Lower Build Tips/Lessons Learned

[EMTDAD]

Finally got all my parts for my first lower build.. not using anything fancy or pricey just in case I royally screw something up for my first build..

Stripped receiver
Lower parts kit w/trigger group
Buffer tube assembly
pistol grip
stock

I know I need to either pin the stock, or use one of those stock-stop thingies, eventually..

Anything, other than what's shown in this tutorial, that I should be aware of.. Any tips, things learned the hard way, mistakes to avoid??

How to Build an AR-15 Lower Receiver [Ultimate Visual Guide]

Don't want to mess up? Learn how to build an AR-15 lower receiver with 80+ pictures, tricks I learned the hard way, and recommendations of the best parts.

www.pewpewtactical.com

Anything in the tutorial that may be incorrect, misleading, or there might be a better/easier way??

Only tool I don't have yet is the Armorers wrench..

 

[jayhitek]

Just take your time. Make sure you use Aeroshell properly and the locktite.
And know ahead of time the Bolt catch will suck to install. Use painters tape to protect the lower from scratching when you install that.
and good luck!

 

[1903Collector]

Do not use pliers to install the bolt catch roll pin, JFC. Just get the right size punch and it sounds like you already have it, Use one of your smaller punches as a slave pin to hold the assembly together while you drive the pin in. Same thing with the Trigger and hammer assemblies, slave pins.

What I have noticed is that most people bang up the lower driving this pin in is because they miss the punch and whack the lower with the hammer.

 

[B191299]

It is helpful to have extras of the small pins and springs. They tend to fly away and never be seen again during the build.

 

[Spartan65]

Trigger Times | Brownells

Trigger Times | Brownells

www.brownells.com

Super easy to build them. It’s like Potato chips, you can’t have just one.

Someone had some stock stops for sale in the classifieds $25 for a whole bunch of them. I almost picked them up.

 

[Nick Leduc]

Special tools/fixtures are not needed, but do make life easier. If any $ in the budget, buy some nice punches. A nice bench block is convenient as well.

 

[dw617]

The bolt catch and front pivot pin installs are the pain points, but not difficult. The razor blade trick works well for the front pin. Don't use pliers to start the bolt catch pin, tape everything up and use the right punches. Also, you can chuck the rollpin into a drill and chamfer/taper one end to make it start easier.

 

[wilson911]

It is helpful to have extras of the small pins and springs. They tend to fly away and never be seen again during the build.

This cannot be stressed enough. So I'm going to "re-tweet" @B191299

 

[appraiser]

Springs will, with 100% certainty want to escape from your work area... the smaller the spring the further it will travel and the harder it will be to find.

You can take that to the bank

 

[mac1911]

Not needed but will make life easier

Solid bench, vise and appropriate vice blocks.
Eye protection, scratched my eye pretty darn good from a Dtent flinging up at me.

 

[Arto]

get the roll pin punches & holders, a torque wrench

BROWNELLS ROLL PIN HOLDERS | Brownells

Holds roll pins perfectly aligned for starting correctly. Especially good on the tiny, tough-to-grab ones, or those in tight places. 1/16" is notched to clear M16/AR-15 rear sight. 3.5mm excellent for holding the pin that retains the breech block ...

www.brownells.com

ROLL PIN PUNCHES | Brownells

With these pins becoming so common in guns, having the right punches to remove them is absolutely necessary. These punches are the only way to remove and re-use roll or spring pins without causing glaring damage to the pins. Solid steel punches, w...

www.brownells.com

AR-15 PIVOT PIN DETENT INSTALLATION TOOL | Brownells

Makes installation of the M16 pivot pin and its detent faster and easier. Prevents loss of detents. Guides detent and spring into place and serves as a slave pin when installing the pivot pin. SPECS: Blued steel. ј' (6.3mm) diameter. 2Ѕ' (6.3cm) a...

www.brownells.com

The Rock River "Oh Shoot kit" contains all the parts that you'll launch across the floor & never find

RRA 'Oh Shoot' Kit

Rock River Arms, Inc. offers a complete line of American made, custom built AR15 style rifles.

www.rockriverarms.com

It's worth getting the AR tools, cuz you won't scratch things up & you'll have so much fun & satisfaction, that you'll keep on building them

 

[B191299]

get the roll pin punches & holders, a torque wrench

BROWNELLS ROLL PIN HOLDERS | Brownells

Holds roll pins perfectly aligned for starting correctly. Especially good on the tiny, tough-to-grab ones, or those in tight places. 1/16" is notched to clear M16/AR-15 rear sight. 3.5mm excellent for holding the pin that retains the breech block ...

www.brownells.com

ROLL PIN PUNCHES | Brownells

With these pins becoming so common in guns, having the right punches to remove them is absolutely necessary. These punches are the only way to remove and re-use roll or spring pins without causing glaring damage to the pins. Solid steel punches, w...

