AR-15 stripped upper build

[USAF_Vet]

How difficult, really, is building an AR upper from a stripped receiver? Looks like all it needs is a forward assist and dust cover attached, and install the barrel, nut and gas tube. Insert your BCG and charging handle, mount it to your lower and be done with it. Is there something I'm missing?

 

[Coltdriver]

It is, as you point out, very simple.

You will need to add a hand guard, some sights and while not required a flash hider.

The key to building one is to get an armorers wrench and a vice block to mount the upper to while you build it. Takes all of about 15 minutes if you have your parts laid out.

 

[wally]

It is easy unless you want the GI style front sight/gas block. Doing the drilling for the taper pins is not a "normal" operation, although straight pins should work.

If you buy the barrel with the sight block installed you'll have to remove it to install the barrel nut, which is not that big a deal compared to drilling it for the taper pins.

 

[dprice3844444]

pinning barrels(cmp forum)
Here's a guy that just specializes in ar barrels. Give him a quick email for the correct reamers/drill sizes needed. [email protected] He has the jigs and the proper tooling.
don't forget the antiseize compound for the nut

 

[USAF_Vet]

Cool. I'll be building from a stripped barrel and using a free float nut and hand guard (so I don't have to worry about the D-ring. I'll be using a low profile gas block, the type that has set screws that mount the block to the barrel.