AR opinions?

[Hiho20]

I'm looking to build an AR from the ground up. I'm probably going to buy it piece by piece and just assemble it myself.

I'm wondering, is this a good idea? Do any of you have suggestions on what brands/manufacturers I should use? Is it cheaper, about the same, or more expensive?

Also, if you did this, I would love to hear how you did it, and how it turned out! *maybe even a picture of it!*

Thanks for helping out a newbie!

[FNH5-7]

-If you want a piston driven AR buy it complete from factory.

-If you want a direct impingement AR build it yourself.

I've put together many AR's lowers and I just finished one that I put together from start to finish.

As for brands the possibilities are endless, what's your budget?

[stix213]

Most common way to build them around here seems to be buying a stripped lower from a local gun shop, installing all the guts yourself bought online, and buying a complete upper to go with it. Install a bullet button mag lock and use 10 round mags for legal reasons.

There are other options too. Spend some time reading through old threads on the topic; probably the best way to get more info. Also make sure you understand the legalities. Use the flowchart linked toward the top of all calguns pages.

I've built 2 AR's myself from parts. One with a bullet button and one featureless. Both here:

[adrenalinejunkie]

I went with Del-Ton for mine. Got a lower for 100 shipped off gunbroker, and bought a full kit off their website. Came with everything I needed minus tools and the lower. Total price for just the rifle was less than $700, which isn't bad at all, and their quality and customer service are superb. Just my .02

[stix213]

Oh and welcome to calguns!

[Intimid8tor]

If you don't have the tools, building an upper can get more expensive since you need the tools. For the lower, don't need the tools.

I would buy an upper you want and a stripped lower then build up the lower, put it together and you're done.

[Hiho20]

My budget is about $2,500 or so. I'd like to have a direct impingement AR. How long did it take you to put it together, colt-45?

I am planning on getting a one of the mag blockers I've been hearing about. Being military, I travel out of state a lot. That way, when I go out of state, I can still have some fun without having to buy a bunch of whole new magazines.

[Hiho20]

What all tools do you need to build an upper? Justfor future reference because I know I'll build on eventually.

[stix213]

I am planning on getting a one of the mag blockers I've been hearing about. Being military, I travel out of state a lot. That way, when I go out of state, I can still have some fun without having to buy a bunch of whole new magazines.

If you get 30 round rebuild kits and modify them with a mag block to be 10 rounders, that's fine but the law requires the mod to be permanent. Generally people epoxy the floorplate to be compliant with the law.

[stix213]

What all tools do you need to build an upper? Justfor future reference because I know I'll build on eventually.

http://calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=248072

Most people buy complete uppers, at least for their first AR, due to the tools and extra work involved in building your own upper from scratch.

[FNH5-7]

My budget is about $2,500 or so. I'd like to have a direct impingement AR. How long did it take you to put it together, colt-45?

Took as long as the parts took to be delivered

If planning to build one from start to finish you need:
-A Vice for building the upper
-Ar15 upper vice block
-Torque wrench with adapter
-AR Armorers wrench- $25 bucks on ebay
-AR lower vice block- You can make one out of a piece of 4X2 wood very easily, saves you $20 bucks.


Since you've got a good budget, for a DI build, I recommend:

-Noveske- I use Noveske parts on all my builds.
-LMT
-BCM

If you go BCM you'll have more cash left over for optics.

I'll post pics of my latest build in a few minutes.

[Hiho20]

If you get 30 round rebuild kits and modify them with a mag block to be 10 rounders, that's fine but the law requires the mod to be permanent. Generally people epoxy the floorplate to be compliant with the law.

Hmmmm... Maybe I'll just buy a few 10 round mags in that case. And just have a few 30 rounders put away somewhere.

[Hiho20]

Took as long as the parts took to be delivered

If planning to build one from start to finish you need:
-A Vice for building the upper
-Ar15 upper vice block
-Torque wrench with adapter
-AR Armorers wrench- $25 bucks on ebay
-AR lower vice block- You can make one out of a piece of 4X4 wood very easily, saves you $20 bucks.


Since you've got a good budget, for a DI build, I recommend:

-Noveske- I use Noveske parts on all my builds.
-LMT
-BCM

If you go BCM you'll have more cash left over for optics.

I'll post pics of my latest build in a few minutes.

I'll look into Noveske. I've got plenty of time to purchase optics over time. I plan on keeping this for a while so I want to have the best everything on it.

[stix213]

Hmmmm... Maybe I'll just buy a few 10 round mags in that case. And just have a few 30 rounders put away somewhere.

Just leave the 30's disassembled while in CA if you did not possess them prior to 1/1/2000. Or pick up some 10 round Beowulf mags.

[Hiho20]

Just leave the 30's disassembled while in CA if you did not possess them prior to 1/1/2000. Or pick up some 10 round Beowulf mags.

As long as I'll be able to go home to Virginia and have some fun with the 30's, I'll be fine with just about anything haha.