How to build AR15?

reppinthe509 · 11-07-2009, 11:33 PM

what are all the parts tools and what is the average cost of building an ar 15

FatFugg · 11-07-2009, 11:45 PM

Here is a ton of information from our friends at www.AR15.com

Assemble your own LOWER, UPPER, FREE FLOAT, TRIGGER, GAS BLOCK - Step by step instructions! - AR15.COM

As for cost, it could be anywhere from $600.00ish to thousands depending on your budget & how extravagant you want it to be.

Kolat · 11-08-2009, 07:27 AM

tools wise if you purchase a complete assembled upper and are just needing to assemble the lower then pretty much the only tool you will NEED is a pair of vice grips with some tape wrapped around the jaws, and a punch and rubber mallet will make a few things easier but you could get one together with just the vice grips in a pinch.

If your going to build your upper too then add an action vice and a barrel wrench to the tools needed.

Personally I don't think it's worth it to assemble your own upper unless you were going to be doing a LOT of them or are able to borrow the tools for it since they add quite a bit more cost to the project than the amount that they save. And it can all be shipped to your door.

Your basic parts that would be needed would be
Stripped lower reciever
Lower parts kit
buttstock/buffer/buffer spring
completed upper reciever.

I think on a seriously penny pinching build I could probably put one together for right around $540

T

reppinthe509 · 11-08-2009, 09:48 AM

where is a good place to look for parts?

FatFugg · 11-08-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppinthe509

where is a good place to look for parts?

My two favorites to deal with are PK Firearms | Online Store & Bravo Company USA, Inc. AR-15, M16, M4 Tactical Gear, Parts, Accessories.

They both have reasonable prices & fast shipping.

Kolat · 11-08-2009, 10:06 AM

according to my sources there's someone selling blemished lowers at the gun show this weekend for $50 fyi, not sure if any are left though.

T

reppinthe509 · 11-08-2009, 10:08 AM

so the barrel would come with the upper reciever then?

FatFugg · 11-08-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppinthe509

so the barrel would come with the upper reciever then?

You can buy them either way. As separate components or as a complete assembled upper.

If you go to PK & click on Complete Upper Assemblies, that's what you get. Or you can get separate components. For a first build I would get a complete upper & assemble your own lower.

reppinthe509 · 11-08-2009, 10:23 AM

should i get everything to match brand wise? if im going to get bushmaster lower should i get a bushmaster lower parts kit? or does it really even matter at first?

FatFugg · 11-08-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppinthe509

should i get everything to match brand wise? if im going to get bushmaster lower should i get a bushmaster lower parts kit? or does it really even matter at first?

Doesn't matter at all. As long as you are buying good quality products, they all fall into the same specs. & are completely interchangeable. I personally prefer DPMS lower parts kits & try to always use them if they are available.

There have been some issues with certain parts from different manufactures not being made to Mil. Spec, but as long as you stick with quality brands you shouldn't have an issue.

Kolat · 11-08-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatFugg

Doesn't matter at all. As long as you are buying good quality products, they all fall into the same specs. & are completely interchangeable. I personally prefer DPMS lower parts kits & try to always use them if they are available.

There have been some issues with certain parts from different manufactures not being made to Mil. Spec, but as long as you stick with quality brands you shouldn't have an issue.

Not entirely true, there are Big hole vs little hole lowers/uppers from early colts, odds are you'll never encounter one but just throwing it out there.

T

reppinthe509 · 11-08-2009, 10:34 AM

from PK what ive found and added together the total was about $711
Complete upper - $451
Lower stripped - $130
Lower parts - $65
Buttstock kit $65

FatFugg · 11-08-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolat

Not entirely true, there are Big hole vs little hole lowers/uppers from early colts, odds are you'll never encounter one but just throwing it out there.

T

True! I forgot about those. They are not too common, but if your dealing with new components you should never encounter one.

FatFugg · 11-08-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppinthe509

from PK what ive found and added together the total was about $711
Complete upper - $451
Lower stripped - $130
Lower parts - $65
Buttstock kit $65

You will have to have the lower shipped to an FFL & they will charge you X amount to do a transfer, unless you are friends with one that will hook you up!

reppinthe509 · 11-08-2009, 09:09 PM

T how would you build it for 540? using used parts?

sunofnun · 11-08-2009, 09:25 PM

you could do del-ton they're dirt cheap.. but you get what you pay for. I don't think I'd get one unless it was gonna be for buddies that came into town... then I can keep shooting my current builds.

complete builds w/buttstock $460-480 plus ffl and shipping.

Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 Rifle Kits - 16"

reppinthe509 · 11-08-2009, 09:53 PM

it seemed like most of those reviews were positive. im sure theyre not great guns but they cant be that bad. if its a complete build then its already put together? except for the lower reciever

sunofnun · 11-08-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppinthe509

it seemed like most of those reviews were positive. im sure theyre not great guns but they cant be that bad. if its a complete build then its already put together? except for the lower reciever

I've never really read anything bad about them... except a direct comparison to a higher end rifle.

