Building my first AR

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  • Msoto88

    Member
    Aug 1, 2012
    5
    Germantown
    Hi everyone, I am a little new to posting on this site. Granted I have been here reading on the topics builds. As for this I have been researching this project for awhile now. I am thinking about building my first AR-15. I have a marine buddy who going to help me assembly it so I won't have any problems, but he is currently overseas. So for the time being I have been looking into the parts myself and so far I have found these listed below. I know the uppers would have to be a heavy barrel, but the one I found doesn't say anything about being a heavy or light. Hoping that anyone here can look these over and let me know if I should make changes, if they are not allowed in Maryland, or make better recommendations. As for the optics I will probably go low end for now until I can get me a better optics/scope.

    Complete Upper(Might opt out of not getting their bcg)
    http://www.radicalfirearms.com/product-p/fu16-5.56soc-15fhr.htm

    Complete Lower
    http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar-15-complete-lower-magpul-ctr-black-blem.html

    Possible BCG
    http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCGX

    Temp Sights
    http://www.amazon.com/Sniper®compac...TF8&qid=1460780456&sr=8-4&keywords=ar15+scope
    or
    http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Arms...0780270&sr=8-2&keywords=ar-15+iron+sights#Ask

    Thanks for looking at this.
     

    mopar92

    Official MDS Court Jester
    May 5, 2011
    9,513
    Taneytown
    It says its a SOCOM profile which some manufacturers call heavy but that one isn't advertised as heavy so it would be in a gray area for being MD legal.

    I'd also be hesitant to recommend those sights you have. The optic is sub $50 which generally means sub quality Chinese knockoffs and the irons aren't from a very reputable company. I'd personally recommend just buying some Magpul flip ups and saving for an optic down the road.
     

    dontpanic

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 7, 2013
    6,631
    Timonium
    If you are building your own to save money, don't. While rhe parts you list will make a servicable rifle, you can do better at that price.

    Windham Weaponry HBARs are regularly available for about $750. Much better rifle with much better resale value.

    If you are building it for fun or to learn how it works, then collect all the parts separately and buld your upper and lower yourself.


    Good luck
     

    ajviera

    Active Member
    Dec 25, 2015
    309
    Avenue, MD
    I learned the hard way Palmetto will NOT ship complete lowers to MD. Better off buying a stripped one locally and building it yourself.
     

    Msoto88

    Member
    Aug 1, 2012
    5
    Germantown
    Well I am doing this to learn about them some more at this time I do own a basic cheap AR. But I want to know more about the mechanics of it which is why I am doing this (plus it won't hurt to replace my old one). I'll look into the magpul flip up or the UTG. Also thanks fo recommending me that BCG my brother is telling me how much better so I will change that. As for the lowers any good recommendation for the lower parts kit?
     

    mopar92

    Official MDS Court Jester
    May 5, 2011
    9,513
    Taneytown
    Well I am doing this to learn about them some more at this time I do own a basic cheap AR. But I want to know more about the mechanics of it which is why I am doing this (plus it won't hurt to replace my old one). I'll look into the magpul flip up or the UTG. Also thanks fo recommending me that BCG my brother is telling me how much better so I will change that. As for the lowers any good recommendation for the lower parts kit?

    I like CMMG and Rock River Arms. PSA has a good set and so does Spikes Tactical.
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,816
    Hi everyone, I am a little new to posting on this site. Granted I have been here reading on the topics builds. As for this I have been researching this project for awhile now. I am thinking about building my first AR-15. I have a marine buddy who going to help me assembly it so I won't have any problems, but he is currently overseas. So for the time being I have been looking into the parts myself and so far I have found these listed below. I know the uppers would have to be a heavy barrel, but the one I found doesn't say anything about being a heavy or light. Hoping that anyone here can look these over and let me know if I should make changes, if they are not allowed in Maryland, or make better recommendations. As for the optics I will probably go low end for now until I can get me a better optics/scope.

