1st Time Building AR-15 Help

johnzhang456

johnzhang456

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:wave: Hi guys, I am new to building AR-15s. I've shot many of them from your MP15s, Warsport LVOA rifles to custom made stuff but I know nothing about building them. This is my first attempt and will be jumping right to my dream rifle from scratch. I am still at brain storming stage and I've got some rough ideas as to what to expect but could always use some tips and suggestions. Please let me know if I am missing something such as lower/upper parts. I excluded magazines, optics and tools. Thanks in advance! ;)

PS: My dream gun is a solid AR that I can target shoot and someday compete with. I've chosen 556/223 and my usual shooting distance is anywhere from 11 - 300 meters. I shoot every week. I work with unlimited budget but will not randomly buy crazy things for insane value proposition. My only luxury item right now is really the BCG. I am thinking of a black/gold or black/red color scheme if you guys can think of ways to work with that would also be nice. Lend me your power CGN and your vast knowledge.

Lower Receiver:
Stripped Lower Receiver: F-1 Firearms UDR/BDR-15-3G Billet Matched Receiver Set
Buttstock (Collapsible): Strike Industries Viper Mod 1 Black/Red 50.95 USD or 65.54 CAD
Buffer Tube Kits: BCM Milspec Carbine Stock Hardware Mounting Kit 57.95 USD or 74.75 CAD
Trigger: Geissele Automatics Super Dynamic Enhanced (SD-E) Trigger 2 stage 240 USD or 308.69
Trigger Guard: Included in Lower Parts Kit
Grip: Magpul MIAD Gen 1.1 Type 1 Black 39.95 USD or 51.95 CAD
Lower Parts Kit: Geissele Automatics AR15 Mil-Spec Lower Parts Kit (Less Trigger, Less Grip, Included Trigger Guard) 49 USD or 63.11 CAD

Upper Receiver:
Stripped Upper Receiver: F-1 Firearms UDR/BDR-15-3G Billet Matched Receiver Set 550 USD or 709.27 CAD
Barrel: Daniel Defense 16" 5.56mm, Mid-Length, 1:7 Twist Rate, Government Profile With Low Profile Gas Block 349 USD or 448.78 CAD
Free-float Handguard: Midwest Industries MI G3 SSM-Series One Piece Free Float Handguard, M-Lok Black 15" 189.95 USD or 244.25 CAD
Muzzle Device: Lantac Dragon Muzzle Brake 5.56mm 140 USD or 180.02 CAD
Bolt Carrier Group: F-1 Firearms Durabolt Gold (TIN) 300 USD or 385.77 CAD
Charging Handle: Radian Weapons Raptor Ambidextrous Charging Handle 79.95 USD or 102.84 CAD

I've changed out the upper and lower for F-1 for the unique look. Someone told me BAD lower is prohibited and I could not find any online. Went for the BCM buffer stuff with everything I need all packed in one. Included Geissele lower parts kit. Anyone got ideas on the handguard or perhaps barrel or are they good?
 
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Make sure you grab a lower parts kit (LPK) so you have all the pins and springs to fill the lower. They'll come with a basic trigger pack but it's not bad to have extra.

Looking at that list, you'll also need an ejection port door, a buffer tube and castle nut, and possibly look at timing rings for the Lantac as I can't recall if they come included.

As for building tools, a mag well block and reaction rod will let you do the whole thing minus any wrenches.
 
Thanks for the tips sir. For lower kits, are most of them interchanable? Do I have to buy the same brand as the receiver in order for it to work? As for the ejection port, and castle nut, are those usually sold separately?
 
johnzhang456 said:
Thanks for the tips sir. For lower kits, are most of them interchanable? Do I have to buy the same brand as the receiver in order for it to work? As for the ejection port, and castle nut, are those usually sold separately?
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LPK's are pretty standard; DPMS, DD, whatever...doesn't need to be the same make as lower. Port door, castle nut and whatnot can often be found separate since people like to customize the hell out of their AR. CTCS has a good selection for you to eyeball.
 
Let me preface by saying my response is in no way meant to dissuaded you, rather, some points I wish I had given a little more thought to.

The price break down you list could facilitate the purchase of a top of line AR, so, some things to consider:

do you have all the necessary tools? Do not cut corners here.

you will make mistakes; can you live with a 3K+ "dream rifle" that is not built to the standards of a 3K+ "dream rifle"? Want a dream rifle, get a Knights Armament.

why start so big? Build an absolute bone stock budget M4/AR from scratch, and gain some experience.
 
johnzhang456 said:
Thanks for the tips sir. For lower kits, are most of them interchanable? Do I have to buy the same brand as the receiver in order for it to work? As for the ejection port, and castle nut, are those usually sold separately?
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If you intend to buy a geissele SDE trigger, don't waste your time buying a lower parts kit with a ####ty trigger in it already. Go to Arms east and for 70 bucks you get a quality lower parts kit by geissele/ALG. Why spend 120-170 on the same thing, that will include a grip you won't want and a trigger than will never see use?
 
I want to have only 1 AR that isn't just store bought. It is also cool to learn how AR works and build one. The process is surely rewarding. I will do my research and use proper tools. If not I do have a few gunsmith friends willing to help. But ya I guess I really want to make one that I can be proud of.
 
johnzhang456 said:
I want to have only 1 AR that isn't just store bought. It is also cool to learn how AR works and build one. The process is surely rewarding. I will do my research and use proper tools. If not I do have a few gunsmith friends willing to help. But ya I guess I really want to make one that I can be proud of.
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If any of your friends are from Reliable/ TWR, you're in good hands. Props to you for wanting to build one from scratch. Good luck!
 
I would tack on $300 for the tools and shipping of the parts. You're not likely to find them all at the same place, at the same time. And maybe a 5-20% premium if you're sourcing domestically.
 
It's a nice build you have planned. A good point was brought up earlier a gun pieced together from parts doesn't hold its value as well as a complete one from a manufacturer. I find the same goes for precision rifles
 
I am okay with that. I just want this AR 15 for myself and would most likely use it until it breaks down than to sell it.
 
A vice, ar wrench, something to attach your upper to your vice lots of options out there, punches. Bullseye sells some nice ar building tools
 
I'm also building my first AR, I'll chip in what I have learned so far:

Get a vice block, it has helped alot. Roll pin punches have also come in handy for tapping pins, and make sure you use lots of tape so you don't scratch the finish on your lower
 
SustainingGopher said:
I'm also building my first AR, I'll chip in what I have learned so far:

Get a vice block, it has helped alot. Roll pin punches have also come in handy for tapping pins, and make sure you use lots of tape so you don't scratch the finish on your lower
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i did this to any pins it could reach. not a single scratch from installing the bolt catch.
 
I've handled and shot a number of F1 rifles, their handguards are ridiculously comfortable... maybe check those out? The muzzle break they produce also makes shooting the thing feel like a .22.
 
Maybe its just me, but if I were spending a pile of cash on a trigger it would be a complete drop in, not upgrading the mickey mouse factory setup

Knipex plier wrench are probably the most useful tool anyone can own, I also used them to install all the roll pins
 
Saying geissele or any other milspec type triggers are hard to install is like saying shooting an AR15 in 223 gave you PTSD.
Plus the benefit tyical triggers have versus drop in/closed packs have is they don't gum up with carbon deposits and leave you with a trigger you have to manually reset.
 
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