Starting to build the AR - any words of wisdom?

[shackleford]

Hello all! Picked up my stripped lower today, and have the LPK and butt stock all ready to go. Have been doing a pile of reading on various web sites, but was wondering if anyone who has done a build has any tips, tricks, etc before I proceed. Looks pretty straightforward, going to take my time obviously, but any wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[selurcspi]

Tip # 1

Go to the Brownells website and watch all of the videos......Twice...... and then start.

[hammAR]

Tip # 1

Go to the Brownells website and watch all of the videos......Twice...... and then start.

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[justaguy]

Tip # 1

Go to the Brownells website and watch all of the videos......Twice...... and then start.

+

And don't ask Ttootsie for help, regardless of what he claims you don't need a pipe wrench, and **** goes easier if the power stays on throughout the whole build process.

[tullibee]

when you're working on those @#$% springs/pins, it might help if you have a sturdy clear plastic bag that you can put things in so that when you loose your grip on stuff and the spring does what springs are meant to do, you don't have to go searching across the room for an invisible spring or pin!!! (helps to have a bag big enough you can get the reciver and both hands inside!) and/or make or borrow one of the little helper tools for installing them...

[Cadet]

I suggest you get a magnet of some type to hold all the parts. I have a http://www.handhelditems.com/ezred-ezwm ... 57882.html Because it lets me keep going when im building.

[Bessy]

I suggest you get a magnet of some type to hold all the parts. I have a http://www.handhelditems.com/ezred-ezwm ... 57882.html Because it lets me keep going when im building.

Along the same lines, I take all the smaller pieces and dump them in a piece of Tupperware, fill the Tupperware with the degreaser of your choice, this both puts all the parts in the same place and decreases them for you.

[Tromix-Saiga-12]

Using a Vise Grip to press the pins in is a great alternative to using small punches. Just make sure to wrap the Vise Grip w/ electricians tape so you don't scuff up the finish on your lower.

[Belgiboy]

Have somebody that is knowledgable and experienced do it for you and watch closely. Worked great for me.

[G19]

I'm no expert as I have only built 2 Ar's but I find the using the pliers to "push" the pins easier and safer the pounding them in with a punch. If you do the punch method just make sure you support the "ears" so they don't snap off and you break your lower.

Here are some videos that I found after I built my AR and wish I had seen before I built it. There are 4 videos in the series and a good overview of the process. He does a nice job of organizing the parts before you start to make it easier and identify what part/spring goes where.

http://www.youtube.com/user/R0GUEKN1GHT ... dyky83ktZ4

[sochr000]

I used the AR15.com walkthrough when I built my ARs. It's got step by step instructions with pictures. If you want to check it out it's at http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 the second post is for lowers.

[shackleford]

Well, after taking my time, watching a lot of videos, and making 2 trips to J and S in lakeville for parts that went bye bye, the lower is complete. Biggest hassle by far was trying to punch in the trigger guard roll pin. Wouldn't go seemingly no matter what, until I tried the vise grips method, and it went pretty darn easy. Ended up losing the buffer spring detent when I backed out the stock tube, and then later ended up losing the rear takedown pin spring. Thankfully J&S has all those little parts in stock! I ended up buying what they call the "Oh Shoot" kit, with all kinds of springs and pins, just in case I ever need something.

Now the lower is all put together, I am really getting close to ordering the upper and think I have decided on the Spike's Mid-Length. I was going to go for as low budget as possible, but for about $75 more than the Del-ton I was looking at, the Spikes seems to be a heck of a lot better as far as components go. They currently have a $50 off code going, which brings the price down to $485. I am thinking that this is going to be tough to beat, but I would love your guys input or suggestions!

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.p ... cts_id=392

Thanks again!

[farmerj]

if all you are going to shoot is the heavier bullets, go for it. The 1:7 may be on the fast side if you decide to shoot 45-55 gr bullets though.