Archived Posts » 60,546,157
New member about to start first build...
1/5/2012 4:33:54 PM
Hey gang. I'm a recent relo to the Twin Cities and new member on AR15. I've been wanting to do a build for quite some time but 8 years of living in Chicago with their gun laws made that a little difficult. 
Been away from shooting for awhile but starting to get back into it. I've been reading the boards here and trying to figure out what I want my first build to be/look like/etc.
Anywho, if any of you fine people with building experience live around the south metro area and can offer some pointers and advice or want to help out with the build, a few rounds are on me. Sold off some stuff so I've got money to burn and I want to build something amazing.
Feel free to PM me.
I'm looking forward to contributing what I can to the boards! Thanks!
Been away from shooting for awhile but starting to get back into it. I've been reading the boards here and trying to figure out what I want my first build to be/look like/etc.
Anywho, if any of you fine people with building experience live around the south metro area and can offer some pointers and advice or want to help out with the build, a few rounds are on me. Sold off some stuff so I've got money to burn and I want to build something amazing.
Feel free to PM me.
I'm looking forward to contributing what I can to the boards! Thanks!
1/5/2012 4:55:50 PM
Welcome! 
Check here for build ideas. Build It Yourself
Also here is a step by step on how to build an AR-15
If your need need of assembly tools I or I'm sure someone else on the board would be more than willing to help once you have gathered all your parts.
Any other questions feel free to ask.
Check here for build ideas. Build It Yourself
Also here is a step by step on how to build an AR-15
If your need need of assembly tools I or I'm sure someone else on the board would be more than willing to help once you have gathered all your parts.
Any other questions feel free to ask.
1/5/2012 5:45:47 PM
Rather than trying to determine how you'd like your build to Look, I typically ask people what they want their rifle to DO.
What are you going to be doing with the rifle?
Target shooting?
Deer hunting?
Coyote / Small / Medium game hunting?
Medium-Long range shooting?
The new AR-15 F-Class competition shooting?
Run & Gun style competition shooting?
Home Defense / CQB shooting?
Or just general purpose, all around decent quality AR-15?
What kind of distance / accuracy are you looking to attain?
Thinking about these things helps direct what kinds of configuration, barrel length, caliber, and other product selection issues that would serve you best.
What are you going to be doing with the rifle?
Target shooting?
Deer hunting?
Coyote / Small / Medium game hunting?
Medium-Long range shooting?
The new AR-15 F-Class competition shooting?
Run & Gun style competition shooting?
Home Defense / CQB shooting?
Or just general purpose, all around decent quality AR-15?
What kind of distance / accuracy are you looking to attain?
Thinking about these things helps direct what kinds of configuration, barrel length, caliber, and other product selection issues that would serve you best.
1/5/2012 5:47:36 PM
Those are real good links. There used to be another real good set of instructions on here but I can't find them now. I'll try again & post it if I can. It seems like it was in the Library, but I can't find it right now. All that I can find is the Weapons Library.
Anyway, the only hint that I can give you is to print a copy of the picture with the lower parts & put each one on it's picture. You might even want to tape them to the page. You just pick them off as you need them. That way, if the instructions call for you to assemble the "frammitz" & don't give you a picture of it, you just look for it on the sheet.
It's pretty easy to assemble a lower. The main thing is to have a few of the key tools & most of them aren't absolutely required, just helpful. Take the hand guard removal tool. It's easy to put the hand guards on if you have a buddy hold down the part with the spring. (Sorry, I forget the name of the part.) It's just a little difficult to get the hand guards off without the tool.
Some guys suggest that you insert the detent springs with the lower inside a plastic bag, which is not a bad idea. I'd suggest a couple of options: 1. Use a big clear plastic bag so that you can see through it if need be, & 2. You might want to assemble the detent springs on you kitchen table rather than on your work bench. My work area is filled with all kinds of areas that a spring could be launched into & never found, whereas my kitchen is fairly empty, so I could find an itinerant spring there.
Another hint, you can buy a whole set of snap ring pliers cheaper from Harbor Freight than you can buy a single one from Home Depot.
Good luck.
(If you really need help just EM me. I'm not the most popular guy on the MNHTF so you will probably be excluded from the in crowd if you let anybody know that you've contacted me. In the long term you'd probably be further ahead to get some help from one of the in crowd if you think that you might be going to organized shoots in the future.)
Anyway, the only hint that I can give you is to print a copy of the picture with the lower parts & put each one on it's picture. You might even want to tape them to the page. You just pick them off as you need them. That way, if the instructions call for you to assemble the "frammitz" & don't give you a picture of it, you just look for it on the sheet.
It's pretty easy to assemble a lower. The main thing is to have a few of the key tools & most of them aren't absolutely required, just helpful. Take the hand guard removal tool. It's easy to put the hand guards on if you have a buddy hold down the part with the spring. (Sorry, I forget the name of the part.) It's just a little difficult to get the hand guards off without the tool.
Some guys suggest that you insert the detent springs with the lower inside a plastic bag, which is not a bad idea. I'd suggest a couple of options: 1. Use a big clear plastic bag so that you can see through it if need be, & 2. You might want to assemble the detent springs on you kitchen table rather than on your work bench. My work area is filled with all kinds of areas that a spring could be launched into & never found, whereas my kitchen is fairly empty, so I could find an itinerant spring there.
Another hint, you can buy a whole set of snap ring pliers cheaper from Harbor Freight than you can buy a single one from Home Depot.
Good luck.
(If you really need help just EM me. I'm not the most popular guy on the MNHTF so you will probably be excluded from the in crowd if you let anybody know that you've contacted me. In the long term you'd probably be further ahead to get some help from one of the in crowd if you think that you might be going to organized shoots in the future.)
1/5/2012 7:22:58 PM
A bit further south In Owatonna. but If you need assistance in a build get me a shout. I have the tools and a nearby range to use.
1/5/2012 11:08:40 PM
Also available for help, I'm in St. Paul.
1/6/2012 11:03:53 AM
Originally Posted By hardcase:
I'm not the most popular guy on the MNHTF so you will probably be excluded from the in crowd if you let anybody know that you've contacted me.
I'm not the most popular guy on the MNHTF so you will probably be excluded from the in crowd if you let anybody know that you've contacted me.
WHO LOVES YA, BABY!!!!
1/6/2012 1:04:31 PM
Originally Posted By hardcase:
Some guys suggest that you insert the detent springs with the lower inside a plastic bag, which is not a bad idea. I'd suggest a couple of options: 1. Use a big clear plastic bag so that you can see through it if need be, & 2. You might want to assemble the detent springs on you kitchen table rather than on your work bench. My work area is filled with all kinds of areas that a spring could be launched into & never found, whereas my kitchen is fairly empty, so I could find an itinerant spring there.
Some guys suggest that you insert the detent springs with the lower inside a plastic bag, which is not a bad idea. I'd suggest a couple of options: 1. Use a big clear plastic bag so that you can see through it if need be, & 2. You might want to assemble the detent springs on you kitchen table rather than on your work bench. My work area is filled with all kinds of areas that a spring could be launched into & never found, whereas my kitchen is fairly empty, so I could find an itinerant spring there.
Yep! Either Hefty or Glad actually make transparent trash bags now. I dunno about you but I get cramped for space in a 1 gallon ziploc bag
A nice big 36 gallon clear plastic bag makes assembly inside of it a virtual snap. Much more room to pinch something so you can yell and scream at an inanimate object for ruining your life in the space of 10 minutes. 
1/9/2012 11:22:37 AM
Meh, Death451 taught me an incredibly FAST trick to doing the detents that also minimizes the likelihood of anything flying across the room.
I guess his time spent building hundreds of lowers in a day taught him some pretty cool tricks. No need for tools - it's all technique, and works well.
I guess his time spent building hundreds of lowers in a day taught him some pretty cool tricks. No need for tools - it's all technique, and works well.
1/9/2012 2:09:38 PM
Thanks for all of the responses, everyone!
It was asked what my plans were to do with the rifle. The answer is mostly that I want it for medium range target and to of course prepare for the zombie apocalypse. I have shotguns for home defense, pistols for danger close and plan on something else for my long range shooting. I do not plan on using it for hunting, so I basically am looking for good accuracy at mid-range and mobile situations. So I guess just a good all-around reliable AR that is easy on the eyes.
Still doing some reading up on the subject so I will report back once I settle in on a design.
Random question, but is paintball popular out here? Thinking of getting back into it if I can find some people who are involved.
It was asked what my plans were to do with the rifle. The answer is mostly that I want it for medium range target and to of course prepare for the zombie apocalypse.
I have shotguns for home defense, pistols for danger close and plan on something else for my long range shooting. I do not plan on using it for hunting, so I basically am looking for good accuracy at mid-range and mobile situations. So I guess just a good all-around reliable AR that is easy on the eyes.
Still doing some reading up on the subject so I will report back once I settle in on a design.
Random question, but is paintball popular out here? Thinking of getting back into it if I can find some people who are involved.
1/9/2012 3:08:39 PM
i'm also going to build my first AR-15 this winter/spring. I've been reading the "How-To's" in the AR-15 subforum. I also am just looking for one to shoot at the range, or to just have "just in case". no hunting, competitions, etc.
post up your progress and what parts you decide to go with!
post up your progress and what parts you decide to go with!
1/9/2012 4:01:32 PM
You do the same, sir! I think I'm just going to clear a few hours from my schedule and look through the "post your build" thread to see what others have built. A bit dangerous because I'm definitely subject to forgoing function in the name of form.
And while I will shoot it at the range, it's mostly for "just in case." Now, back to my tin-foil hat and underground bunker I go...
And while I will shoot it at the range, it's mostly for "just in case." Now, back to my tin-foil hat and underground bunker I go...
1/10/2012 3:25:26 PM
Originally Posted By iNuhBaDNayburhood:
Rather than trying to determine how you'd like your build to Look, I typically ask people what they want their rifle to DO.
What are you going to be doing with the rifle?
Target shooting?
Deer hunting?
Coyote / Small / Medium game hunting?
Medium-Long range shooting?
The new AR-15 F-Class competition shooting?
Run & Gun style competition shooting?
Home Defense / CQB shooting?
Or just general purpose, all around decent quality AR-15?
What kind of distance / accuracy are you looking to attain?
Thinking about these things helps direct what kinds of configuration, barrel length, caliber, and other product selection issues that would serve you best.
Rather than trying to determine how you'd like your build to Look, I typically ask people what they want their rifle to DO.
What are you going to be doing with the rifle?
Target shooting?
Deer hunting?
Coyote / Small / Medium game hunting?
Medium-Long range shooting?
The new AR-15 F-Class competition shooting?
Run & Gun style competition shooting?
Home Defense / CQB shooting?
Or just general purpose, all around decent quality AR-15?
What kind of distance / accuracy are you looking to attain?
Thinking about these things helps direct what kinds of configuration, barrel length, caliber, and other product selection issues that would serve you best.
iNuhBaD, doesn't this seem to be a great opportunity for this guy to own 10 different ar's?
1/10/2012 5:55:40 PM
That's how I look at it...Now GETTING there is going to take some time...
1/10/2012 6:27:11 PM
I havent lost a detent yet for the biviot piviot pin. I just use a extra piviot pin and stick it in the receiver backwards. get the detent started and with a little pressure on the piviot pin it will hold the detent there till you can push the detent pin in the hole. then just stick the piviot pin you plan on using in.
I also have headspace gagues if needed.
My suguestions would be a 14.5 barrel or 16" the 14.5 had a great ballance for shoots and mine is just as accurate as my 16" just need to pin the flash or comp. so to avoid that hassle a 16" will be your good for just about anything length. I prefer a mid length gas system .
I also have headspace gagues if needed.
My suguestions would be a 14.5 barrel or 16" the 14.5 had a great ballance for shoots and mine is just as accurate as my 16" just need to pin the flash or comp. so to avoid that hassle a 16" will be your good for just about anything length. I prefer a mid length gas system .
1/16/2012 5:51:33 PM
I live in Eagan. Give me a shout if you need parts/accessories or tools
