Ok I am thinking about building an ar-15, but I am worried about how difficult it would be. If I don't build it I will either buy a Bushmaster or maybe a Rock River Arms, or possibly a Springfield M1A. I am looking for something that would be good for home defense and target shooting. And basically all of those fit that category. Any comments and thoughts are appereciated.
Build AR-15?
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RockyMtnTactical
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Personally, I wouldn't do anything BUT build unless I got a steal on the price of a complete AR, but even then there's a good chance I would sell off parts and replace them with the parts I would want.
It's not hard, there is tons of stuff out there to give you the instruction necessary (AR15.com is great for this).
Why do you want to build one? Why don't you think you'd be capable of doing it?
It's not hard, there is tons of stuff out there to give you the instruction necessary (AR15.com is great for this).
Why do you want to build one? Why don't you think you'd be capable of doing it?
The only thing you'll probably be "building" is putting the lower parts kit in the lower receiver. If you have any mechanical ability at all and can follow instructions then you can put the lower together. You'll probably want to buy your upper already assembled. All the AR kits I'm aware of have the upper fully assembled. Then all you'll need to do is put the upper on your lower, put the bolt, bolt carrier and charging handle in, close the halves and push the push the assembly pin home. You're done, slap a mag in and go shooting. You can even buy the lower already assembled, then all you do is put the halves together.
GreenFurniture
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Building an AR is about a 45 minute job the first time you do it.
After that it gets faster and when you're done you have a glow and some pride.
After that it gets faster and when you're done you have a glow and some pride.
tank mechanic
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How much money can you expect to save building your own, compared to a similiar style complete rifle?
RockyMtnTactical
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It depends, but in general I would say that if you plan on building a very cheap AR, you'd be just as good off by buying a complete AR... but if you want Colt quality AR for a RRA price, building will do that.
nonquixote
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I got a deal on a stripped lower for $75 and assembled a Del-Ton m4gery kit around it for $475. Total cost $550 for a brand new entry level rifle that was just what I wanted and have been very happy with.
DougW
Member
Build!!!
Built my soldier son a CAR with a Rock River lower and an M&A PArts kit. Total price was $559, but that was about 3 years ago. On the other end, I have a 20" A3 that has about $1300 in it by now, since I have made a BUNCH of additions and changes. It's like peanuts, once you start, you cant stop. I am at 5 built, and 2 more Stag lowers in the safe, waiting to be built.
I have seen similar rifles at the gun shops for $900 and up. I suggest that you can save $250+ building. You can also streach out the cost over some months if necessary (been there, done that). Get a lower first though.
Building is easy as others have said. No special tools, unless you rebarrel an upper. Then you need a few tools. I have built 1 rifle from a totally stripped M16A2 kit (modified to be legal, AR lower), even installing the front sight post. They are a blast. Good instructions on AR15.com.
Pictured ar the 20"A3, Mid Length Car, and my light weight CAR. Ignore the Benelli M1Super90.
Built my soldier son a CAR with a Rock River lower and an M&A PArts kit. Total price was $559, but that was about 3 years ago. On the other end, I have a 20" A3 that has about $1300 in it by now, since I have made a BUNCH of additions and changes. It's like peanuts, once you start, you cant stop. I am at 5 built, and 2 more Stag lowers in the safe, waiting to be built.
I have seen similar rifles at the gun shops for $900 and up. I suggest that you can save $250+ building. You can also streach out the cost over some months if necessary (been there, done that). Get a lower first though.
Building is easy as others have said. No special tools, unless you rebarrel an upper. Then you need a few tools. I have built 1 rifle from a totally stripped M16A2 kit (modified to be legal, AR lower), even installing the front sight post. They are a blast. Good instructions on AR15.com.
Pictured ar the 20"A3, Mid Length Car, and my light weight CAR. Ignore the Benelli M1Super90.
trainwreck100
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Is it possible to put a Colt upper on a RRA or Bushmaster lower? I know they're supposedly all the same, but just wondered if they really were. Also, how much would one be looking at spending on a Colt upper, and are there any used ones available?
Frog48
Member
Where could I find detailed instructions on installing a parts kit into a stripped lower? I've googled it, and come up with tons of exploded diagrams of the AR15/M16, but no step by step instructions.
Thanks.
Thanks.
The Deer Hunter
Member
10-Ring
Member
It's not a big deal. After I bought my AR last summer, I bought one of those DVD's that talk you through the build.
Frog48
Member
Good info, much appreciated!
soul_rapier
Member
My colt upper on my A2 want fit my RRA lower pins are biger on the colt . way does everyone still think colt the best AR im just wondering i own 1 and its no better then my RRA and it was cheaper ?
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DougW
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trainwreck100, it could be possible, but some of the Colt's has funky pins and pin holes that were not standard size. If you end up with that issue, there are pins available from Brownell's that will fix that problm. The Colt upper and RR lower should hook up just fine and function well.
Some people love the Colt's, and think that there is nothing else. FN has been making military M16's for many years, after Colt lost the contract. The military has also bought other brands of components to fill needs, and a lot of rifles are rebuilt over and over. I recently saw a news story of some Air Force Para Rescue teams uning M4' that were built with A1 upper recievers. Kinda novle. The Israeli Army does the same thing.
Some people love the Colt's, and think that there is nothing else. FN has been making military M16's for many years, after Colt lost the contract. The military has also bought other brands of components to fill needs, and a lot of rifles are rebuilt over and over. I recently saw a news story of some Air Force Para Rescue teams uning M4' that were built with A1 upper recievers. Kinda novle. The Israeli Army does the same thing.
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