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re: Official AR-15 thread
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:04 am to Broke
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:04 am to Broke
That's a good deal, but I'd stay away from a 16" barrel with a carbine gas system. It's much harder on the gun and will dirty it faster. It's a quick fix to make a 14.5" M4 barrel to a legal 16" barrel while keeping the gas system the same. A mid-length gas system compensates for the extra 1.5" of barrel length. You also get a longer sight radius with a mid-length. I'm sure PSA will have a mid-length complete rifle for a good deal sooner or later though.
1
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:39 am to Buck_Rogers
quote:
That's a good deal, but I'd stay away from a 16" barrel with a carbine gas system. It's much harder on the gun and will dirty it faster.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but 16" guns are fine with the carbine gas system. Most guys on this board won't shoot more than 1000 rds through their AR in it's lifetime.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 10:46 am to lsufan1971
quote:
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but 16" guns are fine with the carbine gas system.
Yes, he will be fine with it, but it is a fact that a 16" barrel with a carbine length gas system is harder and dirtier on the gun. A 20" barrel with the standard gas system is even less dirty, easier on the gun and more reliable. I can see why one would want a 16" for compactness over a 20", but why would you want a shorter gas system than needed when it does no good whatsoever? It's for him to decide though; I'm just letting the facts be known.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 11:01 am to Buck_Rogers
sometimes...people just overthink these weapons. It isn't rocket surgery, hell its not even rocket science. Just use quality components and quality ammunition and the AR-15 will tend to go bang every time. Some of these academic conversations are just getting to be too much.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 11:34 am to lsufan1971
I agree 100%, but there is absolutely no reason why someone should get a 16" barrel with a carbine length gas system over a mid-length. Let's see:
Mid-length gas system pros:
1. Longer sight radius
2. Less wear on gun
3. Easier to clean
4. More reliable
5. Bayonet actually fits properly like it was intended.
Carbine length gas system pros:
1. This isn't rocket science, so I don't want to over think it????
Mid-length gas system pros:
1. Longer sight radius
2. Less wear on gun
3. Easier to clean
4. More reliable
5. Bayonet actually fits properly like it was intended.
Carbine length gas system pros:
1. This isn't rocket science, so I don't want to over think it????
Posted on 7/22/15 at 12:35 pm to Broke
Too late, I already dove in head first...
Posted on 7/22/15 at 12:43 pm to Mark Makers
Nice. The most exciting part will come when you have a package of the rest of the parts at your door.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 2:05 pm to Buck_Rogers
quote:
Nice. The most exciting part will come when you have a package of the rest of the parts at your door.
I have fun every single time I put one together. It's like Christmas morning.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 2:31 pm to Broke
After reading through the link in the first post of this thread, the list of tools they mention:
- AR-15 Vise Block
- Roll Pin Punches
- Roll Pin Holders
- Bolt Catch Pin Punch
- Starrett 264E Center Punch for Staking Castle Nut
- Stock Wrench
- Ball Peen Hammer (4 Oz.)
- Nylon/Brass Hammer
- Brownells Pivot Pin Detent Installation Tool
- Additionally a small diameter non-marring punch or something similar like a Takedown Tool is needed to depress the Magazine Release Button far enough in to properly install the Magazine Catch.
Are all of these necessary? Anything you would add or remove from this list?
- AR-15 Vise Block
- Roll Pin Punches
- Roll Pin Holders
- Bolt Catch Pin Punch
- Starrett 264E Center Punch for Staking Castle Nut
- Stock Wrench
- Ball Peen Hammer (4 Oz.)
- Nylon/Brass Hammer
- Brownells Pivot Pin Detent Installation Tool
- Additionally a small diameter non-marring punch or something similar like a Takedown Tool is needed to depress the Magazine Release Button far enough in to properly install the Magazine Catch.
Are all of these necessary? Anything you would add or remove from this list?
Posted on 7/22/15 at 2:50 pm to Mark Makers
- AR-15 Vise Block
No, this is for assembling an upper. Yours will already be assembled.
- Roll Pin Punches
Yes, any set of brass punches will do.
- Roll Pin Holders
Not necessary
- Bolt Catch Pin Punch
Not necessary
- Starrett 264E Center Punch for Staking Castle Nut
Not necessary
- Stock Wrench
Not necessary
- Ball Peen Hammer (4 Oz.)
Not necessary
- Nylon/Brass Hammer
Yes, you don't want to mess up your parts with a steel hammer.
- Brownells Pivot Pin Detent Installation Tool
Not necessary
- Additionally a small diameter non-marring punch or something similar like a Takedown Tool is needed to depress the Magazine Release Button far enough in to properly install the Magazine Catch.
