Need help researching AR-15s

[TH3180]

The bug bit me the other day. I think I want an AR-15. Yesterday I bounced around the world wide web for a few hours trying to learn about this platform. Keep in mind when I know nothing about these rifles. The only person I know that has had one is one of those guys that thinks he know everything and really knows nothing, so I am on my own here. While trying to research, most of my searches I ended up on various fourms. Where the heck can I go to learn about these rifles. Yes fourms are great for reading opinions from people that own the product. I’m not to that point yet I need to learn about the rifles.
At this point I am think I want to buy a complete gun for my first one. I don’t have the knowledge to build a rifle. Maybe the one after that I will put together myself. Is there anywhere around the Twin Cities that have AR-15s in stock? I would like to put my hands on a few and learn something. Any help you guys can give me would be great.

[Steveb]

Brownells has some good videos on assembly of an AR...I watched them before putting together my first one.

[rugersol]

Lots of nice complete rifles fer not a ton of money (like they were a year ago).

But if ya can't find the one ya want, don't hesitate to buy a complete lower, and then a complete upper, separately ... they slap together with two pins that push out (as they're otherwise meant to, fer cleaning 'n such) ... it's the same as field stripping almost any other modern pistol.

This way, ya can really open up yer options. Jest go to MidwayUSA.com and search for "5.56 upper assembly".

Complete lowers aren't tough to find.

Trigger's gonna be the thing. Most come with ****ty triggers. Which is fine, if ya wanna save $100 - $200, outta the gate. But if ya can find a lower that comes with a JP 'er Gieselle trigger, that'd be a real good start.

[solidgun]

ar15.com has library of information on the black rifle. They are very useful for general information.

I would recommend taking an armorer's course, but I believe they are limited to LEO, Military and dealers. Those video ones are okay, but hands on knowledge really helps.

[TH3180]

Lots of nice complete rifles fer not a ton of money (like they were a year ago).

But if ya can't find the one ya want, don't hesitate to buy a complete lower, and then a complete upper, separately ... they slap together with two pins that push out (as they're otherwise meant to, fer cleaning 'n such) ... it's the same as field stripping almost any other modern pistol.

This way, ya can really open up yer options. Jest go to MidwayUSA.com and search for "5.56 upper assembly".

Complete lowers aren't tough to find.

Trigger's gonna be the thing. Most come with ****ty triggers. Which is fine, if ya wanna save $100 - $200, outta the gate. But if ya can find a lower that comes with a JP 'er Gieselle trigger, that'd be a real good start.

I want to make sure I understand this right. Are you saying a guy can assemble/build one with very little knowledge of how things work on these rifles? If not please expand on you statement. It would be kind of cool to put together my own rifle.

[oneoldjimmy]

I was just going through the same process. Check out Cabelas. They had quite a few in stock (S&W, Colt, DPMS, Bushmaster...) Althought I wouldnt buy one there... They were $150 higher on the exact same bushmaster I just ordered from Frontiersman...

[solidgun]

Go here and watch these:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1100 ... R-15_Video

Is building one easy? Yes.
Is building one hard? Yes.

If I have all the proper tools and instruction on where parts should go.....technically I should be able to build anything.
The trouble happens when things go wrong. Using wrong parts. Incorrect placement. Improper tool use. This is where the knowledge part comes in handy.

Just know that this device allows controlled explosion to occur. If you don't build it right, that controlled part goes out the door.

[goalie]

The bug bit me the other day. I think I want an AR-15. Yesterday I bounced around the world wide web for a few hours trying to learn about this platform. Keep in mind when I know nothing about these rifles. The only person I know that has had one is one of those guys that thinks he know everything and really knows nothing, so I am on my own here. While trying to research, most of my searches I ended up on various fourms. Where the heck can I go to learn about these rifles. Yes fourms are great for reading opinions from people that own the product. I’m not to that point yet I need to learn about the rifles.
At this point I am think I want to buy a complete gun for my first one. I don’t have the knowledge to build a rifle. Maybe the one after that I will put together myself. Is there anywhere around the Twin Cities that have AR-15s in stock? I would like to put my hands on a few and learn something. Any help you guys can give me would be great.

What are you doing tomorrow? I am going to go try out my new Spike's mid-length now that I have some ammo loaded up. The range is in Mound.

[TH3180]

The bug bit me the other day. I think I want an AR-15. Yesterday I bounced around the world wide web for a few hours trying to learn about this platform. Keep in mind when I know nothing about these rifles. The only person I know that has had one is one of those guys that thinks he know everything and really knows nothing, so I am on my own here. While trying to research, most of my searches I ended up on various fourms. Where the heck can I go to learn about these rifles. Yes fourms are great for reading opinions from people that own the product. I’m not to that point yet I need to learn about the rifles.
At this point I am think I want to buy a complete gun for my first one. I don’t have the knowledge to build a rifle. Maybe the one after that I will put together myself. Is there anywhere around the Twin Cities that have AR-15s in stock? I would like to put my hands on a few and learn something. Any help you guys can give me would be great.

What are you doing tomorrow? I am going to go try out my new Spike's mid-length now that I have some ammo loaded up. The range is in Mound.

Man I wish. We are working 12 to 14 hour days at work. I would like to see it sometime though. Thank you for the offer.

[bbk]

M4carbine.net is a great place as is AR15.com. For complete rifles, Bravo company Mfg over in Hartland WI sells some pretty good rifles; although there is a debate about 1~7 vs 1~9 twist rates, but I won't go there as I am learning also.

[rugersol]

Lots of nice complete rifles fer not a ton of money (like they were a year ago).

But if ya can't find the one ya want, don't hesitate to buy a complete lower, and then a complete upper, separately ... they slap together with two pins that push out (as they're otherwise meant to, fer cleaning 'n such) ... it's the same as field stripping almost any other modern pistol.

This way, ya can really open up yer options. Jest go to MidwayUSA.com and search for "5.56 upper assembly".

Complete lowers aren't tough to find.

Trigger's gonna be the thing. Most come with ****ty triggers. Which is fine, if ya wanna save $100 - $200, outta the gate. But if ya can find a lower that comes with a JP 'er Gieselle trigger, that'd be a real good start.

I want to make sure I understand this right. Are you saying a guy can assemble/build one with very little knowledge of how things work on these rifles? If not please expand on you statement. It would be kind of cool to put together my own rifle.

Well, that's why I said "complete" lower and "complete" upper. Each "half" requires 0% assembly, itself. Put the two "halves" together, push in the two "takedown" pins (they refer the forward one as a "pivot" pin, but if you push both out, the "halves" come completely apart, vs. merely pivoting on the one pin).

This would not be so much "assembly" ... more like, when ya field-strip a pistol, and then put the slide/bbl back onto the frame ... basically the same thing. I jest tried finding a youtube of it, and couldn't ... 'cause it's so simple.

Like I said, it merely opens up some options ... basically, if ya can find a "complete" upper ya really like, ya can have it shipped directly to yer house. In the meantime, go to a local joint and do the FFL thing on a complete lower. Slap 'em together, and shoot. Oh ya, don't ferget to git a mag, too ... they usually come with a complete rifle ... but not necessarily, otherwise.

[TH3180]

Lots of nice complete rifles fer not a ton of money (like they were a year ago).

But if ya can't find the one ya want, don't hesitate to buy a complete lower, and then a complete upper, separately ... they slap together with two pins that push out (as they're otherwise meant to, fer cleaning 'n such) ... it's the same as field stripping almost any other modern pistol.

This way, ya can really open up yer options. Jest go to MidwayUSA.com and search for "5.56 upper assembly".

Complete lowers aren't tough to find.

Trigger's gonna be the thing. Most come with ****ty triggers. Which is fine, if ya wanna save $100 - $200, outta the gate. But if ya can find a lower that comes with a JP 'er Gieselle trigger, that'd be a real good start.

I want to make sure I understand this right. Are you saying a guy can assemble/build one with very little knowledge of how things work on these rifles? If not please expand on you statement. It would be kind of cool to put together my own rifle.

Well, that's why I said "complete" lower and "complete" upper. Each "half" requires 0% assembly, itself. Put the two "halves" together, push in the two "takedown" pins (they refer the forward one as a "pivot" pin, but if you push both out, the "halves" come completely apart, vs. merely pivoting on the one pin).

This would not be so much "assembly" ... more like, when ya field-strip a pistol, and then put the slide/bbl back onto the frame ... basically the same thing. I jest tried finding a youtube of it, and couldn't ... 'cause it's so simple.

Like I said, it merely opens up some options ... basically, if ya can find a "complete" upper ya really like, ya can have it shipped directly to yer house. In the meantime, go to a local joint and do the FFL thing on a complete lower. Slap 'em together, and shoot. Oh ya, don't ferget to git a mag, too ... they usually come with a complete rifle ... but not necessarily, otherwise.

Thanks for the info. Researching the upper and lowers, has moved to the top of the list right next to researching full rifles.

[bbk]

BCM has complete lowers for $250 plus shipping for blem units

[Norsesmithy]

Of course, assembling the lower half from a kit that includes an assembled upper and a box of parts is not terribly challenging either.

[TH3180]

Of course, assembling the lower half from a kit that includes an assembled upper and a box of parts is not terribly challenging either.

This is very true, but being new at this I don't want to take off a bigger bite then I can chew. I look at these web sites and I'm not even sure what I am looking at.