AR-15 Lower Build

[tjtM38]

I know many of you have built your own AR-15 rifles, but this will be a first for me. It starts with this stripped lower. The Anderson lower looks very basic, but very nicely finished from what I can tell through the package. This was only $39.95, so not an expensive lower for my first try. I have decided to make a carbine and have ordered Spike's Tactical standard LPK, Spike's Tactical six-position milspec buffer tube, and Magpul MOE butt stock. I have not decided on an upper at this point. I am just going to build the lower and test it with a Colt M4 upper first.

[millman]

[ksbanker]

It's great fun! I searched for blemished parts and was able to afford better parts for the nearly the same money. The struggled to find the blemishes!

[M39 Shooter]

Support the little tab for the trigger guard when you install the roll pin for the guard itself, they break. Get a good set of roll pin punches, there invaluable . Especially the roll pin for the bolt release.

[mogunner]

I bought a bunch of kits from Outdoorsportsusa.com, they come complete with everything except the stripped lower receiver.

[RazorBurn]

I've had and currently have AR's of many flavors including Colt, Noveske, Spikes, PSA, USM4 and Anderson. I've used a bunch of PSA and Anderson lowers and have never had an issue with any of them. Sure I like my Colt and Noveske but the Anderson and PSA work just fine too.

Post up some pics of the finished product when it's done.

[entropy]

I know many of you have built your own AR-15 rifles, but this will be a first for me. It starts with this stripped lower. The Anderson lower looks very basic, but very nicely finished from what I can tell through the package. This was only $39.95, so not an expensive lower for my first try. I have decided to make a carbine and have ordered Spike's Tactical standard LPK, Spike's Tactical six-position milspec buffer tube, and Magpul MOE butt stock. I have not decided on an upper at this point. I am just going to build the lower and test it with a Colt M4 upper first.

I recommend building it as a pistol first, and document the build. (Assuming your receiver was listed as other on the 4473) Once built as a pistol, you can put it any configuration you want, except you cannot have buttstock and a barrel shorter than 16" on it at the same time. (I'd just leave my SBa3 brace on it full time anyway. ) BUT build as a rifle, always a rifle. You cannot put a barrel shorter than 16" on it no matter what you have stock setup you have on it.

I have built two AR pistols with Anderson lowers. They are good quality.

First pistol build:

Dyl's AR.jpg

My younger son shooting it.

My second:

SBa3 extended.jpg

The upper on the first is from CDNN, the second is Palmetto State Armory.

[tjtM38]

Support the little tab for the trigger guard when you install the roll pin for the guard itself, they break. Get a good set of roll pin punches, there invaluable . Especially the roll pin for the bolt release.

I have roll pin starter punches specific for the AR-15 made by Schuster. I also have some good brass punches that should be useful. Just going to take my time, tape the lower to protect the finish and go for a quality build. Then I will decide what I want to do about the upper; buy one assembled or build it myself. At this time, I am thinking about making a carbine in 7.62x39 caliber.

[tjtM38]

Well, I did it. With the right tools and some patience it went pretty smooth for my first one. Kudos to Spike's tactical for a really high quality parts kit and buffer assembly. Now to decide on an upper. That's something I don't have all the tools for, so haven't decided if it will be a build or a buy. Anyway, I am going to shoot this one with a Colt upper for a while and see how I like it.

[mogunner]

I know many of you have built your own AR-15 rifles, but this will be a first for me. It starts with this stripped lower. The Anderson lower looks very basic, but very nicely finished from what I can tell through the package. This was only $39.95, so not an expensive lower for my first try. I have decided to make a carbine and have ordered Spike's Tactical standard LPK, Spike's Tactical six-position milspec buffer tube, and Magpul MOE butt stock. I have not decided on an upper at this point. I am just going to build the lower and test it with a Colt M4 upper first.

I recommend building it as a pistol first, and document the build. (Assuming your receiver was listed as other on the 4473) Once built as a pistol, you can put it any configuration you want, except you cannot have buttstock and a barrel shorter than 16" on it at the same time. (I'd just leave my SBa3 brace on it full time anyway. ) BUT build as a rifle, always a rifle. You cannot put a barrel shorter than 16" on it no matter what you have stock setup you have on it.

I have built two AR pistols with Anderson lowers. They are good quality.

