Building my first AR

[meak99]

Okay guys, I spent the past few days ordering parts from around the net. I have nothing in hand yet, but I am giddy as a school girl so I had to post something. Pics to come as parts arrive! The basic gist is a Daniel Defense 16" mid-length upper on a Stag lower, with cheap furniture to get me up and running quickly - with plans to upgrade to free-float handguard and a better stock at some point in the future. I definitely could have built a cheaper rifle, but got all this for about $860 to my door. Here are the specs of what's on the way... I know everyone would do it a little differently, but let me know what you think.

Stag Arms stripped lower receiver
Daniel Defense lower parts kit w/ single stage trigger
UTG Com-Spec 6-pos stock & buffer/spring/tube
Daniel Defense upper receiver and charging handle
Rock River Arms bolt carrier group
Daniel Defense 16" Chrome Lined, Cold Hammer Forged, Gov't profile barrel w/ mid-length gas system and "F" front sight post and A2 flash hider
UTG Pro 4/16 2-piece quad rail handguard

All I have for now is a photo from the vendor of the lower, it should be at my FFL today:

[TBob]

Congratulations on your project. I built a 6.8mm SPC AR a couple of years ago that worked out great. There are some great hints and tips on AR-15.com at http://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/ . I usually build pretty much what I want as a final configuration because, like most folks I suspect, I rarely go back and upgrade much after the fact. Requirements and economics drive those decisions, of course.

Best of luck on your AR.

[meak99]

As far as upgrading the stock and hand guard, I probably won't if it shoots straight & tight, and is reliable and durable. Had to give the cheap stuff a chance - I might regret it, I might not.

Been reading ar15.com info and watching online videos of the lower assembly process for a while now. I can probably do it with my eyes closed and can't wait to get started.

[M1A4ME]

Once you build the first one (and shoot it) you'll want to build another one.

Its called BRD (Black Rifle Disease). I think I'm on #6 now. Some with 20" heavy barrels, one with a 24" bull barrel, some with 16" barrels, one in .300 black out, carbine length gas systems, mid length gas systems, each one a little different, each one fun to build/shoot.

[meak99]

I hear ya...

Do you have a good source for USGI mags? I have two PMags on the way, but would like to keep an ammo can full of loaded mags... ya know, in case of Zombies.

[meak99]

Just answered my own question. Brownell's aluminum 20 & 30 round AR mags are on sale today for $9.99 ea. + shipping.

[M1A4ME]

That sounds like a pretty good price. I've not used those particular magazines. I have some CProducts but would not recommend them. Not the aluminum ones anyway. I bought 10 and only 7 work. Several failed attempts to make contact/get resolution from CProducts (this was prior to them being bought out and the name changed) in spite of one of the owners promising resolution on arfcom when I posted about it there. The stainless steel magazines from CProducts work great for me. I've also bought aluminum GI magazines from DSG (here's a link, they have a 10 pack for $85 right now http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/MA-02DSGB10A.aspx )

I've gone to PMags. Unless I see a really good deal on aluminum mags the next time I buy AR15's it'll be PMags again. No issues at all with them so far.

[TBob]

I have 6 steel CProduct magazines for my 6.8mm AR and they all work perfectly. I don't use aluminium AR mags because the feed lips deform and dent too easily, causing FTFs. In field use, they fail at an unacceptable rate. I've also had good experience with quality polymer mags, but prefer steel.

[meak99]

Got my lower parts kit in today. Took about 30 minutes to assemble with one check of my references to make sure I had the hammer spring installed correctly. Just waiting on my upper, handguard, and rear sight.

[TBob]

Nice!

[SDChop]

was gonna suggest a brownells front pivot pin install tool... makes it much easier

[meak99]

Used the blade on a box cutter to hold down the detent, pin slid right in. Took 2 seconds! Only tools I ended up buying were the spanner wrench for the castle nut and a delron block to hold the lower in a vise. Also bought some cheap punches, but didn't need them for this. Used vise grips to press fit the roll pins after I started them with a few taps of a lightweight brass hammer.

[meak99]

Already had to change out the cheap stock. Realized that the groove cut into the bottom of the threading on the buffer tube was off-center, causing the stock to cant a good bit to one side. Returned it for a full refund, including shipping, so I was out nothing. Picked up a BCM MilSpec buffer tube assy. and a Magpul CTR. Still waiting on upper parts.... it's killing me.

[Hiwaytahell]

Your BRD is progressing at the normal pace...parts upgrades.
Looks good, keep up the good work (with pics of course).

[kanata67]

I notice you haven't mentioned a bipod. I have to say that I love the rail mounted bipod on my ar. Besides steadying my aim it let me dial in my scope nicely.

[meak99]

I have a vertical fore grip to put on it, but no bi-pod for now. I've got a shooting rest and some bags for sighting in. If I do a 20" build in the future, it'll definitely have one. Ideally, I'd like to a 20" build, and a pistol build to "round out the set".

[kanata67]

I have a vertical fore grip to put on it, but no bi-pod for now. I've got a shooting rest and some bags for sighting in. If I do a 20" build in the future, it'll definitely have one. Ideally, I'd like to a 20" build, and a pistol build to "round out the set".

don't forget they make a 410 upper for the 15.

and then comes the ar-10 set...

[meak99]

It's a vicious cycle... and I already realize this while only half way through build #1. One at a time...

[meak99]

Daniel Defense barrel and upper assembly arrived today. Fits great.
Now I am just waiting on hand-guard and charging handle. Upper shipped straight from DD, but the charging handle is somewhere between the vendor in TX and here. I would recommend avoiding smartgunner.com if anyone's in a hurry to get parts

[SPIKEH26]

Wonderful, wish i could put one togethor. Maybe soon. Looks great. Thanks for the pics, i can live vicariously thru u until i can start on mine.