Building a featureless AR

[Fightingfish]

Tapco, as much maligned as they have been over the years, sells a damn fine armorer's wrench. I have one, works great. You don't need it though. The punches used to install those roll pins will also work to install the castle nut if need be. Or any spanner wrench that fits works also.

Pro tip, install anything with a spring and detent in the shower with curtain closed and drain plug in. Easier to find that stuff when you inevitably try to beat space x into orbit. There are other methods, but this is quick and easy.

I also like the spikes tactical tool less trigger guard. Those ears on the lower are the most likely place to break something. Otherwise just don't pound on the thing like a gorilla and you'll be good.

Yeah, flying springs and pins are fun. The first time I took apart my Ruger (my first semi auto), I idiotically hit the trigger with the lower pulled off. Finding those pieces was a blast. Lesson learned, though...I’ll never make that mistake again.

 

[scooter86]

My wife would be very unhappy when I install a bench vise in the shower.

Why pray tell would you need a bench vise? Not necessary for the pull pin detents or the safety detent. Bolt release/detent/ and spring can be captured with a small punch or even a nail or straightened paper clip from the barrel side while you drive the roll pin from the buffer side. Nothing is needed to install the trigger group either‍. The vise would make installing the bolt catch easier. I have never Needed one though.

 

[Fightingfish]

Why pray tell would you need a bench vise? Not necessary for the pull pin detents or the safety detent. Bolt release/detent/ and spring can be captured with a small punch or even a nail or straightened paper clip from the barrel side while you drive the roll pin from the buffer side. Nothing is needed to install the trigger group either‍. The vise would make installing the bolt catch easier. I have never Needed one though.

Thank you for bringing up a question I knew was coming but didn’t ask yet.
I hear a lot about vice blocks for receivers, but I don’t always see them mentioned in tutorials. I have a built upper assembly minus BCG, but I will be assembling the lower when it comes in, and then putting the two together. Is it necessary?

I have a Tipton gun vice with the locking cam. Is that enough?

 

[scooter86]

Thank you for bringing up a question I knew was coming but didn’t ask yet.
I hear a lot about vice blocks for receivers, but I don’t always see them mentioned in tutorials. I have a built upper assembly minus BCG, but I will be assembling the lower when it comes in, and then putting the two together. Is it necessary?

I have a Tipton gun vice with the locking cam. Is that enough?

The Tipton should work. I have always used an old 2x4 and the floor to assemble mine. Support the ears for the trigger guard, install that first. A little oil on the roll pin and I use a pair of pliers to gently collapse one end to help it get started. My punches are all metal, so I wrap the handle in painters tape when driving in the bolt catch roll pin. The vise will be handy for the buffer tube castle nut, but I have never needed one there either. Hell, I still haven't even staked the last one I built yet in case I change my mind on the end plate. Low round count but it is holding up fine so far.

 

[dsdmmat]

Thank you for bringing up a question I knew was coming but didn’t ask yet.
I hear a lot about vice blocks for receivers, but I don’t always see them mentioned in tutorials. I have a built upper assembly minus BCG, but I will be assembling the lower when it comes in, and then putting the two together. Is it necessary?

I have a Tipton gun vice with the locking cam. Is that enough?

You may want a bench vise to torque the barrel nut to the upper receiver. Aside from that they are quite handy for everything but not necessary for putting an AR together.

My gunsmithing/ reloading room is In the 150 square foot room between the kitchen and the bathroom. My presses, tumbler, bench vise, drill press and desktop milling machine are in there. as long as I keep metal shaving, wood shaving and assorted other undesirable material off the floor the wife does not complain too much.

 

[Fightingfish]

The Tipton should work. I have always used an old 2x4 and the floor to assemble mine. Support the ears for the trigger guard, install that first. A little oil on the roll pin and I use a pair of pliers to gently collapse one end to help it get started. My punches are all metal, so I wrap the handle in painters tape when driving in the bolt catch roll pin. The vise will be handy for the buffer tube castle nut, but I have never needed one there either. Hell, I still haven't even staked the last one I built yet in case I change my mind on the end plate. Low round count but it is holding up fine so far.

I saw on one tutorial that blue loctite was an acceptable substitute for staking, but I’ve also seen loads of posts indicating otherwise.

Would something like this give enough whack to displace enough material to properly stake the castle nut?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07S87W9XY/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Justincase]

Make sure you don't order an Aero Precision enhanced upper with the Atlas handguard. They don't fit together. Not sure if that's what you posted earlier but you said something about an enhanced upper and Atlas handguard.

 

[Fightingfish]

Make sure you don't order an Aero Precision enhanced upper with the Atlas handguard. They don't fit together. Not sure if that's what you posted earlier but you said something about an enhanced upper and Atlas handguard.

I have a BA enhanced upper that has an atlas handguard. I’m waiting for the BA enhanced lower to come in. I’m pretty sure all the BA stuff is the same as Aero, anyway.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I have a BA enhanced upper that has an atlas handguard. I’m waiting for the BA enhanced lower to come in. I’m pretty sure all the BA stuff is the same as Aero, anyway.

Ballistic Advantage has great stuff. I have a few of their barrels and am nothing but impressed with the quality and accuracy.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Make sure you don't order an Aero Precision enhanced upper with the Atlas handguard. They don't fit together. Not sure if that's what you posted earlier but you said something about an enhanced upper and Atlas handguard.

