I am pretty confident that I am going to build my own ar some time within the next month or so.  I am strongly looking at a model-1 20” standard model.  I have not yet decided on a lower receiver but I am a college student on a bit of a budget so something in the 100-150 dollar range is what I am looking for.  My questions are.  Is the model 1 a decent gun for the money?  I was look at an ASA kit but I heard horror stories about their function, and when I sent them an e-mail I didn’t get any reply so that tells me something about their customer service.  What type of tools will I need to put together the lower?  Are there any magazines that work better than others?  Is it possible to later put a collapsible stock on the 20” riffle?  Would that look cheesy?  Thank you all in advance for the incite, this forum has been a life saver for me so far.  

I can relate. h2) I recommend the drift punch set from Bushmaster. As for the buttstock assembly, I'm not sure what type of tool, if any, is required for a fixed buttstock.

Quoted: What type of tools will I need to put together the lower?  Are there any magazines that work better than others?  Is it possible to later put a collapsible stock on the 20” riffle?  Would that look cheesy?  Thank you all in advance for the incite, this forum has been a life saver for me so far.

I'm a novice 1st timer as well. Vinh's drift punch recommendation is good avdice. I think a specialized tool is used to swap out buttstocks, but I'm not sure if it is 100% required. I've seen them for sale on various AR15 parts sales sites. Sure, a collapsing stock will look curious on a 20" rifle, but it will still work just as well. I plan to order a fully assembled Mega or Stinger Arms lower from www.carricozarmory.com since this is my 1st AR15. Model 1 and J&T seem to be good sources for all else.

Welcome to the site folks! I would go with a drift punch set from Sears, that way when you break your 1/16 punch they'll replace it free. A good gunsmithing hammer is also in order, I got a cheap brass one for like $10. So you are up to about $25 in tools.

I have previously put my lowers together, but I would suggest going to eaglefirearms.net and just buy a complete lower with stock. It saves a headache and possibly scratching or breaking your reciever. The Stag lowers are great, I have 2 myself. They are super helpful and friendly, and have a list of FFLs on file. I then would scour the EE to find a good new or used complete upper that suits your fancy.

To assemble the lower kit the only specialized tools you need are the roll pin punches from Brownells.

www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=5551&title=ROLL+PIN+PUNCHES

3/32 is #3 Roll pin punch
item #230-100-003
#3 Roll Pin Punch   $3.75

1/8 is #4 Roll pin punch
item #230-100-004
#4 Roll Pin Punch   $3.83

Quoted: 2) I recommend the drift punch set from Bushmaster. As for the buttstock assembly, I'm not sure what type of tool, if any, is required for a fixed buttstock.

Only a flathead screwdriver for the A2 stock.  Installing the stock is not hard at all.

For the ultimate price savings you're probably looking for, I recommend getting a stripped lower and build it up from there. Not only do you get to learn how all the parts of the AR-15 interact with each other, you won't be kickin' yourself for paying so much if there is an issue with the complete lower.

has anyone had any problems with the model-1 16" c.a.r?  what is the difference between the 16" c.a.r and the m-4 c.a.r?  I am torn.  I can't devide between the two.  Thanks for all the good advice.  Oh yea one more thing if I do go for the 16" c.a.r with the collapsible stock do i need to get the c.a.r wrench?  It is only five dollars so it wont break the bank but is it needed?

If you are concerned about customer service I would check out this thread about Model 1 Sales.

ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=277277

9 pages to date. Have fun reading through it.

well its ordered.  I went with the J&T 16C.A.R kit pre ban with the collapsable stock and the all those goodies.  For the lower I spent the extra 20 dollars and went with the eagle arms stripped lower from tripple break products...J&T is getting ready for a show so it is going to be next week before i get the riffle.  No i just get to sit and wait.  
thanks again to everyone who gave their advice.  

Quoted: Save up your money and buy a factory rifle from Colt, RRA or BFI.

Is this response automatic or do you type it in each time?

Arschloch.

Quoted: Quoted: Save up your money and buy a factory rifle from Colt, RRA or BFI. Is this response automatic or do you type it in each time?

lol.