Building my first....maybe?

[eastwood44mag]

I'm thinking about building my own gun for the first time (custom build), since I need a new hobby and it seems like it would be fun. I'd buy a serialized frame/lower/receiver from an FFL and improvise with the rest.

I've tinkered with the notion of an AR, or possibly a 1911, but nothing is set in stone. Planning on building some black powder items eventually, but that's not the same, by any means. I don't have the time or the equipment to build a receiver or weld a barrel, etc., so I'm looking to keep it somewhat simple.

Anybody build their own with advice as to whether or not to do so, or where to start?

Thanks much.

 

[Nick1911]

Others can help you more then I can with AR's; my builds tend to be pretty involved, more then just putting pre-fab parts together.

There is a good forum set up for home gunsmithing - some people have built runs from scrach with little more then a sander, drill press and hand tools. That forum is: http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi

If you eventually want to try your hand at making a silencer, this is an excellent forum: http://www.silencertests.com/silencer-forum/ (for a silencer, you will need a metal lathe)

Another good forum: http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=4&f=51

My homebuild experiences:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=147009

I built this with very little in the way of tools. Drill press and files mostly, although I did have to have a friend TIG weld on it for me.

My advice for a first build would be an AR.
Good luck, feel free to PM me if you want more info, particuarly on AK-47 builds.

 

[minuteman1970]

I would go with either a semi-auto AK build or a semi-auto 1919A4 build. The AK build will cost you about $200, and the 1919A4 build around $700-$800 or so.

 

[Nick1911]

I would go with either a semi-auto AK build or a semi-auto 1919A4 build. The AK build will cost you about $200, and the 1919A4 build around $700-$800 or so.

While these are really good projects, they are both probably a little beyond what one wants to tackle as a first project.

The AK requires at least good drilling equipment, as well as good measuring tools (micrometer and what not). The obvious plus is that you will have a complete firearm that requires no paperwork.

The 1919, a build that I am passively working on, really requires a milling machine. You can send the part out to have them machined, but really, what fun is that? For me anyway, the whole point is to get more familiar with the tooling and techniques involved in machining.

 

[Sunray]

Even the most accomplished custom firearm builder uses pre-made parts. They don't, usually, make their own receivers. They carefully fit the parts together and mate the barreled action to the stock. Most will cut the threads for the barrel shank so it fits perfectly to the action though. Barrels don't get welded.
There are all kinds of firearm building books available. Surf over to Brownell's too. There are some tools you can't go without. A barrel vise and action wrench in particular. Mind you, you don't need 'gunsmith's' tools. Your local Home Depot will have most hand tools you need.
"...making a silencer..." That'd be illegal without the proper permits.

 

[minuteman1970]

Allow me to add to Nick's excellent points. If you plan on doing a gun build, you will/may need a number of tools such as a drill press, shop press, vise, etc..
Depending upon the model gun, you potentially might need to spend a few hundred, just on tools for this purpose. Some of the builds require machining, though you could farm this portion out (for a price).
Perhaps you might begin with an AR-15 "build" which is really more like putting together an erector set.

 

[DMK]

I think the AR is the best place to start, if you don't already own one. You can easily put one together with limited tools, space and experience. If you plan carefully, you'll end up with a very accurate, fun and reliable rifle.

From there, you can move on to the more complex guns like a FAL or AK.

I started with a FAL first, then an AR, but I'd do it the other way around if I went back and did it over.

My brother's done a few blackpowder guns. A lot more patience and craftsmanship is involved, especially with the stock. It sure looks like a rewarding project though.

 

[rbernie]

Perhaps you might begin with an AR-15 "build" which is really more like putting together an erector set.

Exactly.

An AR build can be accomplished with nothing more complex than a pile of good-quality parts, a bench vice, an action block to hold the upper receiver, and an armoror's multi-tool thingee. No drilling, no filing, no fitting. Bolt it together, and (if you used good parts) it just runs.

Anything else requires Real Work <tm>.