Tips for My First AR-15 Build

[rg115]

I've been thinking about building my first AR-15 for a while now, and I’ve finally started looking at parts. I gotta say, it feels kind of overwhelming. There are a ton of options out there, and some decent deals if you dig a bit. But honestly, figuring out what’s worth it and what’s not is proving to be a challenge.

I’m planning to keep it pretty basic to start—probably going with 5.56. Makes sense, right? Not sure if that’s the best choice for a newbie, though. If anyone has suggestions, I’m all ears.

I really want to avoid getting stuck with parts that aren’t reliable. Are there any brands that you guys steer clear of? And what about those sneaky hidden costs that often pop up? I’ve read about rookie mistakes, like not checking compatibility of parts and stuff like that. Should I just buy a pre-built one instead?

I’d really appreciate any advice you have. Even if it’s just your own experiences from when you first built one. Thanks!

 

[vnt.jpg]

A solid option you might consider is going for a pre-built upper and then putting together the lower yourself. When I built my first one, I went full DIY and I learned a ton but I ended up spending more money than I thought I would and had to redo a couple of things haha. If I could redo, I’d definitely start off simpler and then upgrade as I go along. Less stress.

 

[bluegrassdan]

The biggest stumbling blocks to building an AR from parts is fitting them all into a functioning rifle. Do not make the mistake of buying the cheapest parts you can find from a wide variety of different companies. In the firearms world, you generally get what you pay for- cheap parts are cheap parts. Buy a upper and lower set from a good manufacturer to start with that way you know it will at least fit together. AR parts makers do not always follow depot drawings and dimensions, nor do they keep tolerances as close as they should. Yes, Palmetto State makes/sells really affordable parts, but they also have a very mixed QC department and I have yet to find anything from them outside of maybe a charging handle that I would call decent quality. If you buy an specific brand Upper and Lower, be smart and get your BCG and Barrel as a set as well, to make sure your head space is going to be correct or close to correct. The rest can be mixed with only a minor impact on fit and function. DO NOT buy the cheap knock off hand guard/free float tubes that try to look like Midwest Industries, you will be disappointed. I have had customers attempt the budget build and a lot of the knock off parts wind up with stripped screw holes, misaligned pin holes, all out of square with the bore line and causing some major alignment issues. Then they bring it to me and ask to have it "fixed". Just get decent parts to start with and you should be fine. Use the correct tools to assemble and you will never have to know the frustration of chasing that detent spring and pin around the shop when it flies off because you tried to use a screw driver to hold it in place or twist your upper out of shape because you were too cheap to buy the upper vise clamping fixture for installing the barrel nut and hand guards.