So I want to build an AR

[Jose]

Never built one before and I think I want to start slowly buying stuff to put one together and I have a bunch of questions.

What tools do I need to put one together? I want to build it from a stipped lower, is there a particular brand of lower receiver to go with? Any I should stay away from? Is there anything I should look for in a lower receiver parts or spec wise? What about the upper? Barrel? Twist rate? BCG? Basically I need a primer on what's good/bad.

[HarrisonTX]

Buy this. This is a pretty damn good deal. We can help you with the few minor tools when it gets in. http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...-77932814.html

[HarrisonTX]

This is another good buy. Either one will get you a sub $500 AR. I doubt that you can build an AR for under $500 a year from now. I'm not sure of you budget, but these are good starters.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-midlength-5-56-nato-1-7-stainless-steel-moe-freedom-rifle-kit.html

With both links all you need is to find a stripped lower. Locally they can be had for about $55.

[likeitfast55]

Don't get me wrong, PSA is decent stuff. I would spend a little more and get a better rifle while prices are soooooo low. I am sure we can get some suggestions from the more experienced here.

My example Jose..... NOVESKE Upper/lower set, ....White Oak match 223 Wylde barrel ...etc...

[KBScobravert]

Jose, if you're just gonna build 1 start with using my tools. Then if later down the road you will know exactly what tools you want because you have practical knowledge. I'll be home in a week for a week then again towards the end of the month. Buy your parts and we (you...I'll drink beer) can snap it together.

In answer to your OP questions:
What tools do I need to put one together? Punch set, roll pin starter punches, small (tiny really) hammer, I like to use a vise grip to seat a few of the roll pins, vise clamps if you are gonna barrel an upper, a magazine vise tool is good for holding the lower while you tighten the buffer tub castle nut, a basic AR armorer's wrench, needle gauge style torque wrench if you are going to barrel an upper, a good set of allen T wrenches, a small set of allen wrenches in SAE and Metric, basic screwdrivers and other hand tools can always be helpful.
I want to build it from a stipped lower, is there a particular brand of lower receiver to go with? You can go cheap +/-$50 or you can go high end +/- $200. I like the Aero Precision ones that I just bought for around $100. Good quality, nice finish. But I have plenty of the sub $50 ones and they are just get the job done. Building a $500 gun, use a cheap lower. Building a gun you are gonna sink a grand in, spend the $100-150 for a good lower. Uppers are the same way. Hell, matching set upper/lower are the way to really go if spending the money on a real nice AR.
Any I should stay away from? I have CMMG, Aero Precision, Surplus Arms and Ammo, and a few others, even 2 New Frontier poly ones. All get the job done.
Is there anything I should look for in a lower receiver parts or spec wise? If building a $500 gun, no. If building a full custom gun, by kits that don't include trigger parts or safeties. Mostly get just the pins, springs and detents. Get your trigger in a drop in kit separately. Same with a ambi safety of your liking.
What about the upper? Barrel? For uppers, see above. The same for lower's apply to uppers.
Twist rate? I suck at ballistic stuff. You are gonna have decide on end use of the gun here first.
BCG? I've got several that run the Palmetto State specials for $79. I've got others that run DI $200+ BCGs that are coated etc. Fail Zero makes a good, budget friendly DI BCG that is easy to clean and smooth action.
Basically I need a primer on what's good/bad.

[Chas_svo]

What Keith said.

Also CJ still has a link in the armory that answers most of this.

http://www.dfwmustangs.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=39408

[Jose]

Thanks HarrisonTX, PSA is likely what I will go with.

Randy, question for you regarding the comparison of PSA to say.. NOVESKE. What are you really getting for the different in price? For example, my buddy is wanting to go with a Spikes Tactical receiver because in his research, it comes out as one of the better ones in terms of quality. I did a quick Google search and sure enough, that's what came in on the first hit and is likely what he is basing his research on.

Thanks Keith for the offer on the tools, it'll likely be a while before I get all the parts together but I wanted to start doing my research now and pricing everything out. It'll likely be sometime next Spring before I'm ready. And thanks for the breakdown on my reply,

Chas_svo, thanks for sharing the link. I thought I had seen one on here before but couldn't find it. And know I know why, I rarely go to that subforum but guess I need to start spending some time in there.

[juiceweezl]

I'm not the expert by any means, and in fact, I learned the majority of what I know from the gurus here. I've assembled 5 AR's now, but have always purchased a completed upper. I've since modified them such as changing gas blocks, front sights, etc., but I'm very green there. All 5 though I have had to build the lowers completely. I have basic lowers, and all work fine for what I do. I think the most I paid for any of them was like $75. I do like the ones that have the trigger guard included as opposed to having to install one with pins.

The funny part about my rifles, the one I shoot the most (and enjoy the most) is the least expensive, most simple one I have. It's a basic Del-Ton Black Friday kit with a carry handle on top. Shoots great, doesn't misfeed, and I'm not worried about banging it around. I wish I had built that gun before the others.

