wish me luck

[FalconLair]

i own several AR15's all bought at gun stores

i've decided that for the first time im going to order a stripped lower along with an AR15 kit and try my hand at assembling one myself

i've watched a few YT videos and i think i can do it - looks like an interesting thing to learn and at the same time it'll teach me some valuable information about the inner workings of my AR lower

once i get it assembled my plan is to buy a completed upper, a stock that i like, then go out and give it a test drive

any tips to offer or advice - hopefully my eyesight holds up

[Spanky8601]

Good luck. Make sure to be real careful with installing the detents over the springs. Lost more than a one, as they launched to who knows where.

[WingDings]

Install the front takedown detent and spring in an airtight room with no furniture or cracks anywhere.

[eaglemike]

Rewarding to complete. Watch to be sure the disconnector spring is in correctly - upside down will cause issues.
Be sure to do all safety function checks multiple times. Don't dry fire and let the hammer hit the lower.
All this is normal stuff, but worth checking to be sure.
good luck!

[DAZE752]

Get some of those punches with the recessed area for the pin to sit in.

[elSquid]

any tips to offer or advice - hopefully my eyesight holds up

Front detent was always the most annoying part of assembly to me.

Either...

a) do it in a plastic bag such that if the detent goes flying, it's caught by the bag.

or

b) there are tools nowadays to help. This looks like a decent one, but I've never used it.

https://www.amazon.com/Real-Avid-223-Pivot-Tool/dp/B078KSDGZ1

After you complete your first lower, you'll be amazed at how simple it was.

-- Michael

[FalconLair]

over the years i've taken the time to learn every aspect of my revolvers and handguns

i can completely disassemble my Ruger GP100's, my Colt King Cobra, my S&W revolvers with my eyes closed, lol, i've taken the time to learn them - same with my Sig Sauer's, Beretta's, my Kahr, all of them

now i want to do the same with my AR15's - maybe i'll have to buy 10 kits just in case too much stuff goes flying, have some spare parts but i'll learn

looking into whatever tools may best suit me for the job too - i hate working with inferior tools or lack of

[nitroxdiver]

[golfish]

any tips to offer or advice - hopefully my eyesight holds up

Having a bench vise makes it easier. A couple roll pin punches too...

It's pretty easy to do if you have some of the normal tools a man would have laying around.

You'll come back here in a few days and agree, it's pretty easy.

You got this

[Milsurp Collector]

any tips to offer or advice - hopefully my eyesight holds up

I have assembled a couple of lower receivers. Having the right tools makes it a lot easier. You don't need all of these but these are some to look at.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/real-avid-accu-punch-hammer-ar-15-punch-pin-set-avhps-ar.html

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019303727

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016339811?pid=393867

https://www.amazon.com/Real-Avid-223-Pivot-Tool/dp/B078KSDGZ1/ref=pd_lpo_card_1?pd_rd_i=B078KSDGZ1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-710906-Engineering-Catch-Install/dp/B07YVJ6DPD/ref=pd_lpo_card_2?pd_rd_i=B01B3NU46C&th=1

[sigstroker]

Definitely get the pivot pin tool. There were no such things when I put mine together, but I was getting good advise from experienced people when I did mine. Clean out the spring hole first with a drill bit. There's often garbage left over from the parkerizing.

Get a lower that you don't have to put the trigger guard in. You'll have no chance of breaking off an ear of your lower. Or get a pistol grip from Daniel Defense. It has a built-in trigger guard that you just install a screw into. If you decide you must have an ordinary trigger guard that you install with a roll pin, be sure to have some sort of anvil to back up the ear on the lower.

[Enzo rules]

Buy an extra spring kit just in case one is launched.

[JohnnyMtn]

https://vimeo.com/352735740

[ComBlocAddict]

There’s not much to AR assembling. The bolt release pin is a PITA if you care about the finish. That’s about it. Boring. You can do it in an hour.

Want some real fun? Build an AK or an HK style gun (eg the CETME parts kits).

[Uncivil Engineer]

It's actually not that hard to install a front take down pin it you have the right tool. Good news is they are like $1 at home Depot. All you need is a 1/4 inch clevis pin.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/How_to_install_the_front_Pivot_Pin_using_a__1_clevis_pin___56K_death/4-362116/

The bigger question is how do you plan to insert the bolt catch roll pin. Assuming you don't get an upgraded pin that is threaded this is where people tend to scrape up the side of their lower. The more traditional way is tape off the lower than use a set of roll pin punches to at least get you started.

There is however one other way. To press the pin in. The best tool I've seen for that do far is knipnex flat jaw pliers. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Y03968

The key is these close straight down as the have a cam not a normal hinge.

About the only other specialty tool is a spanner or armourers tool for the castle nut on the buffer tube.

Another way to make things easier is upgrade to a drop in cassette trigger. Just about anything you buy will be light years better than a standard lower parts kit and they are much easier to install.