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Posted: 7/21/2005 6:02:05 AM EDT
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Info from the site is all you really need. If you run into a technical question, the people here are pretty good about answering it quickly. Books and gov manuals are ok too, but in my opinion are not required once you look at the thumbtacked posts at the top of this board. |
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Welcome! When I built my first I did it strictly by the instructions on this site. We're talking complete build up from stripped upper and lower receivers with free floating quad rails. It's really not that hard to do and you will get a good understanding of the parts and how they work. The most expensive items up front (aside from gun parts) are the action block and armorer's wrench. It'll cost you about $60 for these two items and then you might want to get a good set of roll pin punches. I didn't use them but I should have. Now I know better. These items pay for themselves if you build more than 1 rifle. In other words, read the assembly guides here on Arfcom and get some good tools. Forget about the assembly books and such, they are a waste. If you put it together and something doesn't run right, there are 70,000+ members that can help you make it right. Good luck to you. MJD P.S. Don't worry about the BRD (black rifle disease) it's completely harmless. |
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I did my first build using nothing but the resources here. I've done 6 so far and it really is as simple as it seems. While many may disagree with me, IMHO you should invest the money to buy the proper tools for the build. Roll pin holders, roll pin punches, standard punches, upper and/or lower action blocks, torque wrench, strap wrench, armorers combo tool (the one for taking off the barrel nut, FS, and receiver extension), barrel vice, and anything else that might make your life easier. And use plenty of masking tape when doing the bolt catch roll pin. The time and minor expenses you endure will not only make your build very anticlimatic but it will also keep you from Buba-ing it with needless scratches. Brownells sells everything you need and all the tools you need are listed in the instruction guide posted here. If you are only going to build the lower, then you do not need the upper action block, strap wrench, torque wrench, or barrel vice. In fact, for the lower build you really don't need the lower action block either. I got one but I have never used it for a build, only when mucking around with them afterwards. You can do a professional looking lower build with minimal tools if you do not want to buy everything for only one build, but if you are like most of us, after you do one you WILL do another: roll pin holders, roll pin punches, combo tool, standard punches, masking tape. block of wood, you can use just about any size to support the trigger guard off side ear when driving in that roll pin. 1/4 inch clevis pin for putting in the so called hardest part of the build, the front pivot pin. It turns the hardest part of the build into a fool-proof 30 second job. And don't be let down when you are done 15 minutes after you start and that sense of accomplishment you were expecting is not there. When I got done with my first I felt very underwhemed. Is that all there is to it??? Big whoop. |
Oh yeah, you don't even need the action block or armorer's wrench when doing the lower build. If you're going to put a collapsible stock on it then you might want a special wrench for that. I think it's like $6 or something. It works if you don't have an armorer's wrench. Best of luck to you. MJD |
That is exactly how I feel right now. I'm nervous about pulling the trigger for the first time. hinking.gif -LonghornAR15 |
After you assemble, just go thru the function check procedure that's available on this website. If it passes, you're good. Since you're dealing with a complete upper your first time out, you don't have to worry about anything else as long as the function test passes. |
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