[e43jimmy409]

OK, I have a buddy that just bought a complete lower and a stripped upper. I am trying to talk him into selling the stripped upper and buying a complete. This is his first AR and he has a friend that said he could put it together. I am unsure of his gunsmithing abilities, another reason I am trying to get him to buy a complete. Do any of you have a parts list or a link to a parts list to build an upper. What is an estimated cost difference of building one vs a $400 psa upper? Sorry building an upper is completely foreign to me, I have only built a lower. Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sgt_Skrb_25]

It's pretty simple to build the upper. The first thing is to have the right tools. An armorers wrench that can torque the barrel down, also some roll pin punches, a vice block,vice, locktite(for gas block set screws). What he needs is a forward assist assembly, ejection port cover assembly, barrel , free float quad rial,(which comes with the barrel-nut) or a different type of hand-guard),gas tube(length varies based on the barrel he buys and the gas system it was built for, like pistol, carbine, spectra, mid, or rifle length), low profile gas block( diameter is based off the barrel size again,generally a .750 gas block)gas block roll pin, and a muzzle device of his preference, bolt carrier group, charging handle. You can slap it together in 15 minutes. There are variations of the gas blocks, it base on preference, I only build with free float quad rails that cover the gas system so I use low profile gas blocks, and mount sight on the same plain flat top. Cheaper than dirt has great you tube bids on how to build. that's we're I went for my first of 11 builds to learn. It's intimidating the first time, but very simple and satisfying to know you made it.

 

[Jpyle]

http://www.midwayusa.com/General.mvc/Index/how-to-build-ar-15-rifle

 

[Jpyle]

OK, I have a buddy that just bought a complete lower and a stripped upper. I am trying to talk him into selling the stripped upper and buying a complete. This is his first AR and he has a friend that said he could put it together. I am unsure of his gunsmithing abilities, another reason I am trying to get him to buy a complete. Do any of you have a parts list or a link to a parts list to build an upper. What is an estimated cost difference of building one vs a $400 psa upper? Sorry building an upper is completely foreign to me, I have only built a lower. Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.

posted a few pics of the parts needed along with a link to a good "how to." Price difference is not all that great especially with build #1 since there are some special tools required for the upper, i.e. a good bench vise, receiver block, torque wrench, barrel nut wrench, roll pin starter punch.

The real benefit of building your own is the ability to choose the components you want. For example if you want a BCM bolt carrier group, a Daniel Defense receiver, a Krieger barrel and a Yankee Hill gas block you will either need to have a custom built AR from a gunsmith or do it yourself.

 

[Cattledog]

I'd say yes to building it if you guys are gonna take on the build yourselves. It's always better to build, so you know your rifle inside and out. But if your friend is just going to have someone build it for him, what the hell is the point.

Youre asking about cost? I'll say collecting the upper parts will be more expensive in the long run for two reasons. 1) people get impatient and don't take the time to shop for the best deals and B) If all the parts are ordered online, expect to pay another 50-100 more in shipping all those separate parts compared to buying a complete. If one takes their time, gets the good deals, a straight collect/build can end up a wash vs. a complete upper. Maybe cheaper. It has been done. Then again, the quality and brands of the parts come into play as well. It's not a honda civic, it's an AR. There's about 10 times as many parts vendors.

homework, homework ,homework

best of luck, I expect pics!

 

[e43jimmy409]

Hey guys I really appreciate the the info. Thats why I love this forum. Thanks again. I will keep you all up to date