Building an AR sometime...maybe
- Thread starter N3rday
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ny32182
Member
I've got the same problem with (not) being able to register at AR15.com... they won't take any email address that I'm willing to give them.
Anyhow, any question you could possibly have, someone here will be able to answer. Fire away.
Anyhow, any question you could possibly have, someone here will be able to answer. Fire away.
rock jock
Member
Why are you afraid to give them your email addy? AR15.com is not exactly a front for the ATF. I am in the process of building my own AR and can say w/o a doubt that there is no other website that comes even close to the breadth and depth of knowledge on ARs. I have spent literally dozens of hours doing searches and reading hundreds of posts.
ny32182
Member
The ATF already knows anything about anyone that they want to know... I don't give out non-trivial email addresses to keep out spam on said email accounts... thats the only reason. If they don't like my yahoo account, well... we've all got to do what we've got to do. I've read many a post at AR15.com, and I can find all the info I will ever need either there, here, or elsewhere without ever posting at AR15.com or exposing my important email accounts to spam down the road, so thats what I do.
www.gunsnet.net also has a dedicated AR section.
www.gunsnet.net also has a dedicated AR section.
I don't think you'll have to worry about spam. I can't remember getting any spam from AR15.com or many of the other gunboards I've registered on. IMHO it's worth registering on ar15.com, I haven't found a site yet that matches it for the amount of AR information available.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Get a juno account. www.juno.com It is free and ARFCOM accepts mine....
popeye
Member
Just my opinion. With price of complete uppers these days, you might as well buy a complete gun, with a warranty. Unless you want something really exotic.
cabinetman
Member
I've just completed a build last month. Here's a pic:
I built this on an "M15" Armalite/Eagle lower I purchased through my FFL from Quantico Arms for $75. The entire upper, buttstock, and pistol grip are all A1. The upper is one of 16000 originally ordered by the Air Force and doesn't have a forward assist. I pursued this very particular model on purpose and wanted those components. So, in this case, it was justified to build. It was amazingly easy, btw.
If I had decided just to buy one for the fun of it, however, I could have saved a few hundred dollars by picking up a "varment" rifle. There are many advertised in the $450-$500 range all day long. And, yes, you get a warrantee so if you want to shoot quickly and have something that's been assembled, buy a complete rifle.
If you want to assemble one yourself, however, you can do it realtively cheaply unless you're wanting one like I've completed. I can highly recommend eBay as one source for parts. Just type "AR15" in the search slot and you'll find all kinds of uppers, parts, assemblies, slings, etc., etc. The great thing about this rifle is that virtually all the parts are interchangable. It is amazing. Just understand that older, military uppers sometimes have the large front pivot hole and all the retail, civilian lowers have small front pivot holes. This can be remedied but sticking with AR15 upper will eliminate that issue.
To build, just make a complete list of the parts you'll need"
1) Complete, barrelled upper
2) AR15 Lower from someplace
3) Lower Parts Kit (h,t,s, springs, pistol grip, pins, detents)
4) Buttstock assembly (depending on your model)
5) Bolt Assembly (complete)
6) Charging Handle (complete)
That's it! Now just price them all out from the various sources and once you've got all the parts, it will take the average guy under an hour to put it all together. There are no special tools needed if you get the upper assembled which I would highly recommend.
Finally AR15.com is a fine source for information. Virtually everything has been discussed there at one time or another so just do a search or spend a couple of hours browsing through all the forums there and you should find all the information you need to find about building.
Hope that helps. BTW, my new rifle shot extremely well out of the box.
Rome
I built this on an "M15" Armalite/Eagle lower I purchased through my FFL from Quantico Arms for $75. The entire upper, buttstock, and pistol grip are all A1. The upper is one of 16000 originally ordered by the Air Force and doesn't have a forward assist. I pursued this very particular model on purpose and wanted those components. So, in this case, it was justified to build. It was amazingly easy, btw.
If I had decided just to buy one for the fun of it, however, I could have saved a few hundred dollars by picking up a "varment" rifle. There are many advertised in the $450-$500 range all day long. And, yes, you get a warrantee so if you want to shoot quickly and have something that's been assembled, buy a complete rifle.
