First AR build

[HardHatMan]

I just bought a lower to begin my first AR build. This will be my first AR. I'm new to the EBR scene but not the shooting scene. Any of you guys have any suggestions on equipment/tools I will need. I'm looking to make this one pretty simple with the M16A1/A2 look.

Thanks!

[ForTehNguyen]

welcome to the world of the incurable black rifle disease

whats going to be the intended use, defense, range shooter? So you want the M16A2 look, so the full size 20" barrel?

[HeavyDuty]

Welcome to M4C!

Lowers don't require much as far as tools go - if you're talking a fixed stock you really don't even need anything specialized. A good set of punches, lots of tape to protect the lower for a few steps, oil for rollpins, a hammer, a soft head mallet. You'll need something to support the triggerguard ears when you insert the triggerguard rollpin. If you decide to go with a collapsible stock an armorer's wrench is handy or at least one of the $10 CAR castle nut wrenches.

Are you planning on wrenching together your upper or buying a complete one? Assembling uppers requires a little more - receiver blocks and the like.

[ForTehNguyen]

to assemble the lower I would recommend using needlenose pliers to squeeze in the roll pins, its a heck of a lot easier than hammering them in. I've done that for my last 3 lowers with success and less headache than hammering them in.

[HardHatMan]

Thanks for the welcomes guys.

Yes, I do want to go with the full 20" bbl. I want to use it more as a target gun. My Glocks and 870 are sufficient enough for defense guns. Something about the nostalgic M16A1/A2 look gets to me. I will probably build a nice "tacticool" carbine upper in the near future. I have helped/watched (mostly watched) a couple of buddies build their AR's but the bug hadn't bitten me until recently :D

I'm not sure about the route of building an upper or buying one complete. What would be the most cost effective way with the least amount of headaches?

Thanks!

[ForTehNguyen]

Here is a complete 20" Govt profile upper from CMMG for $499. Comes with everything except the rear sight. Guessing you want the carry handle if you want the full M16A2 look, and slap the upper on a lower.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XCMMGU2003&groupid=55

Carry Handle for $20:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XATI8289&groupid=55

I would recommend Magpul PMAGs for your main magazines, but if you must have metal USGI magazines I would suggest getting some that have the anti tilt followers. Anti tilts greatly increase the reliability over the green USGI followers.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/catalog.aspx?groupid=14

My Classic look:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm49/PreludePowerR/IMG_7483.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm49/PreludePowerR/IMG_7484.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm49/PreludePowerR/IMG_7485.jpg

[HardHatMan]

Here is a complete 20" Govt profile upper from CMMG for $499. Comes with everything except the rear sight. Guessing you want the carry handle if you want the full M16A2 look, and slap the upper on a lower.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XCMMGU2003&groupid=55

Carry Handle for $20:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XATI8289&groupid=55

I would recommend Magpul PMAGs for your main magazines, but if you must have metal USGI magazines I would suggest getting some that have the anti tilt followers. Anti tilts greatly increase the reliability over the green USGI followers.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/catalog.aspx?groupid=14

My Classic look:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm49/PreludePowerR/IMG_7483.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm49/PreludePowerR/IMG_7484.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm49/PreludePowerR/IMG_7485.jpg


Can't see the pics... on the work computer :mad:

That upper is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. I have heard CMMG is pretty good stuff. I even thought about picking up one of their bargain bin AR's.

I like the classic look of the metal mags, but I will def pick up a few of the Magpuls. But living in the "great" state of Maryland, I'm gonna have to travel to VA to get the 30 rounders.

Thanks for the links!

[ForTehNguyen]

G&R Tactical (site sponsor) has Lower Parts Kits in stock if you needed one, high quality:
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=GRT-LPK&reference=/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3Dkits%26searchstart%3D0%26template%3DPDGCommTemplates/FullNav/SearchResult.html

[HardHatMan]

G&R Tactical (site sponsor) has Lower Parts Kits in stock if you needed one, high quality:
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=GRT-LPK&reference=/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3Dkits%26searchstart%3D0%26template%3DPDGCommTemplates/FullNav/SearchResult.html

I already got a RRA lower parts kit from a friend who wasn't using his. The lower I got is a Spikes Tactical lower. Got it from a group buy on another forum for $63 shipped new. Any comments on the Spikes lower?

[ForTehNguyen]

works good lot of people have them. Lower is a lower to me honestly.

[HardHatMan]

I hear you on that. I heard there are some to stay away from like Olympic and a couple others.

[PlatoCATM]

CMMG may or may not ship you quality parts. They don't have a high reputation around here, though I have not personally owned one. I did watch one that must have had a tight chamber pop a primer. Taking off the receiver extension to fix the situation wasn't all that difficult though, as the castle nut was not staked, which was no surprise as the gas key lacked proper stakes.

Stick with quality.