www.brownells.com

AR-15 PIVOT PIN DETENT INSTALLATION TOOL | Brownells

Makes installation of the M16 pivot pin and its detent faster and easier. Prevents loss of detents. Guides detent and spring into place and serves as a slave pin when installing the pivot pin. SPECS: Blued steel. ј' (6.3mm) diameter. 2Ѕ' (6.3cm) a...

www.brownells.com

The Rock River "Oh Shoot kit" contains all the parts that you'll launch across the floor & never find

RRA 'Oh Shoot' Kit

Rock River Arms, Inc. offers a complete line of American made, custom built AR15 style rifles.

www.rockriverarms.com

It's worth getting the AR tools, cuz you won't scratch things up & you'll have so much fun & satisfaction, that you'll keep on building them

They are fun to build- it is really addictive

 

[50wt]

Im not too far from you if you need any spare springs and as for the bolt catch roll pin, I drilled and tapped mine.

 

[mac1911]

get the roll pin punches & holders, a torque wrench

BROWNELLS ROLL PIN HOLDERS | Brownells

Holds roll pins perfectly aligned for starting correctly. Especially good on the tiny, tough-to-grab ones, or those in tight places. 1/16" is notched to clear M16/AR-15 rear sight. 3.5mm excellent for holding the pin that retains the breech block ...

www.brownells.com

ROLL PIN PUNCHES | Brownells

With these pins becoming so common in guns, having the right punches to remove them is absolutely necessary. These punches are the only way to remove and re-use roll or spring pins without causing glaring damage to the pins. Solid steel punches, w...

www.brownells.com

AR-15 PIVOT PIN DETENT INSTALLATION TOOL | Brownells

Makes installation of the M16 pivot pin and its detent faster and easier. Prevents loss of detents. Guides detent and spring into place and serves as a slave pin when installing the pivot pin. SPECS: Blued steel. ј' (6.3mm) diameter. 2Ѕ' (6.3cm) a...

www.brownells.com

The Rock River "Oh Shoot kit" contains all the parts that you'll launch across the floor & never find

RRA 'Oh Shoot' Kit

Rock River Arms, Inc. offers a complete line of American made, custom built AR15 style rifles.

www.rockriverarms.com

It's worth getting the AR tools, cuz you won't scratch things up & you'll have so much fun & satisfaction, that you'll keep on building them

You really dont need “special “ tools.
Even with the collection of tools and my improvising of “special” tools through out my auto repair life
The tools are worth the value of less frustration , struggle and gets you to the end quicker.
The first 4 I assembled I did with out buying anything except the barrel nut tool. I now have just about every special assembly tool . I have not built a lower in some time though.
You can make the take down tool out of a dowel or clevis pin.
Plus you can help others out with your tools

 

[EMTDAD]

thinking of picking this up for free with points and discount.. $212.. .any thoughts on it.. seems to get good reviews..

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/real-avid-ar15-armorers-master-kit

Also, looking at complete uppers online, most all have flash hiders.. I have to remove this or replace with muzzle brake, correct?

 

[jayhitek]

Imo you don't need all that.

 

[OnTheRoad]

Good punches.
Take your time.
Get a pillowcase or grocery bag for when you put in springs and detents that may launch. Do the work inside the bag. That way the spring or detent will be captured instead of going into the Twilight Zone when they take off.

 

[paul73]

Finally got all my parts for my first lower build.. not using anything fancy or pricey just in case I royally screw something up for my first build..

Stripped receiver
Lower parts kit w/trigger group
Buffer tube assembly
pistol grip
stock

I know I need to either pin the stock, or use one of those stock-stop thingies, eventually..

Anything, other than what's shown in this tutorial, that I should be aware of.. Any tips, things learned the hard way, mistakes to avoid??

How to Build an AR-15 Lower Receiver [Ultimate Visual Guide]

Don't want to mess up? Learn how to build an AR-15 lower receiver with 80+ pictures, tricks I learned the hard way, and recommendations of the best parts.

www.pewpewtactical.com

Anything in the tutorial that may be incorrect, misleading, or there might be a better/easier way??

Only tool I don't have yet is the Armorers wrench..

it takes some practice but is very simple.
i like this detent pin tool:

Wheeler Delta Series Pivot Pin Detent Roll Pin Installation Tool AR-15

The Wheeler Engineering Delta Series Pivot Pin Detent and Roll Pin Installation Tool ends the aggravation of launching a pivot pin detent across the...

www.midwayusa.com

when you will be doing it - make sure to have other hand covering the spring and detent as you will try to push the pin - as without practice you may have a gap between tool and pin and the spring/pin will fly into the orbit to never be found. you need to keep a finger at the end of the tool to keep pressure there as you will be pushing pin in - to make sure the transition will not have a gap. extra pin kits are a good idea to have anyway, but the time you`ll get to your 3rd lower i bet you will have them.

no other tool is really needed for lower assembly.

i also like better videos at the midway for this thing - they are old, but good.