First pistol build:
Dyl's AR.jpg
My younger son shooting it.

My second:

SBa3 extended.jpg

The upper on the first is from CDNN, the second is Palmetto State Armory.

"Document it"? What is this "document" that you speak of? I live in a free state I guess, no documentation as a rifle or pistol at any point.

[millman]

As I understand it, it is federal and not a state thing. I too live in a "free state", but a rifle receiver cannot be made into a pistol. Per the BATFE. Entropy gives sound advice here methinks.

[entropy]

Document the fact that you built it as a pistol first. You may live in a free state, but the ATF has jusrisdiction in all 50 states concerning such things, and documenting the process is good insurance. YMMV.

[mogunner]

Document the fact that you built it as a pistol first. You may live in a free state, but the ATF has jusrisdiction in all 50 states concerning such things, and documenting the process is good insurance. YMMV.

I've never "documented" a build in any manner, I swap uppers and lowers as I desire. I think Missouri is about as free as you can get these days. All mine come as "other" on the 4473, no one knows, or needs to know what I do with them after that. If I was concerned about it then I'd just split uppers from lowers and store them separately but I'm not that paranoid.

[Lavitias]

Document the fact that you built it as a pistol first. You may live in a free state, but the ATF has jusrisdiction in all 50 states concerning such things, and documenting the process is good insurance. YMMV.

I've never "documented" a build in any manner, I swap uppers and lowers as I desire. I think Missouri is about as free as you can get these days. All mine come as "other" on the 4473, no one knows, or needs to know what I do with them after that. If I was concerned about it then I'd just split uppers from lowers and store them separately but I'm not that paranoid.

Na Alaska is definitely friendlier don't even need a law enforcement agent to sign off on NFA purchases there anymore. Plus unless it complies with state law Alaska tells all cities to stuff it when it comes to gun laws. Missouri will allow cities to restrict open carry unless you took the trouble to get a CCW.

But this isn't about the friendliest states for gun laws. Entropy is giving sound advice in this case especially since the alphabet boys are trying to change the rules again. If you have proof it was built as a pistol first they can't come back later and say you made and illegal SBR then.

[mogunner]

Document the fact that you built it as a pistol first. You may live in a free state, but the ATF has jusrisdiction in all 50 states concerning such things, and documenting the process is good insurance. YMMV.

I've never "documented" a build in any manner, I swap uppers and lowers as I desire. I think Missouri is about as free as you can get these days. All mine come as "other" on the 4473, no one knows, or needs to know what I do with them after that. If I was concerned about it then I'd just split uppers from lowers and store them separately but I'm not that paranoid.

Na Alaska is definitely friendlier don't even need a law enforcement agent to sign off on NFA purchases there anymore. Plus unless it complies with state law Alaska tells all cities to stuff it when it comes to gun laws. Missouri will allow cities to restrict open carry unless you took the trouble to get a CCW.

But this isn't about the friendliest states for gun laws. Entropy is giving sound advice in this case especially since the alphabet boys are trying to change the rules again. If you have proof it was built as a pistol first they can't come back later and say you made and illegal SBR then.

If it doesn't have a stock on it, then it wouldn't meet SBR specs. Unless the dealer recorded it as a rifle, there is literally no way ATF could claim you altered it illegally unless you were dumb enough to put a stock on your 11" barreled assembly.

[Lavitias]

Document the fact that you built it as a pistol first. You may live in a free state, but the ATF has jusrisdiction in all 50 states concerning such things, and documenting the process is good insurance. YMMV.

I've never "documented" a build in any manner, I swap uppers and lowers as I desire. I think Missouri is about as free as you can get these days. All mine come as "other" on the 4473, no one knows, or needs to know what I do with them after that. If I was concerned about it then I'd just split uppers from lowers and store them separately but I'm not that paranoid.

Na Alaska is definitely friendlier don't even need a law enforcement agent to sign off on NFA purchases there anymore. Plus unless it complies with state law Alaska tells all cities to stuff it when it comes to gun laws. Missouri will allow cities to restrict open carry unless you took the trouble to get a CCW.

But this isn't about the friendliest states for gun laws. Entropy is giving sound advice in this case especially since the alphabet boys are trying to change the rules again. If you have proof it was built as a pistol first they can't come back later and say you made and illegal SBR then.

