AR question. Dumb idea or not.
- Thread starter DrLaw
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For a lower build you need
a set of drifts brass preferably for driving pins
box cutter for holding down detent springs and detents.
electrical tape to keep from scratching reciever
small hammer to drive pins
thats about it
a set of drifts brass preferably for driving pins
box cutter for holding down detent springs and detents.
electrical tape to keep from scratching reciever
small hammer to drive pins
thats about it
Building is fun... the resulting AR can be fun to shoot... as long as you have no illusions about the quality of "one piece at a time"... remember the Johnny Cash song... he stole most of those parts... and the car was a mess - even if it did run! There are many good AR resource sites on the 'Net that can help make your build go better. Here's some advice that you may find useful in measuring cost and quality... Good Luck!
http://www.tacticalyellowvisor.net/8343/25301.html
http://www.tacticalyellowvisor.net/8343/25301.html
Well, I guess the intro to this could have been a little misleading. I didn't plan on getting one part at a time, like get one pin, and then get another, then get a hammer, then get a spring. I know the parts can be had in groups, like stock, barrel, upper and lower and internal workings, etc... I figured I would do it the group at a time.
Still, thank you for all the positive responses, and yes, I do eat well, sometimes way too much. Thing is, as I said, I have a new roof and siding to get paid off now, and with a wife and two kids, it adds up on my po' country lawyer earnings. Can't let the kids starve. He's starting freshman football and she will be doing 7th grade basketball as a starter. I'm also working on them to try the school trap program.
The Doc is out now.
Still, thank you for all the positive responses, and yes, I do eat well, sometimes way too much. Thing is, as I said, I have a new roof and siding to get paid off now, and with a wife and two kids, it adds up on my po' country lawyer earnings. Can't let the kids starve. He's starting freshman football and she will be doing 7th grade basketball as a starter. I'm also working on them to try the school trap program.
The Doc is out now.
Did it once, love the result, doin' it again.
The first one has been reconfigured a few times, so I have a box of parts - stock, FCG, buffer tube and spring, various small parts. Just got a new stripped lower and have started browsing for parts.
Because I made changes to the original, did NOT save any money, unless I get a credit for the value of the extra parts. And I take a loss on the extra (used) parts I have sold for less than I paid.
But yes, I did not shell out $800 all at once for a new AR.
Also, consider trades. I have traded parts and guns for parts. That may ease the pain some.
The first one has been reconfigured a few times, so I have a box of parts - stock, FCG, buffer tube and spring, various small parts. Just got a new stripped lower and have started browsing for parts.
Because I made changes to the original, did NOT save any money, unless I get a credit for the value of the extra parts. And I take a loss on the extra (used) parts I have sold for less than I paid.
But yes, I did not shell out $800 all at once for a new AR.
Also, consider trades. I have traded parts and guns for parts. That may ease the pain some.
I assembled my AR in that exact fashion. Only problem is when I completed, I tabulated total cost (saved all bills and reciepts) and it cost over 1000 bucks for something about 800 bucks in concept. However, I could afford it over a year, rather than all at once.
I personally feel the gun industry caters to the 'impulse buy". You have to buy it complete idea is complete gibberish. Build the rifle YOU want not what a COMPANY wants you to have.
In all seriousness, if one has patience (a HUGE key to a project like this) then they can have an awesome AR. I couldnt afford 800 bucks down pat, however, I could afford 50 a week. Save up a couple weeks: barrel. A couple more: Reciver (upper or lower). Etc etc... Patience is key to this. In todays, get it before its banned world, we have to sometimes take a step back and remember that we are rewarded with our perserverance. Instead of copping out on your AR project and getting another .223 rifle, like a Keltec, gather patience and keep building the AR, the gun you ORIGINALLY wanted.
I personally feel the gun industry caters to the 'impulse buy". You have to buy it complete idea is complete gibberish. Build the rifle YOU want not what a COMPANY wants you to have.
In all seriousness, if one has patience (a HUGE key to a project like this) then they can have an awesome AR. I couldnt afford 800 bucks down pat, however, I could afford 50 a week. Save up a couple weeks: barrel. A couple more: Reciver (upper or lower). Etc etc... Patience is key to this. In todays, get it before its banned world, we have to sometimes take a step back and remember that we are rewarded with our perserverance. Instead of copping out on your AR project and getting another .223 rifle, like a Keltec, gather patience and keep building the AR, the gun you ORIGINALLY wanted.
I usually buy a few lowers then get a kit as the money is available, which splits the payments into $500 chunks ($500 for 5 lowers, $500 for a kit). What you could do if you wanted to spend around $150 per chunk is buy:
1. stripped lower
2. lower parts kit
3. butt stock + buffer assembly
4. upper receiver (two chunks of $150+)
5. bolt carrier group + charging handle
6. magazines
7. optics if you got a flat top
8. upgrade trigger (JP adjustable for $120 is what I recommend)
9. upgrade grip
10. upgrade fore arm if desired
11. add bells/whistles/doo-dads
If you budget for one chunk each month, you have a running rifle in 5 months and a tricked out machine in a year or less, depending on disposable income.
Just a thought.
1. stripped lower
2. lower parts kit
3. butt stock + buffer assembly
4. upper receiver (two chunks of $150+)
5. bolt carrier group + charging handle
6. magazines
7. optics if you got a flat top
8. upgrade trigger (JP adjustable for $120 is what I recommend)
9. upgrade grip
10. upgrade fore arm if desired
11. add bells/whistles/doo-dads
If you budget for one chunk each month, you have a running rifle in 5 months and a tricked out machine in a year or less, depending on disposable income.
Just a thought.
SSN Vet
Member
delayed gratification....
if that's what you have to do, go for it...
but I suspect you'll have bought the rifle twice when your done, by the time you pay for tools to assemble the upper and shipping on each part.
you might try the time tested "save up" approach.
if your worried about the "ban to come", pop for a stripped lower today and then get an pre-assembled upper when you have enought squealed away.
if that's what you have to do, go for it...
but I suspect you'll have bought the rifle twice when your done, by the time you pay for tools to assemble the upper and shipping on each part.
you might try the time tested "save up" approach.
if your worried about the "ban to come", pop for a stripped lower today and then get an pre-assembled upper when you have enought squealed away.
Not worried
Saving? Saving? Maybe you missed it. I have a wife and kids!
I check in here regularly to see if there are new ideas. As for the tools, I have friends who have those, including a couple gunsmiths, who are close by.
I'm not too worried about that aspect of it. I also tinker with guns myself from time to time (sights, parts, etc...), so again, I am not too worried about that aspect. Nope, just wanted to know if this idea was off the wall or not, and the concensus is that it is not so off the wall as I thought it might be. It's just a matter of saving here and there, patience and hoping McCain gets in as opposed to good ol' emminently experienced Barak.
Think I will start with the stripped reciever as I see a couple good prospects out there on the market right now from a couple places.
Thanks again all.
The Doc is out once more.
Saving? Saving? Maybe you missed it. I have a wife and kids!
I check in here regularly to see if there are new ideas. As for the tools, I have friends who have those, including a couple gunsmiths, who are close by.
I'm not too worried about that aspect of it. I also tinker with guns myself from time to time (sights, parts, etc...), so again, I am not too worried about that aspect. Nope, just wanted to know if this idea was off the wall or not, and the concensus is that it is not so off the wall as I thought it might be. It's just a matter of saving here and there, patience and hoping McCain gets in as opposed to good ol' emminently experienced Barak.
Think I will start with the stripped reciever as I see a couple good prospects out there on the market right now from a couple places.
Thanks again all.
The Doc is out once more.
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