I think it's time I built my own AR-15. Now where to look for parts?

[Cerberus]

I will buy some spare parts. I will also do another ar15 build in the future. I'm not looking for anything fancy for the 1st time. Just gonna see if it works.

They are pretty fun, and oddly addicting. Got the beginnings of 3 builds right now.

 

[Mosinowner]

They are pretty fun, and oddly addicting. Got the beginnings of 3 builds right now.

For my first build 16 inches or 20 inch barrel?

 

[teddy12b]

For my first build 16 inches or 20 inch barrel?

In my opinion you should start the learning process with Iron Sights. Once you've got a grip on those, then move to scopes, red dots and whatever other junk people put on their rifles. The 20" is an iron sighted dream to shoot and you'll build a strong foundation of marksmenship.

 

[Mosinowner]

In my opinion you should start the learning process with Iron Sights. Once you've got a grip on those, then move to scopes, red dots and whatever other junk people put on their rifles. The 20" is an iron sighted dream to shoot and you'll build a strong foundation of marksmenship.

I shoot irons with my dads COLT SP1.

 

[Cerberus]

The 16" is a good trade off between 20" and the 14.5" of the M4. I carried the 20" A2 for the majority of my service, I can say with 100% certainty, I don't miss that extra length.

But definately keep up the iron sight skills.

 

[Mosinowner]

The 16" is a good trade off between 20" and the 14.5" of the M4. I carried the 20" A2 for the majority of my service, I can say with 100% certainty, I don't miss that extra length.

But definately keep up the iron sight skills.

It will be a flat top AR and I'll be mounting back up iron sights and a 2 MOA Acog scope. So the 20?

 

[teddy12b]

It will be a flat top AR and I'll be mounting back up iron sights and a 2 MOA Acog scope. So the 20?

Here's my thoughts, if you have to ask us, you should think about it a little more and hold a few more of the different types. If you do that, you'll be making sure that you're happy with what you purchase. It really comes down to preference in this case because you trading off a longer sight radius with a little more FPS for ease of movement. What's looks better is also something you have to decide for yourself.

 

[Mosinowner]

Here's my thoughts, if you have to ask us, you should think about it a little more and hold a few more of the different types. If you do that, you'll be making sure that you're happy with what you purchase. It really comes down to preference in this case because you trading off a longer sight radius with a little more FPS for ease of movement. What's looks better is also something you have to decide for yourself.

I will go with the 20 inch. I'll just build another in 16 inch.

 

[teddy12b]

I will go with the 20 inch. I'll just build another in 16 inch.

I think that's what they call "Black Rifle Disease", LOL

 

[longshooter]

Check out Indy custom firearms. Rich is one of the nicest guys around, and prices are hard to eat.

 

[Cerberus]

I will go with the 20 inch. I'll just build another in 16 inch.

Be sure to get the proper buffer for the 20". Once you get to building them you will quickly understand what I mean by technical. They are easy to put together, but can be tricky to get running perfectly when experimenting with different configurations. To keep it simple, run a fixed stock with the 20".

ACOG is an excellent optic.

 

[loony1]

Drive to Mooresville Indiana and ask Matt at Indy Tactical to help you, and he will. Or check him out online...

 

[Mosinowner]

I think that's what they call "Black Rifle Disease", LOL

I've been infected? WHATS THE CURE?

 

[Mosinowner]

Be sure to get the proper buffer for the 20". Once you get to building them you will quickly understand what I mean by technical. They are easy to put together, but can be tricky to get running perfectly when experimenting with different configurations. To keep it simple, run a fixed stock with the 20".

ACOG is an excellent optic.

Ok then. I'll go with the 16 inch. I want a m4 style collapsable stock. I want the Brady bunch and the hippies from commiefornia to crap themselves in terror when they see this rifle

 

[Cerberus]

Ok then. I'll go with the 16 inch. I want a m4 style collapsable stock. I want the Brady bunch and the hippies from commiefornia to crap themselves in terror when they see this rifle

They would do that over a pop gun

 

[Mosinowner]

They would do that over a pop gun

Guns today lead to crimminals tromorrow.

 

[teddy12b]

Well... I just bought my first stripped lower. I decided on my first build I'd go the easy route and buy a del-ton kit. I wanted to have my lower sitting here waiting for it to arrive rather than the other way around so I just bought the lower today. The kit won't be bought for another month or so.

I think next time around I'm going to buy a PSA just to see the difference between the two, but from what I've been reading about both companies I expect to be equally as pleased with both. For now though, I'll just be dreaming about getting my dissipator build kit.

 

[jayhawk]

Definitely go with an 18" barrel.

This is what I'm currently considering for my first build:

Upper - Stag A3 Left Handed
Upper Parts Kit - Stag
Bolt Carrier Group - Stag Left Handed
Charging Handle - ACLM Ambi
Gas Block - YHM Low Profile
Barrel - Rainier 16" Match 1:8 - Mid Length Gas
Flash Hider/Comp - YHM Phantom
Forend - YHM Solid - Rifle Length
Lower - Stag
Lower Parts Kit - Stag Ambi
Grip - Magpul MOE+
Stock - Magpul ACS
Magazines - Magpul PMAGs
Sights - Magpul MBUS

Cost is around $1400

I plan on getting most of this stuff either direct from the manufacturer or through Rainier Arms. I'll probably throw a variable optic (Vortex PST?) on it too eventually.

I'm kind of on the fence between a 18" barrel with rifle length gas or a 16" barrel with mid gas. I'm also not sure about the MBUS.

 

[teddy12b]

Well, with my lower on the way and the remaining kit one sale on midway away, the only thing left would any AR specific hand tools. I don't think theres anything else I'm going to need since I have a pretty good assortment of hand tools, but anyone know of anything I might be missing?

 

[Takashi]

Well, with my lower on the way and the remaining kit one sale on midway away, the only thing left would any AR specific hand tools. I don't think theres anything else I'm going to need since I have a pretty good assortment of hand tools, but anyone know of anything I might be missing?

barrel nut wrench? Not sure if you are putting your upper together. Also, brass punches, so they don't mar things, just like 2 are required. If you are putting your upper together, an upper block comes in handy for cranking that barrel nut in.

If you are just doing the lower, a good set of punches, some leather (or something to protect the finish when putting in the bolt catch) and some punches, a pair of vicegrips, (for the bolt catch roll pin) is all you pretty much need.