If it doesn't have a stock on it, then it wouldn't meet SBR specs. Unless the dealer recorded it as a rifle, there is literally no way ATF could claim you altered it illegally unless you were dumb enough to put a stock on your 11" barreled assembly.

You'd also think theirs no way they could go back and classify a smooth bore rifle as a Short barreled shotgun since it doesn't even meet their definition of a shotgun to begin with but welcome to 2019. Talking about the reformation there yes it's a stupid rifle to begin with but point still stands. And yes I know that's a oxymoron but again welcome to 2019 and the ATF doing whatever they want apparently.

[mogunner]

Document the fact that you built it as a pistol first. You may live in a free state, but the ATF has jusrisdiction in all 50 states concerning such things, and documenting the process is good insurance. YMMV.

I've never "documented" a build in any manner, I swap uppers and lowers as I desire. I think Missouri is about as free as you can get these days. All mine come as "other" on the 4473, no one knows, or needs to know what I do with them after that. If I was concerned about it then I'd just split uppers from lowers and store them separately but I'm not that paranoid.

Na Alaska is definitely friendlier don't even need a law enforcement agent to sign off on NFA purchases there anymore. Plus unless it complies with state law Alaska tells all cities to stuff it when it comes to gun laws. Missouri will allow cities to restrict open carry unless you took the trouble to get a CCW.

But this isn't about the friendliest states for gun laws. Entropy is giving sound advice in this case especially since the alphabet boys are trying to change the rules again. If you have proof it was built as a pistol first they can't come back later and say you made and illegal SBR then.

If it doesn't have a stock on it, then it wouldn't meet SBR specs. Unless the dealer recorded it as a rifle, there is literally no way ATF could claim you altered it illegally unless you were dumb enough to put a stock on your 11" barreled assembly.

You'd also think theirs no way they could go back and classify a smooth bore rifle as a Short barreled shotgun since it doesn't even meet their definition of a shotgun to begin with but welcome to 2019. Talking about the reformation there yes it's a stupid rifle to begin with but point still stands. And yes I know that's a oxymoron but again welcome to 2019 and the ATF doing whatever they want apparently.

By taking that stance then there's no point in "documenting" it either, since you obviously believe that no matter what the ATF would still do whatever they want. There is absolutely no way to "document" a build other than taking it in and selling it to a dealer, then having them do a 4473 and selling it back to you as a pistol. Even saving all your receipts wouldn't actually prove that it was built as a pistol, if you want to argue the point in that manner, your only recourse would be to never own a firearm. Even then, using your "logic", the ATF could still charge you with whatever they like...

[tjtM38]

Well, all this talk about pistol vs. rifle doesn't too much matter to me. It is going to be a carbine with a 16-inch barrel. I just can't decide what to pair up with it. I have been looking seriously at an Adams Arms piston upper. Anybody with any experience with one, please chime in with what you think.

[mogunner]

Them's some pretty pricey setups. I've stuck with the "old style" at least until a few more years have passed and all the bugs are worked out of the piston setups and prices come way down. Hell, I don't have as much in any of my total builds as they want for their cheapest upper.

[RazorBurn]

I know many of you have built your own AR-15 rifles, but this will be a first for me. It starts with this stripped lower. The Anderson lower looks very basic, but very nicely finished from what I can tell through the package. This was only $39.95, so not an expensive lower for my first try. I have decided to make a carbine and have ordered Spike's Tactical standard LPK, Spike's Tactical six-position milspec buffer tube, and Magpul MOE butt stock. I have not decided on an upper at this point. I am just going to build the lower and test it with a Colt M4 upper first.

I recommend building it as a pistol first, and document the build. (Assuming your receiver was listed as other on the 4473) Once built as a pistol, you can put it any configuration you want, except you cannot have buttstock and a barrel shorter than 16" on it at the same time. (I'd just leave my SBa3 brace on it full time anyway. ) BUT build as a rifle, always a rifle. You cannot put a barrel shorter than 16" on it no matter what you have stock setup you have on it.

I have built two AR pistols with Anderson lowers. They are good quality.

First pistol build:
Dyl's AR.jpg
My younger son shooting it.

My second:

SBa3 extended.jpg

The upper on the first is from CDNN, the second is Palmetto State Armory.

I'm with entropy. Hell, just build them all...