Questions about AR Build

[Hokie_PhD]

Thanks for the help! Hey quick question for ya.

When you got your LPK, were all the springs and detents and pins all misconstrued together or were they all separated based on which part they assemble to? My main concern through all of this is figuring out which part goes where when it comes to pins springs and detents

The PSA kit I used had them all together
I printed out a parts list and drawing I googled online to be sure I didn’t confuse the ones that looked similar

 

[equin]

Thanks for the help! Hey quick question for ya.

When you got your LPK, were all the springs and detents and pins all misconstrued together or were they all separated based on which part they assemble to? My main concern through all of this is figuring out which part goes where when it comes to pins springs and detents

Good question. Unfortunately, I don’t remember. But I think the youtube videos should help you figure out which pins and springs go where if they’re not separated or labeled in the packaging. Either way, I don’t remember that ever being an issue. My main concern at the time was not putting a big ugly scratch on the receiver as I drove in a pin without a vice holding it all together.

And another concern, now that you reminded me, was having a spring shoot off and losing it. I bought some extra pins and springs as spares in case I managed to lose one during the process. I’m glad I did because sure enough a spring went flying off and got temporarily lost in my living room. I found it after I used the spare, go figure. I don’t remember from where I got the spares, but they weren’t that expensive.

 

[<*(((><]

To avoid scratching the lower putting in pins just use some masking tape to protect. Or don’t worry about it and call the assembly scratches character.

 

[Brandon B]

The first stripped lower I ever built up.
View attachment 776672

My FFL said he has a few anvils in. That looks to be a nice finish. How was the fit once you put upper on

 

[Brandon B]

To avoid scratching the lower putting in pins just use some masking tape to protect. Or don’t worry about it and call the assembly scratches character.

Photo very helpful thanks

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I built a lower over Christmas, after I had similar hesitations as you. It wasn't that bad. The only tools needed were a punch and an allen wrench, and even then, you only needed the punch for 3 pins and the allen key for the pistol grip.

Two things though. I did manage to ruin a spring and lose a spring detent in my epic struggle to get the top pivot pin in - that's what I'd call the only hard part of the assembly. I ordered a spare for each beforehand as I was recommended by THR'ers, and I could not have been more thankful. Cost like $3 extra on Brownells.

The other one is that I did manage to install the hammer spring backwards. You want to make sure the lip of the spring is UNDER the hammer, so it forces it UP when you pull the trigger. It wasn't that hard to fix, but owning a factory AR-15 was really helpful for troubleshooting it, so I could compare trigger groups and see what I did wrong.

Other than that - not a hard job, nor an expensive one. I used a $40 DPMS LPK from Brownell's and all the parts went in fine.

 

[<*(((><]

Two things though. I did manage to ruin a spring and lose a spring detent in my epic struggle to get the top pivot pin in - that's what I'd call the only hard part of the assembly. I ordered a spare for each beforehand as recommended by THR'ers, and I could not have been more thankful. Cost like $3 extra on Brownells.

The other one is that I did manage to install the hammer spring backwards. You want to make sure the lip of the spring is UNDER the hammer, so it forces it UP when you pull the trigger. It wasn't that hard to fix, but owning a factory AR-15 was really helpful for troubleshooting it, so I could compare trigger groups and see what I did wrong.

Like @Mosin Bubba posted above, having some extra lower parts on hand is nice to have not just for installation but just to have for "in case", you can get an Anderson "Oops Kit" for $4.00.

I came here to post a picture of the correct orientation of the hammer and trigger springs, the hammer spring is the most common mistake people make in putting together a lower. You can see the legs of the hammer spring will rest on the trigger/disconnector pin, which in turn helps hold the trigger/disconnector pin from walking out.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Alsi, if you were planning a carbine build, I would really recommend getting this.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/moe-lower-build-kit-black.html

LPK and a Magpul stock kit for $100. The price for both is about as cheap as you'll find (they usually sell for about $50 each), and the Magpul M4 stock is NICE.

Get that and the Oops kit and you are good to go.

 

[MachIVshooter]

. Something about “putting together the lower in our shop is considered manufacturing and we are not allowed to do that here in CA”

1) that's not just in CA. It's federal. Without a type 07 or type 10 FFL, they can't do much more than swap out triggers or install scope bases.

2) In CA, you are subject to all kinds of rules most of the rest of the country is not, so be careful to not run afoul of CA's "assault weapons" nonsense by building a standard carbine-especially if you're posting about it on public boards. AFAIK, that means it either needs to be "featureless" (No vertical grip, no adjustable stock, no bayonet lug, no flash hider, etc.) or the magazine must be permanently installed. You're also limited to 10 round mags.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

1) that's not just in CA. It's federal. Without a type 07 or type 10 FFL, they can't do much more than swap out triggers or install scope bases.

2) In CA, you are subject to all kinds of rules most of the rest of the country is not, so be careful to not run afoul of CA's "assault weapons" nonsense by building a standard carbine-especially if you're posting about it on public boards. AFAIK, that means it either needs to be "featureless" (No vertical grip, no adjustable stock, no bayonet lug, no flash hider, etc.) or the magazine must be permanently installed. You're also limited to 10 round mags.

