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Posted: 7/16/2013 4:54:10 PM EDT
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I have some basic questions about building my AR before I go ahead and purchase my Aero lower:
1. Is it recommended to have the barrel installed by a gunsmith? According to some videos this portion of the build needs to be perfect and should be done by a professional. 2. I know there are thousands of different manufacturers of parts. Do I need to worry about which parts fit with others or should they all be compatible? 3. Are there kits anywhere that include all the required tools to perform a full build? Thanks! |
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Look here
1. No, very easy to install 2. All are compatible 3. Only need a upper and lower block, punches, Ar multi tool. Look on amazon if your on a budget |
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By no means am I an expert, but here is what I did.
1. My first two uppers I purchased complete, no need to have anyone do anything for me, was able to very easily change out the hand guards with drop in rails. Still don't have all the tools I would need for this, need a table vice to do it right, and this I would probably want a torque wrench. 2. Mil-spec is Mil-spec, just make sure its Mil-spec. With exception of some parts on the upper (delta ring cant be used on free float hand guards, some hand guards have a proprietary nut), which you shouldn't have to worry about if you follow step one, they all pretty much fit together like a puzzle. 3. Tools I needed, set of roll punches (craftsman set off amazon), small hammer, tape (wrapped my lower with blue painters tape) and a very thin knife/razor blade for the detent springs. Yes I am a horrible person for only hand tightening my castle nut, nor did I stake my buffer end plate, yes I know its not mil-spec as I said I am a bad person. I have sense purchased a multi tool and tightened down the castle nut but I did not torque it to spec. Again I am a bad person, but my ARs sure are fun to shoot |
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Quoted:
I have some basic questions about building my AR before I go ahead and purchase my Aero lower: 1. Is it recommended to have the barrel installed by a gunsmith? According to some videos this portion of the build needs to be perfect and should be done by a professional. 2. I know there are thousands of different manufacturers of parts. Do I need to worry about which parts fit with others or should they all be compatible? 3. Are there kits anywhere that include all the required tools to perform a full build? Thanks! 1. There is many barrels that was installed by people that were not gunsmiths, I know around here there is a lot of shops that will install free float hand guards free of charge if you buy it from them , If you buy the tube from a shop that will do that , installing the free float hand guard would cover installing the barrel and gas tube and gas block, that is most of your upper receiver assembled . 2. AR-15 parts are AR-15 parts there may be difference in quality to some degree , but any brand of parts should work with any other brand. 3. I have never tried to find one because I am a mechanic by trade every thing but the mount to hold the upper receiver went it is assembled and the wrench for the free float hand guard you choice every thing else is basic mechanic tools |
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Quoted:
I have some basic questions about building my AR before I go ahead and purchase my Aero lower: 1. Is it recommended to have the barrel installed by a gunsmith? According to some videos this portion of the build needs to be perfect and should be done by a professional. You can install the barrel but you have to invest in decent tools (vice included). I say decent because there are some junk tools to avoid on Amazon, etc. that can fail and/or cause damage. If you plan on building more than one, invest in decent tools. 2. I know there are thousands of different manufacturers of parts. Do I need to worry about which parts fit with others or should they all be compatible? AR parts quality will definitely vary. Do your research. 3. Are there kits anywhere that include all the required tools to perform a full build? Not really. To get good stuff at good prices, you're going to use 2 or 3 vendors In summary, read the Build It Yourself section here. Print out the LPK photo in there, for future reference. Watch the free Brownells AR Build video series. Post vendors, tools and parts here for comments before you buy. Thanks! |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I have some basic questions about building my AR before I go ahead and purchase my Aero lower: 1. Is it recommended to have the barrel installed by a gunsmith? According to some videos this portion of the build needs to be perfect and should be done by a professional. You can install the barrel but you have to invest in decent tools (vice included). I say decent because there a junk tools to avoid on Amazon, etc. that can fail and/or cause damage. If you plan on building more than one, invest in decent tools. 2. I know there are thousands of different manufacturers of parts. Do I need to worry about which parts fit with others or should they all be compatible? AR parts quality will definitely vary. Do your research. 3. Are there kits anywhere that include all the required tools to perform a full build? Not really. To get good stuff at good prices, you're going to use 2 or 3 vendors In summary, read the Build It Yourself section here. Print out the LPK photo in there, for future reference. Watch the free Brownells AR Build video series. Post vendors, tools and parts here for comments before you buy. Thanks! There are tools like this to avoid on amazon and ones like this , so there not all junk. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have some basic questions about building my AR before I go ahead and purchase my Aero lower: 1. Is it recommended to have the barrel installed by a gunsmith? According to some videos this portion of the build needs to be perfect and should be done by a professional. You can install the barrel but you have to invest in decent tools (vice included). I say decent because there a junk tools to avoid on Amazon, etc. that can fail and/or cause damage. If you plan on building more than one, invest in decent tools. 2. I know there are thousands of different manufacturers of parts. Do I need to worry about which parts fit with others or should they all be compatible? AR parts quality will definitely vary. Do your research. 3. Are there kits anywhere that include all the required tools to perform a full build? Not really. To get good stuff at good prices, you're going to use 2 or 3 vendors In summary, read the Build It Yourself section here. Print out the LPK photo in there, for future reference. Watch the free Brownells AR Build video series. Post vendors, tools and parts here for comments before you buy. Thanks! There are tools like this to avoid on amazon and ones like this , so there not all junk. I edited my original post to say "some". Amazon can be a bad place to buy for a noob that may not recognize a quality tool or part. Some good vendors/mfrs use it as well as the peddlers of Chinese knock-offs. It's better for the FNG to use our trusted vendors and more important, post it up here 1st, for pre-purchase comments. |
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Parts quality can and does vary.
Don’t buy from Amazon, at gun shows, or from individuals until you know what you are doing. Stick to suppliers with good reputations. Some of the worst screw ups I have read about here were done by gunsmiths. Go to your hometown forum and see if you can get any recommendations. Brownell’s has a comprehensive array of tools including kits. Opinions vary on which tools are really needed. Anyone who can read and follow instructions can install a barrel when everything is right. The trick of course comes when something is not right. Check your headspace before installing the barrel. Too many of the people here with no training or experience do not know what the parts look like, how they install, or even what the proper nomenclature is. Unsurprisingly something like not putting the hammer spring on right results fairly regular posts from guys needing help with failure to fire malfunctions. People who don’t know what the parts are called have a hard time describing their problem clearly when they need help. The TM is available on this site. It was written for people with training, but is never the less a good basic starting point. There are also some building books available. I don’t use them so I do not have any recommendations. |
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