First AR build - initial questions

[Bic]

Ok, so there's this newish oufit in our buccolic little home town:

http://fivefourtac.com/

and they seem like real nice guys AND they're having there own receivers built with the logo & the name of the town (Fredericksburg) and everything!, sooooooooooo I bought a receiver with a view to building it up myself.....because I feel I should know how  

Q1. how much of a difference is there in lower 'parts' - apart from the various trigger upgrades- qualitywise ?

[bafsu92]

A: there can be a big difference if you don't get a quality kit. The thing is you don't have to spend much to get a quality kit, it's more important to be careful where you buy it. A lot of deceitful "dealers" both at gun shows and online like to take a DPMS or similar package and replace many of the cast parts with cheap pot metal crap and sell it as the real thing. Many rookie builders fall prey to these people and in turn give decent companies a bad reputation. I only buy my LPK's from a few select dealers so I know what I'm getting and getting it from a trusted source. Your safe ordering direct from companies like DPMS, Stag, Armalite etc. or if you want a good company where you can get other items and have lots of choices in your LPK's try here: http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/lower-parts-kits.php - You can also get complete lower build kits there for a good deal.

[Bic]

Just what I was looking for bafsu - thanks a mill.

MP

[bafsu92]

No problem, glad I could help. Being that it's your first build one thing to be careful of, and someone has probably warned you of this already. Be careful when you're installing the trigger guard. Most of the lower build is pretty simple and not much you can mess up but when you install the trigger guard its very easy to break off one of the little ears on the frame. Enough support from the bottom is the key if you're using a punch and hammer to do it.

Personally I like to use needle nosed pliers to lightly pinch the roll pin and get it started in the hole. I then get the guard in place and use a large vice grip with the jaws heavily covered in blue tape to squeeze the pin through the holes into place. I then use my punch to finish it off and get it even. I've done hundreds this way and never damaged a lower but have seen plenty that have been bent or broken. At least now if you do break one all is not lost. The Stark Industries grip doesn't use a roll pin and covers that part of the receiver completely, hiding the break. I had a friend buy a damaged (broken ear) Noveske receiver on gunbroker a few weeks ago for $45. He put on a Stark grip and no one is the wiser.

[twyacht]

As a fellow first time AR builder, for my New Year's resolution, posted just last week here in this category, I know TomB, built his own, basfu, m25, and several others, have "been there, done that",....the advice is solid, and appreciated.

When my POF lower gets here, I intend to heed their advice, take my time, and put together a fine AR rifle, to complement my Sig556.  Like a 57 Chevy, there are many fine one's out there, but this one will be yours, (and mine upon completion), as well.

All the tips and tricks, make life easier. What I learn here, I will pass down to my son, when in time, (only 15), we'll build another one. Perhaps in 6.5 Grendel....

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

If you are going to build a "Carbine" get the "Carbine" Buffer and spring.
If you are going to build a fixed stock rifle, PM me, I have a buffer and spring  

[Bic]

Thanks again all, Tom, I'm giving serious cosideration to this thing being a 'piston' carbine....only because I might be able to afford a folding/collapsible stock----when I win the lottery.

Have I mentioned that I love this site?

MP

[tombogan03884]

At Brownell's, It's a life saver watch the video's. Then watch them again as you work.

http://www.ar15builder.com/