I’m currently sitting on a charging handle,dust cover,bolt carrier group ,and a pistol grip …and something tells me I need more than rubber bands and and soft hands to build that into a a rifle.
So for a newbie like myself what would be the route to go here? Is it more cost effective to kit it or should I piece it out? Are complete uppers and lowers the way to go? As far as tools go I have a generic hammer,pin, and a “universal” gun block from amazon, a torque screwdriver, t handle allen set,and about 25 years of automotive mechanical knowledge. But feel a bit overwhelmed here and don’t know where to start and I keep getting distracted by things like “titanium trigger pins” and “life”
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@1911 has a very good word document here with step by step instructions on how to put a lower together.
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I bought these two sets and just everyday hand tools that’s in any toolbox.
A vise was a must for me building my upper.
The total package AR build kits are nice if you find one that has the stock and grip you want. If you want more customization I’d part it out.
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A vise and a block makes it much, much easier, but I wouldn’t call it a need. I’ve managed to build and work on uppers just fine with a C-clamp and a solid table or bench.
A small brass deadblow hammer and roll pin punches are ones a lot of people overlook. You can workaround most things with an everyday toolbox if you’re creative, but installing a forward assist and bolt catch will be a bear without them. If you have those, an armorer’s wrench, and basic hand tools along with a way to secure the rifle in place, you should be fine.
Some say a torque wrench is absolutely required, some will argue otherwise and say to use the wrist scale. I lean on the side of knowing exactly how much you’re tightening things is better than guessing, but if the question is what you NEED vs what’s recommended, well…
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Armorers wrench. Punches, vice, barrel clamps, rubber mallot, etc.
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Without buying any tools, may not be as fun, but cheaper and you got a range ready rifle. You can of course build another from scratch anytime.
NOTE: The lower whether stripped or complete must go thru an FFL. The upper, any parts, and ammo can be shipped directly to your front door.
Get any complete lower, a magazine and a complete upper. They go together with two take down pins, which again, you do not need any tools, they come with the lower. Assuming you want 5.56mm/.223 cal.
There are an endless variety of uppers and lowers to choose from. You can’t go wrong with PSA, though. Very affordable and come with lifetime warranty.
I like the Magpul MOE stuff, because I am more traditional (old), I think a lot of people like free float hand guards. I don’t hang nothing off of a rifle except a two point sling. Others hang a whole hardware store off theirs.
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would this configuration count as an “SBR” ?
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-b5-systems-ept-lower-build-kit-with-sopmod-enhanced-stock-odg.html
https://palmettostatearmory.com/anderson-manufacturing-am-15-stripped-lower-5-56x45mm-black.html
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-7-300aac-1-7-phosphate-pistol-length-300aac-blackout-marauder-ar-15-upper-assembly-black-no-bcg-ch.html
are these three items and combo an AR-15 minus a BCG and Magazine?
conceivably any ar 15 platform could be made using the lower, lower kit and complete upper?
I assume the buffer and spring may need to be swapped out depending on the caliber?
Maybe a guy should just buy a different barrel for his current lower?
One and three together would require a stamp.
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the serialized part in this case the lower .
16" barrel is not a short barreled rifle.
You can buy and own a short barreled rifle as long as apply for and purchase a $200 tax stamp from the ATF.
However, if you get a pistol brace, not a rifle butt stock, it is considered a ‘Pistol’ and you don’t need a stamp. https://catoutdoors.com/ar-15-pistol/
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but where are we legally with pistol grips now? How am I supposed to have a hobby when this is all afoot.
A pistol grip on an AR 15 is totally legal and is part of the lower. To non gun people, especially in California, the pistol grip, the protruding magazine , etc make the rifle look ‘Scary’ to them. In California you must have a fin on the grip, a very short magazine and no vertical foregrip to make it look less menacing. In other words, just move to another state…
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so remove the moe lower and add https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar-15-complete-classic-pistol-lower-no-magazine-black.html and now its a pistol and I can have my ffl charge me less to transfer it?
The green part will slide off the red piece @FitandFinish
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would I need to replace the buffer and springs for .300blk out?
Not really
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what irks me,is I should be able to buy that barrel and toss it on my lower and be a happy chappy. But because some bureaucratic agency wants to have their thumb in the pie I have to buy a useless second lower? What landmines these final rules and Court rulings are.
FFL will be the same. What length barrel are you contemplating buying?
I priced that pistol lower , .300blk 7 inch barrel upper, and 2 mags for under 400 but even that is too much atm. I could afford the upper and 2 mags but don’t want to deal with a bunch of paper pushers blasting through my doors and shooting my cats…