Building an AR

nlghthawk · August 2nd, 2009, 06:37 PM

So I succumb to the desire to get into the AR15 world. I feel there may be a day soon that it won't be that easy to get one and they are a good rifle regardless. I still have the AK for all around detruction.

So I picked up a Rock River stripped lower, and a Rock River lower parts kit. I also got a 6 position stock complete.

Now I need to slap all these parts together. The thought of building this thing is very intriguing to me and that is why I went with the parts kits, but now that I have everything and I worried I may screw it up....so I have a few questions.

1. Does anyone have any sites that show how to assemple this puzzle?

2. Are there recommendations for uppers? I would use this for killing paper...not much more than that..and I am not a competition shooter, just try to hit the bullseye when I go. I want something decent that will have some basic value moving forward.

3. Should I do the upper in parts? Are there any savings in doing it this way or buying a used upper someone else upgraded?

General AR15 assistance would be welcome, I found an AR15 forum too that seemed good but I have always relied on this forum for general knowledge.

TIA

HotGuns · August 2nd, 2009, 06:41 PM

http://www.ar15.com/

This site has everything you can imagine and will answer every question that has ever been asked.

Read up on it. Its a great source.

stanislaskasava · August 2nd, 2009, 07:25 PM

I don't have much to suggest, except make sure you have a good workbench area before you start. I've only assembled one lower. It was fun and I think every AR owner should do it at least once to become familiar with how the lower works. It will be much easier to replace broken parts if you have built one from a parts kit.

I realized if I were to buy all the tools to assemble an upper receiver, there would be no 'savings'. However you would have the completed upper, the tools, and the experience. You only need a few punches and a proper hammer to assemble a lower. And a screwdriver or two. And maybe a buttstock wrench (might be included with a telestock). I used the book The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide by Walt Kuleck with Clint McKee. It will tell you what you need to know and how to do safety checks along the way.

The most important step is to identify the parts since some of them look very similar.

dukalmighty · August 3rd, 2009, 01:05 AM

The front takedown pin spring and detent can be a real pain,what i do is cut down the spring enough to start the detent in the hole and then use the takedown pin to push it the rest of the way,if I don't do it that way the detent goes MIA almost everytime,as long as there is enough pressure on the detent it keeps the takedown pin securely in place,also the roll pins can be hard to start in the hole so I use a dremel to make the end I start a little pointier

Siafu · August 3rd, 2009, 01:12 AM

You can learn everything you need to know about AR assembly from watching a few YouTube videos. I assembled my first AR in about 90 minutes.

I have a Spikes Tactical Lower, a Model 1 Sales M4 upper and a Magpul MOE stock. Nothing fancy but it works great and cycles like butter.

I am currently building a Spikes Lower onto a Spikes dedicated 9mm upper. I am waiting for my disposable income to accumulate so I can buy a Hahn dedicated mag-well adapter.

AR's are easy & fun.

JD · August 3rd, 2009, 01:17 AM

Brownells has a series of videos on some subjects, I think the have an AR video...

ETA: Here's the video, haven't watched it yet so I can't comment on the quality of it, but it should be decent.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1...An_AR_15_Video

dukalmighty · August 3rd, 2009, 03:30 AM

Make sure you use masking tape around the surface of the receiver for the bolt release when you drive the roll pin in better to scuff tape than scratch your finish

packinnova · August 3rd, 2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukalmighty

Make sure you use masking tape around the surface of the receiver for the bolt release when you drive the roll pin in better to scuff tape than scratch your finish

+1 I actually went further than that. I taped thin cardboard to it in places where I could get it to fit...just in case. Nothing like going through all that trouble to build out a thing of beauty only to make it look like it got out of a fight with a teed off cat before it's even completed.

BAC · August 3rd, 2009, 05:08 PM

Lower receiver assembly instructions. I find this to be more helpful than the instructions on AR15.com.

-B

AutoFan · August 5th, 2009, 04:10 AM

A large drop cloth for when some small part goes AWOL.

