AR-15 parts/build list? Sticky?

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P01135809

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I am a complete AR novice.

I know that there are probably a million of these lists online, but it is nice to see builds/mods from people that you actually interact with/know. Maybe this is already on this forum and I didn't see it?

It would be cool to see some lists (including sources and prices?) for different builds?

Personally I am interested in the following "builds":

Budget

Precision

Maybe something in between
 
209b900d52224f6c85e4a416270cd032.jpg

This was my first build...wanted something very basic.

Anderson Lower, PSA MOE rifle kit. Added a no-name carry handle. All in all around $450 in it.

1864a29f3e3fa31e18cca49ef7ce9c63.jpg


My second build. Caught a few good deals on some parts and before I knew it I had an AR.

Anderson lower, lower kit and magpul stock, PSA keylock upper. Added a Primary Arms microdot. Probably around $500 here all combined.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
check out all the build threads here and if you have all day to waste, on AR15.com (arfcom)

it's not the most popular rifle in America because it's hard to built or shoot....my kids can do it rather skillfully and they don't have any tacticool training other than youtube.
 
I'll try to spend some time on a write up in the next few weeks that is a parts list and summary for the novice. I am by no means an expert, but I now have tools that keep me from launching detent pins and springs across the room. The ones who have built ARs know that this is a big deal. I also have many leather bound books and my house smells of rich mahogany... err christmas tree right now.
 
My first build sometime in 87'. Not allot of parts out there then. Basically a XM177E1 SMG clone. 11.5"/5.5" FH 1:12 twist 5.56
9809XM177E1.jpg


Second build around 04'. Olympic 16" heavy barrel 1:9 .223 Rem
painted.JPG


My current 5.56 guns.. Carbine built in 08' as my M4A1 clone I carried in Iraq for couple of years 14.5" 1:7 Govt profile bbl. Rifle built last year as a M16A4 clone. 20" 1:7 twist, Govt profile. These two have been used successfully on several whitetail and prairie dog hunts.
ARs_mine.jpg


Wifes two builds. Pink one has a Green Mountain 18" 1:14 twist .223 Wlyde and carbine has a Colt SOCOM 14.5" 1:7. Both built last few years.
AR15_wifes.jpg


Youngest sons two carbines. Both Colt SOCOM 14.5 1:7 bbls.
AR15_sons.jpg


Got three others lowers in the works. Another 5.56 collapsible stocked, 5.56 pistol lower and .308 lower (my M110 clone). .308 and four other of the 5.56 have Geissele SSA triggers. There are two more GMB 18" but 1:5 and 1:6 twist waiting on some uppers. Still need a 6.8 SPC II barrel, and ................:)

308_stocked.JPG



CD
 
Last edited:
vp9c said:
It would be cool to see some lists (including sources and prices?) for different builds?

Personally I am interested in the following "builds":

Budget

Precision

Maybe something in between
Click to expand...

Here is my Precision build.

Noveske Gen I lower $170
BCM LPK $90
Geissele SSA-E trigger $190
PRS stock $190
monopod $100
x3 Elander mags $51
Noveske marked Vltor MUR upper $218
Noveske marked Geissele super charging handle $85
Sionics NP3 coated BC $120
monster bolt $58
16.7 Noveske NSR handguard $285
SLR sentry 7 adjustable gas block $120
black gas tube $17
Faxon 20" 6.5 Grendel barrel $205
VG6 Gamma 65 muzzle device $80
ADM 20 MOA QD scope mount. $170
Atlas Bipod BT46-LW17 PSR $320
Vortex Viper PST gen II 5-25X50 FFP scope $1100
KAC front BUIS $165
KAC rear sight $68
KAC ambi safety$75
KAC trigger guard $30

Total: $3877

oogf by hd_rolling, on Flickr
 
Here is the start of my budget build

Bear Creak Arsenal 16" carbine barrel .223 wylde Free (give away BCA do for Vets on Veterans day)
BCA stripped upper/lower and 15" hand guard $250 with military discount
AR-15 GAS TUBE CARBINE BLACK NITRIDE $7.59
COMP/FLASH HIDER $23.23
Geissele LPK $49.00
AR-15 UPPER PARTS KIT $16.38
BCM REC EXT ASSY KIT (buffer tube/buffer/spring) $55.93
SPARK AR $119 on sale (already had extra)
Take off charging handle from another rifle $29.99 (already had extra)
Sionics BCG $99 (already had extra)
BCM PNT trigger $65 (already had extra)
Magpul pistol grip $17.97 (already had extra)
Magpul SL-K BUTT STOCK $38 (already had extra)
Noveske lo profile gas block $57 (already had extra)

Total: $828.09

IMG_9187 by hd_rolling, on Flickr
bbceraset_1 by hd_rolling, on Flickr
IMG_9196 by hd_rolling, on Flickr
 
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hdrolling said:
Here is my Precision build.