Yes and they should get involved with others to throw out the criminals who made those UnConstitutional laws. It’s time to stop the nonsense and get these laws eliminated.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Yes and they should get involved with others to throw out the criminals who made those UnConstitutional laws. It’s time to stop the nonsense and get these laws eliminated.

I don't disagree, but it seemed to me the OP may have been unaware, and nobody else mentioned it. Would kinda suck to commit civil disobeidience unwittingly and wind up in the pokey with your gun rights lost. Ignorance is not exculpatory, and an uninformed person getting snared does not a martyr make. If people know the law and choose to disregard it, more power to them, but we owe it to ourselves and each other to educate one another on those laws, no matter how ridiculous they might be.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I don't disagree, but it seemed to me the OP may have been unaware, and nobody else mentioned it. Would kinda suck to commit civil disobeidience unwittingly and wind up in the pokey with your gun rights lost. Ignorance is not exculpatory, and an uninformed person getting snared does not a martyr make. If people know the law and choose to disregard it, more power to them, but we owe it to ourselves and each other to educate one another on those laws, no matter how ridiculous they might be.

Good point
I commend you for making sure he be careful.
And just to be clear. I’m not suggesting anyone violate the laws. I believe folks should work to eliminate the idiots who makes these laws. It’s time we stop being quiet.

As for violating the law, I feel exactly like you.
Normally I’m for following the laws but I support anyone who violates CA, NY gun laws and is willing to risk liberty and money to help us fix the injustice.

I’ve posted in other threads I’m very worried that our new far left Gov here in Va wants Ca gun laws. Our US Senator who ran for VP wants Australian gun laws. Both are scary. And are causing people to stock pile parts, magazines, and ARs.

 

[coloradokevin]

hello fellow high-roaders

I am going to be building my first AR15. I’m quite familiar with AR platform, as I have quite a few.
(Armalite m15a4, RRA LAR15, DPMS, and a Spikes)

But here’s where I’m lacking experience and confidence- I’ve never built my own, so I am looking for advice on how difficult this actually may be. I already know what milspec upper I want, and it’s already put together from factory. Now I want a mil spec lower, but since I’m in CA my FFL is telling me they can sell me a lower parts kit and the stripped lower, but cannot put it together for me. Something about “putting together the lower in our shop is considered manufacturing and we are not allowed to do that here in CA”

I’m not sure if this is true, or only true to this FFL but they are a great shop and I’m choosing to go through them for my transfer of lower. So now let me get to my main question(s)

1- what is a good quality mil spec lower?
2- what is a good quality lower parts kit?
3- how much of a pain is it going to be for me (someone who’s never put together a lower receiver) to install all parts on the lower (trigger group, mag release, bolt catch, buttstock and buffer tube, etc.
4- what basic tools will I need, if any?

All information will help! Thanks guys
B

For the first time builder I think it's safe to say that assembling an AR-15 lower is much easier than assembling an AR-15 upper. Honestly, neither are very hard if you have any kind of mechanical aptitude. A lower probably takes me less than half an hour these days, though I've never really timed it to be honest. When I built my first AR-15 I did so with the help of Youtube videos (Midway USA had a start to finish video). My first build was a completely custom SBR, and I built the upper and lower. It wasn't all that hard. Just take your time, and spend the $100 or so to get the tools that will make your job a lot easier (armorer's wrench, some roll pin starters/punches, etc).

Get the mil spec idea out of your head here for a minute, too. A mil spec lower is select fire, a civilian one is not. Regardless, mil spec only means military specification, which doesn't always mean the best (believe it or not). Overall I think people overthink the lowers a bit too much. It's really just the piece that holds the other pieces together. It doesn't take a lot of stress compared to the barrel, bolt, etc. Buy a 7075 aluminum lower from any reputable brand, and you'll probably be fine with it. I've done two builds off of Spikes lowers (because my local gun store sells those) and I've done 80% lowers before. They all work about the same.

I haven't found the perfect lower parts kit (LPK) just yet. Even among the same (reputable) manufacturers I find variance between the kits. Most work just fine. Triggers are where you'll find the most difference in kits that include those. Some stock triggers are pretty smooth, some are gritty and unappealing. None compare to a competition trigger, but they're reliable and they work all the same.

For tools, here's a starter kit:

1) Roll pin starters / punches.
2) An armorer's wrench.
3) A vise block to hold the lower by the magazine well.

Like so many things, tool kits expand with time, but I think that's the only AR-15 specific tools I had when I built by first AR-15.


Anyway, you should definitely try building if you're an AR guy. It isn't that hard, you'll learn a ton about the rifle, and you'll be much more confident working on your other rifles in the future. You may also decide that you overpaid for the rifles you have, especially when you didn't get them customized exactly how you wanted them. My first 3 AR-15 variants were store bought. All of the others have been built, and I don't see myself going back to store-bought again in the future.

