Thinking of bulding an AR, but Clueless.

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

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Hi,

In a while, after I get some things in my life sorted out (job, money ect) I was thinking of building an AR. While Milsurps are more my thing, the Lee Enfield more then anything, I have always had an interest in the AR platform. The thing is, I have no clue to where to start. I want something with a 20" barrel, nothing to fancy really, a standard looking AR with, if possible, an Elcan optical sight similar to the one used in the CF. General use would be target shooting, from various positions. So where do I start? Are there parts kits I can get, or will I have to buy all the individual parts separately? I was thinking on a RRA lower, since I read another thread and people all said it was a quality name. So any Input? And if I sound like an Idiot, I am when it comes to Black Rifles.

Thanks.
 
If you're looking for the "c7" as far as setup. Contact Arms East(walter) and set yourself up with a Stag Arms 4r. 20" barrel and ready to go out of the box. Comes with detachable carry handle so you can mount the Elcan when you get it.

TDC
 
AR15.com has a specific forum set up that will walk you through all aspects of building an AR-15. It does help if you have some passing familiarity with how the rifle actually works beforehand, but if you're handy with tools you should be okay. Most guys start with a stripped lower receiver, purchase a lower parts kit or LPK, then add grip, stock, buffer, buffer spring, buffer tube and castle nut of their choice., i.e., A1, A2 stock, M4 carbine, Mapul CTR, LMT SOPMOD, etc... The particulars will depend on what type of stock you go with and the type of upper you'll be mating to it.

To complete the upper, you'll need a stripped upper receiver, barrel, gas block, gas tube, bolt, bolt carrier, etc.... One of the great things about the AR is that it is so easily customized. If you want a standard Front Site Base, you'll need specific parts for that, or you may want to go with a low profile gas block with collapsible front site. Standare hadguards with heat shield may be switched for a free float rail system like that offered by Troy or Daniel Defense. Thus you may or may not require a Delta Ring during assembly.... Basically, the combinations are almost infinite, just check out the Brownell's Catalog for AR parts!

Decide what you really want to build and then start accumulating parts. If you opt to build your own upper, you'll need to buy or borrow an action block and have access to a decent bench vise. For installing stocks, etc...I'd recommend you pick up the proper wrench as well. It has multiple uses and simplifies a number of jobs. There are a number of different manufacturers who sell them.

If all of this is a little daunting for you, you might opt to simply build your own lower and purchase a complete upper in the standard C7 20" configuration that you mentioned. That will work with your project lower. For what you're looking for, you can probably pick up a decent used 20" upper in the EE far more cheaply than you can build one for these days anyway. Good luck with the build!
 
OK so if I do go down the building path, It looks like I will get a complete upper and just build the lower. Where could I get a complete upper with a 20" barrel? I was thinking of Bushmaster or Stag for the upper, and using the RRA stripped lower. Once again, I have no clue what I am talking about.
 
You can get a 20 inch upper from ArmsEast, or most AR vendors - definitely build the lower though, it's easy and gives you a great feel for the rifle and the design. Also you can put it together exactly the way you want it. The tools needed for a lower are probably sitting in your basement and the parts are pretty reasonable (plus you can buy them one at a time).
 
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