AR built Kit & tools

[Mark_Mark]

better start with my cheap $59 Bear Creek barrel!

 

[WestKentucky]

Bad Idea??? stop being cheap?

View attachment 1175189

I just saw this… I like the clamshells and the mag block. That wrench is the same thing that I broke. For $21 though, buy it and just go ahead with the understanding that it’s fine for everything except the barrel nut. You need a better piece of chinesium for that task.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I just saw this… I like the clamshells and the mag block. That wrench is the same thing that I broke. For $21 though, buy it and just go ahead with the understanding that it’s fine for everything except the barrel nut. You need a better piece of chinesium for that task.

I just found out that the barrel nut comes with the hand guard. Better get that 1st.

 

[WestKentucky]

I just found out that the barrel nut comes with the hand guard. Better get that 1st.

Some hand guards use special wrenches. Most don’t though. Just read the details before sending up any smoke signals with credit card info.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Some hand guards use special wrenches. Most don’t though. Just read the details before sending up any smoke signals with credit card info.

i’m just going to get a cheapo Bear Creek Handgaurd. I bought a ton of their uppers and the work.

 

[someguy2800]

I have one upper that has probably had 15 barrels on it. Probably around a dozen uppers and lowers total.

 

[WestKentucky]

i’m just going to get a cheapo Bear Creek Handgaurd. I bought a ton of their uppers and the work.

Bear creek supposedly uses cheap Chinese handguards. I have used a few from justrails.com and they work, are super cheap, and are surprisingly good for the money. I would lean that way if I were gonna go cheap. Just trying to give you options. The last time I ordered I got stuff I couldn’t find anywhere else. It’s extruded aluminum that’s machined decently enough.

Great Source for Hand Rails and Mounts. Aftermarket Parts

Justrails.com is a Top Online Source for Affordable Quality Rail Mounts, Aftermarket and Restoration Parts and Accessories for AR 223/556, 308 Free Float handguard rails, Quad Rails, Charging Handles, Buffer Tubes, Stock, Gas Blocks and much more.

justrails.com

 

[powermad]

I started out with just a combo wrench, clamshell and some basic tools I already have.
Got quite a few more now, tools made for the job make it even easier to put one together.

I was just squeezing the bolt catch pin in with some pliers, that does work.
When I ordered a few maritime bolt catches I tossed a Wheeler bolt catch punch set in the cart too.
Made short work of removing and installing the pins on a few rifles.

 

[Styx]

The sail on the MI URR and others, of similar design, take the torque off the index pin. Clamshells work too, but I prefer my MI Rod over the Delta clamshell I also own. As stated above, it also verifies the barrel extension is aligned properly.

The original G-RR is the one famous for breaking index pins.

FYI, the Magpul BEV Block works for assembling the upper and lower, and it also hold/grabs the upper receiver thus takes the torque off the index pin in a similar manner as the MI Rod. It also catches the barrel extension. It's a one size fits all less expensive route than the MI Rod, but you're correct that designs like the MI Rod will work too and is a quality tool vs the cheapo Rods most buy. If I find an MI Rod on sale in the $50 or so range or if I can find one used, I'll have to pick one up for myself.

 

[Styx]

I just found out that the barrel nut comes with the hand guard. Better get that 1st.

What barrel are you going with? I'd suggest buying a barrel that has the gas block already pinned on, or at the very least, only buy a barrel that's dimpled if you plan on installing the hassle block your. The main gotcha failure point in putting together an upper is a misaligned gas block, and having a barrel that's dimpled or already has the gas block installed/pinned for your first upper build will make thinks simpler.

There is a lot of information I'm this thread, but honestly, putting together an upper is extremely easy compared to the lower IMHO. The biggest PITA is installing the ejection port cover IMHO. Installing the barrel, gas tube, handgaurds, muzzle device, bolt, and charging hand is easy. My point is, it's not going to be as complicated as it may appear based on all the information and personal suggestions in the thread.

I only ever assembled PSA lowers from kits for years, and purchased complete uppers because I was intimidated. I was surprised with how simple it was when I finally decided to assembled my first upper.

 

[shoobe01]

...honestly, putting together an upper is extremely easy compared to the lower IMHO. The biggest PITA is installing the ejection port cover IMHO. Installing the barrel, gas tube, handgaurds, muzzle device, bolt, and charging hand is easy. My point is, it's not going to be as complicated as it may appear based on all the information and personal suggestions in the thread.

I only ever assembled PSA lowers from kits for years, and purchased complete uppers because I was intimidated. I was surprised with how simple it was when I finally decided to assembled my first upper.

Agree.

I built my first with appx no specific tools. I already had a good workshop, punches and vise and so on, good (in-lb) torque wrench is nearly required and might as well get a proper assembly wrench, since they aren't that expensive and do a lot of jobs.

