Hello everybody! Is assembly easy?

Latex Ducky · August 31, 2009, 12:52 AM

Hi I've been lurking a bit here and decided to get an account. I probably won't post much.

I've been jonesing for an AR-15 lately and I told myself that if I got all As this semester (I'm in college), I'd get one with a limit of $1000. I don't want to spend that much and I will probably try to assemble one myself since that can save a lot of money. So is that easy to do? I can follow instructions and I'm careful.

I really want it to be as cheap as possible. I've never assembled a gun before and I really only have experience with .22LR (rifle/pistol) and the occasional usage of other peoples rifles. I have shot most all calibers but .22LR is the cheapest to do regularly.

Also, will prices drop more in a few months since we are further from the election period?

I also want a surplus mosin nagant. Those things are cheap!

mrnkc130 · August 31, 2009, 01:17 AM

personally i think they are pretty easy. I usually buy a stripped lower, then a parts kit, then a butt stock, then just get a complete upper. they also have some complete rifle kits less lower reciever that you can get into fo $800 or so. here is a link to rock river, i think they are great quality and hard to beat the price, i have had 3 rock rivers no complaints

https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=199

ChicagoTex · August 31, 2009, 01:55 AM

assembling an upper from parts is somewhat tricky (mostly the barrel installation) and requires a couple specialized tools. Thankfully most AR uppers are sold complete (and I looked into it, it's no cheaper to do it yourself).

Assembling a lower from a parts kit is pretty easy, if you go on ar15.com they have assembly instructions there that can be very helpful. No specialized tools are required for lower assembly.

For these reasons, generally the cheapest way to build an AR is to buy a stripped lower, parts kit, buttstock, and complete upper. Should take you no more than an hour to put it all together and tada! off to the range.
Although if you're lazy you can usually get a lower with the parts kit and buttstock already installed for only $20-$30 more.

Sevens · August 31, 2009, 07:16 AM

Though I've certainly shot my share of them, I've never owned one, so I don't have the answers you seek. I can tell you that there seems to be a glut of them for sale right now as production FINALLY caught up to demand. I'm seeing used prices under $800 for some decent rifles with accessories. I can't imagine new complete rifles are all too far off. So I'd do some looking before deciding for sure that you must build one from parts.

As for a Mosin Nagant, they are cheap for a little history, but that doesn't really make them a "must" purchase. Ammo is a PITA unless you want to deal with corrosive, and there's obviously a limit to what you can practically do with them. I'd recommend a trip to www.surplusrifle.com and that might better help you decide if buying a Mosin is for you.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · August 31, 2009, 08:36 AM

You'll need tools for the upper---its not exactly cheaper building your own---the beauty of it is you can get parts when you can afford them instead of plunking down $1000+ for a whole rifle----also you learn the in's and out's of your rifle.

And yes---I build my own uppers too.

Ridge_Runner_5 · September 2, 2009, 01:48 AM

My suggestion is buy a complete upper assembly, and a stripped lower. The lower can be put together with a screwdriver and a pair of vice grips. Uppers need more specialty tools and unless you plan on building a lot of ARs, the tools will not be cost effective.

August 31, 2009, 12:52 AM	#1
Latex Ducky Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Posts: 74	Hello everybody! Is assembly easy? Hi I've been lurking a bit here and decided to get an account. I probably won't post much. I've been jonesing for an AR-15 lately and I told myself that if I got all As this semester (I'm in college), I'd get one with a limit of $1000. I don't want to spend that much and I will probably try to assemble one myself since that can save a lot of money. So is that easy to do? I can follow instructions and I'm careful. I really want it to be as cheap as possible. I've never assembled a gun before and I really only have experience with .22LR (rifle/pistol) and the occasional usage of other peoples rifles. I have shot most all calibers but .22LR is the cheapest to do regularly. Also, will prices drop more in a few months since we are further from the election period? I also want a surplus mosin nagant. Those things are cheap! Last edited by Latex Ducky; August 31, 2009 at 01:02 AM.

August 31, 2009, 07:16 AM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Though I've certainly shot my share of them, I've never owned one, so I don't have the answers you seek. I can tell you that there seems to be a glut of them for sale right now as production FINALLY caught up to demand. I'm seeing used prices under $800 for some decent rifles with accessories. I can't imagine new complete rifles are all too far off. So I'd do some looking before deciding for sure that you must build one from parts. As for a Mosin Nagant, they are cheap for a little history, but that doesn't really make them a "must" purchase. Ammo is a PITA unless you want to deal with corrosive, and there's obviously a limit to what you can practically do with them. I'd recommend a trip to www.surplusrifle.com and that might better help you decide if buying a Mosin is for you. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 31, 2009, 08:36 AM	#5
Omaha-BeenGlockin Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2001 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 1,183	You'll need tools for the upper---its not exactly cheaper building your own---the beauty of it is you can get parts when you can afford them instead of plunking down $1000+ for a whole rifle----also you learn the in's and out's of your rifle. And yes---I build my own uppers too. __________________ I take the leech that's bleeding me Can't stop to save my soul I take the leash that's leading me -------Metallica

August 31, 2009, 01:17 AM	#2
mrnkc130 Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Justin, TX Posts: 149	personally i think they are pretty easy. I usually buy a stripped lower, then a parts kit, then a butt stock, then just get a complete upper. they also have some complete rifle kits less lower reciever that you can get into fo $800 or so. here is a link to rock river, i think they are great quality and hard to beat the price, i have had 3 rock rivers no complaints https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=199

August 31, 2009, 01:55 AM	#3
ChicagoTex Junior member Join Date: March 18, 2008 Location: DFW Metroplex Posts: 1,909	assembling an upper from parts is somewhat tricky (mostly the barrel installation) and requires a couple specialized tools. Thankfully most AR uppers are sold complete (and I looked into it, it's no cheaper to do it yourself). Assembling a lower from a parts kit is pretty easy, if you go on ar15.com they have assembly instructions there that can be very helpful. No specialized tools are required for lower assembly. For these reasons, generally the cheapest way to build an AR is to buy a stripped lower, parts kit, buttstock, and complete upper. Should take you no more than an hour to put it all together and tada! off to the range. Although if you're lazy you can usually get a lower with the parts kit and buttstock already installed for only $20-$30 more.

September 2, 2009, 01:48 AM	#6
Ridge_Runner_5 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,925	My suggestion is buy a complete upper assembly, and a stripped lower. The lower can be put together with a screwdriver and a pair of vice grips. Uppers need more specialty tools and unless you plan on building a lot of ARs, the tools will not be cost effective.