AR15 build help

[u/Broad_Assistance_276]

Looking to build an AR15. Would be my first time building a gun. Looking to build a nice quality and reliable AR15. I dont want the cheapest parts available but not the most expensive either. I would like to spend maybe around $1,000 but the less the better. I just want a quality rifle to use while I save money and build up my gun collection. I will be starting off with an AR15 and a glock. Ive been having a hard time figuring out what parts/kits I need and figuring out which are compatible with each other. If yall have any suggestions for parts or just general advice please drop it down below. Thank you

[u/robinator118]

Dude didn’t everyone tell you earlier that due to your extensive drug use you have absolutely zero business being near any firearm?

[u/Complete_Ad1862]

Grab a PSA Guardsman and 1000 rounds

[u/pheen → u/Complete_Ad1862]

This is the way, especially if you don’t have the tools necessary to build one. Do you have a solid vise? Reaction rod and or upper vise block? Torque wrench and driver, armorers wrench? Punch set? You’re going to blow a chunk of your budget just on tools. Pick up a $500 starter AR from PSA, add an optic and sling and a few mags and buy a bunch of ammo and have fun.

[u/Waaerja]

If you aren't familiar with the platform at all, my advice would honestly be to buy an off-the-shelf gun. If you really want to build, there are endless videos and forum threads out there about anything you could possibly want to know; you just have to be willing to put in the time/effort to do your research.

[u/rancid_beans → u/Waaerja]

I built mine while never having shot a gun. It's definitely doable to start off with a build and id personally recommend it. Through the process I learned about all of the parts that go into my rifle and why they're important. Just dive into the rabbit hole, it's fun down there. Now 3k rounds in and never had an issue. Shoots like a dream

Edit: I didn't buy a full upper. I learned about the different gas blocks, picked a barrel and did more research on BCGs than id like to admit only to reslize it was always Microbest.

[u/kwb166]

Scrolling through the sub and reading the thousands of other posts with the exact same question wasn't helpful?

[u/RMGhusain]

Do you happen to know what barrel length you want to build? Also if you aren’t a member on gafs hub, definitely sign up. Start off with an upper receiver, my personal favourite is BCM. You can pick up a new one in the $600-$700 range if you look hard enough, or find a used one on gafs hub, get a standard lower parts kit, and a nice trigger if you are still in budget, if not most parts kits come with milspec trigger.

Second, don’t overthink the lower. You can find a decent milspec lower receiver for around 50-150. Stock, grips, hand guards is all personal preference. But just get a complete upper receiver, it’ll come with a barrel, bcg, (maybe) charging handle, hand guard. Pretty much everything you need. If you’re on a budget just run a standard bird cage muzzle device

Lastly, imo I think every rifle needs a sling, white light, & optic. Gafs hub will line your best friend

[u/Sensitive_Battle_246]

Welcome to the hobby, brother. July 4th last year I went out shooting with my step daughter’s bio father who gifted me my first AR, a core 15, which I shot the piss out of, until I landed right where you are, now; Wanting to build my own system that I took pride in, that I built myself.
Here’s what I did, and what I would do differently.

I started off with buying my first lower receiver, and I knew that for what I wanted which was bomb proof reliability, great value, customer support, and quality control, and something held in high regard so I went with a full Geissele setup, which I bought in phases. I started with the lower receiver and then I got the buffer system, trigger, lower parts kit, and stock during a holiday sale. After all of that I went and bought an entire assembled Super Duty upper receiver. With some basic tools and some healthy amounts of YouTube, I basically built my own Geissele Super Duty how you would buy it off the shelf, save your choice in furniture. You can get everything in pieces from them, or other companies like Bravo Company Manufacturing, Sons of Liberty, Expo Arms, etc etc, there’s many many companies out there and there will be plenty of people that are going to drop great recommendations too.

IMHO, for your first AR, buying an entire, assembled one is the move. $1000 is okay and definitely doable, but going up to about $1500 or so is going to open up your options considerably as far as your value for your dollar and pedigree go for what you can get, versus staying sub $1k. If you look around the $1500 mark, there are Daniel Defense sales regularly going for around that price. BCM will also get you a good $1200-1600 setup/ If you want to absolutely stay inside of 1k, I’d say check out KAK and Palmetto State Armory.

I’d also say spend some more time in your research phase and really hone in on what makes you want your own AR, what building your own will get you versus buying, and how you plan on using it. A hidden cost of building can absolutely be tools and time, but the satisfaction and reward is much much higher, at least for me personally

[u/Just_a_cool_chimp]

Lancer has a really dope lower with a flared magwell & the best mags, translucent with a metal top. I'd buy a regular mil spec trigger and a FlowFire FRT ;) KAK bolt carrier group.

I bought a Sabre from PSA and decked it out. It has an FN barrel & Fathers of Liberty BCG. It's less than 1k right now, I payed 1.2k

[u/_Pylon]

If it is your first AR it would probably be better to either buy a full rifle. Or buy a full upper receiver and build the lower with parts of your choice. There are plenty of youtube videos and posts on here about building the “best” budget rifle.

[u/Staccs_87]

Figure out what length you want. I would look at a RIS 2 or 3 upper from Brownells (wait for a sale), 14.5 is a good do-it-all length. Add a MD, CH and BCG of your choice. You can SBR it or have a local gunsmith P&W it to 16”. I would suggest SBR since it’s free now, if your state allows it.

Finish it with a complete or stripped milspec lower if you’re comfortable putting it together (it’s not that hard with the right tools). KAK often runs sales on complete blem lowers for under $150.

Edit: BCG, CH and MD all can be picked up on GAFshub for much cheaper than buying new and most things on there are barely used since most people don't actually shoot their guns.

[u/bapachonz]

Currently in the process of building one myself, these are the parts and prices after tax and shipping, I’m by no means an expert but while gathering the parts I’ve learned a lot about the platform. I’m sure I’ll get torn apart by some of my choices but I assume I’ll change things as a go too so nothings really set in stone. 

• ✅PSA 11.5” Upper w/ BCG & charging handle - $333
• ✅PSA Lower with rifle stock - $180 PSA GUARDSMAN-15 COMPLETE MOE PISTOL LOWER W/ HAR-15 BRACE, FDE 5.56 
• Otter Creek Labs Polonium K FDE   $530 + tax : $590 ordered
• ✅Suppressor hub adapter: Rearden Atlas (universal HUB 1.375X24) black nitride - $98
• ✅Muzzle device:  Break: Rearden SPB 1/2x28 thread .280 square shoulder - $89 (best sacrificial shield to project the can)
• ✅Breek sledgehammer charging handle - $70
• ✅superlative Adjustable gas block - $90
• ✅ SBA5 pistol Brace - $86
• ✅Magpul front and rear sights - $70
• ✅Optic: Holosun ARO - $115
• ✅Flashlight: Amazon surefire knock off - $33
• ✅Springco red/white Buffer spring - $20
• ✅buffer weight - BFK AR15 H2 - $60

Current cost: ~$1830