I was randomly browsing through reddit one day and came across a DIY build for an AR15. The guy had built a really nice AR15 from the ground up. I've always owned guns, but honestly never had much desire to buy an AR15. To me, they always seemed overhyped and I just assumed people were just buying them to spite Obama. Little did I know, however, they are beautifully engineered and their modularity, reliability, and reasonable price make them one of the best rifles on the market. I still have no desire to buy a stock AR, but the idea of creating my own from parts is really appealing. I'll use this page to document the build over the next few months as I slowly start acquiring parts and putting it together.
Research
In this section, I'll document some builds that I like and start putting together my wish list for parts.
Builds
Kaky Budget Build (reddit) - Budget
Very basic budget AR - probably wouldn't want to go much cheaper
The cost was around $560 sans magazines and sights. here is the shopping list: PSA 16" Mid-length 5.56 NATO 1/7 11" SQR Free Float Upper - No BCG or CH - 7780257 ($270) PSA 5.56 Premium HPT/MPI Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group - No Logo - 39339 ($80) Palmetto State Amory Charging Handle with Tactical Release Latch ($30) PSA AR-15 Complete Lower - Magpul CTR Edition - Black, No Magazine - 49177($170) I bought some Gen2 Magpul mags from my local Cabellas for around $11 each, and found gen1 Magpul flip up sights on ebay for $20 new. so total it was under $600
SeaLegs (reddit) - SBR
Upper Ballistic Advantage 12.5” government profile barrel, Modern Series Ballistic Advantage BCG, phosphate Aero Precision upper BCM KMR-10 handguard A2 flash hider Lower Geissele SSA-E trigger KAK lower parts kit KAK Shockwave Blade and tube, standard carbine buffer Spike’s lower Accessories MBUS front sight KAC 600m rear sight Holosun red dot, solar powered Magpul BAD lever BCM keymod panels, BCM QD sling point, BCM QD rear plate
Whiskey Fire (reddit)
Aero Precision 5.56 Rifle = 519.05 UTG Mid Profile Riser = 8.77 Bushnell TRS-25 RDS = 68.19 Strike Industries Dust Cover = 15.95 MFT BMS Minimalist Mils Spec Buttstock = 44.75 Magpul MBUS = 69.95 Fortis Rev II 14” M-Lok Rail = 228.39 Lancer L5 30 Rd Mag = 16.99 Paracord = 4.99 BCM Gunfighter Mod 2 = 29.95 (not installed yet)
Qaest (reddit)
Upper: Palmetto Lower: Palmetto Charging handle: BCM gunfighter mod 3 BCG: Palmetto Premium 9310 Barrel: 16" 1:7 twist Palmetto Premium carbine gas (made by FN) Flash hider: YHM phantom Rail: YHM SLK 12 keymod Sights: Magpul BUIS Optic: Vortex Strikefire gen 1 Optic mount: Aero Precision 30mm Scope covers: Butler Creek Stock: Magpul CTR Grip: Magpul MOE+ Magazine: Magpul 20rd gen 2 Trigger: Geissele SSA-E
Construction Guides
Suppliers
Core Parts
- Lockestone - Beautiful, but very expensive 80% Lowers. They also sell a reasonably priced, reusable jig that is supposed to work with any milspec lower
- Tactical Machining - Inexpensive and popular 80% lowers
- Palmetto State Armory - these guys seem to be a very popular supplier with a decent price/quality ratio
Furniture
General AR15
Barrel Length - 16, 18, or 20" - 18" sounds like a good all around pick