Video Library - MidwayUSA

Watch videos on shooting, reloading and home gunsmithing. Videos will demonstrate the needed supplies, parts and the knowledge to complete the project.

www.midwayusa.com

then click at 'The AR-15 Rifle -- Upper & Lower Assembly + Accessory Tips'

 

[paul73]

thinking of picking this up for free with points and discount.. $212.. .any thoughts on it.. seems to get good reviews..

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/real-avid-ar15-armorers-master-kit

Also, looking at complete uppers online, most all have flash hiders.. I have to remove this or replace with muzzle brake, correct?

dunno about that kit, seems a lot of $$$. but may be fine.
you will need for the upper a good cradle to have it in the vise and the barrel adapter to torque the nut. something like that:

browse up here:

Armorer's Tools - Botach

botach.com

 

[B191299]

dunno about that kit, seems a lot of $$$. but may be fine.
you will need for the upper a good cradle to have it in the vise and the barrel adapter to torque the nut. something like that:
View attachment 556028
browse up here:

Armorer's Tools - Botach

botach.com

These work well. They have 2 adjustable pins that lock it into the vice.

 

[Marty McFly]

Just for a lower you will already have everything you truly need. I like the punches but never tried the c clamp trick. I also use an Allen wrench about the size of the front takedown pin and install it that way but the razor blade might work better. Who knows

 

[mac1911]

it takes some practice but is very simple.
i like this detent pin tool:

Wheeler Delta Series Pivot Pin Detent Roll Pin Installation Tool AR-15

The Wheeler Engineering Delta Series Pivot Pin Detent and Roll Pin Installation Tool ends the aggravation of launching a pivot pin detent across the...

www.midwayusa.com

when you will be doing it - make sure to have other hand covering the spring and detent as you will try to push the pin - as without practice you may have a gap between tool and pin and the spring/pin will fly into the orbit to never be found. you need to keep a finger at the end of the tool to keep pressure there as you will be pushing pin in - to make sure the transition will not have a gap. extra pin kits are a good idea to have anyway, but the time you`ll get to your 3rd lower i bet you will have them.

no other tool is really needed for lower assembly.

i also like better videos at the midway for this thing - they are old, but good.

Video Library - MidwayUSA

Watch videos on shooting, reloading and home gunsmithing. Videos will demonstrate the needed supplies, parts and the knowledge to complete the project.

www.midwayusa.com

then click at 'The AR-15 Rifle -- Upper & Lower Assembly + Accessory Tips'

I had about 10 different sizes of clevis pins but be damned if I had one to fit. I needed some oderless mineral spirits so picked up one for $1:10 at the hardware store

How to install the front Pivot Pin using a $1 clevis pin - 56K death - AR15.COM

Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear.

www.ar15.com

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn9NWHQsPjc

 

[mac1911]

Oh support the trigger guard ears when installing the pin

 

[Uzi2]

Oh support the trigger guard ears when installing the pin

Agree, On 40 builds, I've never used anything but the edge of a bench top. Not broken an ear yet.

 

[Duxprep]

Oh support the trigger guard ears when installing the pin

This x 1 million. If you break an ear you're toast

 

[Parker Duofold]

I only buy lowers with integral trigger guard and the Allen screw roll pin. Using that kind of receiver might save you some time and frustration.

 

[EMTDAD]

dunno about that kit, seems a lot of $$$. but may be fine.
you will need for the upper a good cradle to have it in the vise and the barrel adapter to torque the nut. something like that:

I thought it was a lot too, until I started pricing some of the stuff individually.. Vice blocks at $35 each, bench block at another $35. Punches, hammer, armorers wrench.. plus the pivot pin tool, and special punches for the bolt catch... easily exceeds $200.. With Xmas Gift cards, discount, and points, plus 6% cash back on Retailmenot.com, I've got it completely covered.

 

[76Too]

Special tools/fixtures are not needed, but do make life easier. If any $ in the budget, buy some nice punches. A nice bench block is convenient as well.

I use a hockey puck with holes drilled in it. Throw it in the freezer before you drill it will make it easier

10’s of thousands of dollars worth of guns, and I’m too cheap to buy a piece of rubber block with holes/slots drilled in it.

OP, if you want to use my armorers wrench, just PM me your address and I’ll ship it to you if you pay the freight. Then just ship it back when you’re done.

 

[jayhitek]

I use a hockey puck with holes drilled in it. Throw it in the freezer before you drill it will make it easier

10’s of thousands of dollars worth of guns, and I’m too cheap to buy a piece of rubber block with holes/slots drilled in it.

OP, if you want to use my armorers wrench, just PM me your address and I’ll ship it to you if you pay the freight. Then just ship it back when you’re done.

I might be cheaper than you.. I took a scrap piece of 3/4" mdf and made my own..

 

[allen-1]

Im not too far from you if you need any spare springs and as for the bolt catch roll pin, I drilled and tapped mine.

Yup. I also tap the hole for the spring/pin for the safety lever.