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Howdy!

I have gotten the urge to dive into the AR world. I have been doing a lot of research, but I need some guidance from those with more knowledge than I.

For the longest time, I always thought going with an off the shelf AR from a solid company was the only way to go for a newbie, but after looking at pricing and options, I have gotten interested in building.

I don't have the tools to build an AR from loose parts, so I'm thinking of buying some built segments and piecing them together. An inexpensive built upper with a good quality barrel (preferably minus BCG and charging handle) and inexpensive built lower. I was thinking of going with Palmetto State Armory for those portions, but I would like to put more money into the BCG (probably spikes or bcm) and I want an ambi charging handle (probably bcm).

So what suggestions do y'all have about this plan? Am I missing anything or is there anything I should know about this type of project?

I'd start out building the lower, after that tackle the upper. Go slow and easy there are plenty of videos on YouTube.

I don't have the tools to build an AR from loose parts, so I'm thinking of buying some built segments and piecing them together.

honestly, you don't need much: an AR armorers wrench and and barrel or upper vise blocks are really the only absolutely necessary tools, though having proper roll pin punches makes it it a lot easier.

you should consider at least building the lower. The 'special' tools are only needed for the upper. some of the 'special' tools for a lower can be substituted with cheaper parts from home depot:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/362116 ... death.html

If you can build a lego set, you can put together an ar! Buy an assembled upper receiver (just dust cover and f/a) to save a little time for just a few dollars more. Use a quality bcg and barrel and you should be happy with whatever you chose! Like stated above no fancy tools required besides armorers wrench and vice blocks

I was under the impression that you also need a vice and a torque wrench. Are those not necessary?

The best thing about building your own upper is that you can buy whatever barrel you want and attach it to the upper receiver that you like. Ready assembled uppers may not give you the combination you like. Say you get a prebuilt upper and decide to use a free floating hand guard, you need to disassemble the upper because it requires a different barrel nut for the guard to attach.

The biggest problem in starting this is that you will catch EBR Illness. There is no known cure. You will constantly be sourcing spare parts for that next build. Cuz there is always just something you want to change. Good luck finding that last change for your AR. Then there is always the I need one more AR problem that will soon develop.

You are on the opposite side of Houston, but Primary Arms in Pearland has inexpensive stripped lowers that you can pick up without a transfer fee. You can also get a lower parts kit without the trigger group. I would recommend an upgraded trigger group if you can spend the money. Geislle has lots of options.

The upper you can get anywhere. I guess it all depends on what you want and how much you want to pay. I thought Radical Firearms was somewhere near Houston, but I don't recall.

If you're just looking to get you feet wet building AR's with an economical weapon, take a look at this from Brownells:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/891766 ... our-barrel

Everything you need except the stripped lower. The upper is already assembled so you can complete it with tools laying around your house.

Build your own lower. It will give you a lot of insight into how the weapon operates. The upper, you can just get a complete upper. I had to do this as I do not have a vice to torque the barrel.

mr1337 wrote:Build your own lower. It will give you a lot of insight into how the weapon operates. The upper, you can just get a complete upper. I had to do this as I do not have a vice to torque the barrel.

I think this is the route I will take. I would enjoy building the lower and I have to the tools for it. I just don't have a vice or torque wrench. I'll get an armorers wrench though.

From what I've seen, it looks like there are lots of good kits for this type of build (assembled uppers and parts kits for the lower).

I would rather have a matching upper and lower, but does it make much of a difference to mix and match brands between the upper and lower?

TVegas wrote:From what I've seen, it looks like there are lots of good kits for this type of build (assembled uppers and parts kits for the lower).

I would rather have a matching upper and lower, but does it make much of a difference to mix and match brands between the upper and lower?

I think you mentioned PSA. Just get a stripped lower and a LPK (lower parts kit). The LPK will include everything that goes into the lower receiver.

It does not matter if you mix and match brands for upper & lower. That's the great thing about the AR-15. It's modular in that manufacturers will make parts that are compatible with all AR-15 lowers.

Myself, I got a blemished PSA lower (which didn't actually have any blemishes), and a LPK with Magpul grip. I assembled the lower myself and got a complete upper from Karri's Guns (online store).

The only thing you need to have shipped to an FFL (or purchased at an FFL) is the lower receiver itself. All the other parts can be shipped directly to you. In fact, it can be cheaper to do it that way because you will only be paying the excise tax on the lower receiver, not the assembled firearm as you would if you just bought a complete AR-15 off the shelf.

I'll add one caveat to the "all parts work with all AR-15s" mantra. Pay attention to the type of buffer tube that you get with your lower parts kit. There are two types: commercial and mil-spec. They are slightly different size, and the size will determine what butt stock you should get. There are commercial stocks and mil-spec stocks that fit onto their respective-sized buffer tube.

mr1337 wrote:I'll add one caveat to the "all parts work with all AR-15s" mantra. Pay attention to the type of buffer tube that you get with your lower parts kit. There are two types: commercial and mil-spec. They are slightly different size, and the size will determine what butt stock you should get. There are commercial stocks and mil-spec stocks that fit onto their respective-sized buffer tube.

I've seen that. Is there any practical difference between the two?

TVegas wrote:

mr1337 wrote:I'll add one caveat to the "all parts work with all AR-15s" mantra. Pay attention to the type of buffer tube that you get with your lower parts kit. There are two types: commercial and mil-spec. They are slightly different size, and the size will determine what butt stock you should get. There are commercial stocks and mil-spec stocks that fit onto their respective-sized buffer tube.

I've seen that. Is there any practical difference between the two?

Not that I know of, but I'm no expert.

A quick google search produced this page:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1644 ... ffer-Tubes

In which Brownells explains that they differ due to the manufacturing process. Commercial buffer tubes are made with a less expensive process.