Building an AR......questions

[eastwood44mag]

1.) Is it difficult (or expensive) to build the lower (starting with a stripped receiver and all the goodies), or should I go for it?

2.) What's the consensus on carbon-fiber vs. steel vs. anodized aluminum? Pros and cons, and what is the max I should spend on any of them (stripped and assembled)?

3.) Worst case scenario: Somewhere later on, I run out of money and need to sell it. Since the receiver is serialed, can it be sold, or is it considered to be manufactured by me?

Thanks.

 

[dch1978]

Build it

If you are semi-mechanical it is really no problem.

Yes you can sell it if bought the lower from an FFL, it is the gun. I suggest forgings only from a good manufacturer. Rock River is nice, Bushy is nice, Also have done one or two on a Superior Arms lower they are just as good and a little cheaper.

Use good guts also, basically you can do it just a little cheaper than buying a complete and you get to put all the tiny springs and pins in the lower...if you haven't lost them.

You will need a GOOD set of punches, and better than average screwdrivers.

Check out the search feature here, I think someone did a whole build up with a bunch of pictures. Might have been ARFcom, don't remember.

AIMsurplus.com has two different lowers, one is a Superior Arms, the other might be Rock River. Less than a hundred bucks.

Since you asked about selling it... Just get a completely machined and serial numbered lower that is for a rifle and build from there.

I am sure someone will be along shortly to tell you who to stay away from.

Absolutely stay away from castings, they are of lesser quality.

DCH

 

[eastwood44mag]

What's the opinion on Vulcan Arms? Seems like they're the cheapest lowers to get, but DPMS is only $30 or $40 more, so if there's a big difference, I'd like to know.

 

[Minator]

Check out this site www.ar15.com they have an endless library of knowledge on building and resources for quality lowers and parts.

 

[Mountaineer]

Well I went budget and got a 16" CAR from model 1 sales and a DPMS lower. I had my brother in law the cop take it to his amorer to slap it together for me after trying for an eternity to get the detent springs in. (Almost got it...yes, yes, BOING @#%*) Did that about a hundred times and said screw it and gave it to my bro to do. Came in just a hair over $500.00.

 

[The-Fly]

vulcan arms is PURE crap, dont walk, RUN from them.

 

[swingset]

Vulcan=Hesse. Horrible company, horrible products, the bottom of the barrel and warranty is non-existent.

Stag Arms lower, Armalite, Bushmaster, RRA, CMT, LMT, Bravo Co., Colt, etc. for your upper, and you'll be fine.

 

[JoseM]

Man I love this site! I was thinking about doing this myself...no, scratch that...I WILL be doing this and wanted to come here and ask for your opinions on AR-15 websites....got one before even asking. Is there any other ones out there or is the one above THEE source (thee rhymes with "we")?

 

[swingset]

Jose,

Try AR15armory.com, that's a good site for AR's too. Smaller, but some good knowledge base there and great group buys.

 

[mrmeval]

There's pictures of Vulcan arms stuff disintigrating. Bushmaster seems to be the only ones able to make those. Cavalry arms makes a complete polymer lower in a variety of colors but you're stuck with the molded in place stock.

There may be other AR-15 sites but "arfcom" AR15.com has a lot of experts and a lot of information.

 

[Will Learn]

I've been hearing good things about White Oak. http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/index.htm

 

[BradN]

I just built my first lower from a DoubleStar stripped receiver. I am only modestly mechanical and I found the process easy and enjoyable. The only tricky part was the detents and springs. I bought a $4 tool from MidwayUSA that helped considerably.

 

[arthurcw]

Mountaineer,

Came in just a hair over $500.00.

Really? Wow. I thought it would be more than that for a build out.

Hmm… You people in Rifle Country are doing it to me again! I guess the Evil Black Rifle is closer to being mine than I thought.

 

[EShell]

I've assembled a half-dozen stripped lower receivers and I agree that it's quite straightforward to do.

Hints I've found to be helpful: Be prepared to use a couple small drills to remove chips and bits of finish from the blind pin holes. Be careful to support the trigger guard roll pin area as you install the pin, some folks break the tab while trying to install the trigger guard. Use a piece of cardboard to shield the side of the lower when you install the bolt catch pin . . .

AIM surplus currently has the Superior lowers for 89.95 & Shipping. I'd be afraid to pay less than that for a lower, and, Vulcan/Hesse IS crap, definitely "run".

If you're a member at AR15.com, you can go to the Maryland hometown section and look at the pinned thread on the "group buy" going on now. Call Erik at AIM - tell him that you're in with the AR15.Com/MD group buy and he's giving free shipping on them.

 

[mrmeval]

Model 1

I've been told their stuff is on the low end but mine came with an ER Shaw barrrel and the form and fit are very good. I have fired it but have not documented it's accuracy as I needed optics.

This is the CAR 16 kit
http://www.model1sales.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=KCE160CL&storeid=1&image=car16pre.gif
435, add a stripped lower at 89 and it's just under 524. I talked them down a bit and managed to get my 24" bull barrel varmint put together for under 900.