selling it for pieces on the EE will recover most of your costs.
 
Most reputable manufacturers who sell Mil Spec stripped uppers and lowers will interchange between manufacturers. However there are the exceptions to the rule.

For the first time I would purchase a forged stripped upper and lower together as a unit from a company to ensure the mating is good. Aero Precision, Armalite and Midwest Industrials are just a few of the many fine AR parts companies.
 
Brownell's handle export to Canada proficiently, great customer service.
Make sure you get a copy of their full catalogue.
 
So I'm gonna do this...but maybe a bit slowly. I took advantage of Sask GW's sale on the Aero lowers. I'm looking at barrels 14.5-16" for this build. Any suggestions for brands? Looking to spend no more than $400, preferably quite a bit less, but desire very good accuracy to 250M.
 
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