building a AR from scratch

freakintoguns · October 23, 2008, 08:40 PM

how hard is this for someone thats never done it before? any books and/or DVDs out there to look to for help?

rantingredneck · October 23, 2008, 08:42 PM

The lower is fairly easy to build. I did mine sitting in my easy chair watching Mythbusters. Took me about 30 mins using one of the online guides at AR15.com.

The upper is a little more complicated and requires a bench vise and some more specialized tools.

I built my lower and bought my upper and came in around 700 bucks total.

freakintoguns · October 23, 2008, 08:50 PM

yeah, i plan on buying a upper thats already put together. was lookin at that and thats way to compilacated for my 10000000 mph ADD mind!

nikdfish · October 23, 2008, 09:06 PM

You should be able to find a kit with the upper fully assembled & tested that comes with all the lower parts needed to flesh out the project. I just did one from Del-Ton. It went very smoothly and resulted in a properly functioning flat top middy that I am quite satisfied with ...

Nick

freakintoguns · October 23, 2008, 09:28 PM

sounds good how much did it cost you?

hoytinak · October 23, 2008, 09:31 PM

Another fan of the Del-ton kits, just add your lower. Very easy to put a lower together and slap the upper on it. http://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Rifle_Kits_s/1.htm

2ndchance · October 23, 2008, 09:52 PM

I'm not a big fan of www.ar15.com but there is a REALLY good guide on building an aR15. Pretty darn complete. I've used it twice when I first started building them. All of my kits come from www.model1sales.com and www.m-aparts.com.

Here's a link to the guide on AR15.com Props to user "FALARAK" for putting this together.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

nikdfish · October 24, 2008, 08:27 AM

The cost of my Del-Ton kit was $465 for the basic middy flat top kit + $45 for the chrome lined barrel option + $20 for shipping = $530 delivered to my door. I already had a Double Star lower I had picked up for $119 (+ $7 tax) at a gun show, so total w/ all tax & delivery included, for a working DIY flat top 16" middy, was $656.

+1 on the arfcom DIY guides, they were very helpful. Also, I fully recommend using the "vise grip & painters tape" approach mentioned there to start roll pins in tight locations & on the trigger guard, though in my opinion a tool like the craftsman robogrips works even even better since they can re-adjust automatically ...

Nick

**4V50 Gary** · October 24, 2008, 08:58 AM

Between AR15.com and the Marine Corps manual, I built several ARs. None of them are with me as they're out of state now.

kraigwy · October 24, 2008, 11:27 AM

LOL When I read the topic subject line I thought you were talking about building the lower on a mill. I have the plans but havent got around to doing it yet, I have too may projects started and not finished but I am gonna try it.

Anyway, as metioned AR.com had the info you are looking for and those guys will provide any help you might need. Its not near as hard as you think.

freakintoguns · October 24, 2008, 01:41 PM

cool guys thanks for all the help. building one on my own seems to be the way to go and saves a couple hundred bux that i can throw towards all the cool optics and lights and what not

October 23, 2008, 08:40 PM	#1
freakintoguns Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Posts: 496	building a AR from scratch how hard is this for someone thats never done it before? any books and/or DVDs out there to look to for help?

October 24, 2008, 08:58 AM	#9
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,298	If you played with Lego as a child, you can build your own AR. Between AR15.com and the Marine Corps manual, I built several ARs. None of them are with me as they're out of state now. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 23, 2008, 08:42 PM	#2
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	The lower is fairly easy to build. I did mine sitting in my easy chair watching Mythbusters. Took me about 30 mins using one of the online guides at AR15.com. The upper is a little more complicated and requires a bench vise and some more specialized tools. I built my lower and bought my upper and came in around 700 bucks total.

October 23, 2008, 08:50 PM	#3
freakintoguns Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Posts: 496	yeah, i plan on buying a upper thats already put together. was lookin at that and thats way to compilacated for my 10000000 mph ADD mind!

October 23, 2008, 09:06 PM	#4
nikdfish Member Join Date: August 17, 2007 Posts: 97	You should be able to find a kit with the upper fully assembled & tested that comes with all the lower parts needed to flesh out the project. I just did one from Del-Ton. It went very smoothly and resulted in a properly functioning flat top middy that I am quite satisfied with ... Nick

October 23, 2008, 09:28 PM	#5
freakintoguns Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Posts: 496	sounds good how much did it cost you?

October 23, 2008, 09:31 PM	#6
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	Another fan of the Del-ton kits, just add your lower. Very easy to put a lower together and slap the upper on it. http://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Rifle_Kits_s/1.htm

October 23, 2008, 09:52 PM	#7
2ndchance Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 180	I'm not a big fan of www.ar15.com but there is a REALLY good guide on building an aR15. Pretty darn complete. I've used it twice when I first started building them. All of my kits come from www.model1sales.com and www.m-aparts.com. Here's a link to the guide on AR15.com Props to user "FALARAK" for putting this together. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

October 24, 2008, 08:27 AM	#8
nikdfish Member Join Date: August 17, 2007 Posts: 97	The cost of my Del-Ton kit was $465 for the basic middy flat top kit + $45 for the chrome lined barrel option + $20 for shipping = $530 delivered to my door. I already had a Double Star lower I had picked up for $119 (+ $7 tax) at a gun show, so total w/ all tax & delivery included, for a working DIY flat top 16" middy, was $656. +1 on the arfcom DIY guides, they were very helpful. Also, I fully recommend using the "vise grip & painters tape" approach mentioned there to start roll pins in tight locations & on the trigger guard, though in my opinion a tool like the craftsman robogrips works even even better since they can re-adjust automatically ... Nick

October 24, 2008, 11:27 AM	#10
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	LOL When I read the topic subject line I thought you were talking about building the lower on a mill. I have the plans but havent got around to doing it yet, I have too may projects started and not finished but I am gonna try it. Anyway, as metioned AR.com had the info you are looking for and those guys will provide any help you might need. Its not near as hard as you think.

October 24, 2008, 01:41 PM	#11
freakintoguns Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Posts: 496	cool guys thanks for all the help. building one on my own seems to be the way to go and saves a couple hundred bux that i can throw towards all the cool optics and lights and what not