But overall the AR can be put together with many fewer specialty tools than other self-loading rifles. Mostly it is about doing it all right. Watch 2-3 different instruction sets/videos and make sure you do things completely, properly (many things can be installed upside down, esp in the lower) and in the right order. But, specific, not difficult.

 

[LiveLife]

You might want a detent spring tool and spare detents and springs. I am sure I have spares in some corner of my shop that I will never find.

I have done 5-7 lower and learned ticks on not letting them fly out everywhere

Same here. Learned quickly to not let small springs and pins fly off.

I am sure I have several small springs and pins that are being "carefully stored" SOMEWHERE in the reloading room

 

[powermad]

I doubt for $59 that the barrel is dimpled for the gas block set screw.
Dimple jigs are about $35, I have a couple of different sizes now.
Rockset for the gas block set screws with a dimple is pretty solid.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I doubt for $59 that the barrel is dimpled for the gas block set screw.
Dimple jigs are about $35, I have a couple of different sizes now.
Rockset for the gas block set screws with a dimple is pretty solid.

were is the dimple? one barrel has just a hole, the other has a hole and on the opposite side a “dimple”

 

[powermad]

Some barrels will come with the barrel dimpled.
All you need is one for alignment, I don't use more than one.

I have KVP ones.

KVP .750 AR-15 Gas Block Dimpling Jig - Kaw Valley Precision

Our 6-position dimpling jig is designed to allow you to easily dimple your own barrel. The 6 different, laser-marked spacing sets allow for a variety of gas block applications. The jig will fit perfectly in any bench vise to allow easy dimpling. Spacing is to the center of the 5/32" drill guide...

kawvalleyprecision.com

Only takes a few minutes to set up and do.
My PSA 14.7" P&W upper didn't have a dimple which bugged me since I couldn't just pop off the gas block.
I wound up using the gas block as a jig after making sure the gas port was centered with a borescope.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Some barrels will come with the barrel dimpled.
All you need is one for alignment, I don't use more than one.

I have KVP ones.

KVP .750 AR-15 Gas Block Dimpling Jig - Kaw Valley Precision

Our 6-position dimpling jig is designed to allow you to easily dimple your own barrel. The 6 different, laser-marked spacing sets allow for a variety of gas block applications. The jig will fit perfectly in any bench vise to allow easy dimpling. Spacing is to the center of the 5/32" drill guide...

kawvalleyprecision.com

Only takes a few minutes to set up and do.
My PSA 14.7" P&W upper didn't have a dimple which bugged me since I couldn't just pop off the gas block.
I wound up using the gas block as a jig after making sure the gas port was centered with a borescope.

What if i just put the barrel in a drill press? and make a dimple

 

[powermad]

Gauge pins for the gas port aren't that much.
Pretty much takes the guesswork out of following a recipe when you know the port size to start with.

Start fiddling with one and the next thing you know it's project central.

 

[powermad]

What if i just put the barrel in a drill press? and make a dimple

You can, after you use a jig to center it over the gas port.
The rear screw locates the gas block to the gas port.
A hand drill is all you need though, doesn't take much pressure to make a dimple just deep enough for the tip of the set screw.
Too deep may put a pimple in the bore when the screw is tightened.
I use serrated set screws with Rockset.

 

[Mark_Mark]

You can, after you use a jig to center it over the gas port.
The rear screw locates the gas block to the gas port.
A hand drill is all you need though, doesn't take much pressure to make a dimple just deep enough for the tip of the set screw.
Too deep may put a pimple in the bore when the screw is tightened.
I use serrated set screws with Rockset.

This is not a cheap project! Before the 2016 election I bought so much random complete build kits, barrels, lowers, part Kits.. I guess it’s finally time to Lego them together

 

[powermad]

You could always go all in and pin the gas blocks.
BRD has some cool stuff.
Everything you need to pin a gas block at home.

2AUMK4 and 1AUMK2 PRO Bundle

brdengineering.com

Probably overkill for the majority of use and can be cheaper to just buy a barrel with the GB pinned.
Serrated set screws with a dimple and Rockset will be fine though, especially under a handguard.

AR-15 GAS BLOCK SET SCREW | Brownells

Sons of Liberty Gun Works factory OEM AR-15 Gas Block Set Screws are a must have to replace stripped out set screws for you low profile gas block. 1 screw per package. Image depicts top and bottom of screw.

www.brownells.com

You can get them cheaper if you buy in bulk from Mcmaster Car and such, you just wind up with a pound of them.

As a diesel tech buying tools is pretty much normal for me and doesn't factor in to the cost of a rifle.
I prefer to burn up ammo shooting it rather than trouble shooting it afterward and bought tooling to make sure it works, right out of the gate and does so until the barrel burns out.