Home AR-15 Tech Tip: Building an Affordable AR-15 That Doesn't Suck

Tech Tip: Building an Affordable AR-15 That Doesn't Suck

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In today’s video, let’s check out the details of building an affordable AR-15 that doesn’t compromise on quality. This build is designed to be both budget-friendly and reliable, perfect for home defense or any other situation where you need to trust your firearm.

Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction
0:06 – Overview of the Build
1:12 – Addressing the Elephant: Anderson Lower Receiver
3:11 – Tip to Butt Breakdown
3:16 – Muzzle Brake: Midwest Industries
3:50 – Barrel: 223 Wylde Brownells
4:15 – Handguard: Breek Arms
5:04 – Upper Receiver: Aero Precision
5:19 – Stock, Grip, and Sights: Magpul
5:39 – Bolt Carrier Group: Brownells Nitride
6:12 – Optic: Sig Romeo 5
7:52 – Ensuring Long-Term Reliability
8:22 – Final Thoughts and Outro

What You’ll Learn:
-How to build a high-quality AR-15 on a budget
-The importance of selecting reliable components
-Why the Anderson lower receiver is a good choice despite it’s internet reputation
-Detailed breakdown of each part used in the build
-Tips for ensuring your AR-15 remains reliable over time

Product Highlights:
-Anderson Manufacturing Lower Receiver
-Midwest Industries Muzzle Brake
-223 Wylde Brownells Barrel
-Breek Arms Handguard
-Aero Precision Upper Receiver
–Magpul Stock, Grip, and Sights
-Brownells Nitride Bolt Carrier Group
-Sig Romeo 5 Optic

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47 COMMENTS

  2. The reason Anderson gets a bad rap isn’t the lower by itself. It’s when it’s all the Anderson parts are used in a whole Anderson rifle. Lowers if mil spec are fine.

    Plastic irons is an oxymoron.

    The Romeo holds up well.

    No experience with the hand guard or barrel or that BCG.

    What LPK?

  4. I too like Anderson lowers. I’ve bought and built off of probably 12-15 Anderson lowers and had zero issues with them. They’re just plain and simple. Nothing fancy, but definitely nothing wrong with them.

  6. From my experience with Anderson lower builds, the lowers I have are slightly out of spec. Both of those works just fine but the tolerances are just slightly off. With Aeros I didn’t see any issues so just putting that out there.

  8. I built my first AR in 300 blk using an Anderson stripped lower and upper. I have a BCA stainless barrel and PSA internals and premium nickel boron BCG and Magpul furniture. I finally landed on a Burris RT-6 for the optic. I made it as a multipurpose unit that my kids could use for deer hunting, or I could use it as a defensive weapon. I won't be the guy that claims "as good as", but I will claim that it's good enough for the intended purposes.

  12. I put a Bear Creek upper on a home build lower (15), then put another Bear Creek upper on a Palmetto State lower (10) because I am cheap and I don't need another merit badge.
    My only issue has been ME not oiling enough. 1500 rounds through the 15, and only about 300 so far through the 10.
    Caleb – please rip me a new one.

  13. Anderson builds one hell of an awesome lower! They build one hell of a great rifle!! Many other build kits actually use Anderson parts…just branded for whomever!!

  14. How about a video on how to build an AR-15 that doesn't lose resale value? Every other gun I own has gone up in resale value except my AR, which I paid close to $1500 in decent parts to put it together but can't sell it for that…are ARs just a dime a dozen anymore? 🤔

  16. I just assembled my first ar10. Used a ballistic advantage/ aero precision M5 upper, lower, 15" handguard. Nickel boron toolcraft bcg, giessle SSA-E-X trigger, Faxon 308 big gunner 18" barrel with rifle length gas system. Mostly for deer, some hogs & range fun too. After My first shot the bcg got stuck forward in chamber with a live round. It was stuck good enough the charging handle wouldn't budge it! I did free it up. What would cause this? What do I need to check out to fix the issue?? Thanks

  21. Have probably built around a dozen rifles on Anderson lowers. No complaints with any of them. They're as reliable and accurate as any others anybody I shoot with have. My only issues have been one upper receiver that the dust cover wouldn't stay closed, and one mag catch that was too long, and hang up. Anderson replaced them, no questions asked. To me, that shows the character of the company, and why I do not hesitate to recommend them. You don't like them? Fine. More on the shelf for me.

  26. Anderson lowers are just fine. What does the lower actually do?
    It holds you fire control and the magazine. Everything else is standard and doesn't affect the firing of the weapon. None of the lower is a moving part it is just a container. If you can get it cheap enough the spend more on the trigger and fire control parts.
    A good barrel and bolt carrier group and trigger set are more important . Maybe the upper receiver also as those are the moving parts where all the wear is going to occur.

  27. Anderson lowers are just fine. What does the lower actually do?
    It holds you fire control and the magazine. Everything else is standard and doesn't affect the firing of the weapon. None of the lower is a moving part it is just a container. If you can get it cheap enough the spend more on the trigger and fire control parts.
    A good barrel and bolt carrier group and trigger set are more important . Maybe the upper receiver also as those are the moving parts where all the wear is going to occur.

  28. I've spoken to several gun smiths and asked them what makes a lower good and they all said they haven't come across one that's bad. I think the community as a whole needs to start using the word "value" as opposed to " cheap".

  39. Less expensive build..
    BCM Blem Stripped Upper 50..
    Radian Raptor Ambi LT 50..
    SOLGW M16 BCG/BOLT 150..
    BA 556N 16" Hanson 135 (BK King)..
    A2 Flash Hider 12..
    BCM Gas Tube 17..
    ALG MLOK Rail 150..
    Sig Romeo5 on REPTILLA 1.93 Mount 200..
    Streamlight Protac HLX Pro 115..
    Complete PSA Lower with B5 Furniture and EPT Trigger 150..
    Springco Blue Spring 18..
    Wingate Solutions Freedom Sling with QD Sockets 50..
    If I did my math correctly its 1097 bucks for COMPLETE Rig with everything needed..

  41. Love me some Poverty Ponies – Got a small herd of 'em. The only thing I've found that they don't do just fine is poop like real ponies – but since we've got several of THOSE wandering around the place, that's not too much of an issue. 🙂

  43. I am currently rocking faxon and rosco barrels and I pick them up when there’s a sale. I bought a bunch of bcm pnt triggers a few years ago so I keep using them and they perform well. I’m also rocking and Anderson lower on one rifle and a KE Arms kp15 lower on another. Sig Romeo 5 red dot sights are great for cheap but I usually throw them on a UTG lower 3rd mount. Magpul furniture and b5 are my usual go to for polymer furniture. Love the blue force gear padded slings. I have Midwest industries combat rails on several rifles and a set of their fixed combat sights. I really like the streamlight hlx rifle lights for the price. I really like a lot of different companies products and I tend to drift towards more budget minded parts from reputable manufacturers. Great video

  44. My question to AR builders would be "Why not build with an Anderson lower?" I've spent more on receivers and never had one better than Anderson. Nicer looking maybe (to some people). But none better that I've noticed. Save your money for a good barrel or trigger. Or?

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