Newb thinking of building an AR.......need input please!

NorthernPF

NorthernPF

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Ramore, Ontario
Hey,

Just last weekend I shot and basically handled an AR for the first time in my life. I wanted one before but now after firing my friends AR, it has only cemented my desire for one of my own.

I've read many views where some choose to buy an AR and modify it whereas other chose to build it from scratch. I personally love the idea of building my own. It would be exactly what I want without having to throw away parts that I've already paid for.

Now here are a few questions that I have and I'm hoping to get all the help I can.

1. Is there any part of the process of building an AR that would require me to send it away for some fitting from a qualified gunsmith?

2. What are some of the more popular places to buy parts for AR's?


Any and all recommendations are greatly appreciated
 
Depends on how well you are with working on ARs and what tools you have access to on if you'll need a gunsmith.
A simple armourers wrench and a vice/vice blocks will get you by with pretty well everything needed to work on ARs. If you plan on building a couple in your lifetime, invest in a wheelers AR kit. I bought the "essential" kit off amazon and use it regularly. Works great.

Popular places just from CGN include:
IRUNGUNs
SFRC
Wolverine Supplies
Saskatoon Gun Works
CTC Supplies
Questar
TSE/Target
Arms East
Dlask

And many, many more.

end cost... typically more if you build. But as you mentioned, it's EXACTLY what you want out of it. Degree of difficulty, IMHO 4/10
 
Depends a lot on your budget but if it's your first AR I would recommend buying a fully assembled unit. There are some great platforms available at excellent prices. As mentioned above, you will need a number of specialty tools and more than likely have to source parts from multiple distributors that may or may not fit with what you buy. Research very carefully if you choose to go this route. Speaking from my own experience, I would recommend that you at least start with a fully assembled rifle, learn the platform and start modding or building from there once you understand the mechanics and decide if you like it. IMHO It makes some sense to build if there is a particular attribute you are looking for that is not available otherwise but there are so many fully equipped options in various calibers available I don't personally see the utility but YMMV. Hope this helps and good luck.
 
NorthernPF said:
Hey,

Just last weekend I shot and basically handled an AR for the first time in my life. I wanted one before but now after firing my friends AR, it has only cemented my desire for one of my own.

I've read many views where some choose to buy an AR and modify it whereas other chose to build it from scratch. I personally love the idea of building my own. It would be exactly what I want without having to throw away parts that I've already paid for.

Now here are a few questions that I have and I'm hoping to get all the help I can.

1. Is there any part of the process of building an AR that would require me to send it away for some fitting from a qualified gunsmith?

2. What are some of the more popular places to buy parts for AR's?


Any and all recommendations are greatly appreciated
Click to expand...

Just don't cheap out on
Barrel
Lpk
Bcg
Make sure your upper and lower match properly

Good luck enjoy
 
I agree^^^
OP, if you basically handled your first AR last weekend and, I assume you handled only one, how do you know what you exactly want? The AR is probably the most modded rifle short of an SKS out there with a million accessories available. Even experienced AR owners can be unsure of what they want, that's why they own 10 of them!
ARs can range from a 7.5" PDW to a 12" CQB rifle to a 20" DMR and everything in between.
Building your first AR from scratch can easily be almost twice the cost of an off the shelve rifle.
I suggest you buy a good quality AR, like a Daniel Defense, CORE 15, S&W, Wyndham Weaponry, STAG Arms, Colt etc. Play with it a lot. Go to black rifle matches and check out other people's ARs and see if there are features you would like. Make a list and down the road, you already have the lower receiver to start. From there, build your dream gun. I recommend a minimum of a 16" barrel to start so you are legal for cross border shoots. Have fun!
 
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As stated, it's not very difficult, but it will cost you considerably more to build as you need to pick up a fair number of specialized tools. If you're new to the platform I suggest one of the solid ARs Still Alive listed to get you going.
 
I just built my first AR and found it very rewarding. I collected the parts over a cosiderable amount of time I could of bought a very nice complete rifle for what I paid rough math not counting optics I am about 1500 into my rifle and I bought a lot of stuff on sale. But I did splurge in a couple of areas. Trigger in particular a good trigger makes a world of difference. Tools are going to cost you a couple hundred as well. Biggest consideration is how are you going to use the rifle are you planning on shooting any particular discipline ie service rifle or 3 gun or will it just be a range plinker. What do you consider acceptable accuracy if you want consistent sub 1.5 moa accuracy plan on spending more money on a premium barrel and trigger. A good option I tell people to consider is buying a complete quality upper and building a lower you avoid some of the potential gas system issues of a home build that way. I will say though if you are the type of person who links to tinker and personalize things don't buy a complete rifle you will end up paying more in the long run after you swap out all the parts and have 1/2 a rifle in a bin.
 
An AR assembled from a hodgepodge of assorted parts might work just fine. Remember that quality varies greatly.
It is certainly an interesting process.
Decide exactly what configuration you want, work toward that.
Remember that a whole load of tackiekewlcrap doesn't make a better rifle.
 
koesdibyo said:
Depends on how well you are with working on ARs and what tools you have access to on if you'll need a gunsmith.
A simple armourers wrench and a vice/vice blocks will get you by with pretty well everything needed to work on ARs. If you plan on building a couple in your lifetime, invest in a wheelers AR kit. I bought the "essential" kit off amazon and use it regularly. Works great.

Popular places just from CGN include:
IRUNGUNs
SFRC
Wolverine Supplies
Saskatoon Gun Works
CTC Supplies
Questar
TSE/Target
Arms East
Dlask

And many, many more.

end cost... typically more if you build. But as you mentioned, it's EXACTLY what you want out of it. Degree of difficulty, IMHO 4/10
Click to expand...

This is great advise and would also add Brownells, Lanz shooting Supplies and Reliable Gun as parts dealers. Its great to hear that another shooter has found the AR rifle so much fun to shoot. These things are gadgets and very addictive once you begin to build your own.

I started by building my own and will begin by warning you that this method of ownership can become very frustrating if you are not very patient. My first two required many trips to the range to figure out the short stroking issues but, once the root cause was found and corrective measures where taken it became very rewarding. Building your own teaches you how these things operate which purchasing a ready built will not do. Also building your own saves money on custom parts purchases that every ready built owners eventually does.

Also be warned that ready made lower budget AR's can be very problematic like first time home builds. The ready made Main brands already mentioned in this thread are top notch and will give you years of enjoyment along with re-sale ability which home build Frankenguns will not.

IMHO for your first AR go with a 14.5" mid length barreled light none quad railed free floating commercial buffer tubed piece in a 5.56 caliber with a 1x32 optic or red dot.

Then shoot shoot and shoot some more.
 
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tiriaq said:
An AR assembled from a hodgepodge of assorted parts might work just fine. Remember that quality varies greatly.
It is certainly an interesting process.
Decide exactly what configuration you want, work toward that.
Remember that a whole load of tackiekewlcrap doesn't make a better rifle.
Click to expand...

:agree:

I've built many over the years for both myself and others. Quite frankly I wouldn't try and build one as your first AR - I would recommend that you buy an inexpensive AR, and get comfortable with the various levels of disassembly / reassembly. When you can tear one down completely, reassemble it, function test and fire it successfully - then your ready for a successful build. Not to mention that your knowledge of what parts you'd like to improve on will be much greater.
 
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