Decided to try my hand at buliding an AR for my next rifle.

Zephri · 05-29-2007, 03:06 PM

Ok, I've finally decided to bulid a ar-15, here's what I have on my list for my build.
(BTW I've never done this before so suggestions are welcome.)

LOWER
Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 Complete Lower Parts Kit

http://www.del-ton.com/DPMS_Lower_Receiver_p/lr1000.htm
Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 DPMS Stripped Lower Receiver

UPPER
http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/uppers/a1ur.asp
Bushmaster A1 Upper Receiver

http://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Bolt_and_Carrier_Assembly_p/bc1044.htm
Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 AR-15 Bolt and Carrier Assembly

http://www.del-ton.com/Charging_Handle_p/up1005.htm
Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 Charging Handle, Complete

BARREL
http://www.del-ton.com/Wilson_Arms_Barrel_Kit_p/kt1003.htm
Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 Wilson Arms AR-15 16" M4 Barrel Kit

Total w/o tax, ffl trnsfr. fee, & shipping = $644.95

I know I left out the stock but I'll factor that in when I actually build the rifle.

Now I would like to know if:
1. I left anything out. (other than the stock)
2. Something won't work, or is not compatible.
3. what tools I will need.

Any other help and feedback for this project is welcome.

Pred · 05-29-2007, 06:05 PM

Ok, a couple of questions. First, any reason you went with an A1 upper? If thats what you want thats fine, however for a first rifle I'd pick a flat top simply for the fact you'll have so many things to pick from it's not even funny. Second, I would buy a complete upper instead of trying to build the upper on your first time. You need some decent tools(vice grip, action blocks, the clamps to put your upper in so you don't tear it up, go no go gauges) the money spent on all that alone would make up the difference for a few uppers(building vs buying). As for the bolt carrier group I'd go to Bravo Company USA and buy a CMT or LMT M16 bolt group. You don't need much in the way of tools to put the lower together, basically some screwdrivers, small hammer, tape(use the tape when putting the mag catch pin in so you don't ding up your lower. You'll see what I'm talking about when you start to put it together). There is a pivot pin install tool that can make life a little easier on your also. Again, go to Bravo Company and look under their tools section. Buy the punch set, pivot pin install tool, and the AR15 Armorer wrench. For a few extra bucks I'd buy either a Stag or RRA lower parts kit instead. I'm not saying Del-Ton is no good, cause they are, it's just that I've heard great things about Stag/RRA, not to mention the RRA trigger in my AR is great. If you decide to get a collapsible stock, get the MIL SPEC tube now instead of the commercial tube, trust me, way cooler stocks fit the mil spec. If I think of anything else I'll let ya know

Beer Forever · 05-29-2007, 06:49 PM

The only thing I see is the A1 upper. I love A1s, but that is just TOO much to pay for one. You can get a CMT for A LOT less and they are better. Why not an A3? I see you have a lot of Del Ton parts, right on, the rifle I am building has a lot of the same, Del Ton makes great custom upper for under or around $400, that may be the way to go I think. I am building my upper as well, rather than a complete upper. I got a similar barrel myself. Again though, that A1 upper you have there is way too much, way too much. You will like the CMT A3 way more and it costs less.

Zephri · 05-29-2007, 07:47 PM

Holy crap!!! thanks guys you will have saved me A LOT of time, money, and effort.

Ok, so now the revised version

UPPER
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=STAG+M4+16+URG
Stag Arms 16" M4 Upper Receiver Group

LOWER
http://www.del-ton.com/DPMS_Lower_Receiver_p/lr1000.htm
Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 DPMS Stripped Lower Receiver

http://store.stagarms.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=157&osCsid=1 f6d43aadb387de4ead44ddd1fbb4295
Stag Arms Online Store

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/M4-Stock-Milspec-p/stock%20m4%20milspec%20black.htm
M4 Stock Kit - (w/ Milspec Rec Ext)

Total $725.95

Alright hows that?

Beer Forever · 05-29-2007, 10:13 PM

If you buy the complete Stag Lower it comes with the mil spec stock assembly and will save you a few bucks. Just a thought, but it is fun to put lower together.

Zephri · 05-29-2007, 10:48 PM

you know what, I'm gonna do just that, Because I'm cheap and lazy.

Thanks sks forever and pred for the help.

Pred · 05-30-2007, 05:55 AM

I would still buy some of those tools though. At some point you may want to change out stocks, maybe add a 2-stage trigger.

SilverRun · 05-30-2007, 08:51 AM

Sounds like you got some good advice here. If you ever think you may want to sell it, go with a name brand lower like a DPMS - preferably with a matching upper. You would get a good bit more $ out of it.

Also, Aim Surplus has some good 4-rail hand-guards for the M-4 for like $60. I just put some on my M-4, and they are rock solid.

Someone suggested a 2-stage trigger. I personally would not put the 2-stage trigger in an M-4. The more complicated something is; the greater the chance of it messing up. An M-4 is not a target rifle.

Beer Forever · 05-31-2007, 03:24 PM

I have an RRA 2 stage on my M4 and love it. It is nice and smooth. I also wouldn't mind a decent 3 or 4 lb. single stage.

