First Build, am I forgetting anything???

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on M4C but I have been reading for a long time. I would like some help weather or not I am forgetting anything for my first build. I am currently living overseas and having parts shipped to a family member in the US. The following is a list of parts and tools I have ordered or that I am planning on ordering soon.

Essential Lower Parts (purchased):
• Vltor iMod Buttstock + Buffer tube assembly
• G&R Tactical LPK
• ALGD Combat trigger
• Pmags

(will purchase)
• Stripped Lower Receiver (suggestions welcome)
• MIAD Pistol Grip
• Magpul Enhanced Trigger Guard

Essential Upper Parts (purchased):
• Vltor MUR
• BCM stripped 16” mid-length Barrel
• AAC Blackout Flash Hider
• DD 9” Lite Rail
• BCM Gun Fighter Charging Handle
• Mid-length Gas Tubes

(will purchase)
• Troy Di-optic Folding Rear
• I will have the Barrel sent off to ADCO to have the FSB pinned
• BCM BCG

Tools
• Lower Vise block + panther claw
• Punch set
• Blue 242 Loctite
• Taper Pin Starter – for installing taper pins in FSB
• Prick Punch - For Staking Buttstock
• AR15 Cleaning kit (Suggestions welcome)
• Bolt Catch Pin Punch
• Headspace Gauge
• Dummy rounds

I’ve been saving and putting these parts together for almost 2 years and just want to make sure I’m not going to forget anything. Any help is greatly appreciated.

:help:

2

Welcome to the forum! Heres a parts list
http://www.brownells.com/UserDocs/Miscellaneous/ARCLform.pdf Imagine yourself building/walking through with your parts to these vids. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/learn/How-to-Build-An-AR-15-Video Oh yea heres a manual for good measure. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/learn/How-to-Build-An-AR-15-Video And dont be afraid of the search button:D

3

I use brownells for all my tools- just built a lower and three uppers with no problems. Use the brownells videos,on the website.

Ar vise block set (mag and upper receiver holder)
Roll pin starter punches ($50) but worth it
Roll pin punches
Armorers tool
Barrel nut wrench: 5 pins so it won’t slip, let’s you use a torque wrench

Parts list looks good. Have fun!

4

I will add suggestions within the quote

This is the best DIY videos I have seen and it worked great for me. They are done by an M4C member

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0915D057E1B32683&feature=plcp

Just my dos centavos Good Luck!

5

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I have watched the brownells videos but it seems like a lot of the tools they use are quite unnecessary and I don’t want to spend too much on special tools. Rather spend it on ammo :wink:

I forgot the roll pin punch set, I will be buying one of those. I was thinking an ASAP plate btw. And already have a DPMS AR15 tool.

I’ve never heard of that Vibra-tite stuff is it better than loctite for some reason?

As for the upper vise block I’ve read that the MUR does not fit in standard blocks. That’s why I’m going with the panther claw.

6

Alot of the tools are un-necessary. For example I don’t use a lower vise block for an average build. The only thing that needs torquing is the castle nut and you can really do that without the lower vise block.

As for the upper, The AR tool will really help you out especially with the castle nut. I suppose you can do without it but I suggest getting it especially for torquing the barrel nut. A good adjustable wrench is a time saver too, the Ar tools aren’t always the most snug fit.

A strap wrench helps but you can do without in some cases. I haven’t found a case yet where I absolutely needed a strap wrench. I have one, and I use it, but there are alternatives.

A good upper vise block is a must.

punches of various sizes are a must, and I have a good assorted set so I am not sure of exact sizes.

A spring pliers for putting on the snap ring if you have a delta ring assembly.

A soft hammer and a heavier ball peen hammer. I am an animal and 4 oz just won’t do it for me. I use an 8 oz.

torque wrench

A small flat head screw driver to help with the front pivot pin detent. If you don’t get the pin starter punch set, you will need a good needle nose pliers. I personally use needle nose pliers and never had a problem.

Off the top of my head that’s about all you NEED as far as tools go.

Edited to add a list of all AR parts. I copied this from a spreadsheet I use when pricing custom builds…

AR 15 Parts List

Part Name
hammer w J spring
hammer spring
safety selector
bolt catch
bolt catch screw
bolt catch buffer
bolt catch spring
magazine catch
pivot pin detent
pivot pin spring
pivot pin
disconnector spring
disconnector
trigger
trigger spring
Lower reciever (forged, milled, cast?)
tigger guard pin
trigger guard
trigger guard detent spring
trigger guard detent
magazine catch spring
magazine catch button
hammer pin
trigger pin
pistol grip screw
lock washer (for pistol grip screw)
Pistol grip
safety detent spring
safety detent
takedown pin spring
takedown pin detent
takedown pin
buffer retainer spring
buffer retainer
buffer assembly
buffer tube
sling / stock swivel
access door hinge
access door hinge pin
rear swivel screw
access door assmbly
butt plate screw
buttplate
buttstock
buttstock pad
buttstock space
latch pin spring
stock latch pin nut
stock latch nut pin
stock latch screw
sling swivel screw
m4 stock latch
catch spring
lock plate
buffer spring
charging handle
charging handle latch spring
charging handle latch
charging handle latch roll pin
forward assist pin
forward assist only, round
forward assist spring
upper reciever
dust cover spring
dust cover pin
ejection port cover hinge pin snap
dust cover
firing pin
firing pin retaining pin
bolt carrier key screwS (2)
bolt carrier key
cam pin
bolt carrier
extractor pin
ejector roll pin
ejector spring
ejector
extractor
extractor spring
bolt
bolt gas ringS (3)
float tube/hand guard
barrell spring ring
barrell spring
delta ring
round handguard end cap
barrell extension pin
barrell extension
gas block / front fixed sight
front sight detent
front sight spring
front sight base
barrel (16", 20", 24")
barrel nut
crush washer
flash hider / compensator
gas block
gas block set screws / pins
gas tube
gas tube roll pin
bipod stud / rivet
sling swivel
magazine