 

[bbqreloader]

Brandon, have built two so far, 223 and 9mm. The video that JeeperCreeper posted was one that I watched over and over then played when I was building the various sections. The guy in the video does an excellent job of laying out all the parts and going thru the process. Also used some tricks from iraqveteran8888
I sorta went on the upper end for build parts, magpul armorers wrench, magpul vice block, multiple punch set(amazon) but the one thing that was a big help was the pivot pin installation tool https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...t-pin-detent-installation-tool-prod26488.aspx
Have fun, a little daunting when your doing it for the first time but after that, theres nothing like knowing that you can rip it down and rebuild it with different parts

 

[KYregular]

Anderson or Aero lowers are fine and affordable. The ALG ACT trigger is probably the best you will find it that price range. ALG stands for Amy L. Geissele, a sub company of Geissele triggers.

 

[Brandon B]

1) that's not just in CA. It's federal. Without a type 07 or type 10 FFL, they can't do much more than swap out triggers or install scope bases.

2) In CA, you are subject to all kinds of rules most of the rest of the country is not, so be careful to not run afoul of CA's "assault weapons" nonsense by building a standard carbine-especially if you're posting about it on public boards. AFAIK, that means it either needs to be "featureless" (No vertical grip, no adjustable stock, no bayonet lug, no flash hider, etc.) or the magazine must be permanently installed. You're also limited to 10 round mags.

Yes I’ll be going with the maglock

 

[Brandon B]

I don't disagree, but it seemed to me the OP may have been unaware, and nobody else mentioned it. Would kinda suck to commit civil disobeidience unwittingly and wind up in the pokey with your gun rights lost. Ignorance is not exculpatory, and an uninformed person getting snared does not a martyr make. If people know the law and choose to disregard it, more power to them, but we owe it to ourselves and each other to educate one another on those laws, no matter how ridiculous they might be.

Fully aware of all the gun laws in my state. Been a law abiding gun owner for 10 years, 4 of those in California.

 

[Walkalong]

My FFL said he has a few anvils in. That looks to be a nice finish. How was the fit once you put upper on

It has worked just fine with more than one upper. Finish is, as you say, very good. The worst is my RRA, works fine, looks pitiful. And I forgot about the complete lower I bought from Charles Daly that I put a BCM upper on. Super nice finish/look. Works fine. Surplus Arms and Ammo Gen 1 lower looks great too. But I would buy by price anymore for the most part, unless I just liked the look of something and simply wanted it.

 

[Brandon B]

It has worked just fine with more than one upper. Finish is, as you say, very good. The worst is my RRA, works fine, looks pitiful. And I forgot about the complete lower I bought from Charles Daly that I put a BCM upper on. Super nice finish/look. Works fine. Surplus Arms and Ammo Gen 1 lower looks great too. But I would buy by price anymore for the most part, unless I just liked the look of something and simply wanted it.

I’m sorry to hear that your RRA loOks Pitiful. I have the RRALAR 15 and the finish is not bad honestly it looks good. I can’t see them choosing to use a different finish method for their stripped lowers then they’re complete rifles but you never know. Sometimes RRA can be hit or miss I guess

 

[Walkalong]

The finish is fine, the lettering/logo is pitiful.

 

[coloradokevin]

Anderson or Aero lowers are fine and affordable. The ALG ACT trigger is probably the best you will find it that price range. ALG stands for Amy L. Geissele, a sub company of Geissele triggers.

I also like the ALG ACT trigger for some applications. It's not a match trigger, but it's a "clean" trigger that has all of the safety and reliability of a military trigger.

Geissele makes good stuff, too. In addition to a few of their ACT triggers, I run a National Match in some of my rifles (that's a damn fine trigger, but obviously more expensive and special purpose).

 

[KYregular]

I also like the ALG ACT trigger for some applications. It's not a match trigger, but it's a "clean" trigger that has all of the safety and reliability of a military trigger.

Geissele makes good stuff, too. In addition to a few of their ACT triggers, I run a National Match in some of my rifles (that's a damn fine trigger, but obviously more expensive and special purpose).

I am thinking about getting the super dynamic 3 gun myself.

 

[coloradokevin]

I am thinking about getting the super dynamic 3 gun myself.

I've never used that trigger in real shooting, but I had the opportunity to dry fire with it (my coworker has it). That's definitely going to be my next Geissele trigger. Again, kind of a special purpose trigger, but man does it have a short reset!

 

[Brandon B]

Just wanted to update everybody.
I went down to my local FFL today to see what they had. My first FFL didn’t have anything besides a mag tactical melonite lower and honestly the finish was CRAP. All bubbled. And also I’m not a fan of how it felt complete. He had a completed AR with the mag tactical lower and it didn’t even feel any lighter than my RRA.

So I went to my second choice FFL and they had a great deal on lowers today plus a big selection. I ended up getting two hehe

I got a Spikes Tactical stripped lower and an Anderson Manufacturing stripped lower. Happy with my decision based on all the reviews I read of them these last few weeks prior to purchasing.