Noveske Gen I lower $170
BCM LPK $90
Geissele SSA-E trigger $190
PRS stock $190
monopod $100
x3 Elander mags $51
Noveske marked Vltor MUR upper $218
Noveske marked Geissele super charging handle $85
Sionics NP3 coated BC $120
monster bolt $58
16.7 Noveske NSR handguard $285
SLR sentry 7 adjustable gas block $120
black gas tube $17
Faxon 20" 6.5 Grendel barrel $205
VG6 Gamma 65 muzzle device $80
ADM 20 MOA QD scope mount. $170
Atlas Bipod BT46-LW17 PSR $320
Vortex Viper PST gen II 5-25X50 FFP scope $1100
KAC front BUIS $165
KAC rear sight $68
KAC ambi safety$75
KAC trigger guard $30

Total: $3877

oogf by hd_rolling, on Flickr
Click to expand...
THAT IS BADAZZ
 
hdrolling said:
Here is my Precision build.

Noveske Gen I lower $170
BCM LPK $90
Geissele SSA-E trigger $190
PRS stock $190
monopod $100
x3 Elander mags $51
Noveske marked Vltor MUR upper $218
Noveske marked Geissele super charging handle $85
Sionics NP3 coated BC $120
monster bolt $58
16.7 Noveske NSR handguard $285
SLR sentry 7 adjustable gas block $120
black gas tube $17
Faxon 20" 6.5 Grendel barrel $205
VG6 Gamma 65 muzzle device $80
ADM 20 MOA QD scope mount. $170
Atlas Bipod BT46-LW17 PSR $320
Vortex Viper PST gen II 5-25X50 FFP scope $1100
KAC front BUIS $165
KAC rear sight $68
KAC ambi safety$75
KAC trigger guard $30

Total: $3877

oogf by hd_rolling, on Flickr
Click to expand...

Bout to put together a precision SPR myself using the same upper, lower, and trigger.

$600 pawn shop find lol. Noveske lower, noveske marked VLTOR upper, geissele super 42 buffer, geissele SSA-E, magpul stock, Magpul rubber grip, bad lever, battle arms ambi safety. All brand new. Gonna swap the stock out for a luth ar and I have a WOA 18" 223 Wylde 1:7 on order. Might get the noveske rail as well. 17" handguard selection is limited

1130171627.jpg
 
Gear Head said:
$600 pawn shop find lol. Noveske lower, noveske marked VLTOR upper, geissele super 42 buffer, geissele SSA-E, magpul stock, Magpul rubber grip, bad lever, battle arms ambi safety. All brand new. Gonna swap the stock out for a luth ar and I have a WOA 18" 223 Wylde 1:7 on order. Might get the noveske rail as well. 17" handguard selection is limited
Click to expand...
That's a great score, guessing the pawn shop didn't know what they had! The price tag in the pic says $750? Also a nice Knights rear sight.
 
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hdrolling said:
That's a great score, guessing the pawn shop didn't know what they had! The price tag in the pic says $750? Also a nice Knights rear sight.
Click to expand...

Yeah they didn't want to budge on price so I had them keep the rear sight since I pretty much only shoot dots or scopes and I wasn't going to use it anyways.

How do you like that ADM mount? I ran the numbers on my loads I'll be shooting and I'll have to get a 20 moa base to make it to 1k without a holdover.
 
Budget Build:
  • PSA dissipator upper (from classifieds) $160
  • KVP linear compensator $30
  • DSA ntfe sand cut bcg $79
  • Noreen billet lower $30 + $15 ffl
  • LPK and buffer kit $65
  • Magpul fixed carbine stock and moe+ grip $38
  • Magpul rear backup sight $35
  • no name charging handle $10
  • Sig Romeo 5 red dot $129
Total: $591

IMG_20171202_200520.jpg
 
Gear Head said:
How do you like that ADM mount? I ran the numbers on my loads I'll be shooting and I'll have to get a 20 moa base to make it to 1k without a holdover.
Click to expand...

The 20 MOA ADM mount is a great , highly recommend if your looking for a QD style mount. The Geissele mount gets really high reviews but it's no QD, so this was the next best option for me.
 
hdrolling said:
The 20 MOA ADM mount is a great , highly recommend if your looking for a QD style mount. The Geissele mount gets really high reviews but it's no QD, so this was the next best option for me.
Click to expand...

Geissele looks like way more than I wanna spend. I don't have another rifle I'd wanna swap the scope to at the moment but may in the future so I'm not opposed to QD. How well does it hold zero after being removed and reinstalled?
 