If you want to assemble one yourself, however, you can do it realtively cheaply unless you're wanting one like I've completed. I can highly recommend eBay as one source for parts. Just type "AR15" in the search slot and you'll find all kinds of uppers, parts, assemblies, slings, etc., etc. The great thing about this rifle is that virtually all the parts are interchangable. It is amazing. Just understand that older, military uppers sometimes have the large front pivot hole and all the retail, civilian lowers have small front pivot holes. This can be remedied but sticking with AR15 upper will eliminate that issue.
To build, just make a complete list of the parts you'll need"
1) Complete, barrelled upper
2) AR15 Lower from someplace
3) Lower Parts Kit (h,t,s, springs, pistol grip, pins, detents)
4) Buttstock assembly (depending on your model)
5) Bolt Assembly (complete)
6) Charging Handle (complete)
That's it! Now just price them all out from the various sources and once you've got all the parts, it will take the average guy under an hour to put it all together. There are no special tools needed if you get the upper assembled which I would highly recommend.
Finally AR15.com is a fine source for information. Virtually everything has been discussed there at one time or another so just do a search or spend a couple of hours browsing through all the forums there and you should find all the information you need to find about building.
Hope that helps. BTW, my new rifle shot extremely well out of the box.
Rome
popeye
Member
I'm not knocking building one yourself. I've done a few myself. Take a look at cabinetman's black rifle. Excellent! Air Force (as all know) were first to accept AR. All I've got left is Bushy Car I bought in'93. I've aso got standard A2 stock and 20" upper so I can "switch hit".
ny32182
Member
You got a preban lower for $75?
Nice looking gun though, the A1 look continues to grow on me.
Nice looking gun though, the A1 look continues to grow on me.
tiberius
Member
I just purchased an Eagle/Armalite stripped lower to build my first AR. I'm not doing it to save money, but to learn about the rifle and get exactly what I want (or at least what I think I want 
). Its gonna be a while before I finish it, but when I get started I'm sure I'll be posting here and at arfcom for advice and opinions.
I've read up a lot on ar15.com and you really should join up over there. I'm sure you can trust them with a non-anonymous email address.
). Its gonna be a while before I finish it, but when I get started I'm sure I'll be posting here and at arfcom for advice and opinions.I've read up a lot on ar15.com and you really should join up over there. I'm sure you can trust them with a non-anonymous email address.
tiberius
Member
I believe that in order to be effectively "pre-ban" the lower had to be part of a fully assembled rifle on Sept. 13, 1994.
Hopefully we won't have to worry about his soon.
Hopefully we won't have to worry about his soon.
cabinetman
Member
compliance.
Hi Guys. Thanks for thinking of me!
Nope, it is a post ban lower but the flash hider is an aftermarket replacment, silversolder (1100 degree) on and the bayo mount, while still present, has been "permanently" neutered using some mig welding. I simply filled in the recesses and ground them flush. (You can still see it in the "white" in this photo).
A bayonet can not be mounted for two reasons: the after-market flash hider is oversized (larger diameter than bayonet mount) and the mount itself will not accept the bayonet as it, too, is oversized. So, this is in compliance with 922r. When the AWB goes away, I'll replace and reconfigure the parts as warranted.
And, yes, Quantico Arms was selling these Armalite lowers for $75. Amazing, isn't it??
Rome
Hi Guys. Thanks for thinking of me!
Nope, it is a post ban lower but the flash hider is an aftermarket replacment, silversolder (1100 degree) on and the bayo mount, while still present, has been "permanently" neutered using some mig welding. I simply filled in the recesses and ground them flush. (You can still see it in the "white" in this photo).
A bayonet can not be mounted for two reasons: the after-market flash hider is oversized (larger diameter than bayonet mount) and the mount itself will not accept the bayonet as it, too, is oversized. So, this is in compliance with 922r. When the AWB goes away, I'll replace and reconfigure the parts as warranted.
And, yes, Quantico Arms was selling these Armalite lowers for $75. Amazing, isn't it??
