First AR-15 Build

[dubya3488]

I'm looking at building an AR-15 in the future, and was hoping to get some help. I've picked out some parts, and I know I'm missing something, but I'm just not sure what.

At the Armory in Lebanon, they have a stripped lower that has the Gadsden Flag logo engraved on it aka "Don't Tread on Me". Not sure on the manufacturer. Have you guys heard anything bad about this lower? After that, I would need a lower parts kit.

I have found an upper at a pretty good price online, but I'm not sure of the quality as far as brands go. Here's a LINK. I'm looking at the Del-Ton M4 at the very top. Obviously since it's flat top, I would need some kind of sights, and would just get a detachable carry handle at first.

As far as the buttstock, I know I would like one of the extendable ones, but i don't know what brands to look for or anything, could you guys help me out?

One more thing. If I do build this, I'm going to eventually want to put a .22 conversion on it. That way I can shoot it all day without spending too much money. Are there any problems with the cheaper conversion kits as far as accuracy and reliability? If it is avoidable, I would like to not have to buy a complete upper.

Thanks for any help.

[leroy]

Dub:____________

Just been thru the same thing. Check these guys out for AR parts: J&T Distributing: AR-15 & Black Rifle Specialists. They are good guys and close to home.

Check these guys out for stocks, mags, etc, etc. : Rainier Arms, LLC™ | Taking the AR15 to new heights.. They are good guys too; and their shipping is super fast. Their place to my house in east tennessee -- three days!!

RE: Collapsable buttstock. You get what you pay for. I like the Magpul CTR and the Vltor EMod (... got both of them...). Make sure you get a mil spec carbine buffer tube for your stock.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Leroy

[Guest 73challenger]

I'm not sure about the lower. I'm not sure who makes it. Have you looked at the del ton complete kit? It comes with everything you need to finish the rifle. I really like magpul products so I used the MBUS flip up rear sights. If you bought a flip up rear you could still use it with a optic. Also I would suggest a mil-spec buffer tube and magpul MOE stock. My delton rifle shoots great but I really wish I would have waited awhile longer and got a nicer brand. I am thinking about buying this LMT upper when I get the money. Also I'll post a link to a lower built kit that includes magpul furniture and a CMMG LPK.

Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 16" M4 Rifle Kit

MOE - Magpul Original Equipment

MOE Lower build kit

LEWIS MACHINE AND TOOL 16"" COMPLETE AR-15 UPPER

[glockster157]

I have built out about 10 AR's so far between my own and friends/family. I have bought most of my parts from J&T Distributing. One big advantage is J&T comes to the Nashville gun show a lot and this is where I picked up a lot of kits. I am not sure what you are missing but Gary or Wes will be able to help you, no problem. They are going to be at the Nashville fair grounds this weekend. If I can answer any question for you, pm me and I will get you my cell.

[mhm2a]

I just fired my first build last night so I wanted to chime in and say a few things. I purchased a lower from a forum member and then hit the gun show in Murfreesboro for an upper. I ended up with a J&T kit that completed my lower into a fully operational firearm. It came with everything you need to get up and running as long as you have the lower.

I did not use any specialty tools and had the completed lower built in probably 45 min. while watching t.v. and checking out the tutorials online. I only ran into one issue which was kind of my fault for not paying enough attention. I wanted to put the disconnector spring in the wrong way which caused it to bind on the fat end of the spring and the holes would not line up with the trigger housing/lower. Once I figured out the spring was backwards I was in good shape. I ran a safety check and everything was good so I installed the J&T upper which fit like a glove on my Spike's lower.

I was very pleased, but I had a flat top upper and a railed gas block so I needed some sights. I ended up ordering Midwest Industries BUIS front and rear to finish it for now. The reason I chose those over a carry handle is because I knew that I would want to add an optic in the near future and wanted to have back up sights to that optic. In my opinion this is the way to go because you will probably take that carry handle off if you plan to run optics in the future. Then you will probably want a rear back up sight so do it that way the first time right?

