Going to wait till Black Friday Sales to Complete it but Finally got my First ar15 lower going to be .223 for first build.

Got it from here their local near my house so its supporting a local Fire arms Manufacture.

Bear Creek

Don't buy a complete upper.  You can do it.

Go for it from scratch , im on my build # 2 from one peace to the next its as much fun for me to build them as to shoot'm well almost

there like lay's potato chip's ya can't have just one.

the only thing i would suggest is get a clear focus on the kind of gun you want in the end , tactical, target, ultra lite , so's your not buying stuff twice.

ya will need a few ar tools though for me this is about all i needed,



mag well vise block        http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Arms-Gear-Block-Combo/dp/B007VSZCPC

upper clamp block or spline tool      https://www.botach.com/kley-zion-ar15-m4-barrel-spline-socket-rod/

Barrel Wrench      http://www.amazon.com/NcStar-Armorers-Wrench-powder-coated/dp/B00238XECI

torque Wrench      http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-807.html

roll pin punch set   http://www.wcarmory.com/wheeler-204513-roll-pin-punch-kit.htm



it's easy to build one and lots a fuuuuunnnnn



Oh ya and you tube



Good luck with it man

lock load live free

What he said, although I picked up my punch set from harbor freight & a cheap vice on amazon.

That looks like a pretty decent lower for cheap!

I am all for building if you have the time, correct tools and plan on building more than one or two.. But, in today's market, complete uppers are cheaper to purchase in the current market.

I agree with all of the above replies.  I built my upper for my first AR and I'm glad I did. Even if I paid a little more for the parts, I got exactly what I wanted the first time. You will end up with better quality parts too, and that too has value.

PS: How do you like that lower?  I need a lower for a dedicated .22LR upper and I considered that one.

Why build a .223 when you can do a 5.56mm rated for the same money?

Vince

this the best part is you can get exactly what you want.

then you can shoot both.

i have shot a friends its a good lower Family owned Business which is great their right down the road from me like 10 minutes which can be bad for me

ty for the list that is what i am working on now getting that stuff .

That's just silly.  At that point, you're not building an AR, you're assembling a lower.  You can argue that without milling parts yourself, you're not "building" one either, but the general consensus is that completely assembling the AR from all the parts is building = for all intents and purposes.  Buying a completed upper to save $50 for your "first build" is horse shit.  CrazedCat, I've got faith in you.



I assume he just misspoke.  I haven't even seen a barrel marked .223 in ages.  His lower is clearly marked .223/5.56.  Kinda like my license plate - but I shoot 5.56.

Check in the EE under Tools. There is a guy selling a lot of the basic assembly tools.

I did the opposite I bought my vise from Harbor Frieght and a good punch set online. I've used HB punches before and they lasted 1 use.