Hi all,
I started acquiring parts about 5 months ago for my first AR/AR build. It has been incredibly fun, but part of my original decision to build was that I had an LGS near me who offered the tools and a work space as well as their expertise to enable you to build your own in their shop. I ended up building the lower at home with youtube and a couple household tools, and only went to the shop to use their armorers wrench to secure the castle nut. I was planning to use their equipment/expertise to build the upper but before I could do it I took a rather unexpected job opportunity in the Chicago area, and am now unpacking boxes in Naperville. I've got the upper receiver finished, but will need to install the barrel, gas block/tube, and rail. I've enjoyed it enough that I've considered buying the proper tools to finish it myself, but I'm not sure I'm ready to get into that yet, and the rental I'm occupying does not have a place for me to mount a vice. I'll be free floating the barrel with a Fortis Switch rail so I'm pretty sure all I will need is a vice, a tool to secure the upper in said vice and a torque wrench.
My questions:
Does anyone know a shop in the Naperville/duPage county area that might offer similar 'build it yourself we'll provide the tools' convenience as my LGS in Utah?
If there are no shops like that can anyone recommend a local quality gunsmith hopefully with yoda like experience in building AR's? Depending on what that will cost me I may just break down and buy the tools I need, and try to figure out how to buy/mount a vise.
Finally, Any recommendations on where to shoot it once I get it together? ETA: Looks like Aurora Sportsman's club, and Illinois State Rifle Association range are both about an hour away. Are these the best choices?
Thank you very much for any help.