Not necessary
You basically should get a set of brass punches and a brass hammer. Cheap all in one kits can be found at Harbor Freight and other places. Regular tools you will find in any tool box will work fine for the rest. I also find a set of precision flathead screwdrivers handy to hold little springs in place while being secured in.
No, this is for assembling an upper. Yours will already be assembled.
- Roll Pin Punches
Yes, any set of brass punches will do.
- Roll Pin Holders
Not necessary
- Bolt Catch Pin Punch
Not necessary
- Starrett 264E Center Punch for Staking Castle Nut
Not necessary
- Stock Wrench
Not necessary
- Ball Peen Hammer (4 Oz.)
Not necessary
- Nylon/Brass Hammer
Yes, you don't want to mess up your parts with a steel hammer.
- Brownells Pivot Pin Detent Installation Tool
Not necessary
- Additionally a small diameter non-marring punch or something similar like a Takedown Tool is needed to depress the Magazine Release Button far enough in to properly install the Magazine Catch.
Not necessary
You basically should get a set of brass punches and a brass hammer. Cheap all in one kits can be found at Harbor Freight and other places. Regular tools you will find in any tool box will work fine for the rest. I also find a set of precision flathead screwdrivers handy to hold little springs in place while being secured in.
This post was edited on 7/22/15 at 2:55 pm
Posted on 7/22/15 at 2:55 pm to Buck_Rogers
Thanks for that $150 in savings!
Posted on 7/22/15 at 2:59 pm to Buck_Rogers
quote:
- AR-15 Vise Block
No, this is for assembling an upper. Yours will already be assembled.
I was referring to this vise block for the lower.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 3:04 pm to Mark Makers
Not needed. It's basically a non functional magazine just to hold the receiver in one place in case you tend to fumble around and drop things. You could always stick a piece of wood in their or use an old beat to hell magazine if you insist on it.
Posted on 7/22/15 at 3:10 pm to Mark Makers
Here is what I used to assemble my first few lowers:
Posted on 7/22/15 at 3:28 pm to Mark Makers
quote:
- AR-15 Vise Block - Roll Pin Punches - Roll Pin Holders - Bolt Catch Pin Punch - Starrett 264E Center Punch for Staking Castle Nut - Stock Wrench - Ball Peen Hammer (4 Oz.) - Nylon/Brass Hammer - Brownells Pivot Pin Detent Installation Tool - Additionally a small diameter non-marring punch or something similar like a Takedown Tool is needed to depress the Magazine Release Button far enough in to properly install the Magazine Catch.
don't need most of that. just makes it way more convenient. bare minimum, get a punch set
Posted on 7/22/15 at 3:44 pm to Carson123987
A punch set and a castle nut wrench is all I've ever used. And even the wrench is not totally needed (well worth the money though).
And just tape the shite out of the lower. It won't get dinged then.
And just tape the shite out of the lower. It won't get dinged then.
This post was edited on 7/22/15 at 3:45 pm
Posted on 7/22/15 at 5:30 pm to Mark Makers
Having recently finished my first lower build and buying just about everything on your list I'd only repurchase the roll pin punches (regular punches will work but I think the roll pin punches make the job MUCH easier) and starters, decent non marring hammer, castle nut wrench, and the cool looking cleaning assembly pad 
The vise block just didn't seem to work for me, I was never in a good position to do what I wanted and ended up just holding the lower or resting it on the mat. The other specialty tools were useful but definitely not needed unless you just like buying tools, like I do.
The vise block just didn't seem to work for me, I was never in a good position to do what I wanted and ended up just holding the lower or resting it on the mat. The other specialty tools were useful but definitely not needed unless you just like buying tools, like I do. This post was edited on 7/22/15 at 5:32 pm
Posted on 7/22/15 at 9:08 pm to Mark Makers
- AR-15 Vise Block
Not necessary but I think it is easier to assemble with one. Especially the front takedown pin detent.
- Roll Pin Punches
I used a single 1/8" punch (Stanley from Lowes) to assemble 3 ARs. Mine wasn't brass which means you need to be more careful. I just tapped around the area I was working on in case I ever slipped.
- Roll Pin Holders
Wheeler pivot detent tool. $7-8 will have tool which makes it easier to install the front detent and will have a roll pin starter you can use on the bolt catch.
- Bolt Catch Pin Punch
See the wheeler tool.
- Starrett 264E Center Punch for Staking Castle Nut
Hard core AR guys and operators all say stake the castle nut. I didn't stake mine and I've never had a problem. Mine are just range toys though.
- Stock Wrench
I don't even know what that is
- Ball Peen Hammer (4 Oz.)
I used the handle of a polymer handled screwdriver to hammer in the bolt catch roll pin. That way it wouldn't scratch my receiver. Actually just started it with the screwdriver handle and wheeler detent tool and got it 98.52% of the rest of the way with pliers covered in tape. Much easier than hammering. BTW the red tubes you get with bottles of stuff like WD40 work great to hold the bolt catch in alignment as you hammer in the roll pin. I finished with my 1/8" Punch.