05-29-2007, 03:06 PM	#1
Zephri Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN. "The city where nothing happens." Posts: 1,089 Blog Entries: 6	Decided to try my hand at buliding an AR for my next rifle. Ok, I've finally decided to bulid a ar-15, here's what I have on my list for my build. (BTW I've never done this before so suggestions are welcome.) LOWER Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 Complete Lower Parts Kit http://www.del-ton.com/DPMS_Lower_Receiver_p/lr1000.htm Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 DPMS Stripped Lower Receiver UPPER http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/uppers/a1ur.asp Bushmaster A1 Upper Receiver http://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Bolt_and_Carrier_Assembly_p/bc1044.htm Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 AR-15 Bolt and Carrier Assembly http://www.del-ton.com/Charging_Handle_p/up1005.htm Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 Charging Handle, Complete BARREL http://www.del-ton.com/Wilson_Arms_Barrel_Kit_p/kt1003.htm Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 Wilson Arms AR-15 16" M4 Barrel Kit Total w/o tax, ffl trnsfr. fee, & shipping = $644.95 I know I left out the stock but I'll factor that in when I actually build the rifle. Now I would like to know if: 1. I left anything out. (other than the stock) 2. Something won't work, or is not compatible. 3. what tools I will need. Any other help and feedback for this project is welcome. __________________ "All rifles need a sharp pointy object on the end!" http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l195/zephri/

05-29-2007, 06:49 PM	#3
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	The only thing I see is the A1 upper. I love A1s, but that is just TOO much to pay for one. You can get a CMT for A LOT less and they are better. Why not an A3? I see you have a lot of Del Ton parts, right on, the rifle I am building has a lot of the same, Del Ton makes great custom upper for under or around $400, that may be the way to go I think. I am building my upper as well, rather than a complete upper. I got a similar barrel myself. Again though, that A1 upper you have there is way too much, way too much. You will like the CMT A3 way more and it costs less. __________________ Paramedic sks forever Last edited by Beer Forever; 05-29-2007 at 06:54 PM.

05-29-2007, 07:47 PM	#4
Zephri Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN. "The city where nothing happens." Posts: 1,089 Blog Entries: 6	Holy crap!!! thanks guys you will have saved me A LOT of time, money, and effort. Ok, so now the revised version UPPER http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=STAG+M4+16+URG Stag Arms 16" M4 Upper Receiver Group LOWER http://www.del-ton.com/DPMS_Lower_Receiver_p/lr1000.htm Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 DPMS Stripped Lower Receiver http://store.stagarms.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=157&osCsid=1 f6d43aadb387de4ead44ddd1fbb4295 Stag Arms Online Store http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/M4-Stock-Milspec-p/stock%20m4%20milspec%20black.htm M4 Stock Kit - (w/ Milspec Rec Ext) Total $725.95 Alright hows that? __________________ "All rifles need a sharp pointy object on the end!" http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l195/zephri/

05-29-2007, 10:13 PM	#5
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	If you buy the complete Stag Lower it comes with the mil spec stock assembly and will save you a few bucks. Just a thought, but it is fun to put lower together. __________________ Paramedic sks forever

05-29-2007, 10:48 PM	#6
Zephri Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN. "The city where nothing happens." Posts: 1,089 Blog Entries: 6	you know what, I'm gonna do just that, Because I'm cheap and lazy. Thanks sks forever and pred for the help. __________________ "All rifles need a sharp pointy object on the end!" http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l195/zephri/

05-29-2007, 06:05 PM	#2
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	Ok, a couple of questions. First, any reason you went with an A1 upper? If thats what you want thats fine, however for a first rifle I'd pick a flat top simply for the fact you'll have so many things to pick from it's not even funny. Second, I would buy a complete upper instead of trying to build the upper on your first time. You need some decent tools(vice grip, action blocks, the clamps to put your upper in so you don't tear it up, go no go gauges) the money spent on all that alone would make up the difference for a few uppers(building vs buying). As for the bolt carrier group I'd go to Bravo Company USA and buy a CMT or LMT M16 bolt group. You don't need much in the way of tools to put the lower together, basically some screwdrivers, small hammer, tape(use the tape when putting the mag catch pin in so you don't ding up your lower. You'll see what I'm talking about when you start to put it together). There is a pivot pin install tool that can make life a little easier on your also. Again, go to Bravo Company and look under their tools section. Buy the punch set, pivot pin install tool, and the AR15 Armorer wrench. For a few extra bucks I'd buy either a Stag or RRA lower parts kit instead. I'm not saying Del-Ton is no good, cause they are, it's just that I've heard great things about Stag/RRA, not to mention the RRA trigger in my AR is great. If you decide to get a collapsible stock, get the MIL SPEC tube now instead of the commercial tube, trust me, way cooler stocks fit the mil spec. If I think of anything else I'll let ya know

05-30-2007, 05:55 AM	#7
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	I would still buy some of those tools though. At some point you may want to change out stocks, maybe add a 2-stage trigger.

05-30-2007, 08:51 AM	#8
SilverRun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,661	Sounds like you got some good advice here. If you ever think you may want to sell it, go with a name brand lower like a DPMS - preferably with a matching upper. You would get a good bit more $ out of it. Also, Aim Surplus has some good 4-rail hand-guards for the M-4 for like $60. I just put some on my M-4, and they are rock solid. Someone suggested a 2-stage trigger. I personally would not put the 2-stage trigger in an M-4. The more complicated something is; the greater the chance of it messing up. An M-4 is not a target rifle.

05-31-2007, 03:24 PM	#9
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	I have an RRA 2 stage on my M4 and love it. It is nice and smooth. I also wouldn't mind a decent 3 or 4 lb. single stage. __________________ Paramedic sks forever