AR Build Questions.......

[ffuries]

I'm wanting to do an AR build reminiscent of the M16s we used when I first came into the USAF in 86. And since I found pictures of what rifles we used in my Basic Training Yearbook, I know what I need per se. Thought we used M16A1s, but apparently we used the basic M16 (No shell deflector, no forward assist, etc). So now that's out of the way, I've got some questions.

I'll be using a Slab Side upper (No forward assist, no shell deflector). Obviously I can find the upper, but not a complete upper. So I'll be needing a barrel installed when I start getting the upper parts together.

I own an AR in the M16A2 configuration already, and after the new one is done, I don't see myself getting anymore, and if I do they won't be builds. If and that is a big if, I get another it would be an M4 style, as we started getting them in about 5 years before I retired. I just never carried them. So I don't see myself getting the tools to do this. Once the upper is built, I'll slap a completed lower on it.

It'll be accurate to a point, but not 100% accurate, such as I'm not worry about it having a pencil barrel, but want to have a 3 prong suppressor installed.

What is the average rate to install a barrel?
What all is needed to install the barrel? IE Do they need the BCG for head spacing etc?
What is the average rate to install the front sight base and flash hider.

Lots a questions from a guy who knows what he wants, but doesn't have the tools, skills and knowledge to do it. This won't be something that will happen right away.

I know I'll need the upper, barrel, front sight base, triangular handguard cap, gas tube assembly, barrel nut assembly. 3 prong flash hider.

Is there anything else I'd need to get to have the upper built?

Thank you in advance for the help and answers, just trying to get a game plan and parts list together.

[tjtM38]

Have you thought about buying a complete retro rifle? Brownell's has a complete line of them. They are a bit pricey, but to be honest, it will probably cost as much to have this done. I have built one AR; put it all together with a lower receiver, lower parts kit and railed upper which I assembled myself. It will be the last one I build, because when I added up the investment in tools and parts, I could have bought a really nice rifle assembled. Don't get me wrong, it was fun doing it and the rifle came out really nice, but I'm not interested in going through the process again at my age.

[ffuries]

Have you thought about buying a complete retro rifle? Brownell's has a complete line of them. They are a bit pricey, but to be honest, it will probably cost as much to have this done. I have built one AR; put it all together with a lower receiver, lower parts kit and railed upper which I assembled myself. It will be the last one I build, because when I added up the investment in tools and parts, I could have bought a really nice rifle assembled. Don't get me wrong, it was fun doing it and the rifle came out really nice, but I'm not interested in going through the process again at my age.

Thought about it but it'll be $1300.00 to $1400.00, then I'll have to change out the buttstock, pistol grip, handguards (Green for black) and possibly the charging handle don't know of we used the triangular charging handle or not on ours in the 80s. It's been a hundred years since I went through basic.

[tjtM38]

Have you thought about buying a complete retro rifle? Brownell's has a complete line of them. They are a bit pricey, but to be honest, it will probably cost as much to have this done. I have built one AR; put it all together with a lower receiver, lower parts kit and railed upper which I assembled myself. It will be the last one I build, because when I added up the investment in tools and parts, I could have bought a really nice rifle assembled. Don't get me wrong, it was fun doing it and the rifle came out really nice, but I'm not interested in going through the process again at my age.

Thought about it but it'll be $1300.00 to $1400.00, then I'll have to change out the buttstock, pistol grip, handguards (Green for black) and possibly the charging handle don't know of we used the triangular charging handle or not on ours in the 80s. It's been a hundred years since I went through basic.

Well, I couldn't tell you. I must admit that in 33 years of active and reserve Air Force service, I never touched a M-16 or M4. All I ever had to qualify on was the S&W .38 and later the M9 service pistol.

[mogunner]

Prices to do the work you want done will be all over the place. Not a lot of special tools needed to install a barrel, an upper vise block and armorer's wrench and a torque wrench will do installs for barrels using a delta ring barrel nut. Your M16 and A1's along with any configuration using the A2 front sight assembly/gas block would require the barrel to be drilled for the installation of pins to hold the gas block assembly in place for authenticity which would require you to either buy a barrel with that already installed, or take it to a qualified gunsmith that does such work.

Muzzle devices use either a crush washer or a locking nut, or are pinned in place and the head of the pin welded over, I"m not sure which one would be correct.

[ffuries]

Prices to do the work you want done will be all over the place. Not a lot of special tools needed to install a barrel, an upper vise block and armorer's wrench and a torque wrench will do installs for barrels using a delta ring barrel nut. Your M16 and A1's along with any configuration using the A2 front sight assembly/gas block would require the barrel to be drilled for the installation of pins to hold the gas block assembly in place for authenticity which would require you to either buy a barrel with that already installed, or take it to a qualified gunsmith that does such work.

Muzzle devices use either a crush washer or a locking nut, or are pinned in place and the head of the pin welded over, I"m not sure which one would be correct.

Found a pencil profile barrel with the FBS and triangular handguard cap already installed. Would need to have it installed to the upper reciever and the 3 prong suppressor installed (going with threaded suppressor so a crush washer). Found the slab side with BCG included.

So for the total upper would be around $770.00, then what ever it will run to have the barrel installed on the recieved and the 3 prong installed. Then I'll just go with either an A1 or A2 lower.

Wad just going to do an AR with triangular handguards, until I looked at my basic training yearbook and discovered we used the slick/slab sides when I first came in.