    Complete Upper(Might opt out of not getting their bcg)
    http://www.radicalfirearms.com/product-p/fu16-5.56soc-15fhr.htm

    Complete Lower
    http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar-15-complete-lower-magpul-ctr-black-blem.html

    Possible BCG
    http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCGX

    Temp Sights
    http://www.amazon.com/Sniper®compac...TF8&qid=1460780456&sr=8-4&keywords=ar15+scope
    or
    http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Arms...0780270&sr=8-2&keywords=ar-15+iron+sights#Ask

    Thanks for looking at this.

    Msoto88, listen to these folks. They will not steer you wrong.:thumbsup:
     

    NateIU10

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 6, 2009
    4,587
    Southport, CT
    We have stripped and complete lowers of our manufacture in stock, but also have two PSA complete MOE lowers ATM. Can't recall the PSA pricing off the top of my head, but I can grab it if interested.
     

    jimbobborg

    Oddball caliber fan
    Aug 2, 2010
    17,112
    Northern Virginia
    I've used RRA, DPMS, CMMG, and a bag o' parts to complete lowers. I'm going to suggest you pick up an extra "lost parts kit" to supplement the LPK you are planning on purchasing. You will thank me later.
     

    clandestine

    AR-15 Savant
    Oct 13, 2008
    37,031
    Elkton, MD
    Hi everyone, I am a little new to posting on this site. Granted I have been here reading on the topics builds. As for this I have been researching this project for awhile now. I am thinking about building my first AR-15. I have a marine buddy who going to help me assembly it so I won't have any problems, but he is currently overseas. So for the time being I have been looking into the parts myself and so far I have found these listed below. I know the uppers would have to be a heavy barrel, but the one I found doesn't say anything about being a heavy or light. Hoping that anyone here can look these over and let me know if I should make changes, if they are not allowed in Maryland, or make better recommendations. As for the optics I will probably go low end for now until I can get me a better optics/scope.

    Complete Upper(Might opt out of not getting their bcg)
    http://www.radicalfirearms.com/product-p/fu16-5.56soc-15fhr.htm

    Complete Lower
    http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar-15-complete-lower-magpul-ctr-black-blem.html

    Possible BCG
    http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCGX

    Temp Sights
    http://www.amazon.com/Sniper®compac...TF8&qid=1460780456&sr=8-4&keywords=ar15+scope
    or
    http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Arms...0780270&sr=8-2&keywords=ar-15+iron+sights#Ask

    Thanks for looking at this.

    I would reconsider on a melonite AR barrel. Melonite is great ONLY if done a certain way for AR Barrels. I would also avoid all NiB bolt carrier groups.
    http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=192373
     

    GetzzBrah

    Member
    Mar 3, 2016
    37
    Just get a nice set of Iron sights and shoot those for a while. Don't waste money on a cheap optic that you know you will replace. Use that money for some nice Irons. I use Daniel Defense fixed irons on 90% of my Ar's
     

    aklax11

    Active Member
    Jan 8, 2015
    531
    Does PSA ship complete lowers or uppers to MD now? I called and asked about this a few months back because per their written policy, they don't ship "receivers" and they said no to both uppers and lowers
     

    janklow

    Active Member
    Feb 6, 2013
    880
    I'm going to suggest you pick up an extra "lost parts kit" to supplement the LPK you are planning on purchasing. You will thank me later.
    excellent advice for the OP's first build.
    ...and if he has friends who might do a first build down the line.
     

    AJRB

    Ultimate Member
    May 8, 2013
    1,584
    I like CMMG and Rock River Arms. PSA has a good set and so does Spikes Tactical.

    I also suggest a CMMG lpk especially for a first time builder. The parts come in colored bags with a parts checklist so you don't confuse springs etc...for me it felt more organized and easier to stay on course without digging for a certain springs or detents.
     

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