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First AR build

E

Enorris89

Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2019
Messages
70
Location
Northwest Indiana
So I’ve decided to build my first day are and I was just wondering if any of you guys had any tips or recommendations on choosing a barrel or bolt carrier and if so what are they. I’ve decided to build in the 5.56 NATO round so that I’ll have as many options as possible but that might’ve been a mistake because now it’s a little overwhelming how many options are really out there.
 
I built two with the most basic options from Palmetto State Armory and they have both been fantastic. Palmetto State Armory has great deals and I have had no issues with their equipment. I built both of my 5.56 AR rifles for about the same price as an entry level bolt action. If you are going to spend extra money on an upgraded part I would go with a better trigger.
 
I went with a .223 Wylde barrel so I had the option of 5.56 NATO or .223 rem.

Don't feel overwhelmed. Plenty of YouTube videos cover the whole thing from many angles and you can even skip steps by getting a complete upper or lower or both.


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BCM makes some nice stuff. I’m running a aeroprecision upper myself and like it a lot more than the two palmetto state armory uppers I tried.
 
I don't know much about building an ar but my Rock River Arms is the most accurate gun I have ever owned. Highly recommend that company.
 
Aero receiver sets are pretty easy if you don’t want to deal with roll pins and punches, they use screw in pins, but you can use pliers wrapped in tape for the roll pins too if you do use regular roll pins. Aero also uses ballistic advantage barrels, if you want to use them directly, Ballistic has a barrel of the week and sometimes run sales on different lengths or calibers. BCM makes good stuff too like stated above. I have used the ALG (ACT) trigger as well as palmetto state’s boron trigger with JP trigger springs for a lighter pull but still have a clean break. The palmetto Trigger was about 30 bucks when I bought it and can’t tell a difference in the $70 ALG trigger. For a budget trigger it’s pretty good. As far as bolt carriers, I have good reliability with a nitrited mil spec carrier on my ar-10s and multiple ar15 calibers. I know several guys I work with build with palmetto kits and have no complaints. I plan to use them for my pistol upper build. Goodluck with the build.
 
You don't say what your intended purpose is for this rifle, we can only assume it's a general intro to the AR world not a "snipe prairie dogs at 300 yards" rifle or "one rifle to get me through the zombie apacolypse" rifle. So in that case it's tough to beat the upper/lower kits that PSA sells. When you start trying to piece together an upper it can get expensive very fast. In your shoes my suggestion would be a 16" barrel mid-length gas upper that PSA will probably have on sale soon (with free float rail).16" lets you swap out the muzzle device easily in the future, mid-length gas is generally considered easier on the BCG. Free float rail gives you better accuracy and easy attachment of doodads. Pair this with one of their lowers or lower kits and you can probably spend around $600 or less (not including optic). The upgrade to the trigger is also a good idea but not immediately necessary.

They are fun guns to tinker with, have fun.
 
sureshotscott said:
You don't say what your intended purpose is for this rifle, we can only assume it's a general intro to the AR world not a "snipe prairie dogs at 300 yards" rifle or "one rifle to get me through the zombie apacolypse" rifle. So in that case it's tough to beat the upper/lower kits that PSA sells. When you start trying to piece together an upper it can get expensive very fast. In your shoes my suggestion would be a 16" barrel mid-length gas upper that PSA will probably have on sale soon (with free float rail).16" lets you swap out the muzzle device easily in the future, mid-length gas is generally considered easier on the BCG. Free float rail gives you better accuracy and easy attachment of doodads. Pair this with one of their lowers or lower kits and you can probably spend around $600 or less (not including optic). The upgrade to the trigger is also a good idea but not immediately necessary.

They are fun guns to tinker with, have fun.
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I think I put an entire AR together watching the deals at Palmetto State Armory for $450.....and it will shoot a mosquito off a prairie dogs a$$ at 300 yards.....with crap ammo. Both of my PSA AR's which are entry level rifles other than the triggers are as accurate or more accurate than any bolt action rifle that I own and more accurate than the 20 inch barrel M16's I had in the army. If you only had one gun....I think this is where to start. I could fight off a horde of geriatric zombies with these rifles and have also put several deer down with these rifles....at present...only the coyotes need be worried. I would focus my $ on good glass and triggers. PSA is responsible for more liberal tears than the president.
 
I am just going to assume you are using it for hunting and if so, I highly recommend the JP Enterprises trigger spring kit upgrade. A very low cost way to improve the trigger pull and break on your standard mil-spec trigger to improve accuracy. I agree with the 16" HBAR recommendation for an all around size. I would also recommend a collapsible buttstock not the standard A2 but that is an easy upgrade if the kit is a price point you want to get started. I like the Mlok technology. I use mine for predator hunting and woodchuck hunting so I added an Mlok Daniel Defense vertical grip to the front mid-length handguard when I'm patrolling for chucks in the spring summer. I take it off during predator calling season to accommodate a tripod so I can work the remote. Go with a mini gas block on your original build to accommodate different handguards if you would ever like to upgrade. You think there are rabbit holes with saddle hunting? The AR world is an animal all of its own but very fun too. Have fun. They are great shooters. Check your state regs. many are harsh on regs regarding MSR's unfortunately due to ignorance. I had to pin my 5 shot magazine to my receiver so I could have the other fun stuff.
 
I'm not sure what your gunsmithing skills are, but my recommendation for your first build is to buy a complete upper (free-floating barrel would be nice if your budget allows). Building the lower is fun and plenty to tinker with, but the upper seemed to have less tolerance for errors based off what I could understand. Others probably have a different opinion.
 
Figure out your budget first, then figure out how much of your budget you want to spend on optics then buy parts accordingly. Easiest way to start
 
Being Canadian I’m envious of you Americans being able to hunt with an AR15. We can own them but they are consider Restricted Firearms and can only be taken to a licensed range.

If we could hunt with them I’d only need 1 lower, a 5.56 upper or two, 22LR bolt/mag kit, and something like a 450 Socom or 300 blackout upper for larger game.




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robstewart said:
Being Canadian I’m envious of you Americans being able to hunt with an AR15. We can own them but they are consider Restricted Firearms and can only be taken to a licensed range.

If we could hunt with them I’d only need 1 lower, a 5.56 upper or two, 22LR bolt/mag kit, and something like a 450 Socom or 300 blackout upper for larger game.




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Click to expand...

Its a shame you can’t hunt with one! With the way things are going in America, I’m afraid one day we won’t be able to either... Im from NY and the safe act already ruined some stuff for us.
 
Mschmeiske said:
Its a shame you can’t hunt with one! With the way things are going in America, I’m afraid one day we won’t be able to either... Im from NY and the safe act already ruined some stuff for us.
Click to expand...

Safe Act?


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