Question on building an AR-15

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caseypj

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I'm considering building a new AR-15, unfortunately I don't have the tools and probably lack the patience of assembling a stripped lower. Will a complete lower assembly and a complete upper assembly just "snap on" the same as when you disassemble the rifle for cleaning? I'm considering the following uppers and lowers: "Lower Receiver Assembly with Trapdoor for 5.56mm/.223 Cal" from http://www.bushmaster.com/products.asp?cat=5 and the "20" Flat Top National Target Match" from http://www.bushmaster.com/products.asp?cat=6
 
Yes. And since both assemblies are from the same manufacturer, the should fit together just great. It's just the two pins that hold the upper to the lower.
 
Okay, that's what I thought but wasn't entirely sure on. Thanks for the clarification.
 
It was very easy

But now it will be harder.

The hardest part will be getting an upper you want unless you do it by pieces.
Currently, some places are selling out or have a long waiting period for getting a complete upper.

I started with a stripped lower. The internal workings came next and were incredibly easy to get in with the minimal of tools. What helped was going to AR15.com and they have a section on building your own, complete with step by step photos and if I recall right, a video.

Next came the buttstock. I had planned to do this piece by piece and paycheck to paycheck, a little at a time, but I will admit, I got scared at the election outcome and finished the thing before the election and, apparently, before everything out there started getting bought up. I got the upper a week and a half ago, and still have not had the time to shoot it yet.

Like I said, incredibly easy to build. I used a needle-nose plier and a brass hammer as the only tools. Borrowed a stock wrench and finished that. By the way, you don't need patience for assembling a stripped lower and you can get it cheaper that way. I figure I saved at the minimum $200.00 by getting the parts while they were on sale and putting it all together myself. Installing the internals took all of 1/2 hour for me. I am certain that experienced peope can put it all together much faster.

The uppers will pretty much all mate to the lowers, two pins is all it takes to put one onto the other. The AR15 site pretty much has it all there.

And if you need more convincing, there is that Youtube video out there of a little girl field stripping an AR and putting it all back together in less than two minutes. :D

The Doc is out now. :cool:
 
I did look at AR15.com and looked around and saw some assembly guides, but it was for stripped lowers and uppers. I already have an AR-15 and can easily field strip it and reassemble it so if it's just mating the upper and lower and pushing the pivot pins in, it shouldn't be a problem for me.
 
I put a lower parts kit in a stripped lower last night. Took about 35 min.
The front pivot pin took the longest. First time for me,it's a snap to do.
 
Yeah, the bolt catch pin is a tricky one. I almost got a scratch. I got lucky and didn't. Still, it all went together fine without a hitch otherwise.

Well, if you have an upper and lower, you've got yourself ready!

The Doc is out now. :cool:
 
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