YAGT: Building a "scary black rifle"

[Raduque]

AKA an AR-15.

Which parts can I order online and have mailed to my house? I know things like the stock, grip, maybe barrel can be shipped to a non-FFL, but what about other parts?

Lower, upper receivers, trigger, bolt carrier, which of these require an FFL?

 

[deadlyapp]

The only thing you have to buy from an FFL is a stripped lower. Even BCG, upper, etc can go right to your house.

 

[phucheneh]

If he has to ask this question, he should probably not buy a stripped lower. Get an assembled one and save yourself the headache.

Otherwise, everything can be assembled by a four-year-old.

 

[jlee]

If he has to ask this question, he should probably not buy a stripped lower. Get an assembled one and save yourself the headache.

Otherwise, everything can be assembled by a four-year-old.

Why not? There's nothing wrong with learning.

 

[boomhower]

As mentioned only the lower receiver can't be shipped to your house. Also decide what it is your wanting and look at what a complete rifle would run you. Prices have fallen and nice rifles are pretty cheap. Solid S&W's for ~$800, PSA, etc. Most addons such as grips, stock, etc. are pretty cheap other than a quality rail.

If he has to ask this question, he should probably not buy a stripped lower. Get an assembled one and save yourself the headache.

Otherwise, everything can be assembled by a four-year-old.

$50 worth of tools and a youtube vid is all you need. Assembling a lower is not difficult if you have patience and take your time. Now assembling an upper is a different story.

 

[phucheneh]

It was nothing personal. I've never done an AR lower. I'm sure I could, and I would, because I'm anal like that. But I can appreciate not having to dick with it if someone else will do it for little cost difference.

And yeah, complete rifles always seem to be cheaper, especially on a budget. Counter-intuitively, this is why most people build their own...but back before the crazies took over the market (dunno how far it has recovered), you'd see decent 'parts bin' AR's pop up in the $600-700 range. If complete ones from major brands are back down to 800 or so, I guess the market has recovered.

Another way to get a good deal is to look for people who don't know what they have. Buddy of mine bought a cheap Bushmaster 'Carbon-15' (carbon is apparently code for 'plastic'). Paid about the right price. But it was just the C15 lower with a higher-end Bushmaster upper (with a heavy barrel). Good deal.

 

[Raduque]

Can't find an AR-15 anywhere in town for less than $1400. Well, unless you want a .22LR.

An LGS is selling stripped DPMS lowers (when they get them in stock) for around $130.

Figured I would just buy the lower next time they have them in stock, and simply go from there, jumping on good deals online when I found them, but I wasn't sure on the legality of which things could be shipped to me.

 

[BladeVenom]

You can even get an 80% lower receiver sent to your house, if you can do the final machining. The downside is it won't have a serial number so you can never sell it.

 

[Gunslinger08]

I'm thinking about buying my first AR-15, but I don't know a ton about them yet. It seems like the Colt 6920 is the best reviewed/highest quality full gun you can buy in its price range. Any other recommendations? I can't find a 6920 in stock locally, so I'd have to order one from Gun Broker for around $1300 after shipping and FFL transfer fee. I'm wondering if I could just find a quality lower in stock somewhere and learn while ordering the other parts and assembling it.

 

[AMCRambler]

You can build an AR for less than $800. If name brand is what you are after, then a fully assembled version is cheaper.

Built mine for around 700. Mix of different parts. Bushmaster upper, aim surplus lower, Rock River stock.

 

[SaurusX]

I'm thinking about buying my first AR-15, but I don't know a ton about them yet. It seems like the Colt 6920 is the best reviewed/highest quality full gun you can buy in its price range. Any other recommendations? I can't find a 6920 in stock locally, so I'd have to order one from Gun Broker for around $1300 after shipping and FFL transfer fee. I'm wondering if I could just find a quality lower in stock somewhere and learn while ordering the other parts and assembling it.

The Colt 6920 shows up at WalMart every so often and is $999. You just have to keep your eyes open and get a little bit lucky. Colt is a highly regarded brand given that they produce most of the M4's that the troops use. It'll have the highest resale value without a doubt, but of course you'll want to keep it forever.

And yes, you can find completed lowers and uppers from respected brands and just mate them together for about the same price.

 

[jpeyton]

AKA an AR-15.

Which parts can I order online and have mailed to my house? I know things like the stock, grip, maybe barrel can be shipped to a non-FFL, but what about other parts?

Lower, upper receivers, trigger, bolt carrier, which of these require an FFL?

The only part that requires an FFL is the lower receiver.

If you're planning on building it from scratch, do your research, buy the proper tools, then make a parts list and check it twice.

If you're buying a complete upper/lower, you can pretty much assemble the rifle like Legos.

I would personally just buy a complete rifle and customize it after the fact; a Colt 6920 (~$1100) if you like DI or a PWS MK114 if you want something piston-driven. IMO both are the best values in their respective classes.

