Contemplating AR Build, questions???
- Thread starter sapper043
- Start date
A finished lower receiver is 'restricted' and its what gets registered to your name. You're supposed to call the CFO and change the registration to 'complete' after your build is done.
The LPK, stock, grip, upper receiver, barrel, etc can all be purchased without anything special.
I was also considering this a while ago, just for fun. But with the tools needed/recommended, unless you build a few, it is a rather large investment.
The LPK, stock, grip, upper receiver, barrel, etc can all be purchased without anything special.
I was also considering this a while ago, just for fun. But with the tools needed/recommended, unless you build a few, it is a rather large investment.
Okay that is what I was thinking as the lowers I have always seen have had the serial number.
I would like to build a couple of uppers that retain the same lower. There are a couple other guys in my group considering AR's so we might be able to share the tool expenses.
Thanks.
I would like to build a couple of uppers that retain the same lower. There are a couple other guys in my group considering AR's so we might be able to share the tool expenses.
Thanks.
I just picked up a new lower from wolverine. You can get an armalite M15 stripped for 210 bucks taxes and shipping incl! Super fast ATT and shipping. 3 business days!
The tooling will cost you a pretty penny, but its nice to have the means to modify your weapon past what you mount on the rails.
The tooling will cost you a pretty penny, but its nice to have the means to modify your weapon past what you mount on the rails.
- Location
- Kelowna, BC
I built my lower with nothing more then standard tools. Then again I consider a hammer, pliers and punches standard tools. If you don't have those I assume you don't tinker enough and an AR build may be too much for you.
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
How did you tighten the barrel nut with a hammer and pliers?
My skepticism of tainted demon's claim aside, I can't agree that the cost of tooling is prohibitive. A barrel wrench is a must. So are receiver blocks, but I made mine from pieces of wood. Nothing else special is required.
I just finished building my first AR...and the sense of satisfaction from the finished product is worth the effort and expense.
The only special tools that I purchased were the ones mentioned by BattleRife. I bought a set of vise blocks (upper and lower) from Amazon for $44 USD. I've had my AR wrench for a while now, and I think I paid $25 for it years ago. I didn't bother buying special punches for the pins...I just found nails that were close in diameter, ground off the point to make them flat, and used them. With proper care, there isn't a mark from the install on my Spike's lower.
Everything else were regular hand tools and a 1/2" torque wrench that were already in my garage.
The only special tools that I purchased were the ones mentioned by BattleRife. I bought a set of vise blocks (upper and lower) from Amazon for $44 USD. I've had my AR wrench for a while now, and I think I paid $25 for it years ago. I didn't bother buying special punches for the pins...I just found nails that were close in diameter, ground off the point to make them flat, and used them. With proper care, there isn't a mark from the install on my Spike's lower.
Everything else were regular hand tools and a 1/2" torque wrench that were already in my garage.
Standard tools will get it together, but if you have to buy something, buy the barrel nut wrench and the spanner to tighten the buffer tube retainer. You'll save yourself the marring of the part, and you simply cant judge important torque specs with a hammer and a punch.
Don't be discouraged. if you brought it to your local shop with the barrel nut already assembled and just handtight, your gunsmith would torque them and align your gas tube for very cheap, i'm sure.
I have more tools than I need in the most case. I have soft jaws for my vises made from aluminum, I have a ton of punches and other tools. I work on diesel engines most days.
However I don't have a barrel wrench which I will have to buy and I will buy the spanner for the buffer beacause I could use it for some of my other projects also.
Still trying to figure out which components I want but I know I want to build a PDW with .308 with a 12" barrel and a 16" .308 barrel as well. I also know I want a piston upper for both also. So many choices out there to choose from but the bank account just took a hit today, I ordered an RFB so the AR is just in planing stages at the moment.
However I don't have a barrel wrench which I will have to buy and I will buy the spanner for the buffer beacause I could use it for some of my other projects also.
Still trying to figure out which components I want but I know I want to build a PDW with .308 with a 12" barrel and a 16" .308 barrel as well. I also know I want a piston upper for both also. So many choices out there to choose from but the bank account just took a hit today, I ordered an RFB so the AR is just in planing stages at the moment.
- Location
- Kelowna, BC
In my defense of my statement the parts I ordered came with the tools required to install them. My DD rail came with the barrel nut and a buffer tube nut wrench cost me $15 from a site sponsor, so I wouldn't consider that a significant investment.
If you're going with a regular barrel nut you can pick up an armourers wrench for about $30-35 which is a small price for what it does.
If you're going with a regular barrel nut you can pick up an armourers wrench for about $30-35 which is a small price for what it does.
Well, he did say lower. No barrel on a lower.
The tools to build an AR, IMO, are pretty few.
Torque wrench, need one anyways for tires & wheel bearings.
Now, a good set of side cutters for an electrician, $50.
So 40, 50 bucks for some vise blocks, and s**t. Not a big deal.
Brass punches, cheap from princess auto.
I want to build an upper this year. The lower, meh, probably just buy a complete one.
I'm also looking into building my own AR... piece by piece very slowly starting with the lower and working my way around.
I know nothing about AR's and this is why I want to build one... Not sure if I'm getting in over my head but I am mechanically inclined and I'm not afraid to tackle the project.
Any advice would be welcome
btw... sorry for hijacking your thread but there's some good info in here.
I know nothing about AR's and this is why I want to build one... Not sure if I'm getting in over my head but I am mechanically inclined and I'm not afraid to tackle the project.
Any advice would be welcome
btw... sorry for hijacking your thread but there's some good info in here.
Are there any concerns with certain brands or companies to avoid when building from scratch?
As I plan to take a while to get all the pieces together I would hate to find out certain brands or products don't work with others? Or dealers vendors that should be avoided?
I want to try and keep this build entirely to CGN vendors if possible, and the EE but that may not be possible for some of the items I have planned.
As I plan to take a while to get all the pieces together I would hate to find out certain brands or products don't work with others? Or dealers vendors that should be avoided?
I want to try and keep this build entirely to CGN vendors if possible, and the EE but that may not be possible for some of the items I have planned.
Just remember that building your own will not save you any money.
You will most likely spend more than just buying a nice Daniel Defense Rifle in the beginning.
The perk to building your own comes from buying the parts You want and the satisfaction you get when you pull the trigger the first time.
You will most likely spend more than just buying a nice Daniel Defense Rifle in the beginning.
The perk to building your own comes from buying the parts You want and the satisfaction you get when you pull the trigger the first time.
- Location
- Kelowna, BC
+1
And you don't have to 'throw out' parts when you install the parts that you really want from your stock rifle.
I realize this is not a cost saving venture but rather a rifle to match my custom wants. It is going to be a challenge building an AR10 variant (w/ 2 uppers) at the same time as I realize the parts are not as easily sourced as an AR15.