Horerczy said:
You missed step 2.5. Launch front takedown detent pin across room no less than four times.
Click to expand...

I just learned a trick to deal with this. Get a 1/4" clevis pin with a single hole - best if it is beveled around the hole. Slide the clevis pin into the frame so that the hole in the clevis pin lines up with the hole in the receiver for the detent and spring.

Drop the spring and detent into the lined up holes. Push them into the receiver hole with a punch. Once the detent clears the clevis pin use the punch to rotate the clevis pin 90 degrees. Now the spring and detent are trapped by the solid side of the clevis pin.

Place the front pivot pin nose to nose with the clevis pin and push it into the receiver, pushing the clevis pin out as you do so. Brownells sells a similar tool for about $16. Your hardware store will have a clevis pin for about a buck.
 
Gear Head said:
Geissele looks like way more than I wanna spend. I don't have another rifle I'd wanna swap the scope to at the moment but may in the future so I'm not opposed to QD. How well does it hold zero after being removed and reinstalled?
Click to expand...

This is a new build an I've only had it at the range twice, I haven't removed the scope since so I can't speak for it holding a zero. I did buy it because of the great reviews and other owners claiming it holds a zero well.
 
L-->R 1)- 223 Wylde upper, 16" McGowen SS hand lapped light profile, Syrac adj gas block, Seekins 15" rail, WMD NiB BCG, Raptor charge handle, TBAC brake/can mount.

2)- Avatar- 300BLK SBR, 10” McGowen SS barrel, Syrac adj block, Seekins 10” guard, Hogan billet ambidextrous lower, Geisssele SSA-E trigger, WMD NiB upper and BCG, Magpul plastic furniture, Aimpoint T2, TBAC Ultra can mounted on flash suppressor.

3)- KAC 5.56 SR15

4)- 6.5 Grendel, 18” McGowen modified HBAR, dual fluted, glass beaded, hand lapped, Cryo stress relieved SS barrel; Syrac adj gas block, Mega Arms ambidextrous billet receiver set, WMD NiB BCG with AA hard use bolt, Geissele Speed NM firing group, Magpul PRS stock w/monopod, Ergo grip, Seekins 15” guard, TBAC brake/can mount & Bushnell Elite glass.
IMG_1132.JPG IMG_1864.JPG
For Blk Fri I ordered an Anderson $30 lower, CMC $100 trigger, $85 KAK Shockwave Blade, $200 PSA 8.5" 300BLK upper, $14 Stag LPK, I'll use a spare BCG & charge handle= $430 300BLK Pistol
 
3gun rifle:

Upper:
Aero Upper receiver
ALG 15" Mlok rail
18" rifle gas Faxon Gunner lw barrel 1-8 twist
Apex brake
SLR sentry 6 adj. gas block
Arisaka finger stop
AIM Lowmass BCG

Optic: Steiner PX4i 1-4x24 in an Aero extended lw mount. (just stuck this on my 14" rifle, so this will eventually get a 1-6 Vortex pst)

Lower:
SAA (aero)
Taccom plastic 1 oz. buffer w/ -10% reduced power Sprinco carbine spring
Vltor med latch charging handle
Odin mag release
Seekins bolt stop
B5 grip
POF 3.5lb flat trigger
MFT minimalist stock

Not sure what I have into it and, frankly, I do not want to know!


IMG_1652.jpg
 
Here's a similar gun, but SBR.
It uses the same low mass recoil system and gas block but it's a 14.5" mid gas Gunner barrel.

Lower same (actually sequential to rifle above) but with CMC trigger.

Like the rifle above it is super light and soft to shoot. Very flat shooting. I feel like I stumbled on the perfect carbine with this one.

IMG_2091.jpg
 
I realize to most folks I will sound lazy but I see no reason to build a lower other than the experience of doing so. With prices as low as they are just buy a complete lower and save yourself from chasing springs. Wait until PSA has a sale on complete lowers with the EPT trigger. Or just buy a factory rifle. Granted builds can be fun and teach you how the gun works/trouble shoot. For roughly $700 after transfer etc this would make a good simple rifle (granted the trigger is milspec).

http://palmettostatearmory.com/blem-ar15-complete-moe-plus-lower-black1.html

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Sp...length-LE-Upper-5-56-STU-p/sp-stu5035-mls.htm
 
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nchunt101 said:
I realize to most folks I will sound lazy but I see no reason to build a lower other than the experience of doing so. With prices as low as they are just buy a complete lower and save yourself from chasing springs. Wait until PSA has a sale on complete lowers with the EPT trigger. Or just buy a factory rifle. Granted builds can be fun and teach you how the gun works/trouble shoot. For roughly $700 after transfer etc this would make a good simple rifle (granted the trigger is milspec).

http://palmettostatearmory.com/blem-ar15-complete-moe-plus-lower-black1.html

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Sp...length-LE-Upper-5-56-STU-p/sp-stu5035-mls.htm
Click to expand...


