Building My First AR-15 – Need Your Advice

[rg115]

Been kicking around the idea of building an AR-15 for a while now, and I'm finally diving into the parts hunt. There's a ton of options out there, and I've seen some decent prices, but I'm not totally sure what I should focus on.

I'm thinking about starting with a basic rifle build, probably sticking to 5.56 for the first go. I know some folks swear by different calibers, so if anyone has a strong opinion there, I'd love to hear it.

Are there any brands of parts that you think are a waste of money? I keep seeing mixed reviews on some stuff, and I just want to avoid the junk. Also, what hidden costs are lurking around? I've heard from a few people that some folks get surprised by things like tools or even special pins.

Part of me wonders if it would just be easier to buy something pre-built instead. But I really want to learn and be hands-on with this. Anybody out there have any solid tips or hard lessons learned when they were in my shoes?

Thanks for any help!

 

[DashRipRock]

I did an AR build class with a gunsmith at a local shop. Spec'd out all the parts selection with him first, very educational and got exactly what I wanted.

 

[Dwayne]

Been kicking around the idea of building an AR-15 for a while now, and I'm finally diving into the parts hunt. There's a ton of options out there, and I've seen some decent prices, but I'm not totally sure what I should focus on.

I'm thinking about starting with a basic rifle build, probably sticking to 5.56 for the first go. I know some folks swear by different calibers, so if anyone has a strong opinion there, I'd love to hear it.

Are there any brands of parts that you think are a waste of money? I keep seeing mixed reviews on some stuff, and I just want to avoid the junk. Also, what hidden costs are lurking around? I've heard from a few people that some folks get surprised by things like tools or even special pins.

Part of me wonders if it would just be easier to buy something pre-built instead. But I really want to learn and be hands-on with this. Anybody out there have any solid tips or hard lessons learned when they were in my shoes?

Thanks for any help!

First... they ARE LOUD!

Do you hand the facility to shoot them in?

Ammo... you go through a lot of ammo. If money is no issue, then pick your favorite caliber. Just make sure it is available.

Do you like to build? If so, a 80 percent lower might be your ticket.

Whatever you do, spend the extra for a drop in trigger. The cheaper trigger builds are fairly heavy in trigger pull. I think around 7 pounds compared to about 2 to 3 pounds with a good drop in trigger. What is another 50 bucks when you have already spent 100's?

 

[Dwayne]

One other thing...
30 round mags are cool, but they are impractical for most people. The 10 round mags are not as cumbersome.

I have both, but the 10 round is what I like the best.

 

[gofers]

Been kicking around the idea of building an AR-15 for a while now, and I'm finally diving into the parts hunt. There's a ton of options out there, and I've seen some decent prices, but I'm not totally sure what I should focus on.

I'm thinking about starting with a basic rifle build, probably sticking to 5.56 for the first go. I know some folks swear by different calibers, so if anyone has a strong opinion there, I'd love to hear it.

Are there any brands of parts that you think are a waste of money? I keep seeing mixed reviews on some stuff, and I just want to avoid the junk. Also, what hidden costs are lurking around? I've heard from a few people that some folks get surprised by things like tools or even special pins.

Part of me wonders if it would just be easier to buy something pre-built instead. But I really want to learn and be hands-on with this. Anybody out there have any solid tips or hard lessons learned when they were in my shoes?

Thanks for any help!

I wanted to build my own, also, but didn't know where to start. So, I bought a really inexpensive one, and began changing parts out, to upgrade the rifle, and learn, in the process. The trigger was the first thing I replaced. I also put in a quieter buffer spring, changed out the sights, added a bipod, upgraded the stock...in the process, I learned a few things, while having a functioning weapon, the whole time. It was easy to see what effect each change brought.

RE: 30 round magazines 1) not legal in CO (but that doesn't stop the LGS from selling 30 round "kits"), 2) impossible to shoot prone, unless you have a really tall bipod, but that creates other issues.

Make sure you get a Wylde chamber, or one that is chambered for 5.56. That way you can also shoot .223 (often cheaper). A .223 chamber will not/should not shoot 5.56. I initially bought my AR15 because I was worried they might be banned, never realizing how much FUN they are to just shoot. I would love to do a full-on custom build, but until those funds are available, my cheapie is plenty accurate (out to 200 yards, with a peep sight), packs into a ukulele case, looks good, and it's MINE.

I have found UTG parts to be reliable, solid, reasonably priced. You can't go wrong with a Timney drop-in trigger. Vortex makes great optics, for the money, although I went with irons, on mine. Everyone swears by Mag-Pul, but I have no experience, with them.

 

[longcruise]

I bought a 20" "Sharpshooter" kit from Durkin. And I've found it to be reliable and accurate. I didn't know beans about building them but I checked out a few U Toob video and followed. The only tool I purchased was an Armorers wrench. It's easy to launch some of the tiny parts and springs into another dimension especially with my 78 year old dexterity but Machine Gun Tours has those little parts in stock.