Never owned or shot one, but want to build one

[BattleRifleG3]

I've never owned or shot an AR-15, but I own and have experience using and disassembling AR-180, G3, SKS, AK, and M1 type weapons and am looking towards building an AR-15. Maybe some of my goals are contradictory, so please explain and understand if they are.

Here's my basic specs:
1. Lowest specs for desired price
2. Ability to use Wolf ammo
3. SS DPMS lower
4. Full stock with triangular A1 handguards
5. Legality in as many competitions as possible
6. Slickside upper with integrated carry handle - is that officially called an A1? Could use flattop if it was on same height as a detachable carry handle I have by Leapers
7. As long a barrel as possible, but would like Stainless if possible. I notice Bushmaster has 24" standard and 20" SS, not 24" SS or larger without being a bull barrel

Does this sound like a good setup or do some things seem pointless or contradictory?

Another question I had was about mating different metals - will this cause corrosion or other problems?

[Aimless]

Originally posted by BattleRifleG3
I've never owned or shot an AR-15, but I own and have experience using and disassembling AR-180, G3, SKS, AK, and M1 type weapons and am looking towards building an AR-15. ARs are simple, you are probably overqualified LOL Maybe some of my goals are contradictory, so please explain and understand if they are.

Here's my basic specs:
1. Lowest specs for desired price You don't want to spend more than necessary, right? I agree. Why spend unnecessary money? By building you are not paying FET tax so you are ahead of store bought AR right there
2. Ability to use Wolf ammo Yup any good AR, in my opinion should run on new production Wolf. however you want to get a 5.56 chambered, preferably chrome lined barrel, v. a tighter target chamber if you want to have a fun blaster. The new wolf does not have the waterproofing sealant and should work in most ARs. it is fine in all of mine and my friends
3. SS DPMS lowerskip the stainless steel lower, there is little stress on the lower, aluminum is fine, and the finish holds up fine for the Army, Marines etc. It'll look dumb with those triangular handguards anyway
4. Full stock with triangular A1 handguardsfull stock is good, fixed telestocks are dumb and make you look like a poser in my opinion. Triangular handguards? Okay,but that rules out most of the kits like J&T which is what most people do on a first build, where the upper basically comes all put together. No big deal, just more fo a challenge. J&T does have triangular guards for sale, DPMS used to have some nice ones also. I don't think anyone currently produces them. They are all used

5. Legality in as many competitions as possible Well that meants it has to match the silhouette of the M16 basically and you are looking at a free floated handguard to be competitve and probably a different barrel. I would suggest if you are set on competition build the lower for competition purposes ie use a jewel trigger and just make a regular upper for now and keep in mind a competition upper for later
6. Slickside upper with integrated carry handle - is that officially called an A1? Could use flattop if it was on same height as a detachable carry handle I have by Leapers A1 2,3 etc is a long story and it's late ;) A1 will have the first earlly sights that I don't like as much, I'd say get one with a detachable carry handle and the later sights that are both windage and elevation adjustable in the rear. The detachable handle will disqualify you for some competition but I think a later competition upper is the better plan anyway and you will have more fun with a detachable carry handle on your first upper

7. As long a barrel as possible, but would like Stainless if possible. I notice Bushmaster has 24" standard and 20" SS, not 24" SS or larger without being a bull barrel check dpms and armalite, they might have the barrel combination you want. I'dlean toward a 20 for now, but no big deal either way

Does this sound like a good setup or do some things seem pointless or contradictory?

Another question I had was about mating different metals - will this cause corrosion or other problems?

Good book-The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide
—How to build your own AR-15
—by Walt Kuleck with Clint McKee.

Available from Fulton Armory. http://www.fulton-armory.com/

[druwzfostr]

Im in the same boat as he is. i want to build one as cheaply as possible. i want it to look like the stereo type a2. im looking around at lowers and what not. im not sure what is the correct specs for making a original looking one. If you would please point me in the right direction as to specs and which componets and manufacturer i should get. i hate asking hte sam equestions. but anyting apecific would be awesome thank you Drew Foster

[shamayim]

Well, within the limitations of time, and my tired fingers:) I'll try to address at least some of the questions in each of these posts.

First, if you do nothing else, get a copy of the GI Ordnance manuals on the M16. Obviously, you can ignore the parts dealing w/full auto fire, but the pics of internals and working relationships between parts and assemblies is invaluable.

When you're thinking about price, I'd see what you can find used in the top brands; ie., Colt, Bushmaster, Rock River, and the other well known brands, rather than get off brand stuff. One of my ARs, bought new in 1977, is a total Colt piece; but all of the other four are "Mixmasters", and two of the four have all Colt uppers, that were built out of GI surplus barrels, upper recievers, and bolt/carrier assys.

Understand, if you look for the cheapest new piece prices, particularly in the working parts area you're very likely to get out of spec "doesn't fit right" parts.

Almost any of the major brands have good quality uppers, llowers, and barrels, but I've gotten poor quality internals from Bushmaster, Rock River and DPMS; all brand new out of the box. Not total poor stuff mind you; just a bad part or two in the bunch; A crappy hammer in a Bushmaster lower, an out of spec and poorly finished bolt holdopen and mag release button in a DPMS, and a broken mag release bar right out of the box on a Rock River. By the same token, all the uppers and lowers I've gotten from these folks have been of good quality and perfectly usable. When it cames to the internal pieces tho, I mainly have Colt GI surplus parts, properly modified to meet AR specs and not be M16 pieces any more. It's not really hard to do, if you have a grinding wheel on your electric drill[:D].

Barrels? Well, I prefer chrome lined, which is going to limit you to Colt or Bushmaster in the 20" versions. Some of the other guys are now putting out chromed barrels in their 16 inch M4 style barrels.

BTW, I would not start out w/a barrel any longer than the stock 20" length. It's simply not usable for anything but varmint shooting. You can't compete in service rifle matches w/it, and it's awkward as hell for anything other than pest popping from a rest or off a bipod. Stainless steel lower? Well, I have no personal experience w/them, but I can tell you that the aluminum alloy job on my Colt SP1 has lasted for over 25 years, and untold thousands of rounds, withe practically zero wear.

If I was starting over w/ first AR, but knew what I know now, I'd build up an M16A2 clone, using a Rock River lower and upper (they're the least expensive major brand right now), A Bushmaster A2 type barrel (cheaper than Colt, and equivelent quality), and the curent A2 handguards, because they'll accept the mount for the Harris bipod, and the A1 triancgles won't; and because they're much more durable (trust me on this).

I doubt I've answered all your questions, but hope I've at least made a start.

[F-Troop]

This is helpful

[BattleRifleG3]

Very much so, thanks.

[usmc1]

http://http://www.gunsnet.net/album/showphoto.php?photo=15190&size=big&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

I fubared that pic postinghttp://www.gunsnet.net/album/showphoto.php?photo=15190&size=big&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

[imanaknut]

usmc1, is this beauty what you are trying to show?


http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/25339976392513-1.jpg

[usmc1]

Sure is, have to get the hang of posting pics.

Thanks for the help, you know most of us older guys it takes a few times to catch on:crazy: