wish me luck

[RTE]

Take your time...you got this.

[Barang]

buy some extra parts or better yet, buy two lower part kits just to have a backup when you lunch some into the air and never be found again. it's also a good idea to put a plastic over the part your working on when springs are involved. that way, the plastic catches the parts when they go boink!

good luck!

[FalconLair]

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

ONE? haha, you don't know me

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.

definitely going that route, one of the YT videos i watched the guy used a similar method, not sure if it was a clevis pin though

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.

i see that, that tool is awesome, ordering it tonight - i want that in my arsenal of tools regardless - the ability to parallel press alone is a winner

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

need to order one, fortunately i have plenty of punches already

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.

alright, might as well make my first one a bit easier

Take your time...you got this.

that's what my son told me - i'll keep you guys posted, might be a while though it's something i'll do in my spare time

any particular vendor for the stripped lower and/or the kit? saw a few nice lowers on the Palmetto sight but im not familiar with who is selling what - what am i looking for in a good lower?

[FalconLair]

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.

i would get that in a hot minute if i was planning to do lot's of builds - certainly makes installing that pin a 1 2 3 easy peasy step - that's a neat little tool but would you agree that the clevis pin might be more my speed since im only planning this one build for now?

oh hell, i might just get it anyway, i really like it

[sigstroker]

One with a trigger guard built in.

As for triggers, get a LaRue. 80 bucks, work really well, and come with a slave pin that makes it much easier to install. Plus you don't need any anti-walk baloney like with cassette triggers.

[FalconLair]

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-71090...01B3NU46C&th=1

looking all those links over - already have some of the punches and tap hammers - definitely need to look into getting a mag block for my portable vise and a bolt catch install too

[NATO762]

Spikes makes a good lower. They also have some fun designs.

https://spikestactical.com/collections/stripped-lowers/no-logo-ii-stripped-lower-receiver/

[IVC]

It's all routine and not hard to do. The lower is in many ways a non-precision part that provides the hammer action for the upper. All the tricky parts with torques and spacings would be in the upper.

The only advice is that if a part doesn't fit, don't go looking for a larger hammer.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

The lower is the easier part to assemble in many respects. I will second having the right 'tools;' particularly the correct size punches. Certain things to watch are...

• As already noted, the front takedown detent & spring. There is a tool I found helpful... Patriot-Pin AR-15 Front Pin Tool Set. I don't remember or even when I picked mine up, but it works for me (once I got it down). Also, I advise installation of the detent/spring inside a bag. It doesn't have to be plastic, a paper grocery sack will work. It helps to keep the spring from shooting off into places akin to where socks go from the dryer.
• Make sure to put the trigger spring and hammer spring in correctly. It's not difficult, but I've seen people get confused and attempt to put it in... uh... uniquely.
• Make absolutely sure to create support for the receiver's "ears" when knocking in the pin for the trigger guard.
• A vise and vise block isn't, strictly, necessary. But, a 'third hand' is at certain moments. Choose wisely.

Most of all, I've found the Brownell's How to Build An AR-15 Video series extremely helpful in visualizing how things go together, not to mention listing the necessary tools/parts.

[DesertDave100]

Based on your experience, and the advice folks are giving, you should have no problems.

The first AR I ever handled, or shot, was one I made from 80% lower. It can't be that tough.

[MrBlazito]

No need for pivot pin install tool. I've always installed them with the help of needle nose pliers

[BigPimping]

Do it now. While you still can.

[FalconLair]

No need for pivot pin install tool. I've always installed them with the help of needle nose pliers

i was wondering if you could just depress the spring and detent together with a small flathead then just drop the pin in and be done with it

the needle nose is serving the same purpose i just thought a flathead would provide more space to insert the pin - i have a 1/8" wide small flathead that could probably do that with no problem as long as there is clearance to insert the pin

like i said, if i was in the business of doing alot of builds the pivot pin would be a great asset, but for just a build or two probably not necessary to have

[Looneybin]

i was wondering if you could just depress the spring and detent together with a small flathead then just drop the pin in and be done with it

the needle nose is serving the same purpose i just thought a flathead would provide more space to insert the pin - i have a 1/8" wide small flathead that could probably do that with no problem as long as there is clearance to insert the pin

like i said, if i was in the business of doing alot of builds the pivot pin would be a great asset, but for just a build or two probably not necessary to have

[CamW]

Get one of these lower part kits, it includes a Nickel Teflon coated hammer and trigger and reduced power hammer and trigger springs.It also includes extra springs and pins in case you launch one.
Good buy for the price.

https://ar15discounts.com/products/dirty-bird-ar-15-enhanced-lower-parts-kit/