Building my first AR-15

nosty

nosty

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Hello everybody!

Im building my first AR15. Believe it or not, I have never shot one yet. Im quite new to guns. But I decided to build one instead of buying as this way I can learn how all the parts work and stuff. Im still doing a lot of research.

So far, I have Aero lower receiver and Aero buffer tube kit. Im still waiting to order DD lower parts kit, as none of the places have them in stock at the moment. I have Noveske CH and ambi safety on the way too.

I am looking for some suggestions in regard to the upper receiver, BCG and barrel. What manufactures are good? What should I avoid? What would you guys suggest I should get? Im still undecided whether to get a 10.5, 12.5 or 14.5" barrel. I should mention that I will be doing some range shooting as well as taking some Carbine operator courses and maybe CQB in the future.

I will really appreciate everybody's input.
Thanks.

Vadym.
 
What's your budget?

For your uses, any quality upper will do. I'd pair the Aero lower with an Aero upper. While most lowers will mate with most uppers, this isn't always the case.

WRT BCGs, this is a critical part of the gun for reliability so I'd go for LMT, DD, Spikes, etc. For a first build, stay away from the short barrels (and gas systems) - go with a barrel that has a carbine or medium length gas system (14.5" or a 16"). While I went with a match grade stainless barrel on my build, I wish I'd gone with a nitrided or chrome lined barrel. I find that ARs are less fun than a bolt for bench-rest and are best used in run-and-gun where one uses much more ammo (making durability a plus) and off-hand, sub-MOA accuracy (at least for me) a figment of my dreams. A Colt Canada IUR is hard to beat for quality and price (even if it is a little heavy) and I now have one.

in terms of barrel manufacturer, most will do. Just stay away from bargain barrels just for the confidence that the barrel extension will headspace correctly with your bolt. Your budget will drive your decision on barrel.
 
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Agree with above.
Note: definitely get a 16" gun. Since you say you want to take courses, the good ones are across the line. They only allow 16" barrels over there.
Check the EE. It can save you the trouble of sourcing all the pieces for your upper. Palmetto, LMT, Spikes, DD, Noveske, VLTOR are all good stuff.
 
You have a fine lower so if you can find an Aero upper it would make for a fine combination. As for a barrel the 14.5" is good at everything.
 
Still alive said:
Agree with above.
Note: definitely get a 16" gun. Since you say you want to take courses, the good ones are across the line. They only allow 16" barrels over there.
Check the EE. It can save you the trouble of sourcing all the pieces for your upper. Palmetto, LMT, Spikes, DD, Noveske, VLTOR are all good stuff.
Click to expand...


Or you can get a 14.5 and have your muzzle device permanently attached...as long as the muzzle device adds enough to make 16"
 
If I'm not mistaken, the muzzle device will need to be pinned/welded into place to be considered a 16" barrel. Which is why having multiple uppers makes sense. :)
 
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JamieKing said:
Are you not allowed less than 16" barrels in USA?

That seems weird.

I thought they allowed almost any gun.
Click to expand...

You can own barrels less than 16" for rifles (18" for shotguns) and must have a minimum 26" overall length but it would require additional paperwork and a $200US Federal tax stamp. The workaround is to get a pistol buffer to classify it as a pistol instead of a rifle. They got a few fracked up laws but probably not as much as Canucks.
 
Pr589 said:
What's your budget?

For your uses, any quality upper will do. I'd pair the Aero lower with an Aero upper. While most lowers will mate with most uppers, this isn't always the case.

WRT BCGs, this is a critical part of the gun for reliability so I'd go for LMT, DD, Spikes, etc. For a first build, stay away from the short barrels (and gas systems) - go with a barrel that has a carbine or medium length gas system (14.5" or a 16"). While I went with a match grade stainless barrel on my build, I wish I'd gone with a nitrided or chrome lined barrel. I find that ARs are less fun than a bolt for bench-rest and are best used in run-and-gun where one uses much more ammo (making durability a plus) and off-hand, sub-MOA accuracy (at least for me) a figment of my dreams. A Colt Canada IUR is hard to beat for quality and price (even if it is a little heavy) and I now have one.

in terms of barrel manufacturer, most will do. Just stay away from bargain barrels just for the confidence that the barrel extension will headspace correctly with your bolt. Your budget will drive your decision on barrel.
Click to expand...

Thanks alot for the info!
I dont really know what my budget is to be honest. I am planning on finishing this AR by the end of this year (thats what i promised myself) to take carbine courses next year. I dont want to do it right away because thats going to take a big hit on my wallet. I think it would be smarter to just spent some money here and there and get good quality stuff.

I also think that 16" barrel would be a little to long for CQBs. Do you think 14" will suffice for what I plan on doing with it?
 
Still alive said:
Agree with above.
Note: definitely get a 16" gun. Since you say you want to take courses, the good ones are across the line. They only allow 16" barrels over there.
Check the EE. It can save you the trouble of sourcing all the pieces for your upper. Palmetto, LMT, Spikes, DD, Noveske, VLTOR are all good stuff.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your suggestions. I might be wrong but i do not think the place where im planing on doing those courses has any restrictions on barrel lengths. So if 14.5" will suffice for my needs then I will mostly likely go with that.
Thanks again for your input, I appreciate it!
 
I'm also considering building my first AR, and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but regarding Pr589's comment on staying away from shorter barrels and gas systems for a first build - are they more complex to build? I'm interested in an MK18 build, but not if its going to be beyond my experience level.
 
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