 

[JDMnAR1]

If you are looking to buy a quality carbine instead of building it, Primary Arms has a Daniel Defense carbine (DDM4v2 specifically) in their 4th of July sale for $1299 with code DDM4. https://www.primaryarms.com/Daniel_Defense_M4_Carbine_v2_30_Round_p/02-094-06101.htm However, building one is relatively easy - both the upper and lower.

 

[velillen]

If you're planning on building it from scratch, do your research, buy the proper tools, then make a parts list and check it twice.

If just building a lower you barely need ot buy any tools. I built my first lower by just using masking tape (had it laying around the house) and a pair of channel lock pliers (again laying around the house). Just mask off the lower by where the pins all go in and you wont scratch it (and go slow and not rush).

As for a "parts list"....not much to it.

Lower receiver
Lower parts kit
*buffer tube and stock (depends on which LPK you get...i like the MOE LPK's from PSA which have everything you could need for a lower)

Even an upper is pretty easy

Upper
Upper parts kit from PSA (again my preference, can also individually piece out if you know what rail your going for)
Gas block and gas tube
BCG
Charging handle
Rail of your choice
Optics




Ive built four lowers now and 1 upper and can say its all pretty basic. Youtube and picture guides and its simple.

Is it worth it? I think so but i enjoy knowing i built them and can enjoy them. If you dont want to have to deal with issues then no a factory one will be better since you get the warrenty. Remember if you build it you get no warranty except on each individual part (so no help if say its not ejecting properly). But if you just want something you can go out and shoot from time to time...just pick up a S&W 15 or 6920 IMO. They will keep their value a lot more than anything you build

 

[Raduque]

I want to build one to be able to say I did it, and challenge myself to see if I can.

I've rebuilt all kinds of (rebuildable) car parts, from engines to transmissions, to differentials, and I put together 1/24th scale plastic models, so I think I have the ability to put together an AR-15 platform rifle.

Plus, I can spread the cost out a bit and have something to show for it, versus saving up to spend $1300-1500 at a single pop.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Plus, I can spread the cost out a bit and have something to show for it, versus saving up to spend $1300-1500 at a single pop.

Nah, as soon as you have the lower built you will instantly want to buy all the parts for an upper.

It really is easy - if you can assemble a PC you can build an AR.

 

[pontifex]

i built the lower but bought a complete upper.

i didn't want to buy the tools necessary for the upper, plus it seemed like much more hassle, especially for the 1st one

 

[phucheneh]

What assembly is there in an upper? All I can think of is attaching the barrel/chamber to the receiver. And the gas tube. I've always just accepted that as 'gunsmith work' and kind of treated upper receivers and barrels as a matched 'I really have no reason to ever take this apart' pair.

 

[olds]

Get an 80% lower...

 

[olds]

You can even get an 80% lower receiver sent to your house, if you can do the final machining. The downside is it won't have a serial number so you can never sell it.

Not true. You just have to mark it correctly.

 

[JDMnAR1]

What assembly is there in an upper? All I can think of is attaching the barrel/chamber to the receiver. And the gas tube. I've always just accepted that as 'gunsmith work' and kind of treated upper receivers and barrels as a matched 'I really have no reason to ever take this apart' pair.

Assuming you buy a stripped upper, typical assembly would consist of:

-ejection port door
-forward assist
-barrel (w/appropriate barrel nut/delta ring/spring pack, etc. depending on chosen handguard)
-gas tube
-gas block (or front sight tower)
-handguard
-muzzle device (if barrel is threaded)

 

[velillen]

What assembly is there in an upper? All I can think of is attaching the barrel/chamber to the receiver. And the gas tube. I've always just accepted that as 'gunsmith work' and kind of treated upper receivers and barrels as a matched 'I really have no reason to ever take this apart' pair.

ejection port cover, forward assist, barrel, gas block, gas tube, and possibly the BCG/Charging handle depending if you buy parts or already assembled on those.

Tool wise for the upper you need a barrel nut wrench (most armors wrenches do this and the buffer tube), a method to hold the upper (usually upper vice block), and preferably a torque wrench.

The forward assist and ejection port cover take all of 5 minutes to do and are easy. BCG's and charging handles arent hard at all. The barrel is pretty simple you just need the tools. You want to torque the barrel nut down to 30ft lb- 80ft lb...or more whatever number between those gets the holes to line up with the gas tube. Gas block is simple to install you just have to make sure the holes line up. Same with the gas tube.

The rail you pick sort of depends too. For instance my troy alpha rail uses a standard barrel nut. But some other brands of rails use their own barrel nuts.



As for it being "gunsmithing" work...its very basic gunsmithing work. As long as you buy a quality barrel and not one made in redneck joes basement they will be headspaced correctly and good to go right out of the box.