Starting to feel like a kid at Christmas time. I have never owned an AR, so I decided to build one. Nothing fancy, just a basic AR, but with the parts that I want. Parts are starting to show up and I should have everything here in the next week or so.

Parts List:
Aero Precision Gen 2 stripped lower
Seekins LPK and adj. low profile gas block
DS Arms 6 position buffer tube
DPMS buffer/spring
BCM upper assembly, charging handle and pistol grip
Stag Arms BCG
Brownells B-TAC 16" 1 in 7" socom profile barrel
Magpul MOE stock
Troy 13" Alpha Rail Handguard

I hope I ordered everything I need.

I'll post picks when I get it together

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JPD217,

Got gas tube?

I'd add an armorer's wrench, roll pin punch set and some blue painters tape. And maybe a mag well vise block. Probably not 100 percent necessary, but it'll make the assembly much easier.

Sights or optic? Or is that part of the upper assembly? As said, you’ll need a gas tube.

If you have friends/gun club members or any source that is local that may be willing to loan basic tools such as the roll pin starters (really make working with roll pins easier), roll pin punches or upper and lower vice blocks, take them up on it...we have a quite a few people at our local gun club that loan stuff out for a build between members and it helps with the added cost of procuring such things...

If you need to purchase items...such as upper and lower vice blocks for installing lower parts kits or installing a barrel in an upper...I have a set of these blocks (inexpensive and work well)...

https://www.plastixrevolution....er-lower-vise-blocks

Amazon also offers a flat sided roll pin starter/punch set for installing the bolt release...I also use it for installing trigger guards...

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler...5+roll+pin+punch+set

If you can borrow these items it would be good...but having them is great for other builds or maintenance/repairs.

Forgot to mention the gas tube, yes I have that, and we have the required AR tools here at work.

I did pick up a Bushnell AR 1-4 scope, I'll probable throw that on there until I figure out what I really want.

And I picked up a couple of 30 round magpul mags for now.

If you don't have any experience then you might get someone to check your work, it's not a tinker toy.

Great...looks like you are well on your way ...

One other thing...the AERO gen2 lowers allow you to use a 4-40 set screw to retain the rear take-down pin...it makes things easier to assemble (I had a little hard time finding one that small locally but Fastnal had them...

Also, I used Teflon tape wrapped around the upper/lower tension screw that AERO uses to tighten the play between the two...I thought about blue Lok-tite but the tape has worked perfectly to keep the screw from backing out on my builds.

Edit...I second what smschulz said...I had the luxury of watching and helping to a degree, a friend well versed in AR builds before I built my own...there are good videos on YouTube but having someone experienced look at your work is better.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
If you don't have any experience then you might get someone to check your work, it's not a tinker toy.

I have a little experience, though not with the AR platform. I've built several LR Savage bolt guns and I'm an armorer for Sig classic and P320 pistols. Still, I understand what you are saying, we have 2 AR armorers here at the PD, I'll have them check my work.

quote:

One other thing...the AERO gen2 lowers allow you to use a 4-40 set screw to retain the rear take-down pin...it makes things easier to assemble (I had a little hard time finding one that small locally but Fastnal had them...

Also, I used Teflon tape wrapped around the upper/lower tension screw that AERO uses to tighten the play between the two...I thought about blue Lok-tite but the tape has worked perfectly to keep the screw from backing out on my builds.

Thanks, we have a Fastnal store here, I'll go pick some up.

Do you have some grease like Aeroshell to put on the barrel extension before->upper receiver?

https://www.amazon.com/AeroShe...4&keywords=aeroshell

Yes, I do.

Don’t forget the one gallon ziplock bag to put the lower in when you install the pivot pin detent. I have two in low earth orbit right now.

quote:

Originally posted by JWF:
Don’t forget the one gallon ziplock bag to put the lower in when you install the pivot pin detent. I have two in low earth orbit right now.

Or if you want a much easier time for just a couple bucks grab one of these clevis pin. For the time and frustration saved it cannot be beat.

I went with the vise grips with painters tape on them route and pressed them all in perfectly. This was on a lower build. Punches were a pain.

quote:

Originally posted by dryw13:

quote:

Originally posted by JWF:
Don’t forget the one gallon ziplock bag to put the lower in when you install the pivot pin detent. I have two in low earth orbit right now.

Or if you want a much easier time for just a couple bucks grab one of these clevis pin. For the time and frustration saved it cannot be beat.

I used an incredibly thin putty knife to hold the detent spring in while I got the takedown pin in. Worked for me.

quote:

Originally posted by JWF:
Don’t forget the one gallon ziplock bag to put the lower in when you install the pivot pin detent. I have two in low earth orbit right now.

My sheetrock ceiling got in the way of mine. Found the spring though!

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:

quote:

Originally posted by dryw13:

quote:

Originally posted by JWF:
Don’t forget the one gallon ziplock bag to put the lower in when you install the pivot pin detent. I have two in low earth orbit right now.

Or if you want a much easier time for just a couple bucks grab one of these clevis pin. For the time and frustration saved it cannot be beat.

I used an incredibly thin putty knife to hold the detent spring in while I got the takedown pin in. Worked for me.

Or a razor blade! I do have the tools, but I learned with a blade and I to better with it!

I find a 10-round mag useful for sighting in and bench work too.

So, I'm still missing the magazine catch and the BCM pistol grip, but I couldn't wait any more. Went together fairly easy thanks to the tips you guys gave. Didn't even send a detent into orbit, the razor blade trick worked great.




One of our armorers is searching his parts box looking for a magazine catch, if he can't find one I'll just have to wait for mine to come.

I'll post better pics when I get the other parts.

That is a very nice looking rifle ...congrats!

Edit...welcome to the addiction!