My son's 1st AR build - DONE!

[wedgehead30]

I've had my 11 year old son out shooting with me this past summer. This was his first year doing some serious shooting and he's had a blast. He's been shooting my AR that I built for duty use. After shooting the last outing of the year I decided it's time for him to have his own.

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=2455

http://www.friendsofcampperry.org/index.html

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=2566

With a few suggestions from fellow members and some imput from me we're on our way.

Since he's pretty enamored with his old man's gun I figured we'd build something along the same lines, but with his own personal touches/flair.




He's a little guy so I'm leaning towards a light weight upper. Since I missed that lotto again, the budget is a little light too.

But I have a nice foundation to start out with. An Ammetec lower that I've had sitting around for a year or so. A lower parts kit from Brownell's and some other parts I scored cheap on e-bay and the EE.



Some of the parts I'm not going to use and I've already sold. He's obsessed with desert tan so that's where we're going.

First up I want to mark the selector / safety area so I can see it from both sides. He's real good about running the safety on/off but I watch close and it's hard as hell to see. So what better way than a little color. A little clean up and some paint pen and we're good to go.




Yes, I got a little carried away with the paint but that's what he wants, he's 11.

I've got a couple of deals working and some more parts on the way. So in the mean time we did a little painting. All of the tan hardware I've gotten so far is in good shape but none match. So we hit it all with some Alumahyde II. This stuff kicks a** on plastics and magazines.



A good cleaning and drying. Hit everything with a nice light coat and leave it to dry/cure for about 5 days. Once it's fully cured it's a very durable finish. I have an AK that I did about 2 years ago and so far it's holding up well.



Well that's where we're at so far. I'll add more when some more parts get here and and make a final decision on the upper. Stay tuned....

Wedge


Part 2;

I haven't had much time to work on the project but got a little today. All of the hardware has been painted with Alumahyde II and cured for about a week. I got a few more parts in which I'll have to paint.


I had been planning to buy a light weight upper from del-ton. But I ran across a deal on the EE for a CMMG upper for the same money so I couldn't pass it up. It should be here later this week and the build will be finished.



I had a little time today so I did some assembly work. Now we just need the upper and a little warmer weather to go shooting. I also took the time to figure out my build cost. After adding everything up I have a grand total of $650 wrapped up in this puppy. All of my parts were acquirred from the EE, e-bay and Brownell's. I'm sure I could have cut the cost even more with a J&T kit or something similar but I'm very happy so far.


More to come, stay tuned,
Wedge


Well we finally got it done, just in time for his birthday on Friday. Let me tell you, there's not a happier 12 year old in the state of Ohio right now. After everything was totaled, our total cost came in right at $670. We (I) couldn't resist the phantom from Brownell's for $20, so I guess I'm just a big kid too. All we need to do now is get out and shoot it. Hopefully we'll get a break in the weather combined with a day off and we'll get out to McKinley and sight er in! He's already talking about an EOtech......jeez this kid thinks I'm made of money

Possible future additions include an EOtech or Aimpoint, having a local smith reprofile the barrel to a light weight configuration, maybe a rail ???

[M4arc]

That looks great wedge!

[Submariner]

Folks around here will want you to adopt them.

[Shadow6]

Do you want to adopt another child?

Nice build.

I built a bullpupish 10/22 for my 12 y.o., but I think it's time to move up a lil' in caliber. Thanks for the inspiration.

-Doc

[9DivDoc]

Great pics and what a good thing you are doing for your son....

Kinda of experience he will never forget and more than likely (Lord Willing and Libs dont reign) pass on to his kids and grandkids...

Well done......and these days.....increasingly rare

Your a good pop....

[bradb55]

That looks great. Nice paint job. I know he'll have fun with that. I should send you mine. lol

[wedgehead30]

Do you want to adopt another child?

Nice build.

I built a bullpupish 10/22 for my 12 y.o., but I think it's time to move up a lil' in caliber. Thanks for the inspiration.

-Doc

Doc,

We started out with a 10/22 a few years back. I bought a spare stock off of e-bay and shortened it up for him. He finally grew out of it and into the full size. We still take it out from time to time. His sisters learned to shoot with it too.

Wedge

[ARinNC]

What a killer gun, whether it is for an 11 year old or not, great job Wedge.
I have about 10 years to go until my little man is ready. I already bought his lower though, who knows what changes in the winds of politics will bring in the next 10 years. So I have a 7 month old who owns a Gator Mega Lower, with a DPMS parts kit and a Tango Down Grip. I will add a major part a year until he turns 10, then off to the range!

Take me shooting Dad! (my boy Jack)

[FinalFusion]

Awesome job wedge, your a good man for doing that for your son!!! I cant wait till my girl grows up and we can do stuff like that together!!! Great job buddy!

[Quib]

Very nice!

I built my son his first AR for his 13th b-day a couple years ago. To start, I built him a Retro/KISS carbine with the intent later on of upgrading parts.

I’ve asked him numerous times about upgrading, like adding a railed HG for example, but he refuses every time. He likes the simplicity of the KISS carbine, so we’ll keep it “as is”!