AR build question

94bluerat · April 5, 2009, 09:10 AM

Hopefully a simple question.

If I buy a complete lower from R Guns in Shotgun News and then buy an upper of my liking what else is there to making a functional AR?

What are the pitfalls to avoid and the hi points to look for?

Cost wise it really seems to make sense. I have done hammer and trigger work on a 10/22. As well as complete takedown and assembly of various bolt, semi and pump guns.

Thanks for the input!

SigfanTN · April 6, 2009, 08:31 PM

Go here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=4
and check out this here:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

That is where I got the instructions on building my own. I used a Del-ton kit. The kit is a complete upper along with a lower parts kit (LPK). The LPK may or may not include the buttstock. You are probably getting a "stripped" lower from Shotgun News which is the "rifle". This is the part that has to go through the FFL.

You want to get the LPK and a "complete" upper for a DIY project. If you are only getting the upper (the piece of aluminum that attaches to the lower and the barrel attaches to), then you need to have some specialized tools and knowhow. You should have no problem assembling the stripped lower and the LPK using the links above. Then you add your complete upper and you are good to go!

[EDIT] Oops! I failed to read where you said complete lower. In my opinion that might take all of the fun out of it for you since there's really nothing to assemble.

94bluerat · April 8, 2009, 08:03 PM

SigtanTN,

Thanks for the links. I want to start on a basic "snap-together" type build. Once I have had one for a while and had the chance to tear it down and rebuild it a few times I would really like to do a tru build.

I could really use some feedback from some folks who have done some of these builds.

If you or anyone else would be willing to PM me with additional contact info I would really like to hear what has worked and what didn't and why.

Thanks!

SigfanTN · April 12, 2009, 08:31 PM

I don't have any more experience with this beyond just having put mine together from a kit last summer just using the instructions at the links I posted. Of course, I read several threads on builds in that forum and the M4.net forums.

It really didn't require any specialized tools beyond a pair of vise grips, and a punch in my case. From the time I opened everything until the time I had a complete rifle was under an hour. I swear I've never done any work on guns beyond cleaning prior to this. If I can do it, I would imagine most can.

There is, of course, not a thing wrong with buying the two complete parts, upper and lower. I just wouldn't call that a "build".

Alleykat · April 13, 2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Thanks for the links. I want to start on a basic "snap-together" type build.

You aren't talking about "building" anything, "snap-together" or otherwise. You're just talking about buying a complete rifle that happens to need to have the top affixed on the bottom and two pins snapped into place. Let's not confuse building with just buying a rifle.

ISC · April 13, 2009, 01:45 PM

Attaching an assembled upper to a complete lower is the exact same thing you do every time after you clean the rifle. It takes approximately 5 seconds.

April 5, 2009, 09:10 AM	#1
94bluerat Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Location: South of Canada Posts: 204	AR build question Hopefully a simple question. If I buy a complete lower from R Guns in Shotgun News and then buy an upper of my liking what else is there to making a functional AR? What are the pitfalls to avoid and the hi points to look for? Cost wise it really seems to make sense. I have done hammer and trigger work on a 10/22. As well as complete takedown and assembly of various bolt, semi and pump guns. Thanks for the input! __________________ "Got a shotgun, a rifle and a four wheel drive" - HW Jr. Rifleman BSA Eagle Scout

April 6, 2009, 08:31 PM	#2
SigfanTN Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2008 Posts: 183	Go here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=4 and check out this here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 That is where I got the instructions on building my own. I used a Del-ton kit. The kit is a complete upper along with a lower parts kit (LPK). The LPK may or may not include the buttstock. You are probably getting a "stripped" lower from Shotgun News which is the "rifle". This is the part that has to go through the FFL. You want to get the LPK and a "complete" upper for a DIY project. If you are only getting the upper (the piece of aluminum that attaches to the lower and the barrel attaches to), then you need to have some specialized tools and knowhow. You should have no problem assembling the stripped lower and the LPK using the links above. Then you add your complete upper and you are good to go! [EDIT] Oops! I failed to read where you said complete lower. In my opinion that might take all of the fun out of it for you since there's really nothing to assemble. Last edited by SigfanTN; April 6, 2009 at 08:50 PM.

April 8, 2009, 08:03 PM	#3
94bluerat Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Location: South of Canada Posts: 204	SigtanTN, Thanks for the links. I want to start on a basic "snap-together" type build. Once I have had one for a while and had the chance to tear it down and rebuild it a few times I would really like to do a tru build. I could really use some feedback from some folks who have done some of these builds. If you or anyone else would be willing to PM me with additional contact info I would really like to hear what has worked and what didn't and why. Thanks! __________________ "Got a shotgun, a rifle and a four wheel drive" - HW Jr. Rifleman BSA Eagle Scout

April 12, 2009, 08:31 PM	#4
SigfanTN Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2008 Posts: 183	I don't have any more experience with this beyond just having put mine together from a kit last summer just using the instructions at the links I posted. Of course, I read several threads on builds in that forum and the M4.net forums. It really didn't require any specialized tools beyond a pair of vise grips, and a punch in my case. From the time I opened everything until the time I had a complete rifle was under an hour. I swear I've never done any work on guns beyond cleaning prior to this. If I can do it, I would imagine most can. There is, of course, not a thing wrong with buying the two complete parts, upper and lower. I just wouldn't call that a "build".

April 13, 2009, 01:45 PM	#6
ISC Junior member Join Date: August 5, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,982	Attaching an assembled upper to a complete lower is the exact same thing you do every time after you clean the rifle. It takes approximately 5 seconds.