I got to take it out to my parents house and test it for function last night and I am very pleased. I loaded one round in the magazine, pulled the bolt back and let it ride forward. It stripped the round from the magazine effectively and I fired one round. I then loaded two and fired two....no problems with loading or ejection. I then loaded 30 and let them fly with a second or two between rounds....no problems at all. When I got home I completely field stripped, cleaned, and inspected the rifle.....It is good to go and I am very happy with my J&T build and would build another from their company. I will follow up with a few pictures when I get a chance.....and if youhave any questions just let me know.

Edited March 18, 2010 by mhm2a
Sp.

[Burboy]

I too am just starting to consider building.

How cost effective is it to roll your own versus buying an entry level Del-Ton, Armalite, Bushmaster, S&W, etc.? Each of these and others can be had for around $800-850. Is there a significant savings or is more of an "I built this myself" sort of thing.

[Jasongar8]

+1 to J&T. Go to the Goodman gun show and talk to Gary. Tell him what you want and he will fix you up. If you go ahead and buy all the upgrade parts you want at first he will put them in the kit and just charge you an upgrade and you wont have alot a spare parts laying around. I would upgrade to a Magpul stock, either the CTR or the MOE if you are trying to save money. Also go with the Magpul flip up rear sight if its a budget build.

As far as the .22 conversion kit. I have a Ceiner that I bought a few years ago before the CMMG ones came out. If I was going to do it today I would go with the CMMG just because Mr. Ceiner is a ass and I wouldnt want to give him anymore business. But my kit runs great. J&T sells the .22 conversion kits also.

[dubya3488]

Another question. Has anyone ever dealt with Top Guns in Cookeville? I was passing through there the other day and talked with the owner. He said that he was also the owner of "Coffin Arms." I'm guessing that he's trying to start up as a distributor. It's actually kind of funny looking. Walk into a somewhat small gun store with two giant coffins in the middle promoting his new business, haha.

Anyway, he said that he could build me a brand new ar-15 for $650 out the door. And that everything he sold would be guaranteed for life. Sounds like a great deal. I think he uses all DoubleStar stuff. But I REALLY like the Gadsden Flag lower. It's just cool.

Any thoughts?

[glockster157]

Another question. Has anyone ever dealt with Top Guns in Cookeville? I was passing through there the other day and talked with the owner. He said that he was also the owner of "Coffin Arms." I'm guessing that he's trying to start up as a distributor. It's actually kind of funny looking. Walk into a somewhat small gun store with two giant coffins in the middle promoting his new business, haha.

Anyway, he said that he could build me a brand new ar-15 for $650 out the door. And that everything he sold would be guaranteed for life. Sounds like a great deal. I think he uses all DoubleStar stuff. But I REALLY like the Gadsden Flag lower. It's just cool.

Any thoughts?

I spoke with the guys from Top Gun at the last R&K show. Nice guys and my buddy bought a DS lower from them at a really good price. Problem is that they were $70 bucks or so higher on the rifle kit. J&T doesn't sell DS lowers just kits so we got the kit from Gary.

To answer the question is it cheaper to build, the answer is yes. Now, if you want a name like Bushmaster or Colt I doubt you could build but I do Doublestar because of J&T. Buy the DS lower and then the rifle kit of choice and put said lower together, you have a completely matched DS rifle. Price is usually at least $100 cheaper but from some retail prices I have seen dealers ask it is about $200-250 cheaper.

[Capbyrd]

It's cheaper to buy something like the CMMG bargain bin rifles than it is to build your own. But I highly recommend building at least one just so that you know how everything works and know how to easily replace things when they break.

[mhm2a]

J&T and Doublestar are one in the same if you did not pick up on that. In fact, their supplier manufactures some parts for colt and other name brands as well. FYI...

[leroy]

It's cheaper to buy something like the CMMG bargain bin rifles than it is to build your own. But I highly recommend building at least one just so that you know how everything works and know how to easily replace things when they break.

This is great advice!! I heartily agree.

Leroy

[kb4ns]

I'll add another +1 for J&T. I've bought a couple rifle kits from them and had as good or better experience than other companies.

[mhm2a]

Here is a pic of my new J&T w/ Spikes lower: