First ever build

AR/M4 Custom Build Forum
1

Let me preface this with saying that I have owned a bushmaster ar15 lightweight model. When I purchased it I also purchased a cheap rail, and had a nice ARMS 40L rear sight on the rifle, along with a LMT SOPMOD stock.

I ended up selling that rifle and had a few bolt action rifles and then sold a pistol to obtain a WASR 10/63 (Romanian ak47) which had a bent receiver, then returned it (after Century declined fixing/replacing it) and got a m70 (underfolder ak47) rifle. After making that one reliable I sold it (on good conscience) and got an Arsenal sgl31 (ak74). Well I sold it too a few months ago.

Now I want to get back into having an ar15 - my experience with the AR was that it was a pain to clean but it always ran great and never gave me any real issues. I had worse luck with my ak47’s. The 74 was actually pretty nice but hated that the good ammo was corrosive and I had to clean it ASAP to avoid the corrosion.

I am looking at either a 16" or 14.5" (perm attach flash hider) with carbine gas system OR a 16" middy upper from BCM or Colt or whatever other “GOOD” brand AR manufacturer. I know AIM has a Spikes middy upper for sale right now…

Lower doesnt really matter as long as its not a piece of junk, I would like it to match but it doesnt have to. I havent built one yet but as long as I have the tools I am not afraid to build it with a LPK. Im not afraid to tackle this after everything I went through with my ak’s :laugh: .

As for the aesthetics I will probably end up going with Magpul’s MOE handguard, vfg, pistol grip and either a CTR, ACS or LMT stock depending what I can find used on here. Ill most likely get their brand rear sight as well.

Any insight as to what tools ill need to get this done? I know ill need a handguard tool, and the armorers wrench to get the castle nut for the buffer tube installed.

Did I miss anything?

Other questions:
What buffer do I need if I have the following:

  1. 16" carbine gas system
  2. 14.5" carbine gas system
  3. 16" middy gas system
2

anyone?

3

First off, im new to the AR world and have only built one rifle. Some tools that came in handy for me were…

Soft small hammer (copper)
Taped channel lock pliers
Small needle nose pliers
Set of punches (more info on here as to what type- do a search)
Wooden block
A LPK installation guide and video (Youtube)
A few small bins to place tiny tiny parts in so they didn’t roll off the table
Razor blade (for the spring and detent in the front takedown pin)
Some Lube
Some Blue locktite
and finally a beautiful woman to hold stuff for you. (the beauty is not necessary but i found it helps)

4

There’s been a lot of threads about buffers here…if you do a search, you’ll find a days worth of reading.
However, most people find that an H2, especially in a middy (14.5 or 16) is where it’s at.
Some even go as far as an H3, but I’d rather err on the side of caution and stick with an H2 - especially in a duty rifle.

5

I have a H buffer now but my spikes upper is coming with a H2 so Ill have to try them out and see.

I built the lower and ordered the rest of the upper and everything else that I didnt have for the lower (sling plate, castle nut and stock). AIM is running a pretty sweet sale right now :).

6

Just because I built it this week:

Spikes mid length upper
Spikes lower
Magpul MOE grip, stock, forearm
Troy rear buis
MVG

I almost ordered a S&W M&P 15 with the MOE gear on it for $970 from Bud’s - thats before the transfer fee, and of course it would have cost more since I was paying with a creditcard and that was the cash price.

Overall I spent $970 and that includes the castle nut wrench, handguard tool, and a Troy sight that costs $60 more than a magpul sight that comes on that rifle. Oh and I have two buffers, a heavy buffer and spikes h2 buffer.

So in the end I came out ahead by building it myself :), AND I got a midlength gas system.

:slight_smile:

Overall I am ecstatic that I actually spent LESS money and got MORE of a rifle :slight_smile: