First-Time AR Build Questions

[rg115]

Been thinking about building my first AR-15 for a bit now. Finally dove into parts and there are some decent deals out there, but honestly, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with what's worth buying.

I want to keep it simple for my first build. Planning on sticking with 5.56 since it seems to be the standard, but I'm open to suggestions if there's a better choice for a newbie like me.

Are there brands you guys would steer clear of? And what about those hidden costs that sneak up on you? I've heard about people making mistakes early on, so any tips would help.

Part of me wonders if it'd be smarter to just buy a pre-built one. But I really want that experience of building one myself. Anyone have stories or lessons learned from their first builds? Appreciate any tips you can throw my way.

 

[Shotgunangler]

For your first build I would keep it simple by buying a pre-assembled complete upper with the bolt carrier group (BCG) and a lower parts kit. That way you don't have to worry about head space and so forth. Palmetto State Armory sells respectable complete uppers and lower build kits. Unless you plan on getting into heavy competitive shooting and are primarily going to use it as a range toy there is no reason to spend over a grand on one. A decent, reliable AR can be built for well under $600. The nice thing about the AR platform is they are the Legos of the gun world. You can configure them how ever you want to fit your needs. I started out building an inexpensive no frills one with Magpul flip up sites and 3 magazines for around $450 a couple of years ago. I've since upgraded the trigger group and added a scope and sling to it. If you start pretty basic you can swap out and upgrade stuff as you get a better feel for the direction you want the build to go in, and finances permit.

 

[PapaGeorgio]

The only thing I'll add to this is even if you buy a pre built complete upper and a prebuilt complete lower, you'll save $50-100 over a complete rifle. A drunk monkey could put a complete upper and lower together

 

[turkeymanwade]

I've done several using complete uppers and lower parts kits. Easy peasy. Two suggestions. Number one, go for it. Number two, spring for a better trigger.

 

[PapaGeorgio]

I've done several using complete uppers and lower parts kits. Easy peasy. Two suggestions. Number one, go for it. Number two, spring for a better trigger.

Agreed. Almost any drop-in trigger is a huge improvement.

 

[jbs27572]

A drop in trigger like a Rage 140 also eliminates a lot of parts you need to deal with as it comes together with it's own hammer/spring assembly and all you do is drop it in the lower and pop the pins in. In my opinion, it is also worlds better than a milspec trigger. Mine breaks clean at 3.5 lbs with no creep. I bought mine at a gun show for $140.

I bought a "super safety" forced reset trigger last week that will be incorporated in my next build. I am thinking of a 300 BO pistol with a 10 or12" barrel and a nice brace. It would be my first AR pistol. I have my only 5.56 tricked out for long range accuracy with a 20" Green Mnt barrel and a nice 4-12 x 50 Leopold optic. I dropped in a Timney 2-stage trigger for that one. It started out as a M&P 15.

 

[PapaGeorgio]

A drop in trigger like a Rage 140 also eliminates a lot of parts you need to deal with as it comes together with it's own hammer/spring assembly and all you do is drop it in the lower and pop the pins in. In my opinion, it is also worlds better than a milspec trigger. Mine breaks clean at 3.5 lbs with no creep. I bought mine at a gun show for $140.

I bought a "super safety" forced reset trigger last week that will be incorporated in my next build. I am thinking of a 300 BO pistol with a 10 or12" barrel and a nice brace. It would be my first AR pistol. I have my only 5.56 tricked out for long range accuracy with a 20" Green Mnt barrel and a nice 4-12 x 50 Leopold optic. I dropped in a Timney 2-stage trigger for that one. It started out as a M&P 15.

Good call on the trigger. I just got a 300 blk out in January. Mine has a 7.5 inch barrel. I wanted a 10 inch, but the 7.5 was on a great sale. I also got a suppressor in June. Now im really glad i got the 7.5 barrel. With suppressor it's now 14 inches. Just right for a pistol.