Home AR-15 5 Tips For First Time AR Builders!

5 Tips For First Time AR Builders!

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I love to build rifles, almost as much as I love to shoot them! Here are 5 tips that I have come up with that will hopefully help people just getting into building.

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43 COMMENTS

  6. I totally agree with you about the stripped lower and your thoughts on the parts you choose and what you expect from the rifle you build. I don't want to pay a high price to have Tactical Brand names on all my parts because I don't think it makes them any better. I'm a machinist, the word tolerance simply means the maximum variation of any given dimension on the blueprint to produce the part your making according to the manufacturer. So, each brand name of lower receivers no matter who makes them, must be with the tolerances specified on the blueprint, or the part is rejected and can't be used.

  11. its fun hearing the prices. now on 4/20 2022. any lower for 40-55 bucks would sell out thousands of em pretty soon thye might be a thing of the past if the gungrabbers get thier way. a lower 9mm 80% is about 170 right now.

  12. I bought a full AR rifle for 373$ at bear creek arsonal. For that price it is an awsome rifle they have great barrels and the bcg's are inspected and tested just like any other . So you could spend more than 370$ just on the barrel. Bear creek arsonal has very good barrels cmv 4150 erc. So you have for 373$ on sale btw a very good starting point. The only things that really need to be upgraded are the trigger the buttstock and maybe put a adjustable gas block . I would challenge anyone to build a better rifle for the price and quality of bear creek arsonal. I was shooting .75 inch groups at 100 yards right out of the box . Anyone reading this should at least check out bear creek arsonal. And do some research watch vedioes etc. And I bet you will realize how great bca is for the price.

  17. I have built many AR rifles using Anderson. I have the pin gauges to spec them out and they have been spot on or within tolerances. The play between the receivers are in spec and function perfectly. Anderson haters are the same internet trolls who know absolutely nothing about TDP specs. Anderson receivers are not as tight as SOLGR or Geiseele but they function fine. BCG's are very important and my favorite are Colt and BCM since they consistently spec out the most gas efficient and have tight support bolt shoulders. The best way to test a barrel is with a function gauge which will verify if it has a true 5.56 chamber and throat.A function gauge does not lie and even higher end barrels will fail this test from time to time…I use top end small parts from Colt or Geissele for detents and springs. I use Sprinco for the ejector and the 5 coil extractor spring. These are my basics, but you are spot on with your advice.

  19. The idea behind building is that you build to a purpose most likely with the parts you like.
    Put it this way, would you build or buy a house? Say you had 3M. Well, chances are you would build with the features you want same with a rifle assembly.

  21. triggers would on my list. The 87 buck triggers from LaRue are as good as the 240 Geissele, some people say. I have 5 LaRue triggers and have never shot a better trigger. I also like Anderson and paid 50 for one lower and 65 for the Aero lower – 15 bucks is no biggie.

  31. I like to troll the AR Elitists by showing them my Mforgery built from an M4A1 parts kit with ACOG……

    Just to watch them melt when they see the DPMS Panther lower.

  35. Building ars is fun, no doubt about it but if you buy, the resale value is higher and you get a lifetime warranty depending on the company.

  37. Good video; good tips. I'd like to add some of my own:
    1) Avoid EVERYTHING "ambidextrous." Even if you're left-handed. Learn the manual of arms on the standard AR-15, and practice it with both hands, no matter which your handedness is. You'll be better off, and save a LOT of money on stuff you don't need.
    2) I agree, get a good BCG, but NOT any of the "new design" variants out there for LOTS more money. You can get a first rate "regular" BCG from, say, Bravo Company, for $130-$140 — if you pay more you're paying too much and it might not be as good as the cheaper ones.
    3) Barrel realities are changing. Most people now (finally) agree that "nitrided" barrels are every bit as good (or better) than chrome-lined, at a much lower cost. Furthermore, a cheap barrel is FINE for someone just starting out. If you're going to build your own you can also change a barrel anytime you please. Sometimes it's nice to have a "junker" barrel on hand for testing, etc.
    4) Invest (a small amount) in a gas block "dimple jig." Loose gas blocks are the most common "failure" seen on AR-15s — especially home built ones.
    5) Stay away from adjustable gas blocks unless you really REALLY need one: shooting a lot both with and without a suppressor, for example.
    6) Stay FAR AWAY from forends and barrel nuts which require gas tube timing. Most newer handguards and barrel nuts eliminate the need for timing. Timing can be a MAJOR pain in the ass — and the slightest timing maladjustment can hurt accuracy quite a bit.
    7) In terms of accuracy, take at look at the Criterion Barrel youtube channel for their series on doing an accurate upper build. There are a few tips that are useful, practical, easy, and cost almost nothing — which can make a big difference.
    8) I would tend to avoid any of the "drop in" triggers. I'm sure lots of them are good, but they can also be fragile and prone to mishap. Best thing is pure mil-spec, plus learn how to polish it yourself.
    9) Don't forget to add the cost of sights and sling to your build!
    10) Some people (quite sensibly) recommend you get headspace go/no-go gauges. There are MANY builds on which headspace was never checked — and, parts ARE being very accurately made out there. Nevertheless, any reputable builder should be able to offer assurance that his rifle has proper headspace. It's important. Along those lines, I would recommend chambering for 556 — not 223 or 223 Wylde, unless you have a very specific reason. And while you're at it, make sure you make an informed choice about twist rate of the barrel vs type of bullets you plan to shoot. 1:8 is considered the one that will work well with EVERYTHING. There are always cheap barrels out there with "weird" twist rates — know what you're getting into or you'll be disappointed and frustrated.

  38. When people say anderson sucks, I already know they know nothing about the AR platform. Im sure someone will prove me right, right here in the comments. Now…that being said, yes if you are building it for namesake or you are worried about the finish or holding resale value, I get it. But 7075 t6 forged aluminum, is all you will ever need.

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