Advice for Building My First AR-15

[rg115]

Been thinking about building my first AR-15 for a while now and finally started diving into parts. There seem to be some decent deals if you know where to look, but honestly, I'm still figuring out what's worth it and what's just hype.

Planning to keep it simple for my first build, probably sticking with 5.56. I'm open to suggestions if anyone thinks I should go a different route though. I just want something reliable.

Are there any brands you guys would tell a newbie to avoid? What hidden costs should I watch out for? I've heard about people getting tripped up on tools and stuff they didn't think they'd need.

Also, just curious — is it better to build from scratch or just buy a pre-built one? I've read both sides and can't decide.

Any advice or stupid mistakes you made when you were getting started would be super helpful. Thanks!

 

[nksmfamjp]

Frankly, I think 5.56 is the best first build simply because it is easy to make run, cheap ammo and lots of parts/know-how out there.

Plan well, build slow, buy what you need for tools instead of all you are told to buy.

I would avoid the clamshell upper holder.

I would stake the parts which need staked. Locktite is not the same.

I would build off the Aero M4E1 upper/lower kit.

I would build a gun with a real tapered pin FSB. All of the other FSB/Gas Block setups are marginal at best to get aligned, tight and 100% reliable over time.

I would build using a Rise Armament trigger. Just their cheapest one.

Stay away from Anderson, cheap no name stuff, Chinese parts, other lesser known brands.

Your best deal will always be to buy complete or maybe buy the Colt 6920 bare rifle. Colt parts may look average, but Colt makes the guns right. The bare rifle let's you add the forearm, grip, buttstock to a known good internal gun.

https://battlehawkarmory.com/produc...-front-sight-223-rem5.56-nato-16.10-301-black

I say building is a bad deal because if you build a great rifle, it will be basically worthless from what I see, even though you have great parts and build quality. If you buy a crap rifle made of lowest quality parts, it will be worth what you paid for it or slightly less. A build will not be worth the sum of its parts. You are better off disassembling a build to sell as parts…weird, huh??

Just my opinions.. you and others should form your own opinions.

 

[Detailed Firearms]

There's a lot more to building AR-15s than getting a bunch of parts and putting the Legos together.

As an example, I've been lapping the barrel face of the upper receiver for a while, it's amazing how often the barrel face isn't true to the upper... and that will cost accuracy. I've even seen uppers where the part is so off that I need to file inside the upper to even get the lapping mandrel in!

A LOT of companies make parts for other companies... Anderson gets slagged on a lot (not anymore, Ruger bought them and Anderson Manufacturing is no longer a company), but they make lower receivers for dozens of other companies... more than meets the eye.

My suggestion would be to get a "starter" AR-15 pre-built, then upgrade the parts as you learn the weapon system.

 

[nksmfamjp]

As an example, I've been lapping the barrel face of the upper receiver for a while, it's amazing how often the barrel face isn't true to the upper... and that will cost accuracy. I've even seen uppers where the part is so off that I need to file inside the upper to even get the lapping mandrel in!

What kind of change did the make on the target?

 

[more_ammo]

Been thinking about building my first AR-15 for a while now and finally started diving into parts. There seem to be some decent deals if you know where to look, but honestly, I'm still figuring out what's worth it and what's just hype.

Planning to keep it simple for my first build, probably sticking with 5.56. I'm open to suggestions if anyone thinks I should go a different route though. I just want something reliable.

Are there any brands you guys would tell a newbie to avoid? What hidden costs should I watch out for? I've heard about people getting tripped up on tools and stuff they didn't think they'd need.

Also, just curious — is it better to build from scratch or just buy a pre-built one? I've read both sides and can't decide.

Any advice or stupid mistakes you made when you were getting started would be super helpful. Thanks!

Personally I recommend buying an inexpensive starter and tinkering with that. Take it apart and put it back together. "Practice" on this one. You can then either upgrade what you want, or just start one from scratch. I get a better understanding of what's going on if I already have it together to begin with, then just kind of reverse engineer everything. I think I have better light bulb moments that way .... But everyone is different. I have also had tremendous success with "budget" brands.... But you will hear differently from other folks.... But most of them couldn't explain what quality actually is. Once you understand what exactly your after, and what makes quality.... You will see that chasing "name brand" and logos is usually a waste of money.

 

[Detailed Firearms]

It won't change grouping, because that's all in the barrel. But it does improve the alignment of the receiver bore with the barrel. This is going to help with long range, much like aligning and lapping scope mounts. From a material / parts standpoint, the alignment helps with more consistent tightening of the barrel nut and better alignment of the upper/handguard.

Why does the handguard alignment matter at all? For most people it won't, but I look at building in a complete and wholistic view. Not only should the parts fit together properly, they should look like they were designed to all be an integral weapon system. Meaning? I profile match billet upper receivers to handguards before Cerakote, so the finished version looks like a designed unit. Here's a pic of the profiling in process:

 

[forrestr]

Accuracy expectations can and will make huge differences in your choice of components.

You can get an anderson receiver and a psa m4 kit for under $400. You'll have enough pieces and parts to put together to get you started along with a ar that you can easily sell for more that what you have in it to finance another/different build.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Accuracy, ergonomics and perceived reliability are the key cost drivers.

Accuracy is mostly driven by barrel choice. Those run $150-$600.

Ergonomics….often false ergonomics can cost $100's. Always scrutinize ergonomic expenditures. Most are just taking your money.

Perceived reliability is what I call it. A Colt 6920 is about the best made M4 clone, but it is possible to spend $1000's on premium AR's that is someways might not be as well made as a 6920. Many times you are paying more for parts made to a lower spec, but might be prettier!

That said, I've struggled with Anderson lower fit to other parts.

All this said, my favorite general purpose AR15 is:
PSA barrel with FSB and mid gas
Magpul SL stock, K2 grip, SL forend
Rise Armament trigger 3.5lbs
Vortex Strikefire
This thing shoots good groups….had it scoped to test….and is easy to shoot. Not an expensive build.