Hi all!

I am new to the forum, so I will start by introduction.
I am a very long time shooter and gun "tinkerer" who has had, and has provided limited firearms instruction.
I like to waterfowl hunt and deer hunt, and shoot for sport.

With that, I have decided to embark on my first AR15 build.  Since I have never built one, I thought this would be a good place to start.
I think that I would like to build a mid-length system with a 16" 1:7 barrel off of a spikes lower.  From there, I am not sure how to put the rest together as far as a parts list.
I guess I should disclose my target cost range, minus optics, is $800-$1000.  

I am looking for some help from some more experienced builders in guiding me in a direction.  By no means am I looking for someone to hold my hand and tell me exactly what to buy, etc.
I just need some guidance along the path.

Thank you all and I look forward to this!!!

Andy

I just finished my first build and it came out awesome.  Here are som tips, buying the right tools makes it WAY easier.  Read everyones posts in this section and watch as many youtube videos as you can.  I cant even hang a towel rod but I can build an AR now! haha

Welcome.
Before you start quoting manufacturers and barrel stats, do you know what the number one task you want you're gun to do?
I made many mistakes with my first build.  Primarily because I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted AR#1 to do.
I tried to make it work for many tasks.  Turned out it wasn't good at anything.  Sold the upper.

Now I have two AR15's.  Both built to do one thing.
My carbine is just for HD/Zombies.  Anything I can see with irons I can hit.
My other AR is for varmints and medium to long range shooting.  Golf balls at long range is especially fun.

Decide what you want to do with the gun.  Then start your build.

Thank you both, that is sound advice.  
Zeke,  I am totally aware of matching the tool to the task as priority 1.  I guess I am not sure what I want the rifle to do.  I have a nice long range bolt gun, and usually spend most rifle trigger time at a 100 or 200 yard range.  If I were to use it for hunting at all, it would probably be Coyote.  Truth be told, this will most likely serve me best as a fun gun for range use more than anything.  I guess now that I have established a starting point, I will check out others who have gone before and gather some intel on the task!

Here's some ideas for you.

Gratuitous pics of my AR's
I have three lowers to go with the uppers.  
I play mix and match once in a while depending on the type of shooting I'm doing.

My Carbine.  This was my second build.  I learned from my mistakes and got it right.


AR#4.  So far it's good out to 500 yards.  Past 500 yards the owner runs out of talent.

Get a good set of brass and steel punches.  

Buy an armour's wrench.  Get a magazine style vice block.  Get a reaction rod for the upper.  

You will want metric/SAE allens as well as a set of Torx wrenches.  Oh and a bunch of frogtape to put on your lower so you dont scratch it up.

Zeke those are a couple of nice looking rifles!  I know what you mean with running out of talent lol.  Here in MI, we don't really have much open space for that kind of distance.  There is a 200yd range relatively close open to the public, but the closest 600yd range is a private club.  Maybe I should join for the range use.

Anyway, Cobalty, yes I definitely need to expand my smithing tool selection.  I have some real basic stuff now.  I've spent most of my life as an automotive and powersport tech, so I have tons of tools, but I am finding that I need to get some specific items for these rifles.
Would anyone know if there is a certain tool set that has all the must haves together? Maybe on Brownells or something?

Decided to go with the local manufacturer for the build.  One piece of the puzzle obtained!  


http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/BurnerZ06/20141115_140426_zps124bf085.jpg

I'll be following this thread. I am in the same place with my build. I just hooked up on a couple Bushmaster stripped lowers from Brownells. Now where to go from there.

Ron, I think I am going with this barrel, barrel, and I am torn between a $50 blem stripped upper, or going with a nickel teflon coated upper that has FA and Cover installed for $100.....

Welcome to the site.

Let the fun begin.

Ok, well I am not all that patient I guess lol.  Knee jerk decision was the Ballistic Advantage barrel 16" mid-length 1:7 5.56, upper was Aero Precision blem, and spikes FA and dust door and parts...  $250 for all that.
Should have it in a few days.  

I was going to take my sweet A$$ time with this, but I already know I am going to get increasingly impatient and start buying the rest of it before too long.
The plan was to shop around for good deals.... We'll see how that goes.  

Top of This Sub-Forum

 Welcome, burner.  Its a smart move to build your own AR, you will not regret it.  Since you are a hunter, consider a 6.8 SPC chambering.  The only parts which are different are the barrel, the bolt and the magazines.  The way I started is still recommended, check out the tutorials pasted to the top of this sub forum.  Then make a list of all the parts you will need and start shopping for the configurations you want, within your $1000 budget.  The main tools needed are some roll pin punches, a bench vise, action block and maybe a barrel nut wrench (depending on which kind of handguard you select).  Check out the EE listings here for some bargains.  Don't worry too much about making the wrong choices, one of the symptoms of the black rifle disease is constant upgrading of components.  There is no known cure. - CW

http://68forums.com/forums/forum.php

Chas,

Too late, I already ordered 5.56 barrel.  But... since you mentioned hunting.  I am in lower Michigan and 6.8SPC would not be legal unless i went north of the rifle line to use it.  Thats what my .308 bolt gun is for though.  it appears I have been bitten by the bug, because I am already planning build #2... .450 Bushmaster.  This will be a great round to do next, as the law has changed this year, and I can now hunt with a straightwalled case over .35 cal and between 1.1 and 1.8 inches case length.  .50 beowulf would work too.  
HEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!!!!!

Update on the build
so far I have the Upper (FA and Cover), Lower, Barrel.  I have pretty much finished compiling the build list though.
Here it is.
Let me know thoughts on prices, options, what you would do that I am doing wrong (slightly sarcastic although I know it is coming)

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