First Gun a self built AR?

MrSpit

MrSpit

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Hey all,
So i will start with a simple statement....."I am not an idiot, i just like to get in WAY over my head, and then dig my way out"
Ok, so this in mind.... i have an idea and i want some input....
The Question: Is it feasible for someone who has no real experience with guns to attempt to build his/her own AR-15?

The reason i ask this is because i have NO real experience and i want to build an AR-15...... simple enough right!
I have done a lot of reading and have listened to a BUNCH of podcasts on the topic, and the consensus seems to be the same...its not rocket science! That being said, im wondering if i could be making one to many assumptions.
Here is the back story
SO real quick, im writing my R-PAL test next weekend..... so if all goes to plan, i should be licensed by the end of January.
I have read that when amassing and assembling an AR that only certain parts of the firearm are classed as "restricted" and that many of the pieces are not controlled in any manor.....True or False?
My intent is to collect as much of this stuff as i can and then once im licensed, get the rest of the "tricky" parts and finish of the project.....
so i suppose im looking for insite into the world of AR building, and im hoping no one will rain on my parade! My fear is that someone will point out that short of a few springs and screws.....EVERYTHING on an AR is restricted.... thus making the build a little difficult..... we shall see!?!

Thoughts?
 
Hi Mr Spit,

MrSpit said:
I have read that when amassing and assembling an AR that only certain parts of the firearm are classed as "restricted" and that many of the pieces are not controlled in any manor.....True or False?
Click to expand...

100% true. In fact, there is only one part of the gun that is considered to be the actual gun, and that is the lower receiver :

dpms_ar15_lower_receiver.jpg


you can buy EVERYTHING else without a license. Screws, trigger group, barrel, stock, bolt + carrier, magazines, upper receiver, you name it.
If you want to do your due diligence, you can call the Canadian Firearms Program and ask them. Any AR dealer can confirm this as well.

cheers.
 
I know your all gung ho on getting your gun license and everything, but perhaps while you wait you should do as much research as you can before buying a bunch of parts? There is no point in buying a bunch of parts you cant use so why get them now? I suggest going to AR15. com forum and looking in the build it yourself forum. Do your research and figure out exactly what kind of shooting your after and decide what your price range is. One of the greatest things about AR's is the fact that there are tonns of companies that make all kinds of parts for them from cheap to high end. This can also be a negative thing when its time to choose what you want. Even if you know what you want, it may be hard to get in Canada. Do your research, get your license and then buy what ever you want.

Just my 2 cents.
 
As far as I am aware, only the lower receiver with the serial number is the firearm. This is the "firearm" in the legal sense. It is the only part that you need a license to possess. You should be able to buy and assemble everything else while waiting for your license.
 
Not wanting to rain on your parade, but building a gun without any experience is risky.
That being said, do not cheap out on parts, buy good stuff.
I have built a few AR's, I have used mostly Armalite, LMT & Stag parts because they were easy to get and are of good quality.
Wolverine is an excellent source for AR parts.
Only the lower receiver is registered and restricted, all other components are over the counter.
 
lower receiver is the only gun part. An ar is very simple to put together if you have basic mechanical skills or know how. Dont think I would want to build one as my 1st project thought!

when I started with firearms I was scared of taking apart my sks in fear of not being able to put it back together lol, but after I tackled a 1911, everything seemed easy in comparison :p
 
deets said:
I know your all gung ho on getting your gun license and everything, but perhaps while you wait you should do as much research as you can before buying a bunch of parts? There is no point in buying a bunch of parts you cant use so why get them now? I suggest going to AR15. com forum and looking in the build it yourself forum. Do your research and figure out exactly what kind of shooting your after and decide what your price range is. One of the greatest things about AR's is the fact that there are tonns of companies that make all kinds of parts for them from cheap to high end. This can also be a negative thing when its time to choose what you want. Even if you know what you want, it may be hard to get in Canada. Do your research, get your license and then buy what ever you want.
Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback, and i might point out that i have in fact done a bunch or research (well, as much as you can on the internet) the problem is that i have spent more time reading about the parts and not enough time reading up on the legalities!
that being said... one things for certain... before i fire ANYTHING that i assembled my self.....it will be looked at by a professional and experienced gun smith!! Dont need anything blowing up in my face!!

Thanks everyone else for the feedback! Ill be checking back real soon!!!
 
I reccomend you spend some time over at brownelles. http://ww w.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/GunTechdetail/How-to-Build-An-AR-15-Video (remove the space between W's and paste in browser)

They have a video series on building ARs. They go over all the different varieties, from A1, A2, M4...... as well as the parts and pieces. All step by step in full color.

They sell parts, so there is a bit of a soft sell going on through the videos, but all in all it is a wonderful resource when learning about the platform and what this part or this part is called.

Cheers!
 
Reading a copy of Gunsmithing The AR-15 by Patrick Sweeny will help a lot as well. It's more about troubleshooting and replacing components as opposed to "here is how to do a build from scratch" but the information on how the rifle and its component systems function is invaluable, and replacing components is in a lot of cases very similar to installing them in the first place. It will give you a much better understanding of how the whole thing works and why you're doing what you're doing.

There are a lot of good Youtube videos as well.
 
Only the lower receiver is the restricted part that you require a RPAL to purchase. All the other components you can start gathering on your own while you wait for your RPAL card to arrive. It's not rocket science to assembling an AR if you're a handy person and can follow instructions. Lots of good info on the internet and on Brownells site as notsorichguy pointed out. Just a few tools to purchase like some punches which you can buy at Princess Auto for like $9. for a set. Installing the barrel you may need a special wrench depending on what type/brand foregrip system you go with.
 
