Are you trying to figure out how to build a custom rifle? Read this article to learn how to build an AR-15 that you’ll be proud of.
Did you know that the average AR-15 in the United States cost $2,000?
If you’re looking to obtain an AR-15 but aren’t willing to shell out that kind of money, learning how to build an AR15 is your next best option.
Thankfully, learning how to build an AR-15 is a relatively simple process. If you are interested in learning how to custom build your own AR-15, we’ve created a complete guide to help you learn.
Keep reading to learn more!
What to Consider Before You Start
The first thing you need to do before you actually start building your AR-15 is to consider all body parts that will be necessary for you to build a working weapon. You’ll have to think about the price of tools, how much time you’re willing to spend on building your weapon, and the total cost of all of the parts you’ll need.
You will have to take the time to carefully research all the devices that you will need for you to build your weapon.
The tools that are needed can become expensive, so if you end up spending all of your budget on just the tools alone, you won’t have any money left over for the accessories in the parts that you need to actually build your weapon.
Look around your house to see if you have any of the tools that you need to build a weapon before you go out shopping. This will help you to save money in the long run, so you can spend the leftover money in your budget on other things, such as an AR 15 lower parts kit.
Before you officially sit down to begin building a weapon, you also need to take the time to figure out how much wiggle room you have in your budget from the initial concept idea to the official design. You should also have an understanding of how long it’s going to take for you to build a weapon, from the very beginning research stages to how much time is actually going to take you to build the weapon.
The Essentials You Need to Create Your AR-15
There are numerous main elements to go into building your AR-15. These are the upper receiver, the barrel, the lower receiver, the bolt carrier group, the length of the gas system, and the handguards.
For the lower receiver, there are several variations that you should be aware of. These variations are identified as the polymer lower, the billet aluminum lower, the forged aluminum lower, and the cast of aluminum lower. If this is your first time working with an AR-15 weapon, And if you’re looking for something that will help to keep the weight off of the little profile of the weapon, the polymer lower is the lightest of all of the other alternatives.
As for the upper receiver, there are two main systems that you will have to choose from. These are a piston system and a direct impingement system.
The Piston system is fixed to the bolt group. The direct impingement system is operated from the high-pressure gas from your cartridge that powers you’re used casings out of the chamber and puts a fresh one inside of the chamber.
Many people prefer using the direct impingement system because it is more precise than the piston system, and it’s more lightweight.
AR-15 Gas System
As for the gas system length, choosing the right system will determine how much action you’ll be able to get out of your AR-15. For there to be enough force for the cycle to be completed, it still has to be in the barrel when the gas hits the bolt carrier.
Barrel Length
You also have to keep in mind that the length of your barrel is important as well. There needs to be enough barrel length left over so that when the bullet leaves the muzzle of your weapon, there is sufficient gas that’s been transferred from the bolt carrier.
If there is too much length on your barrel, the bolt will have too much gas in it, which will cause a problem with a leak. When your AR-15 has a problem with leakage, the entire weapon can be damaged.
On the other end of the coin, if they barrel if your weapon is too short, there won’t be enough force for your bolt to be unlocked.
Bolt Carrier Group
As your bullet passes through the gas port in the barrel of your AR-15, there is a small amount of hot gas that flows into the tube and moves straight towards the bolt carrier group.
When these gases enter the bolt carrier group, there’s an expansion chamber that exerts pressure on the surfaces inside of the expansion chamber, which includes the three-ring bolt tail.
As there’s the force being pushed onto the piston, this pressure causes the bolt carrier to push backward.
There are two holes that are passed into the sea rings that are located on the tail of the bolt. These holes allow for the gas to be properly ventilated. As the bolt carrier starts to move back to its original position, there is pressure that’s exerted onto the bolt lug, which causes the bolt to move into an unlocked position.
Choosing the right bolt carrier group is absolutely essential, as it’s the lifeline of your AR-15.
Putting your AR-15 together
Once you pick out the best accessories and parts that you believe will work for your dream AR-15, it’s time for you to begin putting your weapon together. As you’re getting started, make sure that you have all of your parts and the tools that you need to spread out over your workspace.
Do your best to organize everything as best as you can, as you don’t want your parts to get mixed up or lost.
Step One
The first step that you need to take is putting together your forward assist on your upper. This piece of equipment should be a combination of your forward assist, your roll pin, and your forward assist spring.
Your forward assist should be able to move easily. If you’re able to freely move it around, you’re ready to start on the second step.
Step Two
Now you should begin installing your ejection port cover. This should include the cover pain snap ring, the cover pain, and the cover spring. You will know that you have completed this task successfully if the ejection port cover snaps closed.
Step Three
You should now begin working on your bolt carrier group assembly. This will include the bolt carrier, a boat, a firing pin, a bolt cam pin, and a retaining pin.
You can tell that you’ve successfully accomplished this step by lining up the holes and inserting your latch roll pin.
Step Four
After you’ve completed step three, you need to install the charging handle and the bolt carrier into your upper.
Step Five
Now you’re going to want to install the barrel in the threaded part of your upper. Once you’ve done this, you’ll want to take your inner barrel retainer and your receiver nut, and unscrew the two nuts from one another.
Be sure to cover the barrel threads with grease, as this will stop the threads from galling. You should work to unscrew the nuts by one single rotation so that the whole of your upper is lined up with the gas hole.
Step Six
Now, you’re ready to place your gas tube in your inner, upper, and outer along with the three holes that will be where you place your block. Be sure to loosen up the screws that are located at the bottom of your block, and slide the block so that it’s able to thread with the tube.
Make sure that you tighten the screws slightly so that you’re able to align the hole on your block with the hole in your gas tube.
Congratulations, you’ve just finished building your AR-15. Now you can add on any customized or unique accessories that you would like to make your weapon completely unique to you.
Understanding How to Build an AR-15
By having a solid understanding of how to build an AR-15, You can help save yourself a lot of money instead of purchasing one.
If you have access to enough workspace in the tools that you need to build this firearm, you’ll be able to better learn that building an AR-15 isn’t difficult and that it’s a fun hobby to partake in. If you’re looking to obtain an AR-15 but aren’t willing to shell out that kind of money, learning how to build an AR15 is your next best option. You can purchase AR15 lowers here.
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