They/we help. But often it is in the traditional big brother, NOT .big brother, manner. I'll help you, make sure you get it done, but i'm going to give you shit.
Then, we'll go shooting to make sure it works.
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AR15 Build, how is it done ?
- Thread starter nordic alien
- Start date
Then, we'll go shooting to make sure it works.
Mesatchornug
NES Member
We're also more likely to help people who show the minimum respect of searching before starting a new thread... and not calling people names for not bowing to their demands.
pastera
NES Member
1/4" rod with an 1/8" cross drilled holeNot so much the springs as the TINY detent pins that go on top of those springs. Especially the front take-down pin detent. I found that putting a tiny bit of gun grease (I used slide-glide) on the spring/pin helped keep it in place while struggling to get it seated.
Ya, I spent way too much time in the basement yesterday.
A hitch pin will do
Insert the rod aligning the cross hole with the detent hole
Drop the spring in the the detent
Push into place with punch and rotate the rod 90°
Use the takedown pin to push the rod out while pinching the pin against the lower - nice and easy install
Mesatchornug
NES Member
Or, press it down with a razor, drop the pin on top, pull out the razor and push the pin in.
And if you do the whole thing inside a plastic bag you'll (almost) never lose the pin
jaypap
NES Member
RumRunner
NES Member
allen-1
NES Member
"who's"Whose angry?
I've gotten to where I can do it with my fingernails. Bought a few "woops" kits, so in the rare instance a detent pin goes flying, I don't even bother to look for it. Now, installing an Ak hammer spring is another thing, original style not too bad, ALG High Energy single wire spring:
jaypap
NES Member
Sorry just woke up from nightshift. Should be all CAPS if your angry.
allen-1
NES Member
YOU’RE
But he'll need a shovel to build an AK!
![[rofl]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/013.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
allen-1
NES Member
Go Green.
Mesatchornug
NES Member
yer
There are only two reasons to build an 80% lower...
1. Do you want to learn how to use machine tools to cut metal to build something?
2. Do you want an off the books lower?
If neither of these - don't bother.
Just get a stripped lower.
I've watched tons of videos but these are my favorite for a stripped lower...
www.itstactical.com
1. Do you want to learn how to use machine tools to cut metal to build something?
2. Do you want an off the books lower?
If neither of these - don't bother.
Just get a stripped lower.
I've watched tons of videos but these are my favorite for a stripped lower...
DIY AR-15 Build: Introduction, Parts and Tools Required
1 of 8 in the series DIY AR-15 BuildDIY AR-15 BuildDIY AR-15 Build: Introduction, Parts and Tools RequiredDIY AR-15 Build:... View Article
www.itstactical.com
StevieP
NES Member
as others have said, use a regular serialized stripped lower for your first. get a good trigger, and watch videos of how to put in the LPK parts, buffer, buttstock, etc.
Attach a complete upper, and you're GTG.
then on your next one, maybe go the 80% route. By then you may have a better idea of why you even want an AR, and will customize it to your actual needs and wants vs just buying the basic AR carbine components
Attach a complete upper, and you're GTG.
then on your next one, maybe go the 80% route. By then you may have a better idea of why you even want an AR, and will customize it to your actual needs and wants vs just buying the basic AR carbine components
Last edited:
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It’s really easy you don’t really need specific tools although the punch for the bolt catch is helpful, you can use a regular punch just put some tape on the receiver so you don’t scratch it if you even care
I've done a couple. Pretty easy and tons of step by step pages on the internet to help you out. I have done both buying a complete upper and building an upper and it's just easier to buy the upper complete. never bought a complete lower. They are just too easy to assemble
Marty McFly
NES Member
It's a tradition! Someone has to say it!
peterk123
NES Member
He's not wrong.
Marty McFly
NES Member
Thanks maura!
Garys
NES Member
I stripped my lower down to fit in a handgun case when we moved. The new owner of our house might find the selector switch detent some day. The basement where I did that stuff was completely emptied of everything when we moved. No carpet, just concrete floor. I have no idea where the detent went, so I just ordered a new one.
There is also a main spring retainer from a S&W semi auto in there somewhere.
Stuff just seems to go into orbit.
There is also a main spring retainer from a S&W semi auto in there somewhere.
Stuff just seems to go into orbit.
Not so much the springs as the TINY detent pins that go on top of those springs. Especially the front take-down pin detent. I found that putting a tiny bit of gun grease (I used slide-glide) on the spring/pin helped keep it in place while struggling to get it seated.
Ya, I spent way too much time in the basement yesterday.
71montess
NES Member
Only hard part is the barrel, and I say hard because you need some specific tools to not mess it up.
Everything else can be put together with whatever you have laying around your work desk right now.
Don't get me wrong, you can also easily put the barrel using non specialized tools. It is just you risk messing it up.
Now, let differentiate, build and assemble are not the same. Most people ASSEMBLE ARs. A few people get 80% lowers and drill them so we could say "build". But we mostly assemble these rifles.
![[popcorn]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/043.gif "Popcorn [popcorn]")
If you have access to a milling machine and know how to use it you can probably complete an 80% lower without too much trouble.
The technical drawings and basic list of the steps involved are available online if you search.
I have a couple of these sitting on the shelf, purchased when it seemed like they might go away.
I also happen to have a lathe, milling machine and related tooling, just need to find some time.
The router and drill templates seem like a crude way to do things, but folks do seem to pull it off.
The technical drawings and basic list of the steps involved are available online if you search.
I have a couple of these sitting on the shelf, purchased when it seemed like they might go away.
I also happen to have a lathe, milling machine and related tooling, just need to find some time.
The router and drill templates seem like a crude way to do things, but folks do seem to pull it off.
Rocky Mosasaurus
NES Member
Not directed at OP; In General: If you have never used a drill press, I recommend practicing first with a small steel square box you can buy at a hardware store that you would store electronic equipment inside. Clamp it down, put a few realistic holes in it after marking contact points, or better yet work on an actual project to simulate following directions during the build. Any DIY project, metalworking related. Do a couple cheap metal boxes and prepare yourself to handle the machine, how things clamp down, and how to line up the contact point with the drill bit. You don't want to rush into this and f*** it up and piss away money and resources.
Coda
NES Member
I think he is asking about an AR lower, not a P80. P80 instructions call for a drill press (but a Dremel works better). AR lowers are usually done with a router and end mill. The exception would be poly AR lowers which are sketchy at best.
But you are right, best to practice first. Unless you are really lucky the first one is usually a throw away. Like a lot of things, the more you do the better you get.
