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Posted: 11/22/2013 4:42:11 AM EDT
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I just joined this forum today. And I am looking for advice for building my first AR-15. I have nothing right now. What should I get first? Book for research? Just dive in and buy something?
I will be using this gun for target and some hunting. I like the 5.56 cal. I have been doing some research online for the past week or so and I am ready to dive in and start this. Thanks, Burch |
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+! to reading the pinned and stickies, Tons of Youtube videos, buy the pin punches and one brass hammer. the retaining pins are a PITA but a clevis pin and a punch saves the day.
the lower is the easiest to build, the upper requires more skill, for your first I'd buy an assembled upper w/ the BCG. Have Fun! |
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Read quick - Black Friday is coming.
Buy an upper on Friday - it doesn't really matter what you get - you'll decide to get another later. If you can, arrange this week w/ your LGS to receiver a lower - or if they have lowers, price 'em. Get a generic lower parts kit & some magazines as well on Friday - oh, & some ammo - you might be shooting by Christmas. |
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Ive been far less rifles that many guys on this sight, but I have built a few. And if it was me I would buy a complete lower, and a complete upper for your first.
PSA often runs complete mil spec lowers for $150 and I'm sure black friday will see us some of those deals. Then combine it with the complete upper of your choice and you will have a great gun You won't need to buy all the tools to do it properly, you can't mess it up, and you know everything was built to work and has been checked, headspaced, etc. Then you can tinker on that rifle as you see fit |
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Got $600? I'd do these two deals ASAP before they sell out. $500 for the kit, $50 for the lower, guessing $25 for the transfer and $25 for the shipping to/in your area. Dont wait--they will be gone soon. and either All you will need is a couple of mags, and either a carry handle, buis, or optic of your choice. |
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Got $600? I'd do these two deals ASAP before they sell out. $500 for the kit, $50 for the lower, guessing $25 for the transfer and $25 for the shipping to/in your area. Dont wait--they will be gone soon. http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/16-m4-cmv-chrome-lined-premium-rifle-kit.html and either this: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-lower-safe-fire-15159.html or this: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-lower-safe-fire.html All you will need is a couple of mags, and either a carry handle, buis, or optic of your choice. This - though if your LGS has a stripped lower for around the same price ($75 ish) take that. |
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Damn. I wish I had $600 laying around. Looks like a good kit.
The funny thing is, is that the only way my wife(boss) is letting me do this is if I don't drop a lot of money at one time. Otherwise it's a NO go. So I am just going to get things as soon as I can. And build as I get them. I did order the Blackhawk LPK from PSA. It's a start. No where to go from here but up!! Have to talk to my local FFL before I get my lower. Hopefully Monday. |
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The easiest and cheapest trade off to building is to buy the complete upper
You can piecemeal the upper assembly and save cash but you will need to buy tools. Torque wrench, armorers wrench etc. PSA has some killer deals on uppers now. Pass on the PTAC stuff and go for the better assemblies, they usually have the better barrels. Take note if it has the Bolt Carrier Group and charging handle. CHs can be had for $20. BCGs around $100 Frankly I'd get this kit for $499. and add one of those Anderson blem lowers for $49 http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/16-m4-cmv-chrome-lined-premium-rifle-kit.html Basically I think I'd have $400 handy on black Friday and a fast finger to score an upper. The rest will be easier to swallow expensewise |
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I just joined this forum today. And I am looking for advice for building my first AR-15. I have nothing right now. What should I get first? Book for research? Just dive in and buy something? I will be using this gun for target and some hunting. I like the 5.56 cal. I have been doing some research online for the past week or so and I am ready to dive in and start this. Thanks, Burch Welcome! First off don't go hog wild buying stuff, everything is significantly cheaper than this time last year ( and way more available) Take a look at Brownells how to videos, it basically walks you through the process. I took a class, and the videos show everything I saw in the class. Decide what you want to do with your gun first, and that will help you determine what parts to buy. Some parts , like the lower receiver will be the same on any gun you build. Take a look around that www thingy and see what you like. I am partial to the Spikes Tactical spider engraving done in red. You decide what floats your boat. No rush right now. Enjoy, building is fun ( and kind of addictive) |
| I would familiarize yourself with TM 9-1005-319-23&P, and also TM 9-1005-319-10. These two technical manuals combined will show how to maintain, troubleshoot, and disassemble/reassemble. Even though these TM's are for the M16/M4, they can still be used due to the AR15 having a roughly 90%+ commonality with the M16/M4. |
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Quoted:
I just joined this forum today. And I am looking for advice for building my first AR-15. I have nothing right now. What should I get first? Book for research? Just dive in and buy something? I will be using this gun for target and some hunting. I like the 5.56 cal. I have been doing some research online for the past week or so and I am ready to dive in and start this. Thanks, Burch http://68forums.com/forums/forum.php |
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This - though if your LGS has a stripped lower for around the same price ($75 ish) take that. Quoted:
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Got $600? I'd do these two deals ASAP before they sell out. $500 for the kit, $50 for the lower, guessing $25 for the transfer and $25 for the shipping to/in your area. Dont wait--they will be gone soon. http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/16-m4-cmv-chrome-lined-premium-rifle-kit.html and either this: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-lower-safe-fire-15159.html or this: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-lower-safe-fire.html All you will need is a couple of mags, and either a carry handle, buis, or optic of your choice. This - though if your LGS has a stripped lower for around the same price ($75 ish) take that. |
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Thanks for all the info. I haven't been on here foe a few days. It was opening weekend for gun-deer in WI. Been in the woods or sleeping all weekend.
