The idiot's guide to the AR-15 rifle (or an idiot building one)

Greetings All...Got registered to read some stuff about the RC-3 and found this thread.

Dibley said:
BTW, it would be nice if someone actually posted "An Idiot's Guide to Building an AR."
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I did just that for building a lower receiver from scratch right here.

I'm working on a how-to for building an upper from scratch too. I've got a 14.5" barrel I'm going to show how to silver solder a Vortex onto, then install on an upper receiver, and so forth, and even show how to stake a carrier key. A soup-to-nuts build when all is said and done, in other words. I've got all the new MagPul goodies I'm going to install for the how-to as well, so it'll be a good chance for folks to get more familiar with MagPul's gear. I work long hours though, so it wont be done tomorrow or anything...Probably more like a month or two. Editing the pictures and putting the how-to together takes WAY longer than building the upper, haha.

Anyway, hope this helps some folks. ARs are stupid simple to build and it saves money doing it, so there's really no reason not to. It gets you intimate with your weapon which is a good thing.
 
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that's a good idiot's guide... i'll be sure to re-read it when i get my lower and LPK... let us know when you get that upper how-to...
 
Mine should ship out to me today...fingers crossed.
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Well fellas it looks like my AR plan has fallen apart. My tax return was a whopping $80. (I thought it was going to be at least $300)

Dont know whether to sit on the $600 I have saved until I start making money again (who knows when that will be), or buy a few knives I've missed out on in the past few months. What do yall think?
 
Jake Bauer said:
Well fellas it looks like my AR plan has fallen apart. My tax return was a whopping $80. (I thought it was going to be at least $300)

Dont know whether to sit on the $600 I have saved until I start making money again (who knows when that will be), or buy a few knives I've missed out on in the past few months. What do yall think?
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If you're at all like me, you probably already have more knives than you know what to do with. Still, there's a lot to be said for "instant gratification." Tough call.
 
I say you buy what parts you can for your AR, unless you are buying pre-built. Then just hold onto it, which I know is next to impossible, but you will be happy you did. Though your choice of knives will still leave you with some to save, so do what you will. There is just nothing like a nice AR, unless you have one already to curb your appetite.
 
Yeah, I'm gunna keep saving.. I got some more cash recently and now I'm about $300 away from my goal. Time to set up an Ebay account and sell some knives!!
 
yeah man, I'd buy parts. I'tll give you the extra willpower to get r done. It wont seem as harsh buying a little at a time too>
 
OK, you bastards.

After making AR parts for long enough, and reading THIS FREAKING THREAD, I'm starting my AR build.

The pisser is, every place I look, they're out of friggin LPKs. WTF? They grow on trees when I'm not building a rifle, and now, they're sold out.

Jake: If anything, I'd buy your lower (either stripped or complete) right now. As far as the ATF is concerned, that's the gun. Everything else is just parts.

Re AR tools: Other than a castle nut wrench, and basic tools any man usually has around the house, you're good to go on the lower. Unless you are going to build a lot of uppers, IMO the tools aren't worth the cost. Just buy an assembled upper/barrel assembly, if not a complete upper.

For guys wanting to buy complete rifles: Save some money by buying the upper and lower separately, even if from the same company. Complete firearms have a FET (Federal Excise Tax) levied on them and added to the cost. Separate uppers and lowers don't.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
The pisser is, every place I look, they're out of friggin LPKs. WTF? They grow on trees when I'm not building a rifle, and now, they're sold out.
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I always go to DSG Arms first when looking for parts because they offer individual parts that many suppliers don't fool with (springs, pins and such). They have always provided great service.

Armalite AR15 Lower Receiver Parts Kit

If applicable, they offer LE/MIL discounts.
 
otis williams said:
have you built your lower yet cap'n?
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So far I only have the trigger guard installed. I just ordered the grip and insert. Next pay period will be the stock, then buffer tube assembly, then trigger group.

...then I have to start working on the upper. One...piece...at...a...time.
 
i think next payday i'm buying the LPK and hopefully the recoil buffer, spring, etc. then maybe the stock... i'm going for a complete upper, if they ever get the one i want back in stock... and i have the coin when it happens.
 
I would go with a complete upper but I can't stomach dropping that much cash at once. It will hurt less if I do it over time.
 
Only downside (if you want to call it that) of building an upper are the tools required. If you're going to build several uppers eventually, it's a good investment. If it's a one shot deal, might not be and may be better to save up and keep your eyes peeled for a good deal on a complete upper.
 
adaman04 said:
Only downside (if you want to call it that) of building an upper are the tools required. If you're going to build several uppers eventually, it's a good investment. If it's a one shot deal, might not be and may be better to save up and keep your eyes peeled for a good deal on a complete upper.
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This for sure. There are quite a few tools you need to build one, correctly of course. Hell I paid $1000 for just my Noveske N4 upper with a Troy BUIS and BCG. That was before Bravo Co. had their awesome uppers. If you dont want to invest in the tool, Bravo is the place to go.
 
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