Build me an AR

J

JMapes

New member
I am looking at getting an AR when i get my tax money back, and i am not sure about what i should do. I am only looking to spend about 800 or less if possible and i know that building one is cheaper, but i dont know what i need to get. this would be my first AR, and i want it to be for coyote hunting. i would like one that is a .223, and be able to put a scope on it for hunting in feilds which is how i do most of my hunting. would building one be too hard to do for beginner, and what tools would i need and what brands would be reccommended? i would also prefer a collapsable stock.
 
Prices are subject to change...

I would get an idea of what I wanted; say 16in. floated flat top, collapse stock etc.

When your money is in hand find a deal.. Today, there are some good deals, tomorrow should be better..

I get emails all the time for specials from different manufacturers, and expect to receive more in coming months.. Well unless we get another obomo wave rolling through...
 
Building one is not necessarily cheaper by the time a finished product comes out. AR15.com has manuals you can download to walk you through every step of the way if you do decide to build. I am in the process of building myself but it wont be cheaper than one I could just go out and buy because of all the things I want on it, but thats just me. Some peope think you need a bunch of tools but if you are doin this on the cheap, a small brass punch set will work with a little hammer like the one mom uses to hang pictures and such. Find an armorer's tool or see if you can borrow one and that will help also. If you want to buy a complete working rifle super cheap, go to cmmg and buy a bargain bin AR for $599.00. Spend the rest of your cash on a decent scope and you will be set. If you want to upgrade, go for it and do it when you have some extra casholine. Most people will tell you though dont skimp on optics find some decent ones. Good luck and have fun
 
What are all the parts that i would need? would i be better getting the complete uppers and complete lowers instead of every peice? also, what would be the brands to use?
 
The easiest way to build an AR is to buy a stripped AR lower and the pick out a complete AR kit. All you'll have to do is assemble the lower receiver parts and you'll be set to go and shoot your new rifle. No special tools required. The complete kit will have the upper receiver assembly put together and ready to go. MI VHNTR
 
The last upper I bought was complete from PK Firearms, they have many to choose from and at reasonable prices, since you are still just looking I would check out there website and do some window shopping, I usually buy my lowers complete..reason being from what I can see by the time you buy a stripped lower then your LPK stock etc they run about the same, unless you like to assemble stuff yourself then maybe you could buy it stripped.
 
$55 stripped lower

Rguns.net has these lowers on sale, never seen them before, but for that price........

They also have their M4 cut complete uppers for $400. With that stripped lower and a lower kit, you'd be into a complete AR for just under $600 with shipping and FFL txfr fees. I bought an M4 upper from them before the Osama scare, quick service back then, have heard things both ways since then.
 
i would also like the gun to be in .223, but is that the same thing as 5.56? i found a full kit for a rguns AR for 600, but i dont know if Rguns is the brand and if it is any good... Thank you so far for the help.
 
The AR15 is a pretty simple design and is fairly simple to work on however there are some problems which can be somewhat overwelming if you are unfamiliar with the rifle. The Lower Receiver is the starting point on ocassion one will be a little out of spec (rare but it can and does happen). Next comes the lower parts kit some are better than others and quite often are incomplete or have 2 of something you need 1 of and are missing something else, when you get the LPK in you have a lower with internals. Next move onto the Butt stock not much can become an issue here so now you have a complete lower with internals and butt stock, you have no warranty and saved about 15 bux vs buying a complete lower with internals and buttstock (assembled) with factory warantee. Buying the complete assy elinates the possibility of getting an out of spec receiver (as they were able to get the LPK installed) and you can't have a problem installing a LPK as it is already installed.
I'm all for learning/knowing the rifle but it would be a shame to have problems with your first AR before you even get to shoot it.
For a new guy I think its best to start with a complete rifle with warranty or a factory lower (complete) with warranty and a factory upper (complete) with warranty.
If you go with an upper and lower remember to get a mag or two as they are not part of either assy.
 
