I'm building an AR15

[p246]

Actually gimp this is one of the few boards I post on. Maybe its because as a group we are a LITTLE older but you can have a discussion genererally with respect. As to the OP please let us know what you build and how how it shoots that's how we learn. If you run into any issues in the build we'd be glad to help.

[da gimp]

built/assembled 2............. Master guns Gus Fisher allowed that I must have been born under the right stars............... & still got lucky........ I had no problems in using Colt factory components ( only had the 2 part sets, no extras)....... everything went together as smooth as silk back in the mid 1980's.............. I crushed no receivers......... upper or lower & needed very lil fitting for the internals..........From what he & Ted Brown tell me, I was luckier than anyone had any reason to hope to be...... & to never assume that it ,might happen again in another 100 or maybe even 1000 yrs.....

[leemozoid]

I've built all of mine on Aero Precision and Spikes lowers. LPKs are all about the same. I do use RRA 2 stage match triggers just because I prefer that due to my years of M1 shooting. I have one Colt M4(gery) with a 6921 14.5" upper on a 6920 lower. For all the hoopla I don't find Colt to be that much more impressive. I do have one RRA 9mm and as far as the single stage triggers go it's the best. I've Form 1'd all of my lowers but one. I like 'em short 'n sassy!

[leemozoid]

If your a member of AR15.com their is a very well respected moderator named sulley that can confirm rock river two stage trigger stems can break and have. I,ve only saw three personally and he showed me one. Rock river makes a fine rifle but I do not think(my opinion) that the trigger stem is thick enough in that particular trigger. I think the Guisselles two stage trigger is more robust and a better albeit more expensive design. I will grant you some of guisselles match triggers are overpriced and finicky but there is a big difference between a sealed match unit and a mechanical two staged trigger. Personally unless it is a bench rest gun or an expensive competition gun the standard single stage trigger is hard to beat.

I'm leemozoid on ARFCOM. Bronze team member and frequent contributor to the OKHTF. I have RRA 2 stages in all of my builds except my RRA 9mm and Colt 14.5" M4. My first build was a 9" AAC .300 Blackout. I have run a crapload of suppressed sub sonic and supersonic through it without issue. I wonder if there weren't other issues involved in the manufacture of the ones that failed.

[p246]

I can't comment on sullys as I don't know background of rifle. The two I fixed both came off Rock River factory guns not home builds. Searching the internet I'm not seeing any bitching about it. As many rifles as they have sold I would assume if it was still an issue someone would post something. I think gimp was right about a Harding issue as all I saw broken were at the very base of the stem.

[Poetheraven1]

I to am a novice at building an AR. I am working on my first complete build, and I picked a very hard one. Parts are difficult to find and when I do, they sometimes take a long time to get. Demand for AR parts is very high, and suppliers inventories are very low, one of the reasons for the spike in parts costs. It depends on exactly what type of AR you plan to build. I purchased a complete DPMS Panther 223-5.56 and I think that got me hooked. The first thing I started to do was look at it and thinking what I could do with it. At first I just wanted to add some parts to it to accommodate scope, etc. but then I looked at the collapsible stock and wondered if I could change that out. After that, I just decided to build a whole new one. Anyway, Until I get my lower from NoDak Spud, I've been using the Panther lower. Bottom line is that I decided to build an XM16E1/M16a1 (603) look alike using AR15 parts, as depending on where you live, some M16 parts are against the law. My first M16 was issued to me in 1966 and I carried it to Vietnam, so its always carried a special place for me, getting the right parts can really be difficult. I use many suppliers depending on what part and what color finish I need and what they supply. Research is probably your best friend. The weapon I'm building is parkerized, while the later M16's were black. Also, the butt stocks were a lot different for the early M16's and are hard to come by these days. The website AR15.com is one of the best sites I've found for information and resources for building your weapon and obtaining parts.

[Former Cav]

This months NRA magazine (American Rifleman) has an article on building an AR-15 with sources listed.
I just ordered out a PSA lower complete for only $199.
Interestingly, in my "service rifle" (for NRA highpower shooting) I have a J&P brand trigger in it and it is awesome and has not given me any problems in a couple of thousand rounds at least.

[lucky dog]

Palmetto's barrels are made by FN USA. I have one of their 16 inch mid-lengths and I don't think you can go wrong with their uppers. My son's middy is a BCM and cost almost twice as much. The lowers I assembled from PSA parts and Aero Precision receivers. Unless you are planning on a trip to The Sand Box or other two way range use the savings on ammo or mags.

[bd1]

As many complete M4 semi-auto kits less lower I got sold for PSA while the special was on, I feel like I deserve a commission. There's NO FLIES on PSA's stuff. Spike's and LRB's stripped lowers are as good as anybody's for a DIY build.