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Posted: 6/3/2017 10:41:50 PM EDT
| Any advice, or horror stories, for a first time build? I have all of my parts ordered and I am super excited/anxious to start, I just want to have as much research under my belt before I attempt to assemble it. |
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Just take it nice and easy. Don't be in a rush while putting things together. Proper tools make the job a whole lot easier.
Watch the detents and springs. They tend to go flying. I usually install these in a larg ziploc bag so that if they do fly they won't get lost. |
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Proper tools will make a build go smoother too.
They are especially important if you're assembling your upper from scratch. You'll need a good vise block, one that clamps from 2 sides and not just pinned to the lugs, or else a reaction rod. A torque wrench and barrel nut wrench are necessary as well. You'll need the torque wrench for the buffer tube on the lower too, and a castle nut wrench if you're going with a carbine buffer tube. A set of roll pin punches will be helpful too. |
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well, while you don't really need a torque wrench for a castle nut you WILL need the wrench for the castle nut at the least, and a center punch to stake it. Just get a handy dandy armorer's wrench and torque down the CN good and tight then gett a spring loaded center punch from Harbor freight to stake it and you got yourself covered.
now if you're building an upper from scratch, then YES.. def get a torque wrench for the barrel nut |
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Quoted:
Any advice, or horror stories, for a first time build? I have all of my parts ordered and I am super excited/anxious to start, I just want to have as much research under my belt before I attempt to assemble it. Select a free float handguard that uses a nut that doesn't require precise indexing for passage of the gas tube. Most of these handguards use a proprietary wrench for tightening. I prefer to fix the castle nut with blue threadlocker instead of staking. The most difficult part of assembly are the roll pins. Having a good set of roll pin punches, starters and drivers, is most helpful. Bear in mind the AR uses a variety of roll pins, but they come in only in 2 diameters, which simplifies your choice of punches. good luck - CW |
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Congratulations and welcome to the club. I recently built my first AR and am in love. If you have any kind of mechanical skills and common sense you'll do fine. There are a TON of tutorials and videos out there to help.
I can't comment on the barrel nut or anything about the upper for that matter, I bought my upper complete. I chose that way because I was on a VERY tight budget and my patients suck! I had around $450 into my build and it was shootable. That was without a scope and with the stock hand guard. Since then I added a drop in quad rail, a scope and a one inch riser for my scope. I started with a 80%er and am VERY pleased with the quality. Anyway, I'm rambling so I'll end this now. Good luck and take your time and you will be on the range before you know it. It is ALWAYS better to have the right tools for the job, it makes it that much easier. |
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My son bought a PSA kit and I had an Anderson lower. He put it together one morning using regular tools and youtube. Yeah, the bolt release pin gave him issues, but not too bad. Shoots great and I was super proud of him.
You'll do fine. Just take your time and don't get in a rush. |
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Quoted:
Any advice, or horror stories, for a first time build? I have all of my parts ordered and I am super excited/anxious to start, I just want to have as much research under my belt before I attempt to assemble it. |
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Quoted:
harris: My 2c worth is a bit different. You don't really need a torque wrench, just use care and not over tighten the nuts on aluminum threads. Nice and snug is good enough. Select a free float handguard that uses a nut that doesn't require precise indexing for passage of the gas tube. Most of these handguards use a proprietary wrench for tightening. I prefer to fix the castle nut with blue threadlocker instead of staking. The most difficult part of assembly are the roll pins. Having a good set of roll pin punches, starters and drivers, is most helpful. Bear in mind the AR uses a variety of roll pins, but they come in only in 2 diameters, which simplifies your choice of punches. good luck - CW |
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this video is good and has some great tips like using a vise to push roll pins in: iv8888 build video
eta: only thing i don't like in the video is he uses a bunch of grease on all the springs and detents which i think will just attract dirt, a little oil on the head of roll pins going in is all i use. |
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