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Posted: 6/11/2010 9:17:06 AM EDT
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Hello,
I didnt see this question clearly answered anywhere so I thought I would ask. Probably a dumb question, but what the hey. If I buy a stripped lower, a lower parts kit, an upper, and a stock, do I have everything I need for a complete rifle? I know I wont have any optics, but aside from that, what else would I need? Do iron sights come with the upper? Do I need a seperate BCG or does that come with the upper? You can probably tell that I dont have my upper yet? Thanks. |
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Some uppers come with BCGs, some don't. For the stock, you'll need a full stock kit, which includes the stock, buffer tube, buffer, and spring. Also includes the castle nut and end plate if it's a collapsible stock. These can also be bought seperately. Whether or not the upper comes with sights is going to depend on the upper. If it has a front sight base then it'll have at least a front sight. If it's an A2 or A1 style upper then it will have a rear sight. If it's A3/A4 style it won't have a rear sight. You can buy a kit from someplace like Del-Ton that will have everything you need accept the lower, then you just buy a stripped lower of your choice and put everything together. You could also buy a complete upper and complete lower then throw them together. You might need to get a BCG, once again, dependent on the upper. |
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Buy a lower first then you have the basis of your build. Its your first build so don't get too hung up on things. Do some reading here and educate yourself then get a lower. After you get the lower get the lower parts kit and a stock. Take your time building and understanding how things work. The group here is an excellent source of information. The final component will be an upper, make it easy on yourself for the first build and buy a complete upper you can build one as your next project. I chose a flattop upper from Stag with a removable handle for my build. My dad was adamant about me learning to use the iron sights before scoping it and guess what? He was right!
Good luck! |
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+1 to the above advice
If you get a kit, most contain a complete upper assembly with bolt, a stock kit with buffer, tube, and spring, and a lower parts kit. Kits come in a lot of different configurations that can meet your individual needs/wants in a rifle. You will need a rear sight if you get kit with A3 upper. Be sure to read the the assembly guides posted at the start of this forum. Watch videos on assembly. Use the right tools and support your lower when installing trigger guard to keep from breaking ear on lower. Assembly will go better and Life will be good!  You are infected with BRD. There is no turning back!
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Thanks for the answers. It is starting to make more sense.
I have the lower and the lower parts kit. Instead of looking for a stock, I guess I need to look for a stock KIT. Assume that means if I get only a stock, I will be missing some parts. And I definately did not have in mind to assemble an upper. So I will look for a COMPLETE upper and assume (but will verify) that it includes iron sights and the bolt carrier group. Let me know if I have misunderstood. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the answers. It is starting to make more sense. I have the lower and the lower parts kit. Instead of looking for a stock, I guess I need to look for a stock KIT. Assume that means if I get only a stock, I will be missing some parts. And I definately did not have in mind to assemble an upper. So I will look for a COMPLETE upper and assume (but will verify) that it includes iron sights and the bolt carrier group. Let me know if I have misunderstood. On the stock your probably better off buying a kit now and don't get too hung up on Mil spec vs. commercial just yet. I'm assuming your talking a budget build so something like this from AIM surplus would get you started without a big cash outlay. http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAR6Stock&groupid=57 If I were building my first AR again I would look at a DSA upper for $280 they are getting good reviews here and they are complete minus bolt carrier group and charging handle. |
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I had the same questions as you did when I first started to assemble my build.
I started with the Mega Lower, and parts kit. Assembled that, and then ordered the Monolithic upper and gas piston kit, kept researching and reading, and as things started to come in, I'd piece it together, and find out what else I was missing lol. And then buy more pieces. For example, I needed to buy a carrier bolt, retaining pin, cam roller and firing pin for my Adams Arms System, because I wasn't sure if it was included. A buddy of mine sold me his Vltor Emod stock, and I had to search for the parts needed to secure the stock to the lower. It took alot of reading, but it was well worth it, because now I know how everything works and goes together, and because of all the information I learned and found on this site, I'm almost done with my build. |
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Quoted: The description of the upper should state whether or not it comes with a BCG. And I definately did not have in mind to assemble an upper. So I will look for a COMPLETE upper and assume (but will verify) that it includes iron sights and the bolt carrier group. Let me know if I have misunderstood. If it's this type of upper (A2) or similar (A1) it will have iron sights. Disadvantage to this is that it's harder to mount an optic later on down the road.  If it's this type (Flattop, A3/A4) it will not have iron sights. You'll have to buy a rear iron sight, but it's easier to mount optics when you decide to. You may also have to buy a front sight. If it has the front sight base (A-frame shaped piece) at the end of the handguards then you're good to go. If that's missing you'll have to buy the front sight as well.  |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
The description of the upper should state whether or not it comes with a BCG.
And I definately did not have in mind to assemble an upper. So I will look for a COMPLETE upper and assume (but will verify) that it includes iron sights and the bolt carrier group. Let me know if I have misunderstood. If it's this type of upper (A2) or similar (A1) it will have iron sights. Disadvantage to this is that it's harder to mount an optic later on down the road. http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/images/552.jpg If it's this type (Flattop, A3/A4) it will not have iron sights. You'll have to buy a rear iron sight, but it's easier to mount optics when you decide to. You may also have to buy a front sight. If it has the front sight base (A-frame shaped piece) at the end of the handguards then you're good to go. If that's missing you'll have to buy the front sight as well. http://estore.websitepros.com/stores/1891705/catalog/A3%20Upper%20Receiver%202.jpg There is one more option and that is a flattop with removable carry handle with sights integrated. This one is mine the upper is a Stag Model 1. I have an optic I also mount on it from time to time. 
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Bubba, like you I am building my first AR, but I had a lot of the same questions you did when I was putting a parts list together, and most of my questions were answered by digging through threads and looking at pics of builds on this site. Great site by the way.
Here are a couple of pearls that I have figured out along the way that might help you. 1. When i was ordering my stock (Magpul MOE) i didnt realize that this model did not come with a buffer assembly, so of course I had to order one along with it (I went with the Advance Technologies kit), you can get stocks, such as the typical 6-position adjustable which comes with a buffer assembly. Just be sure you look for that when you are ordering because you'd be disappointed if you got ready to assemble your lower and had no buffer assembly. 2. For a first time builder like myself, I went with a complete assembled upper, to minimize the amount of tools I had to buy or borrow, and frankly I would not feel comfortable putting the upper together just yet. Some of the places I priced uppers were Rock River (i went with this), del-ton, midwayUSA. As this is the part of the gun which will contribute most to accuracy, I felt like my money was best spent on the upper. Also, You may find it easier and/or cheaper to get an upper which includes the BCG and CH instead of ordering them separately. 3. Going with the stock A2 front sight is the cheapest option, and you can always take it off and upgrade later. I have plans to put on a railed gas block and a fold-down front sight at some point, but that would have made my build about $100 more expensive. 4. Mucho importante, as some people have already mentioned, support the ears on the trigger guard when you are driving in the roll pins, those break easily. 5. Dont get in a rush to order parts, I planned my build for a year before starting to order parts. Deals come and go, prices rise and fall. I configured like 4 or 5 different builds before I made a decision. It makes it fun and hopefully will save you some money. Cheers. |
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Another place for kits you might want to look is Legal Transfers (here on the board at Industry Section and at www.ar15sales.com). They have complete Stag Arms kits minus stripped lower (and sell the lowers as well).
I've bought an upper from them in the past. Great to deal with. |
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