Building an AR

[maximus decimus]

I have been looking into building my own AR/M4. Its not just because of cost, but I think it would be more interesting to own a gun that I "built".

I have been on the Del-Ton website looking at their rifle kits and stripped lowers.

My question is, what should I expect when it comes to assembly. How much building and assembly will there be with Del-Ton's M4 Rifle Kit and stripped lower? Is this something a novice like myself can do? Will I need specialized tools? I would have some help from others who have disassembled and reassembled their own M4 type rifle.

I was also looking at a DPMS A3 Lite Flattop on Budsgunshop.com. It was $724, so the savings over building my own isn't that much. Again I would like to build one for the experience, or should I buy the complete rifle with a warranty?

Thanks

 

[cbrgator]

If you are buying a complete upper, building the rifle is easy. Instructions on installing the lower parts kit in the stripped lower are all over the internet.

 

[james2133]

Nothing on an ar is really hard. I have done all sorts of work on mine including assembling the lower. A set of punches and normal tools are helpful but as the last post states there are tons of places to find all the info needed to assemble both upper and lower. If you do want to build your upper as well it is not to difficult but specialty tools are necessary.

 

[Floppy_D]

How much building and assembly will there be with Del-Ton's M4 Rifle Kit and stripped lower?

You're just building the lower. If you can put small things in small holes, you're good to go.

Is this something a novice like myself can do?

Yup. Just pinning stuff together.

Will I need specialized tools?

Channel locks or pliers with tape on them, and a punch would be handy. A nylon screw (available at a hardware store) cut off to a flat end works to seat pins without scratching anything.

Also I would have some help from others who have disassembled and reassembled their own M4 type rifle.

Read >this<

Good luck!

Edit to add: Count on 5+ months wait time, if you order from Del-Ton. My buddy ordered one on April 2nd of this year, he's still waiting.

 

[NC-Mike]

IF you're at least a little bit mechanically inclined, its ridiculously easy to assembly an AR lower.

Its also a bit like eating Chinese. In a hour, you'll want to build another one.

 

[RP88]

assuming that all you are doing is assembling the lower, you can do it with a leatherman, a piece of paper, needlenose pliers, and a small hammer. I would suggest a set of drift or hole punches, though. Makes it a bit easier.

 

[tribbles]

It was about a month and a half for my six-position adjustable buttstock from Del-Ton, and the charge for my lower parts kit just hit yesterday, after two months. Floppy_D, if I was your buddy, I'd give 'em a call.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Building a lower is very easy. As easy as reassembling some .22s after cleaning! I do highly recommend getting proper pin punches; you can get it together with vise-grips, but you won't be getting it apart without punches (in case you need to fix something, want to change out a part, etc.).

While I am a big fan of warranties, most of the things that break on an AR are easier and cheaper to replace yourself than to send the whole rifle somewhere via UPS and wait a couple weeks (or more) for them to ship it back with a new $4 part somewhere.