So i want to build an M4 but i have not found any place with a how to on a build.
I am new to build but have always loved guns…
So basically im looking for any advice on how to build one?
Is it cheaper than just going out and buying one?
Are there any disadvantages to build/buying?
Whats so good how to sites?
and whats some good parts manufactures?
I just finnished my M4 and if you’re looking for a “tutorial” Brownells has a video course that you can view online for free. Lots of great info there
All the information I needed to build my M4 was learned here with the search button, Tons of great info here!
As far as price is concerned, I think you could break even or maybe save some green backs if you can find parts at reasonable prices. I spent alot of time on the internet looking for reputable companys with resonable prices and had the parts I needed in stock. Most of the stores in my area is marking up their prices up to 80%. Like LPK with a MSRP of $65 but selling for $110. YMMV
Actually, if you read the stickies, you won’t HAVE any questions. Nobody is going to take you under their wing as a pet project and spoonfeed you everything. The best accumulation of quality advice and information is but a search away.
Searches and stickies are the way to go. I’d probabaly have a couple of hundred posts by now if I didn’t use them. Plus, going through the searches will increase your knowledge base which is always a good thing. Then, after you’ve gotten all the info, maybe PM someone who has alot of background in the subject and they are usually more willing than not to help you out.
Welcome Fireguy. I am afraid that I have more questions than answers for you.
Why are you looking to build rather than buy?
I am currently gathering parts for an M4 build. But I have two reasons for this;
First, my wife bought a stripped lower and a lower parts kit a few years ago. She never did anything with it, since she fell in love with ak-47, shortly there after. So, I am already saving money, since she bought these not long after the 94 ban expired. And secondly, we have a good friend who can do AR builds in his sleep. So he already has the tools and the expertise that I will need. Plus he has spare parts that he is selling me.
What are you planning on doing with this M4? If this is just something that you want to have and enjoy shooting, I would try to find a complete M4 and plenty of mags. Especially if this is your first EBR.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. I am somewhat new here myself and am slowly learning my way around here too.
BTW, I would cautiously not worry about any bans in the near future. Congress and the White House have bigger things to worry about at the moment. Your biggest threat is all of the panic buying upping the costs of guns, mags and ammo.
Not necessarily true. My Noveske cost me less to build than an outright purchase, plus I have the options that I wanted. My upcoming SBR will probably cost the same or slightly less than a complete one, but again I will have the options that I want on it. YMMV.
I have built two rifles so far and it is pretty straight foreward. The only things that were tricky were putting together a stripped lower and fitting the gas tube. Nothing that your average mechanically inclined person can’t handle. I did have the benifit of a perfectly working S&W to use for reference. If you have no experience with rifles you may want to buy your first one just to familiarize yourself with with how everything works. Brownells videos helped alot. I also bought several specialized tools from them to help like a action vise and a barrel wrench and some roll pin punches.
If you are just getting started with AR’s buy a quality, basic complete rifle/carbine first. It will be cheaper than a build and will allow you to learn the platform/system.
Once you have become familiar with the complete carbine, you will get a sense of what you like and don’t like. From there you can build on the carbine you already have or buy a new lower and begin a build.
I just built a CAR15 (Israeli) clone for the experience. You really get an appreciation for how the system works when you build it yourself. 20 years of handling AR15/M16/M4 type weapons and I learned more building one than I had just being an end user.
My next rifle will probably be an LMT that I buy in halves (lower, then upper).
This way I can SBR the lower and wait for my tax stamp and my 10.5 upper to arrive.
It will become my ‘go to’ carbine for classes, etc.
Buying is less of a hassle but not as much fun in the long run at least in my case. Its so much more rewarding to know that you built your gun, know exactly how it works and what goes where.
Being in the military ive got a good base of how they run and how to strip them down. If i ever have questions i just grab an armorer. But i will say this about that, you have a better base of infor here on M4carbines than I do at work.
Search the site i found a tutorial that was step by step. Me and a buddy put my lower parts kit in in like 5 minutes with whatever tools he had in the kitchen, after several beers.
So its not complex at all. And the best part is you get exactly what you want, you never caught down the road wishing you had free floated this, or single point mount, its all you man.
So go for it, fultonarmory sells some of those little parts and odds and ends if you dont have someone who builds them locally.