I'm sure if you built one out, you wouldn't loose any money on it.. but it's never gonna be worth $1100-2500. If you keep it as a plinker, I'd say go for it. If your gonna use it to defend your life.. you might wanna save up.

but hey.. that's what the pistols, and the shot guns are for until the zombies come right?

reppinthe509 · 11-09-2009, 09:31 AM

thats what my 870 is for..haha. thanks for all the info.

reppinthe509 · 11-09-2009, 11:49 AM

Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 16" Rifle Kit so all i need for this is the stripped lower/.

sunofnun · 11-09-2009, 12:00 PM

pretty much.. you may want to upgrade a few things here and there.. but you should be able to pick up that kit, have it shipped to you (no FFL) then pick up a lower locally?

West Coast Armory

I picked up my rra stripped lower there and I think I paid $120 but I can't remember?

11-07-2009, 11:33 PM	#1
reppinthe509 Marksman Joined: Jul 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 423	How to build AR15? what are all the parts tools and what is the average cost of building an ar 15

11-07-2009, 11:45 PM	#2
FatFugg Sharpshooter Joined: Jan 2009 From: Dri-Shities Posts: 563	Here is a ton of information from our friends at www.AR15.com Assemble your own LOWER, UPPER, FREE FLOAT, TRIGGER, GAS BLOCK - Step by step instructions! - AR15.COM As for cost, it could be anywhere from $600.00ish to thousands depending on your budget & how extravagant you want it to be. Last edited by FatFugg; 11-07-2009 at 11:47 PM.

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11-08-2009, 07:27 AM	#3
Kolat Marksman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 371	tools wise if you purchase a complete assembled upper and are just needing to assemble the lower then pretty much the only tool you will NEED is a pair of vice grips with some tape wrapped around the jaws, and a punch and rubber mallet will make a few things easier but you could get one together with just the vice grips in a pinch. If your going to build your upper too then add an action vice and a barrel wrench to the tools needed. Personally I don't think it's worth it to assemble your own upper unless you were going to be doing a LOT of them or are able to borrow the tools for it since they add quite a bit more cost to the project than the amount that they save. And it can all be shipped to your door. Your basic parts that would be needed would be Stripped lower reciever Lower parts kit buttstock/buffer/buffer spring completed upper reciever. I think on a seriously penny pinching build I could probably put one together for right around $540 T

11-08-2009, 09:48 AM	#4
reppinthe509 Marksman Joined: Jul 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 423	where is a good place to look for parts?

11-08-2009, 10:06 AM	#6
Kolat Marksman Joined: Jan 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 371	according to my sources there's someone selling blemished lowers at the gun show this weekend for $50 fyi, not sure if any are left though. T

11-08-2009, 10:08 AM	#7
reppinthe509 Marksman Joined: Jul 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 423	so the barrel would come with the upper reciever then?

11-08-2009, 10:23 AM	#9
reppinthe509 Marksman Joined: Jul 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 423	should i get everything to match brand wise? if im going to get bushmaster lower should i get a bushmaster lower parts kit? or does it really even matter at first?

11-08-2009, 10:34 AM	#12
reppinthe509 Marksman Joined: Jul 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 423	from PK what ive found and added together the total was about $711 Complete upper - $451 Lower stripped - $130 Lower parts - $65 Buttstock kit $65

11-08-2009, 09:09 PM	#15
reppinthe509 Marksman Joined: Jul 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 423	T how would you build it for 540? using used parts?

11-08-2009, 09:25 PM	#16
sunofnun Moderator Joined: Jan 2009 From: lynnhood Posts: 632	you could do del-ton they're dirt cheap.. but you get what you pay for. I don't think I'd get one unless it was gonna be for buddies that came into town... then I can keep shooting my current builds. complete builds w/buttstock $460-480 plus ffl and shipping. Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 Rifle Kits - 16"

11-08-2009, 09:53 PM	#17
reppinthe509 Marksman Joined: Jul 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 423	it seemed like most of those reviews were positive. im sure theyre not great guns but they cant be that bad. if its a complete build then its already put together? except for the lower reciever

11-09-2009, 09:31 AM	#19
reppinthe509 Marksman Joined: Jul 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 423	thats what my 870 is for..haha. thanks for all the info.

11-09-2009, 11:49 AM	#20
reppinthe509 Marksman Joined: Jul 2009 From: Spokane Posts: 423	Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 16" Rifle Kit so all i need for this is the stripped lower/.

11-09-2009, 12:00 PM	#21
sunofnun Moderator Joined: Jan 2009 From: lynnhood Posts: 632	pretty much.. you may want to upgrade a few things here and there.. but you should be able to pick up that kit, have it shipped to you (no FFL) then pick up a lower locally? West Coast Armory I picked up my rra stripped lower there and I think I paid $120 but I can't remember?