New to the AR platform, questions also san antonio specific

[dicion]

I'm also considering building an AR.

I watched the Bushnell's videos on building an AR. It seems that you need a lot of specialized tools: the full AR armorer's toolkit cost more than a low-ball AR-15.

But the videos were informative.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1100 ... R-15_Video

Depends on how far into 'building' you want to go.

I, personally, bought a complete lower, and a complete upper, and went from there.

If you're going to buy stripped lowers and uppers, then yes, you're at least going to need a decent amount of tools, I wouldn't say they cost that much though.

The #1 tools you'll need are a good vice and an AR Armorers Wrench. The rest can be done with standard hand tools imo.

[karl]

Any advice on what brands are worth buying? I know there are a lot of manufacturers that develop the AR, like the 1911.

[carlson1]

Any advice on what brands are worth buying? I know there are a lot of manufacturers that develop the AR, like the 1911.

A - Armalite
B - Bushmaster
C - Colt
D - DPMS

R - Rock River Arms

[dicion]

Any advice on what brands are worth buying? I know there are a lot of manufacturers that develop the AR, like the 1911.

A - Armalite
B - Bushmaster
C - Colt
D - DPMS

R - Rock River Arms

It really depends on the price range he's looking for.
I'd consider the 'Top Tier' AR's to be:

Colt, Noveske, LMT, and BCM.
Theyre excellent, but you'll pay a premium for the name and reputation.

Mid Tier would be Bushy, RRA, Stag, DPMS, Armalite, IMO

[karl]

Thanks for the advice, any opinions on S&W? Something just draws me to it, brand loyalty maybe. Still open to others.

[dicion]

Thanks for the advice, any opinions on S&W? Something just draws me to it, brand loyalty maybe. Still open to others.

Sorry, absolutely No experience with S&W AR's. I know they're not commonly included in the 'best buy' lists anywhere that I've seen.

If you get one, let us know how it works, I'm definitely interested :)

[southboundp]

I knew I shouldn't have opened this topic. Now I've got the bug to build. One novice question: Do ALL parts from ALL manufacturers fit inerchangably? Let's say I have a comlete lower from one company and a complete upper from another. Will they fit together the same? I will be doing most of my ordering off the internet and don't want to waste alot of time/money/effort in ordering parts that won't fit/work well together. Thank you.

[TLE2]

I chickened out and bought a complete upper and lower and stock and...

OK, I just bought a complete AR-15.

[dicion]

I knew I shouldn't have opened this topic. Now I've got the bug to build. One novice question: Do ALL parts from ALL manufacturers fit inerchangably? Let's say I have a comlete lower from one company and a complete upper from another. Will they fit together the same? I will be doing most of my ordering off the internet and don't want to waste alot of time/money/effort in ordering parts that won't fit/work well together. Thank you.

Yep, pretty much - I had a lower from one manuf and the upper from another - fit together just fine. The only real exception seems to be is that Colt has large-sized receiver pins and everyone else uses a smaller size.

This used to be true with older Colts. They have since gone to the same size as everyone else. If you're buying new, you won't have to worry about this at all.

[d strokes]

How would you guys rate Spike's Tactical? - http://www.spikestactical.com

I'm looking at getting a couple lowers from them, or possibly a whole rifle

[Chuck TX]

Any advice on what brands are worth buying? I know there are a lot of manufacturers that develop the AR, like the 1911.

Depends on what you want to do with it and how much you're willing to spend. I suggest to save up and buy once/cry once.

There's generally 3 tiers based on spec, parts, and QC. The Colt M4 is par, some makers like Noveske go above that with CHF barrels and M249 double chrome lining (like S.A.W. barrels), and others cut corners and are thus sub-par.

Top tier:
Noveske
BCM
LMT
Colt
Saber Defense
Daniel Defense
Spikes Tactical

2nd tier:
Bushmaster
Stag
Smith & Wesson
Armalite
CMMG

3rd tier:
RRA
DPMS
Oly

Then there's the others like Vulcan, Hesse, and some others that you want to avoid like the plague.


It's cutting off the right side so here a link to the full version.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c347/ ... -Chart.jpg

I've owned many from Noveske down to Oly. If the goal is simply plinking, any will do, but I'd still get the best you can afford. If this is going be for high volume shooting, carbine courses, or you plan to depend your life on it if zombies show up I'd go with top tier (or 2nd tier and perform the upgrades).

For a solid middle of the road cost effective rifle, I think Stag wins. Just stake the gas key.

How would you guys rate Spike's Tactical?

I have one and also built one for a friend. Very good rifles. They also have cold hammer forged barrels and are milspec (aka on par with Colt). Haven't run mine super hard yet so we'll see if it can hang. I reckon it can.

[The Sarge]

Barkley's Feed Store in Boerne has more AR15 platforms and is much more reasonable than any I have seen.

[karl]

Thanks Chuck TX, very helpful