Rome
tiberius
Member
Aren't a flash hider (threaded or not) and a pistol grip stock two evil features, therefore prohibited on a post-ban gun?
Any semiautomatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least 2 of the following features:
a folding or telescoping stock.
a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
a bayonet mount.
a flash suppressor or a threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor.
a grenade launcher.
edited to add text from AWB
Any semiautomatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least 2 of the following features:
a folding or telescoping stock.
a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
a bayonet mount.
a flash suppressor or a threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor.
a grenade launcher.
edited to add text from AWB
cabinetman
Member
You are correct. However, the "flash hider" I have is now a "Muzzle Compensator" and approved by BATF. And, since it's permanetly mounted using the 1100 degree silver solder as also required by BATF, (not just screwed on) it becomes a non-issue. Also the bayomount can be there as long as it's neutered. That does NOT mean it has to be totally removed. It just can't accept a bayonet. So, 'filling it in' permanently with weld is perfectly legal.
There are many legal "dummy" compensators on the market for the evil assault rifles which look authentic but meet ATF muster. My FAL has one from ARS that has the flutes and bayo lugs intact. However, the flutes are not cut through and are only for looks and the bayo "lug" is not ground. So, from 5 feet away, it looks as if it's an authentic L1A1 Aussie flash hider but in reality is simply a 5" extension to the barrel and, again, permanetly soldered on using 1100 degree silver solder.
I elected to use silver solder as it can be reveresed if I ever want to do so and the original reinstalled when the AWB goes. All it will require is reheating the muzzle and melting the solder. The ATF recognizes this as an alterantive to permanetly pinning the muzzle comps.
Rome
There are many legal "dummy" compensators on the market for the evil assault rifles which look authentic but meet ATF muster. My FAL has one from ARS that has the flutes and bayo lugs intact. However, the flutes are not cut through and are only for looks and the bayo "lug" is not ground. So, from 5 feet away, it looks as if it's an authentic L1A1 Aussie flash hider but in reality is simply a 5" extension to the barrel and, again, permanetly soldered on using 1100 degree silver solder.
I elected to use silver solder as it can be reveresed if I ever want to do so and the original reinstalled when the AWB goes. All it will require is reheating the muzzle and melting the solder. The ATF recognizes this as an alterantive to permanetly pinning the muzzle comps.
Rome
tiberius
Member
Copy, thanks. So it's NOT a flash suppressor, just a cosmetic piece? I was aware that permanently attached compensators were “legalâ€, but since you called yours a flash hider I was interested since I think a flash suppressor would be VERY useful on a 16" barrel carbine I am planning. Note that this is because I am in the process of building (planning phase) my own AR on an Eagle/Armalite lower I recently acquired (see above posts)…I’m not just nit-picking you .
.cabinetman
Member
Absolutely fine. I didn't take it as a nudge because I used the incorrect term. I think they're really affectionatly called 'muzzle thingies' anyway.
I've read a lot of posts where guys have chopped off the threads and recrowned the muzzles which is one way of complying. That, however, is a one-way trip and I'd prefer not to do that. Some guys have built 12" barrels and by permanetly attaching a long muzzle comp (min 4") comply with the min 16" requirement, too.
We are shooters, enthusiest, collectors, and builders. We all want to comply with the regs. Bad guys could care less. But these regs can sometimes be very confusing and archane. They are "feel good" regs and just make our tasks that much more confusing but we've muddled through and thanks to forums, we can learn from eachother in a civil way. Good luck with your build. I loved the lower and would but another in a heartbeat.
Rome
I've read a lot of posts where guys have chopped off the threads and recrowned the muzzles which is one way of complying. That, however, is a one-way trip and I'd prefer not to do that. Some guys have built 12" barrels and by permanetly attaching a long muzzle comp (min 4") comply with the min 16" requirement, too.
We are shooters, enthusiest, collectors, and builders. We all want to comply with the regs. Bad guys could care less. But these regs can sometimes be very confusing and archane. They are "feel good" regs and just make our tasks that much more confusing but we've muddled through and thanks to forums, we can learn from eachother in a civil way. Good luck with your build. I loved the lower and would but another in a heartbeat.
Rome
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