Help Building 1st AR15 Upper

[Styx]

I need help building my first upper. I want to make sure I have all the parts that I need ordered before I start the build.



So far I purchased a MMC Socom barrel, a Spikes carbine length gas tube, a
Knight's Armament rail, a BCM upper receiver assembly (disassembled), and a Toolcraft BCG. Other than a crush washer, flash hider, and a charging handle, is there anything I'm missing?

 

[Styx]

I'm not sure if I need a Handguard Snap Ring, Weld Spring, a delta ring, or barrel nut With the rail I purchased?

 

[badkarmamib]

If you are building a true "rifle", and not a pistol or SBR, just make sure that your permanently-attached flash hider gets you over 16", as must A2 birdcages won't be long enough. Also, I don't see any indication that your rail will have the barrel nut assembly, so I would assume that you will need those, as well. The picture of your barrel shows a barrel nut, so I guess you will have that, but it might be easier to find an assembly rather than the spring and rings.

 

[CapnMac]

Wish that site or the fore end had included the installation instructions. But, it does appear to be spring captured rather than free-float.

You will want to decide how you are slinging this up, too. As you do appear to be missing the front sling swivel.
You need a charging handle, a bolt and BCG, too.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I hope that you like the cheese grader rails. You may want to get some rail covers like these. They come in different colors.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

The Delta ring assembly is easy to install. All you need is a pair of snap rings pliers. This video covers it.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=P7dffkBlAho&usg=AOvVaw1T_tLKmADx1vDk6dedkaU9

 

[David Hoback]

You need that whole setup...delta, snap ring assembly. That Knights rail you have is a non free float stock replacement. Besides that, someone mentioned the charging handle & BCG. Other than, you look gtg.

Shame you didn’t ask this before shelling out the $165 for the Knights. We could have pointed you to a free float option, with its own barrel nut, at a much less expensive price. Less money & better accuracy potential is always good. LOL.

 

[JJFitch]

Check Brownell's for their AR builder's list of parts, including their part numbers!

Smiles,

 

[David Hoback]

Part number is different via each manufacturer.

 

[CapnMac]

We could have pointed you to a free float option, with its own barrel nut, at a much less expensive price.

Yeah, but sometimes you just have to go through the cheese-grater experience to really appreciate it []

(And, that quad-rail in the drawer is a handy way to keep your unused accessories in one place [] )

 

[David Hoback]

LOL!

 

[Styx]

You need that whole setup...delta, snap ring assembly. That Knights rail you have is a non free float stock replacement. Besides that, someone mentioned the charging handle & BCG. Other than, you look gtg.

Shame you didn’t ask this before shelling out the $165 for the Knights. We could have pointed you to a free float option, with its own barrel nut, at a much less expensive price. Less money & better accuracy potential is always good. LOL.

I was right there with you. I argued for a few pages against the price of the rail, what made it so special, etc, etc. After a long drawn out debate, several members recommendations, the fact that it came with a heat shield and panels, and the fact that they usually retail in the $400s, I figured it was worth a try. If I don't like it, I figured I'd have no issues recouping what I spent and maybe a little extra.

Other than that, I wasn't too concerned about accuracy. I basically wanted more of a robust self defense distance AR hence why I wanted the socom barrel, iron A2 sight, and the Knights because of the heat shield.

I'm not really an AR aficionado though. For future reference, what would you have suggested if I had asked? I do have several stripped lowers that I stashed away from back when I thought Hillary was going to be president...

 

[David Hoback]

Handguards are like anything else. You will get 100 different answers before you know it. I’m a little different. I’ve been doing the AR building thing since the beginning! I’ve learned all the secrets. I don’t go for “Names”. I look for material, & quality of machining. 6061 billet is good for a handguard. 7075 is better.