I getting this one next week, x-mas present to myself. Ya I know, no bull barrel and bland. The price is right, out the door for under $800.00 . I love cheap rifles and love making them shoot, that's my thing.
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http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=5295
 
A buddy just bought a DPMS 5.56 Sportical. He sure likes it so far. He's been shooting handloads with 60gr. Hornady V-MAX and says it shoots as good as he can. When he bought the Sportical he also bought a Free Float Tube but we do not have that installed yet. He got in on a sale and his out the door price for everything was $600.00.

Larry
 
Found this on the Rguns website, it is a complete kit, but, i dont know for sure what the caliber is or anything. my dad knows a guy from work that is a gunsmith or something and could order and if i asked him, he could help me put it together and everything. just need to know what the caliber is and if 5.56 is the same as .223. tell me what you think and if it would be good. there is also one that is 510 instead of this one.

DPMS M4 16" Parts Kit
IN STOCK
$599.00

http://rguns.net/gunparts/rifle-parts-AR-partskits.shtml#RGUNS-A3LW-QR-Kit
 
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Remember, you still have to pick up a lower somewhere. Take a look at Model1sales.com. Their M4 kits are $535, not sure what their lead time is nowadays. Used to be 10 months out. 5.56 and .223 is close enough to the same thing (at least for government work). I believe most AR 223 designated chambers are Wylde chambers, which is kind of a cross between 223 and 5.56. Has to do with SAAMI and Mil-Specs.

Taken from Wikipedia:

A few AR15 manufacturers incorporate the use of a hybrid chamber specification known as the Wylde chamber. Designed by and named after Bill Wylde, this chambering was created for High Power shooters after the 80 grain .224" bullets became popular. While the Wylde chamber allows for optimal seating depth of 80 grain bullets over .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO, it is capable of accepting both ammunition types.
 
If the gun is stamped 5.56 it will also shoot .223. However, just for future reference do not attempt to shoot 5.56 in a gun that is only marked .223. I believe the difference is in the chamber pressures. A gun designed to shoot the military 5.56 round can withstand the pressures from a .223, but the same can not always be said for the other way around. I'm sure someone here could elaborate on that.
 
thanks for helping him out guys..Hes rubbing it in my face just a LITTLE bit that he will have one before me...
 
Originally Posted By: Song Dog AssasinIf the gun is stamped 5.56 it will also shoot .223. However, just for future reference do not attempt to shoot 5.56 in a gun that is only marked .223. I believe the difference is in the chamber pressures. A gun designed to shoot the military 5.56 round can withstand the pressures from a .223, but the same can not always be said for the other way around. I'm sure someone here could elaborate on that.

+1 on do not shoot 556 in a 223.

I already had alot of ppl flame me for saying that, but I will stand by it to the end of time. There a few guys who might say you can shoot a military 556 round in a 223 chamber, but remember, your face is next to the pressure vessal. Do you like you face and hands? I like mine.
 
Originally Posted By: Song Dog AssasinIf the gun is stamped 5.56 it will also shoot .223. However, just for future reference do not attempt to shoot 5.56 in a gun that is only marked .223. I believe the difference is in the chamber pressures. A gun designed to shoot the military 5.56 round can withstand the pressures from a .223, but the same can not always be said for the other way around. I'm sure someone here could elaborate on that. Such a debated topic. Do not shoot 5.56 out of a gun chambered .223 , you can shoot .223 out of guns chambered 5.56 . There is also a .223 Wylde chamber. Here's a quote from another source. "The wylde chamber was designed by Bill Wylde as an ultra-reliable match chamber. It utilizes a standard .223 body chamber with a difference in the neck IIRC. It is commonly used by several custom smiths to provide enhanced accuracy and reliability for service rifle competition."
 
I am also wondering what is required to mount a bipid on the gun. do i need a quadrail or will it work without having to spend the extra money. or do i have to buy a special bipod made for ARs?
 
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