I could use some help...

[Roy7]

Hey guys, I've been looking into building my first AR-15 but I don't know too much about it. I was hoping you guys could give me some insight into what good brands would be and which to stay away from and how easy/hard it is. I'm going to be using it for recreational use at the range. Thanks for takingthe time to help out a fellow gun enthusiast!

[TheBelly]

Assembling an AR is really easy. REALLY easy.

most parts are standardized, but some might have minor figment issues.

as long as the bolt carrier group and barrel are of a reputable quality, then the rifle will work.

[BPTactical]

Some thoughts to ponder:

Are you wanting to build it to save money? You likely wont.
Quality parts are still scarce and "bargain" parts never are a "bargain".
Do you understand the platform and operation well enough to know what will work with what? Granted most components are fairly universal but a neophyte can run into problems they don't understand.
Do you have the correct tools and knowledge to properly assemble the rifle? It is false economy to buy $200.00 worth of tools for one build.
Everything goes together fine until a roll pin seizes or you break the trigger guard ear.
AR's are fairly straightforward to assemble but they do have their nuances and there are little things that will set apart an ordinary build from a first class build.
Not trying to discourage you at all but step back and look objectively at it.

I would suggest for a first rifle go with a factory rifle. Learn the platform and tweak it as you go. Then when you know what you want and what will work for you build your dream rifle.
Or pick up a complete upper from say PSA and assemble the lower of your choosing.

[ray1970]

BP has pretty much said it all.

TheBelly touched on a very good point as well. If you want a rifle that is going to run properly, the two parts I wouldn't get cheap with are the barrel and the bolt carrier assembly.

And, as BP mentioned, if you don't already have some of the special tooling necessary to put the thing together, you can probably expect your cost to be well over $1000 even for a "budget" build.

Definitely not trying to discourage you. It's a fun hobby and you can have a rifle set up just the way you want when you get it done. Just trying to give you a dose of reality to make sure you know what you're jumping into.

[TheBelly]

To add to what Ray mentioned: here's a question....

do you have the requisite knowledge to understand the small but significant differences between twist rates, gas systems, buffer weights, etc. to really know what you want out of the gun.

If I were to give one piece of advice for this, it would be this: work with a well qualified gunsmith and tell him/her what you want the gun to you. Use a smaller local business. You will DEFINITELY get exactly what you want.

I'd suggest BP Tactical.

[Roy7]

I'm not sure where to start with to reply haha

BP, I'm not wanting to build one to save money or anything, just so that I can learn more about guns and say that I built this one myself. I'm somewhat familiar with the AR platform, I do have one already and I break it down sometimes trying to learn how it works and what's what. I would love to work side by side with a gunsmith and learn more about guns but I don't know anyone who does.

[StagLefty]

Take your time and get your "needed tools" if you really want to do a complete build. There are loads of you tube build helps available for any particular segment of a build.

[blacklabel]

Are you wanting to do a full build or just put together a lower and mate it to a completed upper?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[brutal]

Whatever you do, do NOT buy an AR-Stoner BCG. Junk.

[Roy7]

Are you wanting to do a full build or just put together a lower and mate it to a completed upper?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I was wanting to fully build it from the ground up, not just slap together an upper and lower.