I cant speak to Aero but certain fancy uppers won't take handguards that have antirotation tabs. My Mega billet upper won't.

 

[Fightingfish]

Got my wrench and 2x10rd mags in today. They were supposed to show up yesterday—in fact, fedex marked them as “delivered”—but they went to the wrong house. A phone call to the distro center, and they showed up at my house today.
CDNN got this stuff to my house in a hurry! 40 bucks plus shipping (~50, total) feels like a good deal for what I got. I’ll definitely be checking them out for more stuff.

i ordered an Aero nickel-boron coated BCG and a spare parts kit, so I’m waiting on that to come in. After that, all I’m down is a lower (if BA ever gets another batch going) and an optic, and I’m good to go.

 

[scooter86]

Awesome. I wouldn't even sweat the lower from BA. AR 15 lowers are all compatible. Here is an Aero(who owns BA now) lower in stock and ready to ship. These have the tensioning screw for upper/lower fit. They also have the enhanced version available that has a built in trigger guard For a few bucks more.
Shopping

 

[Fightingfish]

Awesome. I wouldn't even sweat the lower from BA. AR 15 lowers are all compatible. Here is an Aero(who owns BA now) lower in stock and ready to ship. These have the tensioning screw for upper/lower fit. They also have the enhanced version available that has a built in trigger guard For a few bucks more.
Shopping

I know, I’ve had one in my cart at least once every couple days since I started this build! Their enhanced lowers are virtually identical, function and feature-wise, to the BA...I just like the branding on the BA stuff, and think it’d be cool for it to match my upper. Shallow, I know, but this is a “fun gun,” on which I’ve already blown past my original budget, haha.
Thank you for the heads-up though. I’m tremendously appreciative of the collective wisdom of this site and its members.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Set screw installation for the bolt catch is nice to have. Not crucial but really nice to have.

 

[jw816]

I don't know how you are going to load the mag. I bought three BF-10 quick loaders and a Lance mag according to the following thread.

Bear Flag Defense Speedloaders?

Has anyone used these? do they work as well as their video's show? I am looking for speed loaders and seems there is only a couple to choose from. Does one work any better than The other?

nygunforum.com

 

[Fightingfish]

I don't know how you are going to load the mag. I bought three BF-10 quick loaders and a Lance mag according to the following thread.

Bear Flag Defense Speedloaders?

Has anyone used these? do they work as well as their video's show? I am looking for speed loaders and seems there is only a couple to choose from. Does one work any better than The other?

nygunforum.com

They are detachable, so I was probably going to get the Maglula designed for .223/5.56, because I adore their Uplula device for 9mm.

 

[jw816]

Sorry, I got confused.

 

[Fightingfish]

Ok, big week!

Got my BCG and emergency repair/spare parts kit from Aero, and had my barrel pinned and welded at South Shore Sportsman. they took it in on Saturday, and had it ready last night, picked it up this morning. Great turnaround, considering they've had a line out the door every time I’ve been there.

I’m one lower/optic away from a complete rifle!

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Get ready for the post build depression.

 

[fnfalguy]

Get ready for the post build depression.

You know what cures that, another build.

 

[dsdmmat]

Get ready for the post build depression.

You mean build #2 lol

 

[dsdmmat]

I think I am on build Eleventytwentynine

 

[ArmedCorgi]

You know what cures that, another build.

It's a vicious cycle.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I think I am on build Eleventytwentynine

You mean onetyonetwentynine

 

[Fightingfish]

Get ready for the post build depression.

I’ve got a few things on the back burner that I hope will assuage my inevitable sadness...I still wanna get some MCarbo internals and a light for my PCC. Then I just gotta get better at shooting...

 

[Fightingfish]

What do you guys recommend for lubing a nickel-boron-coated BCG? There is some wacky, conflicting advice on the web, ranging from no lube (ouch!), to Slip 2k ewl, to synthetic motor oil, to automotive grease, to various combinations and concoctions. There seems to be no real consensus, with regards to a true “best practice.”

its not gonna have a super-high round count, and I am fairly retentive when it comes to keeping my firearms clean, so it’s not gonna go super long between cleanings. I just like keeping my things nice, so I like using the right stuff.

I am currently using Break Free CLP on my PCC for everything, and Ballistol on my lever guns, though I suspect I could use sand for the latter, and they’d still work just fine.

It‘s sort of implied in every post I make here asking for advice, but it bears repeating: thanks for your patience in dealing with an amateur like myself!

 

[@thewheels]

I use Break Free CLP on everything.
And nickel boron or not, put some lube on it.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

The nickle boron will also likely lose it's chrome like brightness over useage. It will likely turn to a more gun metal gray, which is also cool. Mine did anyway.

 

[Fightingfish]

The nickle boron will also likely lose it's chrome like brightness over useage. It will likely turn to a more gun metal gray, which is also cool. Mine did anyway.

I’m cool with that!

What you use to make it slippy??

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I’m cool with that!

What you use to make it slippy??

Sorry, I forgot to answer that. A good CLP or Ballistal will work well. There are all kinds of fancy lubes that also come with fancy prices. I think the EWL is supposed to be top notch, but also pricey. DON'T use FrogLube with the nickle boron. I say that because I used it with mine and the bolt would stick after I was done shooting or if I let the gun cool too much inbetween mags. I ended up getting a chrome bolt and just used it with the boron carrier. I also stopped using froglube.