Help Needed with Build

R

rodbunlap

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On a long awaited whim, I decided to buy a NEA lower for a smoking deal. I know I wanted to build an AR, but I don't really know where to start.

I'm looking to build a CQB style rifle, somewhere in the 10-12" range, nothing uber fancy, just plain, dependable parts to get me started. I'm not on a budget, but I don't want to spend a fortune either. I'm thinking my best bet will be to buy a complete upper with barrel and hand guard, but I still need to finish the Lower. Does that sound right or should I built an upper from scratch as well?

Point me in the right direction to start. I know I am going to need a LPK and all sorts of other goodies. Where is the best place to get them from? I've heard alot about people buying from Brownells, but I've never done it myself.
 
rod let me tell you one thing I've encountered with AR's. They are the "Barbie Dolls" for men. And seeing that we have options of doing whatever we want, I found that the Upper Receiver is the most difficult part to build compared to the lower (which is significantly easier).

My Shrubmaster Franken AR (Bushmaster lower and a Daniel Defense barrel) shoots EXCEPTIONALLY well. I'd say you are on the right path and of the least headache. Find parts for your lower Rec. (I suggest a Geissele trigger S3G). Then for the Upper pick one of your choice. If you decide to go with a railed handguard be sure that it is FREE FLOATING. You "can" of course build the upper reciever from scratch but you need a vise a workbench and a whole slew of other equipment.

I've never bought from Brownells due to the fear of importation problems and paperwork etc. I'm sure there are other folks here that can guide you on what you can import and what you cannot. I highly suggest Questar, Wolverine Supplies and a few other places to get your guts for your AR.

Oh for your lower, you'll need to look around online. Right now I think it's a little tough to find but of course Stateside they got everything. Check out the EE (equipment exchange) they might have things you want too.
 
One of the great joys with assembling ARs is figuring out what to get! I'm aiming to build a 10.5" carbine as well. My current theory is that I'll stick with well known brand parts (ie. Daniel Defense, LMT, Knights Armament, Troy, Rock River Arms, etc), find what's most affordable that fits on what I want on the rifle. I know I want it to be as light as possible, maybe have it ambidextrous, will definitely put an Umbrella Corps grip on it. I'm planning on getting all the bits and pieces over a prolonged period of time. Maybe have it all put together by the end of the year. But yeah. I have a spreadsheet made up to compare parts and prices.

Should be fun!
 
Ugh !!! NEA garbage.

As for places to get parts Tactical Cowboy, Arms East, Questar all come to mind.


Oh and welcome to your new addiction. I just finished my first AR build and I can't say enough about buying quality parts.

I love the No Mar assembly blocks I picked up of ebay. Holds my recievers firmly without damaging them. Also make sure you spend a little extra on a good barrel wrench. It's worth it knowing your not using a piece of crap tool that's gonna fail.
 
EDX2308 hit the nail right on the head. If you're going to build the upper receiver, you're going to need a vice, receiver block, and all that good stuff. Once you have that stuff though, you're set.

If you were to buy a complete upper, you can always swap parts out to your liking such as the BCG, rail, muzzle device, etc.
 
So... I've got a upper on order, and I think almost everything else I will need except a buffer tube. I'm about to order from Brownell's, but I don't know if it matters which one I get in terms of Carbine or Rifle Length. My upper will be a 11.5" carbine, so I'm thinking I need the carbine buffer tube correct?

Thanks again for any help.
 
Are you talking about the very rear tube that you slide the stock on? Get the carbine length one. It is purely your choice of using a commercial or mil-spec. I'd highly suggest mil-spec. Most magpul furniture is for mil-spec. I personally have a commercial one and keeping the plain jane collapsible 6 position stock. If you like swapping your furniture alot or enjoy heavy customization, get the mil-spec tube.
 
EDX2308 said:
Most magpul furniture is for mil-spec. I personally have a commercial one and keeping the plain jane collapsible 6 position stock. If you like swapping your furniture alot or enjoy heavy customization, get the mil-spec tube.
Click to expand...

This is incorrect. Take a look at Magpul's website. They make commercial and mil-spec versions of all of their stocks.
 
Yep, isn't that called the buffer tube? I did some research and figured out what I needed. I went with a mil spec one as all my other stocks are milspec and this way I can put off buying a new magpul on for a while.

These things are addicting. I thought I would wait a while before I purchased everything I needed, but then went and got an upper, and sights and almost order magpul lipstick to make er purdy to. I had to restrain myself. I can wait.
 
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