Assembling an AR ...in theory
- Thread starter madwabbit
- Start date
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SpeedRacer
Well-Known Member
Complete upper? So you just need to build the lower? It's super easy, don't pay someone to do it.
the dubshow
master plinker
a lower is cake if you have a complete upper.
Need a small hammer, a tap and maybe some needle nose. I've put 4 together now and gotten better at each.
edit. google ar15 lower guide. Google it already.
Need a small hammer, a tap and maybe some needle nose. I've put 4 together now and gotten better at each.
edit. google ar15 lower guide. Google it already.
Super easy as in go to AR15.com and go to the build it yourself section and their is a step by step guide with pictures. Only reason to ever to go to AR15.com.
It is very simple to assemble an upper and/or lower. It is a fun project. A lower can be assembled in less than 1 hour, my last took me about 30 min. Uppers are slightly more difficult, but still a very easy project. I learned by watchin youtube videos.
SpeedRacer
Well-Known Member
Second one. There's guides on youtube and Brownell's has a great series of videos on building a lower. I'd recommend watching them and seeing if it looks too difficult. If so, I'm sure a BS'er will help ya.
This is how I did it.
I use that as a reference guide. I've done enough now that I don't need it, but it's handy for when you aren't sure which spring is which, or something. It has a good labeled parts diagram.
I used it for all the AR builds I've done at home. I haven't built enough to memorize things backward and forward yet, but even if I had, I still believe in having the manual handy when doing things.
No to the first part, yes to the second part. It can be done but it is not "super easy" IMO. I've assembled several and it took me a few to get the hang of it. Now it's no problem but it still takes concentration and a steady hand. Plus a few improvised tools and some good masking tape to keep from dinging the receiver accidentally. You can scratch, ding and even break some parts if you don't use care and some precautions.
To add to what others have said, assembling a lower is very easy. I have zero AR experience and am not particularly handy or mechanically inclined. I didn't buy any special tools but I did already have a small plastic hammer and a set of regular punches (not the roll pin punches). Using the instructions and video's in the "Build It Yourself" section of AR15.com I assembled mine in about an hour and a half. Took my time and also stopping here and there to tend to my 7 month old son. Despite all the warnings I did manage to launch one spring across the room but it was no big deal to pick up a replacement at the gun store the next day. The only thing I had to get help with was tightening the castle nut. Didn't feel like buying a wrench so I brought it to a friends and used his. The instructions on arcom list the suggested tools to buy but the video shows how to do without them. The roll pin punches would have made life easier but it wasn't that big of a deal.
The great thing about assembling the lower yourself is that you'll have a much better understanding of how the trigger is assembled and whats required if you have to do any repairs or part swapping in the future.
The great thing about assembling the lower yourself is that you'll have a much better understanding of how the trigger is assembled and whats required if you have to do any repairs or part swapping in the future.
Fracture_U
Well-Known Member
So now a question for the OP... WHERE are the stripped lowers?
Fracture_U
Well-Known Member
Those roll pins made me extremely nervous after reading about people snapping the ears off for the trigger guard. I found a few people just wrapped either vice-grips or channel locks with E-Tape and pinched them in. I used the roll pin punch and was still nervous. Making sure it was supported, I started out very softly--tapping (or attempting to tap it) it in until I gave up and had to give it a few good whacks. Once it was started, it was fine. Just take your time and don't get in a hurry. There is plenty of help here with everyone who has posted a reply already. I am sure they would be more than willing to help you out if you get in a bind.
I use a hardcover book to start the roll pins. You can open the book and insert the corner to fill up the gap to get support on both ears. Start the roll pin one one side. Afterwards, just let the book support the other ear.
