How does building an AR work?

I agree with those who are saying the build is not that difficult. For my first build I bought a stripped Palmetto State Armory lower. It was such nice quality I thought I would ask what they could do to modify one of their complete uppers to meet my specs. They gave me a good price so I ordered. If you have some basic tools, basic mechanical know-how, and some patience you can put a lower together.

As far as it not being any cheaper than a complete rifle, I don't know that I agree with that statement. I put together a fairly tricked out rifle (MI free float quad rail, low profile gas block, flip up front/rear Magpul Gen 2 MBUS, Ergo grip, flat top upper, .223/5.56 stainless steel Wylde barrel, Magpul mil-spec CTR stock). With 15 magazines, transfer fee, and shipping it was just over $1,000. (see spreadsheet)

The one thing I would have done differently would be to get a better trigger.

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Just take your time, read, watch videos, and ask questions. It is not that hard to do.

Fly
 

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blacksky said:
That is one sexy beast you've got there!!!
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Ah shucks. Thank you. I think she is beautiful too. :D

I'm no rifleman, just a plinker for now. But off a bench rest I could easily get all the rounds on an 8.5x11 piece of paper with just the Magpul flip-up sights. Before the sun wasn't setting in my eyes I was getting them all in 9 or 10 ring. May not sound great to the more experienced shooters here, but I was happy.

ETA: It was not rally a "bench rest", just some bags. Also, the shots were at 75 yards.

Fly
 
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Sorry I haven't responded in a while guys, I have been moving to a new location. Thank you all for the input.

I can get a Bushmaster Optics Ready Carbine for right around $600 through a friend, so I feel like buying that is probably my best bet wouldn't y'all think? I can then get a rail system added onto that for around $100.

I was looking at them and they have the regular ORC and the gas piston ORC, is the gas piston worth the extra money?

I also like this Smith & Wesson because it already has the rail
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_786010_-1_757785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Is S&W better quality than Bushmaster or about the same?
 
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Oh jeeze! Now you have opened a whole new can of worms. :D Depends on who you talk to. I know marines who bought the gas piston because of its benefits of not getting as dirty as the standard gas system. Then there are those who will insist that the piston system is a solution looking for a problem. If you keep the gas system well lubed with a quality oil, you should not have any problems. IMHO
 
My 18 year old son built his first AR (6.5 Grendel) from a stripped upper and lower, no prior experience building rifles, and actually very little experience with hand tools in general- in one evening at the bench.

I see absolutely no relationship between "buying" a manufactured weapon "first" and ability to assemble one.

If you can read instructions, and are halfway intelligent, you won't have a problem. It is not difficult. Main thing to know is that depending on the system you go with ( e.g barrel length, free-float vs. standard handguard) some of the parts required will vary as well. Be sure to put together a complete list, Brownells has a checklist online which is useful. It's easy for a small part to "fall through the cracks" because you thought it may have been included in something you bought, but wasn't... like a BCG cam pin...ask me how I know...

Go through this, and I would also recommend you purchase Glenn Zedicker's book.


http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/learn/



http://www.amazon.com/Competitive-A...1BSC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328989442&sr=8-2
 
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