Building a AR, How Difficult?

[sigbear]

Several people replied to my previous post about Bushmaster and DPMS "Rifles" (learned something already) and suggested building your own.

I am the opposite of mechanicaly inclined, so, don't know if I could do it, also, living in Massachusetts would probably limit me to mfg. components.

Any suggestions from folks in Mass on the best quality components to build a AR?

Sigbear

 

[skidooman603]

I am not super inclined myself but with all the internet tutorials out there it is pretty simple. I have found if you have the proper tools listed and an area where little springs or pieces that could get away aren't able to hide it is quite easy. It also gives you a much better working knowledge of the rifle.
Gary

 

[skidooman603]

Sucks to be You, livin there. You could move to the Great State of Michigan with our 18% or so un-employment. Don't know which is worse.

 

[otrman]

Go to www.ar15.com. They have a section with step by step instructions and pics.

 

[Shung]

if you have the proper tools (100$ or less to get them) with all the tutorials, it's easy !

As it was said, you also exactly know how everything work, and this is a great plus to solve the problem you might encounter with the gun !

 

[tkcomer]

You can build the lower yourself with just a few tools. The hard part is getting the magazine catch in without scratching the lower. If you're only going to build one gun, check with the manufacturers to see what they have available in uppers. With Model 1 Sales, you can darn near pick out any configuration with all the options they have available. More expensive? Maybe, but by the time you get a vise block (You do have a vise?) for the upper receiver, torque wench and the barrel wench, it doesn't cost that much more, if not less if you don't have any tools at home. Go to here: http://www.ar15.com/ Click on AR-15 towards the top, then go to the Build it Yourself tab.

 

[highorder]

It took me 30 minutes to build my first AR, with tools I had on hand.

Its SIMPLE.

 

[Walkalong]

Building up a lower is childs play. Doing the upper is not too bad. It's like legos. Just read up and go slow. Arfcom is a tremendous source of info.

 

[jglcolosprgs]

The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide
—How to build your own AR-15
—by Walt Kuleck with Clint McKee.

Since the publication of the author's The AR-15 Complete Owner's Guide, readers have asked for a book that would help guide them through the assembly of their AR-15-type rifle. Ideally, such a book would impart the tips, tricks, pitfalls and "gotchas!" that experienced AR-15 enthusiasts and armorers have discovered and developed over the years.

This is that book. It goes beyond the military manuals in depth and scope, using words and pictures to clearly guide the reader through every operation required to assemble their AR-15-type rifle. You'll learn the best and easiest ways to build your rifle. It won't make you an AR-15 armorer, but it will make you a more knowledgeable owner. You'll be able to do more with (and to) your rifle. You'll also be able to better judge the competence of those whom you choose to work on your rifle, and to discuss your needs more intelligently with them.

In short, if you build it, you'll know how to repair it.

The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide is a companion volume to The AR-15 Complete Owner's Guide by Walt Kuleck with Scott Duff. The Owner's Guide gives you a look into the history and development of the AR-15. It also gives you a comprehensive description of the many variations of the AR-15 and its clones, and provides a systematic way for you to analyze your needs so you can configure your AR-15 rifle and uppers to meet those needs. The Owner's Guide includes preban serial number cutoff information, detailed descriptions of Colt AR-15 model numbers, and a compendium of available pre-ban magazines to guide your buying decisions. It's the most comprehensive book of its kind on the AR-15. 164 pages, 331 photographs.

Found this at www.Fulton-Armory.com

You can buy this book first if it seems a bit daunting. The AR forums are full of ideas.... I just don't have time for another hobbby at the moment - otherwise I think I would like to try it too.

 

[CMP]

Sucks to be You, livin there. You could move to the Great State of Michigan with our 18% or so un-employment. Don't know which is worse.

Im in Michigan too and cant get a job. Just because you can get the stuff doesnt mean you can afford to buy it. I still find a way though.

I still havent built an AR but I dont see it being to hard as long as you have all the tools. I'll find out for sure with in the next year im going to start buying parts soon. It helps when you can split the cost of tools with a brother.

 

[rino451]

Post in the ar15.com home town forum and find someone in the area who has the tools and has done it before. About the only real think you can irrevocably screw up us installing the bolt release pin (scratching the receiver) and the trigger guard pin. Everything else is salvageable or replaceable. While a complicated design, it's a VERY simple machine.

 

[highorder]

Post in the ar15.com home town forum

Just registering at AR15.com is harder than building an AR-15.

 

[rino451]

Now, that's darn funny, if not a bit true.

 

[franconialocal]

Great site. Full video series on what you are looking for. Look at the upper right corner as soon as you get to the page.

www.brownells.com

 

[MJR007]

Brownells is free and great!!!