August 2nd, 2009, 06:37 PM	#1
nlghthawk Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 78	Building an AR So I succumb to the desire to get into the AR15 world. I feel there may be a day soon that it won't be that easy to get one and they are a good rifle regardless. I still have the AK for all around detruction. So I picked up a Rock River stripped lower, and a Rock River lower parts kit. I also got a 6 position stock complete. Now I need to slap all these parts together. The thought of building this thing is very intriguing to me and that is why I went with the parts kits, but now that I have everything and I worried I may screw it up....so I have a few questions. 1. Does anyone have any sites that show how to assemple this puzzle? 2. Are there recommendations for uppers? I would use this for killing paper...not much more than that..and I am not a competition shooter, just try to hit the bullseye when I go. I want something decent that will have some basic value moving forward. 3. Should I do the upper in parts? Are there any savings in doing it this way or buying a used upper someone else upgraded? General AR15 assistance would be welcome, I found an AR15 forum too that seemed good but I have always relied on this forum for general knowledge. TIA

August 2nd, 2009, 06:41 PM	#2
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,609	http://www.ar15.com/ This site has everything you can imagine and will answer every question that has ever been asked. Read up on it. Its a great source. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

August 3rd, 2009, 01:05 AM	#4
dukalmighty VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 6,383	The front takedown pin spring and detent can be a real pain,what i do is cut down the spring enough to start the detent in the hole and then use the takedown pin to push it the rest of the way,if I don't do it that way the detent goes MIA almost everytime,as long as there is enough pressure on the detent it keeps the takedown pin securely in place,also the roll pins can be hard to start in the hole so I use a dremel to make the end I start a little pointier __________________ I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

August 3rd, 2009, 01:17 AM	#6
JD Senior Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 11,646	Brownells has a series of videos on some subjects, I think the have an AR video... ETA: Here's the video, haven't watched it yet so I can't comment on the quality of it, but it should be decent. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1...An_AR_15_Video __________________ Some Things Need to be Addressed... Iowa Carry.ORG: Promoting Weapons Carry Reform in Iowa Forum Customs & Courtesies

August 3rd, 2009, 03:30 AM	#7
dukalmighty VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 6,383	Make sure you use masking tape around the surface of the receiver for the bolt release when you drive the roll pin in better to scuff tape than scratch your finish __________________ I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

August 2nd, 2009, 07:25 PM	#3
stanislaskasava Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: U.S. Posts: 666	I don't have much to suggest, except make sure you have a good workbench area before you start. I've only assembled one lower. It was fun and I think every AR owner should do it at least once to become familiar with how the lower works. It will be much easier to replace broken parts if you have built one from a parts kit. I realized if I were to buy all the tools to assemble an upper receiver, there would be no 'savings'. However you would have the completed upper, the tools, and the experience. You only need a few punches and a proper hammer to assemble a lower. And a screwdriver or two. And maybe a buttstock wrench (might be included with a telestock). I used the book The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide by Walt Kuleck with Clint McKee. It will tell you what you need to know and how to do safety checks along the way. The most important step is to identify the parts since some of them look very similar.

August 3rd, 2009, 01:12 AM	#5
Siafu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Jahunga Posts: 1,000	You can learn everything you need to know about AR assembly from watching a few YouTube videos. I assembled my first AR in about 90 minutes. I have a Spikes Tactical Lower, a Model 1 Sales M4 upper and a Magpul MOE stock. Nothing fancy but it works great and cycles like butter. I am currently building a Spikes Lower onto a Spikes dedicated 9mm upper. I am waiting for my disposable income to accumulate so I can buy a Hahn dedicated mag-well adapter. AR's are easy & fun.

August 3rd, 2009, 05:08 PM	#9
BAC Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,994	Lower receiver assembly instructions. I find this to be more helpful than the instructions on AR15.com. -B __________________ RIP, Jeff Dorr: 1964 - July 17, 2009. You will be missed. Defensive Carry Search Tips Step 1 - Choose a subforum on right side under "Search in Forum(s)" Step 2 - Type general topic of interest in "Search by Keyword" textbox. Step 3 - Read results and refine/repeat as necessary.

August 5th, 2009, 04:10 AM	#10
AutoFan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Sunshine State Posts: 1,143	A large drop cloth for when some small part goes AWOL.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode