AR Sponsor
Posted: 9/29/2014 5:57:42 PM EDT
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I got a lot of help on here for my first AR build. I thought I'd share some of the lessons I learned during the process to maybe help out some first timers.
1. I found the book The Competitive AR-15 Builder’s Guide by Glen Zediker to be very helpful. 2. The only high-stress operation was installing the barrel. A lot of torque was applied to get the nut to line up. My tools were not up to the job. If you don’t have a good vice, a good torque wrench, and a good clamping block for your upper receiver, don’t try it. Either buy a complete upper, buy the right tools, find somebody who owns the tools, or get somebody to do this job for you. Other than for installing the barrel, you don’t need heavy-duty tools or blocks. 3. Don’t buy too much Loctite. It's expensive, and a little goes a long way. Buy the smallest amount you can find. A lot of parts include Loctite or put it on the threads that need it ahead of time. Also, your local hardware store probably has Loctite at cheaper prices than Brownells, Midway, or Cheaper Than Dirt. 4. The white, delrin magazine well blocks you seen on ebay are fine. The delrin upper receiver two piece clamping blocks and armorers wrenches you see on eBay are a little suspect. 5. Ebay, no-name handguards are not milspec, and they’re heavy. Draw your own conclusions on AR parts on eBay from points 4 and 5. 7. Roll pin punches, roll pin starters, and the pivot pin starter tools are worth the cost. Midway sells some double-ended roll pin starters made by Schuster for $20 that work quite well. If you're concerned about cost, I would hold off on buying any other specialty tools until you know you need them. |
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The enhanced take down pins from battle arms are a great purchase. The pivot pin is designed so the detent can be put in with a magnet. This was a genius idea. Super easy and the pins are nice. http://www.laruetactical.com/battle-arms-enhanced-pivot-takedown-pin-set Good advice though OP. |
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