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Group,

I would like to build an AR rather than buy one off the rack. I am just not so seasoned in the area. I live very close to the New Mexico border and the closest town would be Big Spring or Midland/Odessa. I would appreciate any information on any gunsmiths in the area that could possibly help me out with my build. Thank you guys

Hey brother boy are you in for what can be an overwhelming process at least that's how I felt. I did a semi build if you will. I ordered everything off of palmetto state armory with the magpul furniture and the bolt carrier group and barrel I wanted and even caught some deals they had. I walked out 608$ out the door. Only things I needed when I got her together was a flip up rear and optic. May I suggest vortex optics. Couldn't be happier with my AR and I've never had an issue. Palmetto is renowned for their quality and I'd do it again. Hope this helps! My timeline was two weeks to get it completed. When you build it like I did you know you got all you wanted and the satisfaction is 100 times greater knowing you did it.

My suggestion is not worry about it. Just buy the parts and start putting them together. There are all kinds of instructions and videos online guiding you through the process.

We had a problem in California with AR15 style rifles, so buying parts was easier. I built one, with some headscratching and only moderate cursing. When I finished, I took it to the range where there happened to be a former Marine armorer. I had him look it over. All the parts that were supposed to move did and the ones that weren't supposed to didn't move. He said it was good to try. I did so, and it went "bang" the first try.

The trouble with one you build yourself is that it is hard to shoot accurately with a big grin on your face.

It's so easy, even a lawyer can do it!

Here you go:

http://www.brownells.com/guntech/How-To ... Ascending)

I just finished my first AR build earlier this month. Bought an Aero Precision stripped lower from Primary Arms in Pearland, and all the necessary parts from PSA. Total cost all-in was $496 including tax, not including optics.

I swore that I would never try this again on 3 steps of the build, but ultimately figured everything out.

I have just bought another set of parts (this time with a Spikes lower) and am going to try it again. My total costs on this one (including tax) will be $506 before optic, so between the two I am averaging exactly $500. Add an inexpensive optic (or rear sight), and a couple mags ($7.30 each with shipping from PSA), and you can get a full package for under $600 pretty easily. Both my rifles have "enhanced" triggers but everything else is pretty bare bones.

A bit frustrating, but definitely satisfying. If nothing else, you may want to stock up on key parts before we get too close to the election.

Soccerdad1995 wrote:I just finished my first AR build earlier this month. Bought an Aero Precision stripped lower from Primary Arms in Pearland, and all the necessary parts from PSA. Total cost all-in was $496 including tax, not including optics.

I swore that I would never try this again on 3 steps of the build, but ultimately figured everything out.

I have just bought another set of parts (this time with a Spikes lower) and am going to try it again. My total costs on this one (including tax) will be $506 before optic, so between the two I am averaging exactly $500. Add an inexpensive optic (or rear sight), and a couple mags ($7.30 each with shipping from PSA), and you can get a full package for under $600 pretty easily. Both my rifles have "enhanced" triggers but everything else is pretty bare bones.

A bit frustrating, but definitely satisfying. If nothing else, you may want to stock up on key parts before we get too close to the election.

Lowers, LPKs, magazines, and ammo!

Aeroshell 33. Order it ahead of time so you have it, I got a little tin instead of a whole tube.

It's really not that bad to do, just make sure to use the proper tools and parts.

More videos - I used at least three different ones for each major step of the process
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pcko0UlvQxQ
https://www.midwayusa.com/general.mvc/i ... r-15-rifle
http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/definit ... ing-ar-15/

And stock up on ammo and mags and watch the prices go up over the next 6 months.

I used a Aero Precision lower and upper, del-ton parts, palmetto buffer kit and Magpul furniture. I'm very happy

Go here: http://palmettostatearmory.com/ Get on their daily email list.

warnmar10 wrote:Go here: http://palmettostatearmory.com/ Get on their daily email list.

Great source for all the uppers you could want and ammo sales.

I'm currently shopping around to custom build a new AR myself... I think I've got an idea for most of the parts/build that I want for the lower, minus the trigger. I've been considering getting one of the nicer drop in triggers. Has anyone here used any of them before, and any recommendations for brand/type ? Any warnings or ones to stay away from ?

I've built probably a dozen or so ARs. The first was a lower without any special tool, but they definitely make it a lot easier (and cleaner).

At minimum, you really need a good set of punches for roll pins, a vise and some sort of block for the upper (I use a Geissele Reaction Rod), and an armorer's wrench.

The parts that make my life easier are roll pin punches (including special ones, a long one for the bolt catch and one specifically for gas blocks), a good torque wrench, and a GOOD set of high quality hex wrenches.

There's probably some I'm forgetting, too.

Pariah, I've used a few different aftermarket triggers. It depends on your specific application. If you have the budget, I'd highly recommend Geissele. For a lower price, LaRue is making the MBT now which is getting rave reviews. For low budget, ALG (Bill Geissele's wife's company) make the ACT and QMS triggers which are reworked milspec triggers that are very nice.

I just had a student getting light strikes with a CMC trigger but that's my only experience with them.

Another site that has some good prices is Fat Boy Tactical, if you can get past the name. For me, it seemed quite appropriate.

I ordered a couple of complete uppers from them a while back and they shipped pronto.

Pariah3j wrote:I'm currently shopping around to custom build a new AR myself... I think I've got an idea for most of the parts/build that I want for the lower, minus the trigger. I've been considering getting one of the nicer drop in triggers. Has anyone here used any of them before, and any recommendations for brand/type ? Any warnings or ones to stay away from ?

I just put PSA's enhanced polished trigger in a lower, and I'm impressed. Is it a Geissele? No. But IMHO it's better than the ALG offerings, and it's only $30 on its own, or $55 with a complete LPK. I'll be putting one in all my ARs going forward.

Pariah3j wrote:I'm currently shopping around to custom build a new AR myself... I think I've got an idea for most of the parts/build that I want for the lower, minus the trigger. I've been considering getting one of the nicer drop in triggers. Has anyone here used any of them before, and any recommendations for brand/type ? Any warnings or ones to stay away from ?

I put a CMC trigger (single stage) in my first AR--15. I like it so well, I put one in my next AR pattern rifle too.

It's considerably more expensive than maverick2076's recommendation, but it gives you a trigger pull almost like a good hunting rifle.