 

[BBBBill]

For a basic home defense AR you don't need much more than a decent light. Sights are up to you. Irons are fine if your eyes are good. If your eyes are suffering from getting older a nice red dot optic is a good choice. I currently have Aimpoints and Trijicon MROs. EOTECHs work well, too. Some of the newer players might be good to go. I just don't have any experience with them to make a recommendation. I had the cheese grater on my issue M-4. We had all kinds of stuff hanging off of it. Stuff I don't need now. My guns now have either an M-Lock or MagPul MOE fore end / handguard. That 5.56 is gonna be LOUD in the house, especially out of a short barrel. Better get some good active hearing protection. I've considered getting a .300 Blackout upper for use in the house. My current go to for home defense is a Glock and an 18.25" Remington 870. The M-4 would only come out if I determined something more were needed.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I'm not really an AR aficionado though. For future reference, what would you have suggested if I had asked? I do have several stripped lowers that I stashed away from back when I thought Hillary was going to be president...

I have built several ARs over the last few years, I still have over 20 of them.
This is what I call a Duty build. It’s nothing fancy, but it has a few upgrades. This is my favorite all around set up.


It has a mid-length gas system for a little smoother recoil. The hand guard is a Magpul MOE Slim. It Slimmer then the MOE and gives You two more inches of hand guard.



The enhanced bolt catch is not too big, but better then milspec. A Magpul trigger guard.


It has an ambidextrous safety lever. Hiperfire duty trigger, and extend mag release.


A single point QD sling attachment.


Simple instructions on the charging handle on how to start it.


And a 1in9 barrel

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Handrails have changed a lot in the last four years. They have gotten slimmer and lighter and come in different shapes and sizes. Most of the new ones have the slim barrel nut and they don’t need to be lined up like the older ones.


And with Keymod and MLok cuts, you can mount thing directly to the rail.


You can go with a short rail. 12”



Or a long one. 15”

 

[BBBBill]

The hand guard is a Magpul MOE Slim. It Slimmer then the MOE and gives You two more inches of hand guard.

I like both the MOE and the MOE SL. I've actually been looking for an FDE SL to replace the last of my standard M-4 handguards, but the recent explosion of sales has them out of stock everywhere at the moment.

 

[LiveLife]

I need help building my first upper. I want to make sure I have all the parts that I need ordered before I start the build.

is there anything I'm missing?

This really helped me assemble the barrel to the receiver without any drama.

The tool clamps to the vise and locks with barrel lugs to allow you to torque the barrel nut without putting stress on the upper receiver.

KZ tool from Botach $50 - https://botach.com/kz-barrel-spline-socket-rod-for-ar15-m4-upper-5-56mm-receivers/


As to buying AR parts and kits, consider this vendor - https://www.22mods4all.com/ar-15-223-5-56-operator-series/

Family business is owned by a grandmother who was watching her grandchildren while arranging customer service resolution with me after son answered my technical questions both to my satisfaction.

Their kits are not priced with BCG (Has option to add before check out) but that's OK as I prefer to buy BCG separately. While they do not directly say so on their website, their kits include BCA barrels which are certified for 1 MOA. I have been building 18" .223 Wylde M-Lok kits with happy results and true to BCA certified 1 MOA groups at 100 yards with decent ammo.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I like both the MOE and the MOE SL. I've actually been looking for an FDE SL to replace the last of my standard M-4 handguards, but the recent explosion of sales has them out of stock everywhere at the moment.

Primary Arms has the MOE SL FDE in stock, both the carbine and med length.
https://www.primaryarms.com/magpul-moe-slim-line-handguard-carbine-length-flat-dark-earth-mag538-fde

https://www.primaryarms.com/magpul-moe-sl-handguard-mid-length-flat-dark-earth-mag551-fde

 

[Styx]

1. MMC Socom barrel
2. Rail
3. Carbine length gas tube
4. Upper receiver assembly
5. BGC
6. Front sling swivel
   
7. barrel nut assembly
8. Flash hider
9. Charging handle
10. Rear sight

I assume that's everything I'd need parts wise?

 

[David Hoback]

You got it. That’s all she wrote.