So you want to build an AR-15 ?

I was more than a little overwhelmed when I started my AR build.  The nomenclature, the wide variety of options.  Not to mention the 100s of opinions that I ran into all conspired to raise my level of confusion.  But, building a basic AR is really not that complicated.  Especially if you are buying a complete upper.  Heck, you can save yourself even more work and buy a complete lower as well.

At that point you really aren't building anything just assembling some large pre-assembled items.

So, let's look into building your own basic AR


The first thing you will be buying is a stripped lower.
This is the basis of the lower build and is the only item that requires purchase through an FFL.  There are many subtle variations to these, but all have the same standard dimensions.  They are traditionally made of high grade aluminium, but there are polymer lowers and even hybrids that combine poly with metal.  Buy what you like.  If you really want a big skull on your lower, go for it.

The next item you must purchase is a lower parts kit.  LPK for short.  This is a bag of parts that should contain everything you need to build your lower.  A complete LPK will contain a hammer and trigger (trigger group).  If you are planning on buying an upgraded trigger, you can get an LPK without the trigger group.  Do not try to piece it together like I did.  It will cost you more than just buying the kit.  Shop around, prices vary considerably.

You will also need a buffer tube, buffer, spring, nut, spacer, and a stock.  That sounds like a lot.  I bought mine in a kit from Rousch Sports.  https://rouschsports.com/shop/ar15-lower-parts/rss-rogers-super-stoc-stock-deluxe-with-mil-spec-buffer-tube-assembly-od-green/  I highly recomend them.  For $50 I got all of the parts I needed and got a Rogers superstock instead of a generic one.

Building the lower is not as complex as it looks on you tube.  I watched Larry Potterfield of Midway do it a few times.  He used every special tool in the box, but I honestly didn't find them necessary.  If you are careful and use masking tape, things will turn out fine.  I have a standard punch set from Harbor Freight.  That and my old aluminium head hammer that I made in high school was what I used to drive the pins.  Any small hammer will do. I'll include a list of tools at the end.

Now that the lower is built, it's time to purchase or build your upper.  I bought a "slick side"  complete upper from Palmetto State Armory because the price was right.  YouTube vid here

There are tons of companies out there selling complete uppers.  I choose PSA because I had heard of them and the price was super good.  My build was a budget build.  You can buy anything from basic to outlandish.

My PSA slick side upper.

When you buy your "complete" upper you will still probably need a few items.  Many uppers don't come with a bolt carrier group (BCG), a charge handle, or sights.  The charge handle is cheap, usually under $20.  The complete BCG is around $100.  I found mine for $80.  Again, shop around.  I got my M16 style from Daytona Tactical and it is a fine peice.

The only real work involved in building a rifle using a complete upper is building the lower.  In our next segment, we will explore the build.

Tools:  Small hammer, masking tape, standard punch set, something soft to work on, grease, oil, screwdriver set/allen wrenches, credit card.