Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
AR Sponsor
10/20/2013 7:57:08 PM EDT
So I'm want to build my very first AR. I already bought an Anderson stripped lower I bought off of Bud's. I just have to buy the rest of it. This is what I'm thinking for the parts:

Barrel: 18" stainless steel with a 1:8 twist. I'm thinking either midlength or rifle length for the gas system. Ice Arms does seem to have good price on their barrels, and they say it comes from Green Mountain Barrel company.]http://www.icearms.us/products.cfm?cat=5
BCG: I know I should spend some money on this but I saw this: ]http://www.icearms.us/products.cfm?show=855 but I don't know anything about Ice Arms. I also saw http://www.icearms.us/products.cfm?show=858 which is much nicer and I'd like to get a NiB BCG
LPK: I originally thought about purchasing DPMS LPK, but there's a lot of people who hate it and some who love it. So now I'm considering Stag Arms and CMMG LPK.
Upper Reciever: I'm thinking just a regular upper reciever. I don't think I need to spend a lot of money here
I also have to get a stock, buffer tube and spring, and the rest of the upper assembly

I'm trying to keep costs as low as possible and I'm aware I will have to spend some money, but i'd like to save where I can. This rifle is mostly going to be used for target shooting at a nearby shooting range that only has targets up to 100 yds. I wanted a SS barrel because I like to two tone look and I want a barrel that's going to last. Any advice and what parts from which brand is much appreciated.
10/20/2013 8:45:55 PM EDT
[#1]
ICE Arms is a site sponsor here although they are pretty new...Just saying if you have any issues they should take care of you.

For a good LPK that you can also get a stock kit with I'd go with Palmetto for what's probably going to be the lowest price.  
They have this on sale right now and will complete your lower:

Palmetto Lower Build Kit

If you're set on the Ice Arms barrel Aim has them with a gas block installed.
Ice Arms Barrel

Good luck to you and welcome to the site.
10/20/2013 9:01:00 PM EDT
[#2]
After building my first lower with a DPMS LPK, ive built 3 more with CMMG kits. I like the fact that the parts are in color coded bags, it makes it just a little easier. My last purchase was a complete rifle build kit from PSA, and i will buy more items from PSA
10/20/2013 9:05:33 PM EDT
[#3]
Oh, and another good thing about PSA is the excellent price on complete build kits with everything BUT a stripped lower.......Although i suspect plenty of other vendors offer similar kits'
If you choose to mix and match from different suppliers, how much more will you spend on shipping, compared to buying from one source only?
10/20/2013 10:44:56 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
Oh, and another good thing about PSA is the excellent price on complete build kits with everything BUT a stripped lower.......Although i suspect plenty of other vendors offer similar kits'
If you choose to mix and match from different suppliers, how much more will you spend on shipping, compared to buying from one source only?
View Quote


I did consider buying a complete build kit, but if I did that, I would end up replacing the barrel and the handguard with a free float one. This would end up costing me another few hundred dollars. That's why I didn't go that route. I do agree that buying from different places will increase shipping, but that's why I want to get a good idea of what to buy first. I will try to bundle as many parts as possible when I buy them to reduce shipping. For now I think I'm gonna order the PSA LPK that was recommended by  tstanfield12.
10/20/2013 11:15:03 PM EDT
[#5]
Considering Aero Precision stripped upper reciever
opinions?
10/20/2013 11:40:30 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:
Considering Aero Precision stripped upper reciever
opinions?
View Quote

I have two blems, they are good to go. Very nice quality. Imo
10/21/2013 4:19:23 AM EDT
[#7]
I should be receiving my Aero Upper this week to match my Aero lower. Both Blemished.

They have the Uppers on sale for $50
10/25/2013 8:47:29 AM EDT
[#8]
I got my stripped lower earlier this week and my stripped upper arrived today along with brownells roll pin punches and holders. I ordered the LPK from PSA on Sunday and according to the website, it's still being processed. Does PSA normally take a long time to ship orders? I'm considering cancelling and ordering it from somewhere else.
10/25/2013 10:22:33 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Quoted:
I got my stripped lower earlier this week and my stripped upper arrived today along with brownells roll pin punches and holders. I ordered the LPK from PSA on Sunday and according to the website, it's still being processed. Does PSA normally take a long time to ship orders? I'm considering cancelling and ordering it from somewhere else.
View Quote


I've ordered from them before and it has taken anywhere from 2 business days to 5. The shipping is quick though and they have met and exceeded all of my expectations. Great company to do business with IMO
10/31/2013 12:37:59 PM EDT
[#10]
So I finally got my lpk and stock and installed it.
http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag151/ajalex74/IMG_20131031_162157_zpsf9ec2b3c.jpg

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag151/ajalex74/IMG_20131031_162145_zps46764cb1.jpg

I ended up losing one of the takedown pins so I'm probably going to have to order another one if I can't find the lost one first. Also, the trigger guard pin is stuck halfway in. I can't take it out or push it in any farther. I tried using pliers and tried squeezing it in, but it doesn't work. Any advise on how to fix this? Other than that, all I need now is to order the barrel and BCG.
10/31/2013 1:39:20 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
So I finally got my lpk and stock and installed it.
http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag151/ajalex74/IMG_20131031_162157_zpsf9ec2b3c.jpg

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag151/ajalex74/IMG_20131031_162145_zps46764cb1.jpg

I ended up losing one of the takedown pins so I'm probably going to have to order another one if I can't find the lost one first. Also, the trigger guard pin is stuck halfway in. I can't take it out or push it in any farther. I tried using pliers and tried squeezing it in, but it doesn't work. Any advise on how to fix this? Other than that, all I need now is to order the barrel and BCG.
View Quote


This might be obvious but maybe on a first build it isn't....
Did you put oil on the roll pin and trigger guard ears?
10/31/2013 1:50:12 PM EDT
[#12]
No, I didn't put oil. I did after it was stuck to see if it helped, but I guess it was a little too late.
10/31/2013 1:54:42 PM EDT
[#13]
Nice start, on the stuck roll pin, hate to say it, support it and hit it harder..lol..or get it out somehow..

Also looks like the castle nut is backwards.
10/31/2013 2:22:42 PM EDT
[#14]
My roommate somehow got the trigger pin pushed in and I fixed the castle nut
11/22/2013 9:35:06 AM EDT
[#15]
So I finally ordered my barrel last week and got it in yesterday. So this is what my rifle looks like:
http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag151/ajalex74/IMG_20131121_173736_zps8c86af2f.jpg

After Installing the barrel, I realize that the rifle is a bit heavier than what I was expecting, but I guess there isn't much I can do about that. Now I just need to find a BCG. I've been waiting for AIM to have their NiB carriers in stock. I'm thinking I should just wait till black friday and see if I can get a good deal on a BCG then
AR Sponsor