Reason not to buy built lower:
I don't want:
The milspec trigger
The take down pins
The trigger pins
The mag release
The grip
The stock
The bolt stop

I got boxes full of the take offs and don't need anymore milspec parts!

Easier to buy stripped lower and put parts I want into it. Not what everybody wants, but there is no one size fits all in the gun world. Although its probably good advice for most people.
 
NKD said:
Reason not to buy built lower:
I don't want:
The milspec trigger
The take down pins
The trigger pins
The mag release
The grip
The stock
The bolt stop

I got boxes full of the take offs and don't need anymore milspec parts!

Easier to buy stripped lower and put parts I want into it. Not what everybody wants, but there is no one size fits all in the gun world. Although its probably good advice for most people.
Click to expand...
You do make a valid point. I realize opinons are like starfish but I don't think you can beat a KISS setup for a first AR. It was a lot easier for me to learn how to build as I gradually switched out parts that were more to my liking. That said I have the same boxes of take off parts/stocks. It may not be fancy but I do like the EPT trigger and a combination of laziness/fat fingers has made the assembled PSA EPT lowers a no brainer. BTW happy to see you no longer have that evil ass cat as your avatar.
 
Last edited:
nchunt101 said:
You do make a valid point. I realize opinons are like starfish but I don't think you can beat a KISS setup for a first AR. It was a lot easier for me to learn how to build as I gradually switched out parts that were more to my liking. That said I have the same boxes of take off parts/stocks. It may not be fancy but I do like the EPT trigger and a combination of laziness/fat fingers has made the assembled PSA EPT lowers a no brainer. BTW happy to see you no longer have that evil ass cat as your avatar.
Click to expand...

Well, for a first AR or KISS I think you are totally right.

Trust me: the cats in my new avatar are likely just as evil!
 
Here's one I just finished

1221171500.jpg

Upper:
Noveske marked VLTOR MUR
WMD gun's NiB bcg
White Oak Armament 18" 1:7 SPR barrel
SLR sentry 7 adjustable gas block
SLR solo lite 16.5" mlok rail
Seekins ATC brake
ADM 20 moa QD scope mount
Athlon Argos btr 6-24x50

Lower:
Noveske gen 1
Geissele SSA-E
Battle arms development ambi safety
Ergo deluxe grip
Magpul bad lever
A2 tube, buffer, spring
Luth AR MBA1
 
NKD said:
3gun rifle:

Upper:
Aero Upper receiver
ALG 15" Mlok rail
18" rifle gas Faxon Gunner lw barrel 1-8 twist
Apex brake
SLR sentry 6 adj. gas block
Arisaka finger stop
AIM Lowmass BCG

Optic: Steiner PX4i 1-4x24 in an Aero extended lw mount. (just stuck this on my 14" rifle, so this will eventually get a 1-6 Vortex pst)

Lower:
SAA (aero)
Taccom plastic 1 oz. buffer w/ -10% reduced power Sprinco carbine spring
Vltor med latch charging handle
Odin mag release
Seekins bolt stop
B5 grip
POF 3.5lb flat trigger
MFT minimalist stock

Not sure what I have into it and, frankly, I do not want to know!


View attachment 32241
Click to expand...

How do you like that barrel? How bad does accuracy fall off when it heats up being a pencil profile? Looking at putting together a lightweight 2/3 gun rifle
 
Gear Head said:
How do you like that barrel? How bad does accuracy fall off when it heats up being a pencil profile? Looking at putting together a lightweight 2/3 gun rifle
Click to expand...

I like it a lot. It's pencil from gas block to muzzle and more of a govt back to the upper. So a bit stiffer than a pencil. That said I have noticed it! But it's minimal. But it's tough to tell as I just shoot a cone of fire at 200 yards off a rest. With a 1-4 scope it's difficult for me to do much better than 6" with a light rifle.
I just move that pattern over the bullseye. Never put a bigger scope on it or tried for tight groups.

I have the 14.5" too and it feels a little stiffer. It shoots very well!

I am happy with both for their use and price point. I am not good enough to outshoot them, that s for sure!

The thing I like best, which is opinion and hard to quantify, is the way they swing around. It puts weight way further back. Just has good balance and points super nice. If anything sometimes it can be a little light and requires good tight technique as it can be squirrelly if you are too ham fisted.

Not a 3 gun expert, but your welcome to try both. They're fun!
Just have to drive to Mebane!
 
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In reading up on the barrel you're not the first person I've seen to mention them "pointing" easier. May have to take you up on your offer sometime. Haven't met a single person from the forum lol.
 
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