Go online and look up how to put an AR 15 lower together. They're almost always all the same so that’s the simple part. Now I recommend that you buy an upper prebuilt the reason is you require tools to put things together so it's simpler to buy it premade. You can contact someone like Dlask Arms and tell them you want this barrel length this piston ect and they will make it for what you want.


Ok heres something to think about


a Machine gun full auto... The only part that is considered a gun is the receiver meaning you can own everything else. Stock grip trigger group ect just not the part that is considered the firearm. Same goes for non restricted you can own everything but the receiver unless you have a non restricted license.

Heres were it gets weird. You take a pistol with a 4 inch barrel say a Glock 26 and put a 4.2 inch barrel in it to make it restricted instead of prohibited. Now you take the barrel out and sell the frame for parts it becomes a prohibited firearm again. Unless you put the restricted length barrel. The frame is the gun but depending on barrel length the class can be different and if you make it just a frame again it goes back same thing with full autos that were converted to semi auto only it changes the prohibited status by taking it apart. It’s the CFO way to screw people over with out them knowing it. You have to be very careful with somethings as it can turn around and bite you in the rear if your not sure always ask sometimes its better to call the CFO and ask sometimes they won’t tell you if it’s legal or not and just tell you to look up the law your self which can turn around and bite you in the rear.

You can buy a 80 percent lower and it's not a firearm untill you complete it then you have to register it like anyother restricted and the CFO really doesn't like that and give you a hard time about it. You can make your own firearms if you really wanted to.
 
Jesus Christ, it's an AR-15, not a handmade double barrel. A retarded monkey could put one together.

I personally wouldn't build one as my first rifle though. No experience with the system means you don't know what components will work for you and your shooting style. If you do build one I'd keep it as simple as possible, you can easily add the upgrades later.
 
Ok so having spent a lot of time on Arizona parts websites, I think I have divided the components into three main groups.

The first group seems to be the random inside stuff. This would be like the stuff in most parts kits, consisting I springs, screws and pins. It seems to me that for this sort of stuff, the standard mill-spec stuff is more than acceptable.

The next group would be the stuff that's more customizable, and that differentiates one gun from the next from a visual stand point. This would include front grips, shrouds, stocks and rail mounted stuff.

The last group is the one that concerns me the most. That would be the stuff that actually wears out or could impact the reliability and accuracy of the gun. The reason this stuff concerns me greatly is because this stuff seems to require a real understanding of what's available, what's reliable, and finally, what's affordable!!

This last group is the one that I feel like I need the most help with. I have a few manufacturers that I really like, however I don't know if the parts would be compatible.

So does it would like I'm on the right track? Caus if ANYONE thinks I'm not asking the right questions.... I would love some input!
 
yep, just get a mil-spec LPK, should be good to go

the 2nd group is really your preference! millions of option

the 3rd, your main concern is the barrel/gas block and the BCG. you also did not mention an upper receiver though

MrSpit said:
Ok so having spent a lot of time on Arizona parts websites, I think I have divided the components into three main groups.

The first group seems to be the random inside stuff. This would be like the stuff in most parts kits, consisting I springs, screws and pins. It seems to me that for this sort of stuff, the standard mill-spec stuff is more than acceptable.

The next group would be the stuff that's more customizable, and that differentiates one gun from the next from a visual stand point. This would include front grips, shrouds, stocks and rail mounted stuff.

The last group is the one that concerns me the most. That would be the stuff that actually wears out or could impact the reliability and accuracy of the gun. The reason this stuff concerns me greatly is because this stuff seems to require a real understanding of what's available, what's reliable, and finally, what's affordable!!

This last group is the one that I feel like I need the most help with. I have a few manufacturers that I really like, however I don't know if the parts would be compatible.

So does it would like I'm on the right track? Caus if ANYONE thinks I'm not asking the right questions.... I would love some input!
Click to expand...
 
Ok, So the next question i have is about required tools. I have been using Brownells' checklist to ensure i dont skip any parts on pricing out a build, and the tools section is quit significant. Now im no stranger to most of this stuff, but any input on the necessity of the more specific tools would be great!
The Tools listed are;

Ballpeen Hammer 4 to 8 oz
Nylon/Brass Hammer
Bit Driver Screwdriver with 3 ½” shaft
Torx Bit Set
Hex Bit Set
Flat Head bits 340-5 & 300-4
Philips Bits
Needle Nose Pliers
Lower Receiver Vise Block
Upper Receiver Vise Block Set
Rifle Bench Block
Bench Mat
Bench Vise
Padded Vise Jaws
Set of Roll Pin Holders in Number 1,2, 3, & 4
Set of Roll Pin Punches in Number 1,2, 3, & 4
Barrel Nut Tool or Combination Armorer’s Wrench
Buttstock Tool (Collapsible Stock Only)
Handguard Removal Tool
½” drive Torque Wrench (30 ft lbs to 150 ft lbs)
3/32” taper starter punch
1/8” flat punch to peen the swivel rivet
Staking punch to start the peen on the swivel rivet
"Gas Tube Alignment Pin"
Snap Ring Pliers
Breaker Bar
Strap Wrench
Headspace Gauge Set Field/Go/No-go
Rear Sight Elevation Spring Tool
Sight Adjustment Tool for your type of sight
Ejector Removal Tool
.151 diameter punch for locating trigger parts & installation
Pivot Pin Detent Installation Tool
Bolt Catch Pin Punch
AR-15 Hammer Trigger Jig
Hammer Trigger Drop Block for adjusting the hammer & trigger


So like i said, If you se something that you would HIGHLY recommend, please comment!
 
Are you planning on attaching your own barrel to the upper reciever? If not, you only need a small fraction of those tools.

My first firearm was a self built AR15 and I have zero malfunctions with it, it's pretty easy to do if you are "mechanically inclined."
 
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