I will be talking to LGS today. Hopefully he has something on hand. Not sure tho, its a new shop that just opened last year. Otherwise its just two big box stores here in town. And I will be doing some Black Friday shopping for sure. I hope to get two stripped lowers ordered this week. Just have to find the ones I like. I will be doing a lot of reading and shopping this week. Thanks everyone for the input. I will keep you all posted on my build. |
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Determine a budget with the "boss" first. It sounds like you'll have to buy piece by piece which is unfortunate due to Black Friday coming up, but not terrible. Prices are good right now anyway. If you have to piece it together, research exactly what you want and then find the best deal on Friday for a particular higher priced part on your list. If it's a good enough deal maybe you can cross multiple things off the list without upsetting the boss.
Things to consider: 1. Buy complete vs build - complete uppers and lowers require no additional work or tools on your part but are limited in options for hand guards, rails, free float rails, sights, butt stocks, trigger groups etc and usually cost more than building it yourself. If you build it yourself you get exactly what you want. 2. Barrel length: - 16" vs longer 3. Hand guards vs quad rail vs free float: - hand guards are the cheapest option. quad rails are obsolete in my opinion, good ones aren't any cheaper than free float systems, usually they are heavier and the can influence accuracy by touching the barrel. free float rails can be had inexpensively, are usually pretty light and give you better accuracy capabilities 4. Gas system length: - carbine vs mid-length vs rifle length - the longer the gas system the less felt recoil and increased reliability. The AR platform in 5.56 is very reliable and has minimal recoil regardless of these three gas system lengths. Rifle length gas systems mostly come on 18" or longer barrels but there are a few out there on 16" barrels. I prefer mid-lengths. 5. Get familiar with military specifications (mil-spec) and buy Mil-Spec stuff. Not because it's the very best of the best, but rather they are set standards and allow you to be confident that things will fit properly together. And on that note, beware of products listed as "mil-spec" but have no details on the item. This is especially true if the item is not a "name brand". There are several shady vendors out there taking advantage of peoples ignorance to what they are actually buying. 6. When you find stuff you like, search google for reviews on it. That doesn't cover everything but it's a starting point to add to the other advice given. Good luck. Edited for crappy spacing |
| If you are piecing it together slowly, I would start with a stripped lower and build from there. Do you want to build the entire rifle, or just the lower and then purchase a pre-built upper? Palmetto State Armory usually has good prices on blemished stripped uppers and lowers. I believe you can get both for around $100. If you're looking to build cheap, I would go with blemished. It will save you a few bucks and you'll still have perfectly functioning parts, just MIGHT have a few dings, nicks and scratches. And chances are, you'll have a few dings, nicks and scratches after you've built it anyway. |
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I live in Warrens WI. If you have heard of Cranfest then you know where Warrens is, north of Tomah, northeast of Lacrosse.
I definitely want to build this piece by piece. Not only to keep the "boss" happy, but also, I want to get exactly what I want/like and I want to tell people that "yes, I build that" As far as buying tools. You can never have too many tools, can you? This build may take awhile but once the parts start rolling in it might happen faster than I am thinking. I am eyeing a Spike's Zombie lower and a Spike's DIY lower. Still have to look at reviews but I like the price and the look. |
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I live in Warrens WI. If you have heard of Cranfest then you know where Warrens is, north of Tomah, northeast of Lacrosse. I definitely want to build this piece by piece. Not only to keep the "boss" happy, but also, I want to get exactly what I want/like and I want to tell people that "yes, I build that" As far as buying tools. You can never have too many tools, can you? This build may take awhile but once the parts start rolling in it might happen faster than I am thinking. I am eyeing a Spike's Zombie lower and a Spike's DIY lower. Still have to look at reviews but I like the price and the look. Good choice on all the above statements. Spikes is a great choice. Rogtac.com has spikes bolt carrier groups for a good price right now and they're supposed to be $10 cheaper on Black Friday. Also, primary arms has stripped spikes CHF mid-length barrels for $199 right now, free shipping too I believe. Just go wild and order everything now! Beg for forgiveness later. |
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Quoted: This is kind of off topic but is a paid membership worth the cost? I want to get the most out of this site but I don't want to throw money where it doesn't do any good. Just wondering. Yes. The largest benefit to a paid membership is it puts all the threads you've posted in in one place, and lists them by latest activity. So it becomes easy to see if someone has replied to your post. You also have the satisfaction you've bought Ed Sr some decent beer. |
| If you buy all the parts spread out over time. You will pay more in shipping cost than what you will save. Find a good deal and dive into it and get it all at once, or no more than twice. Shipping will kill the deal spread out over time. Unless you can buy locally. Buy a complete upper kit and a lower parts kit, then buy a stripped lower locally if you want to save monies. Saves on shipping and transfer fees. |
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+1 To reading the pinned posts, and watching as much youtube videos on it as possible. For a video guide on how to put it together try NSZ85 he has some great step by step videos and is always responding to any questions you may have.
I would get my tools first. Then after that, work on on the gun itself. Also as said before try to order as much in one go as possible, you'll spend more in shipping getting it piece by piece. |
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