- Nylon/Brass Hammer
Everything I own is a hammer. Used the polymer handle of a screwdriver.
- Brownells Pivot Pin Detent Installation Tool
I would recommend the wheeler tool. $7-8 from amazon or Academy. Not necessary but helpful.
- Additionally a small diameter non-marring punch or something similar like a Takedown Tool is needed to depress the Magazine Release Button far enough in to properly install the Magazine Catch.
Rubber eraser end of a pencil worked for me.
Only special tools I bought to build ARs are the magwell vise block, wheeler detent tool, and a combo barrel wrench and castle nut wrench. Just be careful when you are doing the front detent and the spring loaded pin thing that holds in the buffer. You could easy poke out an eye with either.
Not necessary but I think it is easier to assemble with one. Especially the front takedown pin detent.
- Roll Pin Punches
I used a single 1/8" punch (Stanley from Lowes) to assemble 3 ARs. Mine wasn't brass which means you need to be more careful. I just tapped around the area I was working on in case I ever slipped.
- Roll Pin Holders
Wheeler pivot detent tool. $7-8 will have tool which makes it easier to install the front detent and will have a roll pin starter you can use on the bolt catch.
- Bolt Catch Pin Punch
See the wheeler tool.
- Starrett 264E Center Punch for Staking Castle Nut
Hard core AR guys and operators all say stake the castle nut. I didn't stake mine and I've never had a problem. Mine are just range toys though.
- Stock Wrench
I don't even know what that is
- Ball Peen Hammer (4 Oz.)
I used the handle of a polymer handled screwdriver to hammer in the bolt catch roll pin. That way it wouldn't scratch my receiver. Actually just started it with the screwdriver handle and wheeler detent tool and got it 98.52% of the rest of the way with pliers covered in tape. Much easier than hammering. BTW the red tubes you get with bottles of stuff like WD40 work great to hold the bolt catch in alignment as you hammer in the roll pin. I finished with my 1/8" Punch.
- Nylon/Brass Hammer
Everything I own is a hammer. Used the polymer handle of a screwdriver.
- Brownells Pivot Pin Detent Installation Tool
I would recommend the wheeler tool. $7-8 from amazon or Academy. Not necessary but helpful.
- Additionally a small diameter non-marring punch or something similar like a Takedown Tool is needed to depress the Magazine Release Button far enough in to properly install the Magazine Catch.
Rubber eraser end of a pencil worked for me.
Only special tools I bought to build ARs are the magwell vise block, wheeler detent tool, and a combo barrel wrench and castle nut wrench. Just be careful when you are doing the front detent and the spring loaded pin thing that holds in the buffer. You could easy poke out an eye with either.
Posted on 7/28/15 at 7:47 pm to Broke
Quick progress update and a question:
So far I have the Anderson stripped lower and received my roll pin punches. I am still waiting on my armorer's wrench to come in.
I have also ordered my LPK from PSA:
LINK
And a Magpul collapsible stock kit:
LINK
My original plan was to purchase this 16" mid-length barreled upper assembly complete with BCG and charge handle:
LINK
But the more I read and look at pictures, the more I'm really liking the 14.5" or 14.7 length with the pinned flash hider. The issue is, the only complete upper assembly that PSA currently has in this length is about $150 more than the 16" kit I posted above:
LINK
Would you all know of any other companies that would be worth checking out besides PSA that would be around the same price range and quality? Or do you think it would be worth putting a phone call into PSA to find out if they can put a kit together similar to the price range of the 16"? Are shorter barrels typically more expensive? Or could it be more expensive due to the labor required for pinning the flash hider?
So far I have the Anderson stripped lower and received my roll pin punches. I am still waiting on my armorer's wrench to come in.
I have also ordered my LPK from PSA:
LINK
And a Magpul collapsible stock kit:
LINK
My original plan was to purchase this 16" mid-length barreled upper assembly complete with BCG and charge handle:
LINK
But the more I read and look at pictures, the more I'm really liking the 14.5" or 14.7 length with the pinned flash hider. The issue is, the only complete upper assembly that PSA currently has in this length is about $150 more than the 16" kit I posted above:
LINK
Would you all know of any other companies that would be worth checking out besides PSA that would be around the same price range and quality? Or do you think it would be worth putting a phone call into PSA to find out if they can put a kit together similar to the price range of the 16"? Are shorter barrels typically more expensive? Or could it be more expensive due to the labor required for pinning the flash hider?
Posted on 7/28/15 at 9:10 pm to Broke
I ordered a Seekins lower and will finally build my own.
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