7

Your parts list looks pretty good… should make a great rifle. I’d do it differently but that’s nothing more than personal preference. But how sensitive to cost are you? I think you’re coming in a bit more expensive than you could be. Perhaps after amassing parts over 2 years you don’t really care, nothing wrong with that. But if it were my list and I was watching dollars then I might:

– Sell the expensive DD Lite rail while it’s new and buy a Troy Alpha rail because it’s a lot cheaper and I don’t need the quad rails (you’d need to buy a barrel nut)
– Sell the AAC flash hider and buy an A2 for $8 because for me it’s just as effective
– I don’t think the MIAD is worth the extra $15 over an MOE but it’s probably not worth changing at this point
– I don’t have any experience with the Vltor MUR. I’m sure it’s great but in my mind it’s always been in the “not worth the money” category (which I admit isn’t fair since I’ve never used one)
– Sell the IMOD stock kit

Then the recovered money can be spent on the Vltor A5 system someone else suggested (although I’d put a SOPMOD stock on it but that’s just what I like).

You didn’t list a gas block but did mention sending the barrel to ADCO for pinning a FSB. That means you already have the FSB, right? That’s the only “missing” part that I can tell.

Good luck!

8

The biggest thing is having the right tools. While there are some tools you don’t HAVE to have, having them removes much of the stress that can pop up.

As an example:

I have done a million front pivot pin detents without any special tools. Just a flat head screw driver or other similar thing. But I have had my share of launched pins, then 15 minutes looking for it, etc.

I finally got one of these:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26488/Product/PIVOT-PIN-DETENT-INSTALLATION-TOOL

It has removed 95% of the stress involved with that piece. Is it necessary? No. Is it extremely helpful? Yes.

It does not need to be this exact same part as I am sure there are other similar things out there. At least I assume there are. But while it seems not necessary, these simple tools can make the job a lot faster and more enjoyable and less stressful.

If you deal with standard GI type barrel nuts, I have found the regular GI barrel nut wrench to be a life saver (has to be a real GI one, not an after market knock off – I bent a knock off one that looked the same to hell and then went and found one of my real GI ones in the silver paper wrapper that I had gotten like 15 years earlier at a gun show before the Clinton ban and it worked first time, and did not deform at all)

I use a DPMS upper receiver block – the white one that goes up inside the receiver and pins to the pivot pin holes. I have also the claw type that surround the receiver but no longer use them – they don’t fit too many uppers, like the MUR, that I have. I have had to operate a little on the DPMS when working with certain rails so that I can get into the fasteners for the rail (DD Lite Rail for example)

I personally don’t have or use a lower receiver block.

Get a set of punches and a set of roll pin starter punches is a must.

I have a lot of other specialty tools, but they are not really necessary.

–

9

Not any bad advice here. However, I do think there are some unnecessary tools that Brownells sells. At the same time, there are tools folks don’t get that I think they probably should. I’d rather have spent my money on quality Starrett punches that won’t bend/break and a torque wrench than to have bought every little tool Brownell’s sells because they say you need it. Here’s what I build my AR’s with. I can build one from scratch with what’s shown in this pic pretty easily:

Here’s how I use my DPMS claw so I don’t torque/break the takedown pin lugs:

Don’t forget to lube the receiver threads. I use Brownell’s ALP:

Also, though not totally necessary, I like using a torque wrench for barrels and stocks:

10

no pics :frowning:

11

oh there they are. how do i delete a post? :blink:

12

I think Surf’s YouTube vids on the M4 assemble ought to be stickied.

13

I try to keep extra detents and springs for the pivot pins around. Nothing makes me more mad than having to stop my build for a week until new ones arrive.

14

Oops, I quoted the wrong post…

15

I second that: very comprehensive and simple.

16

:stuck_out_tongue:
Thats why I told him to get a 2nd LPK. Even my smooth tile floor in the living room absorbs detents:eek: You can never have too many spares;)

17

Thumbs up. I was going to say this.

I haven’t launched too many detents but have launched once or twice. I could fabricate a detent easily if I absolutely had to, but it might not be to the same hardness, but if in a pinch it can be done. I spent a day researching and measuring various little parts (springs, screws, detents, pins) if the need ever arises. While buying these little parts at your hardware store will probably mean they are not of the same quality, if you need a quick fix it can work. For example I once bought a LPK and didn’t get the screw for the pistol grip, so I went to my local auto repair supply store and picked one up.