[black2002ls]

Jose, if you're just gonna build 1 start with using my tools. Then if later down the road you will know exactly what tools you want because you have practical knowledge. I'll be home in a week for a week then again towards the end of the month. Buy your parts and we (you...I'll drink beer) can snap it together.

In answer to your OP questions:
What tools do I need to put one together? Punch set, roll pin starter punches, small (tiny really) hammer, I like to use a vise grip to seat a few of the roll pins, vise clamps if you are gonna barrel an upper, a magazine vise tool is good for holding the lower while you tighten the buffer tub castle nut, a basic AR armorer's wrench, needle gauge style torque wrench if you are going to barrel an upper, a good set of allen T wrenches, a small set of allen wrenches in SAE and Metric, basic screwdrivers and other hand tools can always be helpful.
I want to build it from a stipped lower, is there a particular brand of lower receiver to go with? You can go cheap +/-$50 or you can go high end +/- $200. I like the Aero Precision ones that I just bought for around $100. Good quality, nice finish. But I have plenty of the sub $50 ones and they are just get the job done. Building a $500 gun, use a cheap lower. Building a gun you are gonna sink a grand in, spend the $100-150 for a good lower. Uppers are the same way. Hell, matching set upper/lower are the way to really go if spending the money on a real nice AR.
Any I should stay away from? I have CMMG, Aero Precision, Surplus Arms and Ammo, and a few others, even 2 New Frontier poly ones. All get the job done.
Is there anything I should look for in a lower receiver parts or spec wise? If building a $500 gun, no. If building a full custom gun, by kits that don't include trigger parts or safeties. Mostly get just the pins, springs and detents. Get your trigger in a drop in kit separately. Same with a ambi safety of your liking.
What about the upper? Barrel? For uppers, see above. The same for lower's apply to uppers.
Twist rate? I suck at ballistic stuff. You are gonna have decide on end use of the gun here first.
BCG? I've got several that run the Palmetto State specials for $79. I've got others that run DI $200+ BCGs that are coated etc. Fail Zero makes a good, budget friendly DI BCG that is easy to clean and smooth action.
Basically I need a primer on what's good/bad.

Keith is a guru on this, solid info right here.

From my experience. A vice block for the lower will help. Unless you plan on assembling multiple rifles where you need to attach the barrel, you are better off either buying a complete upper or paying to have the barrel attached to the upper by a gunsmith or a friend.

Lower receiver quality, I've got spikes, anderson, SAA, New Frontier (poly), and another brand poly lower. the dimensions should all be pretty close to identical (internal dimensions where all of the parts fit). The only issues I've run into were with the poly lowers and clearances for magazines and some of the roll pins. Unless you want some "cool" image on the side of the lower, go cheap. If you have any plans to cerakote it, go cheap. If you want to focus on "tacticool" add on gadgets or optics, go cheap.

In all reality, unless you are trying to build something ultra precise, tacticool to impress your friends, or something "designer" caliber, you are going to be just fine with a $50 lower receiver, DPMS or other "basic" $50 parts kit, and a complete upper assembly.

For your first rifle, go basic, learn the ins and outs, build it, understand how it works, shoot the shit out of it, and upgrade as you go. better trigger, different hand guard, etc.

[NoClassic]

I had a couple Anderson lowers with inclusions in the forging and coating issues. Likely would have functioned fine but just something to consider.

[Chas_svo]

José, I will add that poly lowers and uppers usually require slight tweaking to any hole that comes in them. I watched/helped Keith do two, and they were both a pain. They are very light though.

[Craizie]

José, I will add that poly lowers and uppers usually require slight tweaking to any hole that comes in them. I watched/helped Keith do two, and they were both a pain. They are very light though.

I had to widen every hole... took hours. The lower cracked at the last detent I put it. I was furious.

[Chas_svo]

I had to widen every hole... took hours. The lower cracked at the last detent I put it. I was furious.

That.would.suck.

[helosailor]

The last two I built were on Anderson ($40 from Runner Runner) lowers, and I had zero issues with either one.
I will say this though; when it comes to the parts kits, there is a difference. Previously, I had just bought whatever I could get the cheapest, but on the one I just finished, I used a Spikes LPK. EVERY SINGLE PIN fit tighter than any I had used before. It was very noticeable. So, buy a good LPK, minus the fire control group, and get whatever trigger setup you want.

[Gasser64]

Buy this. This is a pretty damn good deal. We can help you with the few minor tools when it gets in. http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...-77932814.html

Says temporarily out of stock, but I'll keep checking back. What all tools are necessary? I don't know all of the details, but I have access to one of those lowers that has everything possible done to it, that you can have done to one and still not have any numbers on it. And not have to ship it to a gun dealer and go pick it up. Not real familiar with the lowers, or that whole process.

This kit looks interesting to me, to build the gun using my unfinished lower. Do you know what all tools are needed for the kit in the link you posted, AND tools i'd need to finish out my lower?