All Things Guns

Lol! No, just initials of those they're intended for. Like BJ. :D Nah...
 
Every time I shoot an AR 15 I get that feeling that I want one. Was shooting a friends newly built one at a target 150 yards down range. It was awesome.
 
Build it. It's a lot easier than buying one all at once. Not really that much cheaper, but it can be if you don't do a lot of upgrades.

For instance, I spent a fair amount more on my lower. They're out there for $70 if you look hard enough. That would have saved me $45. A standard charging handle will save about $30 over my $50 CH. Blemished uppers save some cash. Building a BCG (bolt carrier group) can help space the purchases out, but not really save all that much money. A standard LPK will come with everything you need without fancy grips or trigger guards. Then of course, there's always the used option on things.

The AR15.com Equipment Exchange has a lot of stuff and often at good prices. http://www.ar15.com/forums/b/7_Equipment_Exchange.html

Using MidwayUSA is a good method to see prices. They're fair and stock is coming back.

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=24&newcategorydimensionid=17044

And before you go thinking about whether or not its something you want to get into, here's a short list of parts you will NEED to have an operational rifle.

Upper and lower receivers, upper parts kit, lower parts kit, BCG assembly, barrel nut & delta pack, barrel, stock kit, handguards, gas block, gas tube & flash hider. I guess you could get away without a set of handguards or flash hider and still have an operational rifle... If you don't build it with a freefloat handguard, a hand guard cap would be needed. Unless the barrel you buy has a factory sight/gas block and handguard cap installed. Those usually come with a barrel nut as well. Standard handguards or a cheap quad rail is almost always cheaper than a freefloat tube, but there are tubes out there that are cheaper. Like this one:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/22...uard-fluted-ar-15-rifle-length-aluminum-black

In a freefloat setup, you wouldn't need a barrel nut because it comes with a specialized one. You would need a low profile gas block. With not having to buy a barrel nut, delta pack or handguard cap, the cost savings is miniscule (with the aforementioned inexpensive tube) compared to say a $35 quad rail.


Minimal tools needed for best results (I wouldn't build with any less):

Upper and lower vice blocks, punches, soft hammer, armorer's wrench and a torque wrench is recommended.

XJosh 'Building your AR15 101' 95
 
Last edited:
When I get one, I will probably enlist the help of the friend who just built his (that I shot today). He has about 1800 in his, but I won't go that much.
 
How can it be easier? I just gave them the cash, they gave me the rifle. That is pretty easy.



Rev
Well, easier to do on a budget compared to saving up the money. I know it's a lot easier for me to spend a couple hundred here and there than to save up the $1000 or so I would need to buy it.

When I get one, I will probably enlist the help of the friend who just built his (that I shot today). He has about 1800 in his, but I won't go that much.

Why wait until then to enlist his help? With all the information out there, not including what is in front of your nose at this very moment 3 posts earlier, you can be well into your research before you spend a dime. It's never too soon to learn...
 
Well, easier to do on a budget compared to saving up the money. I know it's a lot easier for me to spend a couple hundred here and there than to save up the $1000 or so I would need to buy it.



Why wait until then to enlist his help? With all the information out there, not including what is in front of your nose at this very moment 3 posts earlier, you can be well into your research before you spend a dime. It's never too soon to learn...

I've never built a rifle and I had the lower together pretty quickly. Just like putting a puzzle together only this one has springs. Once I get my butt stock ordered I'll be into a gun with nice parts on it for under $900, that's not including glass.

My advice, buy a rifle kit and a stripped lower.....and stop the I need help with everything nonsense...
 
Why wait until then to enlist his help? With all the information out there, not including what is in front of your nose at this very moment 3 posts earlier, you can be well into your research before you spend a dime. It's never too soon to learn...

I don't want to buy junk and he knows his parts. I will build it myself (with his help more then likely). I don't know when I will actually start getting parts (probably start getting parts in the near future and stock pile them until I have a complete AR).
 
And like I said previously...it's never too soon to learn. Youtube has a wealth of information on assembly. You don't even have to worry about quality of parts with that. You can at the very least start getting a general idea of how you want your rifle to look and function.

I understand wanting to take the opinion of someone you know over someone on the internet. But shouldn't you do a little footwork and do some decision making on your own? Research is free, man. There's no reason to keep your head in the sand.

You wanna talk about getting an AR and then make it seem like any advice someone gives you isn't worthy because your buddy just built one. I'll tell you what, man. Everybody's buddy just built one, and just because he spent 1800 on his, doesn't mean its all quality parts. I'm not saying it isn't, but just don't take one person's word for it. Do a little reading. Browse AR15.com for ideas. It ain't hard.

Bottom line, you should get an idea of what's going on and know how to build and service your own rifle before having someone else pretty much build it for you. The best part about building stuff yourself, especially guns, is the intimate connection you make pouring your thoughts, labor, money and love into a machine you can pass on to your children.

XJosh 'It ain't a hitch' 95
 
How can it be easier? I just gave them the cash, they gave me the rifle. That is pretty easy.



Rev

can't be easier. it isn't.

but it's a ton of fun!

I built my very first one, and I really enjoyed it.

I'll probably always build.

I'm still waiting for the price of stripped lowers to come down.
 
can't be easier. it isn't.

but it's a ton of fun!

I built my very first one, and I really enjoyed it.

I'll probably always build.

All of the above!
 
Aaron, when that stock comes in a good pic of your boomstick is necessary. I'm sure the phone pic won't do it justice.
 
Roger that! I'm ordering the stock as well as a different grip on Friday. My charging handle and sling are waiting for me at the house right now.
 
I'm pretty certain you said your CH was a BCM. What kind of sling did you opt for?
 
I'm pretty certain you said your CH was a BCM. What kind of sling did you opt for?
I ordered a BCM originally but they were out of stock so they refunded my money. Went with tactical intent on the new one. It's just a basic one but I can upgrade it later on. The sling is just a cheap one from Amazon.

Here's an in progress shot:
20130813_163753_zps4519a59a.jpg
 
Last edited:
PSA has a complete lower on sale for 199....dang you being tight on money.
 
Dude, the cell pic is so small, this thing looks so sweet sized up!
PSA has a complete lower on sale for 199....dang you being tight on money.
You can always break that down into parts to spread out the cost. That's what makes building it "easier".
PSA is a great company, bought most my stuff from them.
QFT.
Got a tour of Seekins Precision's factory, way cool seeing that many AR parts being built. http://WWW.seekinsprecision.com
That would be so sweet!
 
Back
Top