How I Built My Own AR-15

I recently decided to build my own custom AR-15 by first purchasing a stripped lower receiver and then buying a rifle kit to complete the build. In this article, I will discuss the process and where I got the parts, as well as offer some practical advice on what you can expect going this route as opposed to just buying an AR-15 off the shelf.

Getting Started

Before you get started, you should know that the only part of this whole configuration that the ATF actually considers a firearm is the stripped lower receiver, which is the center of the whole thing. It may seem weird to think that chunk of metal is the key ingredient, but it serves as the main point where all the other parts connect. Buying a stripped lower receiver is just like buying any other kind of firearm, and you will have to go through an FFL transfer. I did mine at a pawn shop that also sells guns, and they charged me about 25 bucks to do the transfer. Once you get the stripped lower receiver, every other component from the barrel to the trigger assembly can be ordered online without any special license. I got my stripped lower for $89.95 from Brownells.com, so shop around because prices vary.

I bought a mid-length rifle kit from Del-Ton.com because they assemble and test fire the completed upper for you. I don't have the proper tools to mount the barrel and other parts, nor do I have the know-how to do it safely, so I figured it would be best to let the pros handle that part. I did still have to assemble the lower receiver, and that wasn't too bad at all. Del-Ton shipped the kit to me just a couple days after I placed the order.

One thing you need to keep in mind when purchasing these kits is that the uppers with the t-marks, like what I got, do not include any kind of rear sight. You can get the option of the A2 upper which has the built-in handle, but that will limit your upgrade options later on. If you stick with the t-mark upper, as pictured above, you will either need to buy a rear site or a detachable carrying handle that has a sight built into it. That's going to add another $50-100 to your purchase depending on what parts you buy. You may also considering adding a scope later on.

AR-15 Rifle Kit Assembly

Assembling the parts to complete the lower receiver only took me about two hours and I was taking my time and watching the instructional videos on Brownells.com for every step of the way. You will need a punch tool to get some of the little roll pins in place, but the rest can be done by hand if you are very careful. You can buy special made tools for assembling AR-15's, but they can be pricey and aren't practical if you are only building one. If you plan on making a hobby of this, then getting the extra toolkits might be worth buying.

With the completed lower assembly, all that was left for me to do was put my upper into the slots, line up the holes, and push in the pins to hold it in place. I noticed the connection between the two halves seemed a little loose, so I did some research on what to do if the upper and lower receiver do not fit together tight enough and was told to get an Accu-Wedge to tighten things up. It's a small piece of rubber that will take the rattle out of your AR-15, and it works beautifully.

Performance Review

My brother, who is a police officer as well as a fellow AR owner, inspected my rifle build before we test fired. He noticed a general lack of lubrication in and around the bolt, so we partially disassembled the upper and oiled everything down very well. Del-ton.com test fires their uppers before they mail them to you, and there was a little powder residue to prove that they stand by their guarantee.

To test fire my rifle, I bought a box of 20 rounds of that cheap Serbian-made Monarch ammunition from Academy. It was $9.99 and the cheapest thing on the shelf. I fired all twenty rounds with no major problems, though in the future I plan to use either Remington or Fiocchi brand ammo.

I was impressed by how accurate this rifle was from the get-go. I was shooting with peep sites in low light conditions and it had started raining, yet I held about an eight inch group pattern while sweating profusely in the balmy southern evening heat and standing upright without any means of bracing the rifle. I put every shot into the small target from a distance of about 75 feet, and I am confident that with a little tweaking I can make this rifle a dead aim.

Overall, I am impressed with the accuracy of my AR build. Be sure to wear hearing protection when shooting your own, because AR's are notoriously loud.

Final Thoughts

I am very happy with my overall experience and would gladly build another before I paid extra to get one off the shelf. The build process is fairly easy and kind of fun, plus I like the idea of knowing that I was responsible for how each piece of the gun was installed.

One final note - Before you go jumping into a project like this, make sure you have someone else on hand to give a final inspection before you go loading it up and pulling the trigger. If anything, have a real gunsmith check it out for you.