Looking to build an AR15 style rifle

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bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
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Anyone know any websites that sell good quality parts? Which brands should I look to get? S&W/colt?

Also, i'm looking for a checklist of all the parts I would need to get so I can price it out.
 
K1052

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
50,672
42,274
136
Colt=overpriced and over hyped
Take a look at Rock River Arms and Bushmaster parts.

the people over at http://www.ar15.com/ can be of much more help as well
 
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bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
0
awesome.

Do you have a feel for how customizeable they are? For example, if I had an M4 with a 16 inch barrel, could I simply swap a 20" barrel in its place without much effort?
 
K1052

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
50,672
42,274
136
Originally posted by: bignateyk
awesome.

Do you have a feel for how customizeable they are? For example, if I had an M4 with a 16 inch barrel, could I simply swap a 20" barrel in its place without much effort?
Click to expand...

The AR platform probably has more custom parts available than any other firearm.
You can have different uppers and the same lower receiver. It is fairly easy to swap out uppers from what I know (though I've never done it).

I'm not really an AR fan (just never had much interest in them) but we have a number of them on the forum. Hopefully one of them will come online and answer your questions more completely.
 
pontifex

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
AR-15s and parts is BIG business. Everyone is selling them. I went to a gun show back in June and probably 1/3, if not more, of the stands were selling AR-15s and AR-15 parts.
 
J

JeffreyLebowski

Lifer
Aug 23, 2000
15,509
1
81
Well there is a little more work in changing just the barrel and not the whole upper. The whole upper swap is not in minutes, changing out a barrel isn't as straight forward.
 
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GRIFFIN1

Golden Member
Nov 10, 1999
1,403
6
81
adairusmc

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
I build them all the time.

Check out the equipment exchange on AR15.com. Kind of like the for sale section here, but you can pick up some incredible deals on parts.

My last deal I got on there was two bushmaster complete upper recievers for $580. I got a dissipator, and a 20" HBAR out of the deal, in exellent condition.

The bottom two are the two uppers I mentioned

The lowers I used for them were stripped stag lowers with RRA parts.
 
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bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
0
Originally posted by: GRIFFIN1
Check out the "build it yourself" forum at AR15.com

You will need this tool.

This tool if you have a tele-stock.

The action block is need to install barrels and free float hand guards.

A punch set. You can buy this at Harbor Freight.

Headspace gauges if you install your own barrel.

Moly lube for lubing the barrel nut

You will also need a Harbor Freight vise and a bench to mount it to. I say Harbor Freight because they are going to be your cheapest option for a vise.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Also, does anyone know if there are any AR15 variants that shoot 308 or 30.06?

 
adairusmc

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
Originally posted by: bignateyk
Originally posted by: GRIFFIN1
Check out the "build it yourself" forum at AR15.com

You will need this tool.

This tool if you have a tele-stock.

The action block is need to install barrels and free float hand guards.

A punch set. You can buy this at Harbor Freight.

Headspace gauges if you install your own barrel.

Moly lube for lubing the barrel nut

You will also need a Harbor Freight vise and a bench to mount it to. I say Harbor Freight because they are going to be your cheapest option for a vise.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Also, does anyone know if there are any AR15 variants that shoot 308 or 30.06?
Click to expand...

Yes, the AR10 shoots .308. But they are a special lower, you cannot put a 5.56 upper on it and use it.
 
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bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
0
I'd love to get a 458 SOCOM, but the ammo is just rediculously expensive. I might just build a regular 223 for starters, and if im ever rich think about building a 458 socom or 50 beowulf.
 
adairusmc

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
Originally posted by: bignateyk
I'd love to get a 458 SOCOM, but the ammo is just rediculously expensive. I might just build a regular 223 for starters, and if im ever rich think about building a 458 socom or 50 beowulf.
Click to expand...

I have a 458 SOCOM upper myself, they are truly awesome. :D
 
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BuckNaked

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,211
0
76
Quality parts make the difference... as someone mentioned above, RRA lower parts kits are my first choice based on personal experience.... don't be swayed by a lower price and go with a no name parts kit or a name associated with lower quality...

Its pretty easy to do, and over at AR15.com in the 'Build it yourself forums there are tutorials on how to put things together. Its very easy to do.

ETA: As for the .458 SOCOM, it depends on what you want to do with it, but I personally am much more interested in the 6.8 SPC, and that will most likely be my next upper. If you are going with odd ball calibers, you might also want to look into reloading to make it much more affordable to shoot. Makes a big difference for me....
 
Analog

Analog

Lifer
Jan 7, 2002
12,755
3
0
I built a complete lower from part about 12 years ago. Pretty easy I'd say. I think it would be better to buy the upper pre-built, as they can be mailed directly to you, while the serial #'d lower is something you need to get from an FFL. The upper is a bit tricky to build, as you need the special tools mentioned previously. The lower doesn't need the barrel wrench et. al. I got a match grade SS upper 1/8 twist DCM competition, which is what I was doing at the time (camp Perry etc.).
 
BrunoPuntzJones

BrunoPuntzJones

Lifer
Feb 24, 2001
14,513
4
81
How much do you want to spend?

You'll need tools to change a barrel, but no big deal to do. Monkeys can assemble these things, they are easier to work on than cars by far.

Colt and LMT are great if you have the cash.

Stay away from Blackthorne, Vulcan, Hessee.

There are a dozen different caliber uppers out there. Even .50BMG magazine fed :0
 
adairusmc

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
Originally posted by: montypythizzle
Originally posted by: pontifex
Originally posted by: montypythizzle
I want a M4 without a stock, really I just want a 5.56 pistol, with rifle rounds. :p
Click to expand...

close enough?
Click to expand...

LOL how can they even sell those, but I guess Deagles are legal...
Wonder if special parts can make that, um, more special :p
Click to expand...

They are not "Deagles" they are Desert Eagles made by IMI, and they are steaming piles of crap.
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
I have a RRA tactical entry, great rifle. I'll probably build my next AR. I'd love a 458 socom eventually as well. After I start reloading of course.
 
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duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
11,234
4
81
That AR15 primer seems old but said you can build one for about $500? That is friggin' kickass.

A buddy of mine has a AR15 with the forward grip, laser dot sight, and something else or two... when I got to shoot it it was quite easy and fun as hell to shoot. I wanted one after that but after seeing that the rifle alone (without customizations) costs $1,000 I forgot about it. But for $500... that is like the price of a good pistol. I want a pistol, but if for the same price I could get a base AR15... I'd tend to choose the rifle. I think it'd be more fun to shoot the pistol in that it is harder to shoot and it would be more of a challenge to get better and better (more accurate) with it. Both would be used soley for target practice at a range. Damn, I want both!
 
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