Today in our continuing DIY AR-15 Build, we’ll be assembling the Bolt Carrier Group, putting it into the Upper Receiver and talking about some different parts and myths to ensure your build finishes up without a hitch!
The Bolt Carrier Group is particularly important to not only diagnose, but to build properly with good parts right from the beginning. Many malfunctions are directly related to the Bolt Carrier Group, particularly the Extractor within the Bolt.
A BCG is made up of the Bolt Carrier, Bolt (complete), Firing Pin, Cam Pin, Firing Pin Retaining Pin and we like to lump the Charging Handle in with this, though many don’t.
Let’s get into the specifics and talk about the assembly and our recommendations. [Read More…]
Today in our fifth installment of the DIY AR-15 Build Upper, we’ll be installing the Flash Hider. We won’t technically be installing a Flash Hider, but the BattleComp 1.5 Compensator.
The installation steps are virtually the same and we’ll get into detail on what the differences are between a Muzzle Brake, Flash Hider, Compensator and even a Flash Suppressor.
In lieu of the standard A2 style “Birdcage” Flash Hider, we’ll be installing the BattleComp 1.5″ Compensator to bring our barrel length to 16.1″ and comply with the National Firearms Act.
To further comply, we’ll be permanently attaching the BattleComp in an upcoming article, but first let’s walk through the installation steps. While simply threading and properly torquing the compensator might not seem like that big of a deal, we ran into an interesting issue that we wanted to share.
Let’s get into the next step in your AR-15 build! [Read More…]
Continuing our DIY AR-15 Build, today we’ll be installing the Gas Tube and F-Marked Front Sight Base onto our Bravo Company 14.5″ Barrel and nearly completing our Upper Receiver.
Something to pay particular attention to at this point is that your gas tube properly fits through the port that’s left in the upper receiver after torquing your barrel nut down. We described this in our last article and it’s a pain to have to take a rail system apart when you find out the hole you thought was aligned, really wasn’t.
The tools and suggestions in this article will help you in the assembly of these components and hopefully save you from the mistakes that we’ve made in the past when working with the AR platform.
Let’s get into the next step in your AR-15 build! [Read More…]
Continuing our DIY AR-15 Build, today we’ll be installing our Bravo Company 14.5″ Barrel and Daniel Defense 9″ Lite Rail onto our Upper Receiver.
You’ll not only need a torque wrench for this part of the build, but the Daniel Defense proprietary Barrel Nut Wrench. We’ve also got a few recommendations we’ll share in the article as well.
Something we didn’t realize when we initially gathered the parts for this build is that a standard AR Barrel Nut Wrench won’t cut it for installing the Daniel Defense Rail. The cuts on their Barrel Nut don’t match the standard AR pattern and their wrench must be used (which doesn’t come included).
Let’s get into how to properly install, torque and assemble these parts onto your AR-15 build! [Read More…]
Today we’re continuing our DIY AR-15 Build with the first step in assembling your Upper Receiver, installing the Ejection Port Cover and Forward Assist.
We’ve combined these two assemblies, as they’re fairly simple, yet still take some attention to detail to ensure you get them in installed correctly.
Particularly the Ejection Port Spring and what direction to install the Forward Assist Roll Pin. We won’t be building the Forward Assist from the ground up and recommend that you buy an already assembled Forward Assist. It’s not difficult to assemble one, but you’re better off purchasing one pre-assembled.
As mentioned in our intro article on the upper assembly, we’re starting with a stripped Upper Receiver to highlight each and every step. [Read More…]
Welcome back to our DIY AR-15 Build and the start of our tutorials on assembling your Upper Receiver and finishing the build!
In this article we’re going to re-address all the parts and tools you’re going to need to assemble your Upper Receiver. While there are many complete uppers out there to purchase, we’ll be taking you through a complete upper assembly.
From the forward assist to the compensator and everything in between, when we’re done with this second series you’ll have all the resources available to you to take an AR-15 build from the ground up! Let’s get started! [Read More…]
Today in part eight of our DIY AR-15 Build we’ll be showing you how to install the final part onto your Lower Receiver, the Buttstock.
While we say Buttstock, this step is comprised of quite a few different parts that aren’t in the standard Lower Parts Kit, like the one we recommend from Stag Arms.
This isn’t the place to skimp on quality parts and doing so will cause unnecessary problems that could have been avoided in the first place, namely the Buffer and Action Spring. Believe it or not these are some of the most important pieces of the entire Lower Receiver and are the cause of many puzzling AR-15 issues.
Continue reading for our step-by-step instructions for installing the Buttstock with detailed photos and video. [Read More…]
Today in part seven of our DIY AR-15 Build you’ll learn how to install a Magpul MOE Trigger Guard into your Lower Receiver.
While installing a trigger guard might not seem to be a very complicated step that warrants it’s own article, there are a few tricks that can help you from making a fatal mistake when assembling your lower.
The ears (pin extensions) that hold the trigger guard roll pin are more fragile than you might think and if care is not taken with this step to find an appropriate multi-level surface, you could potentially wind up breaking one of these off.
If that happens, you might not only be out a lower receiver, but also a $200 tax stamp if you’ve put in to SBR your lower before assembling it. We hope this article will shed a little light on the installation and prevent any catastrophes from happening while you’re assembling your trigger guard.
Continue reading for our step-by-step instructions for installing the Trigger Guard with detailed photos and video. [Read More…]
Today in part six of our DIY AR-15 Build you’ll learn how to install an Ambidextrous Safety Selector and Pistol Grip in your Lower Receiver.
Ambi Safeties are definitely a personal preference and not for everyone. We’re of the opinion that if having to transition to an off-handed shooting position, the ambi safety is a definite benefit.
The Pistol Grip we’re using is the Magpul MOE Pistol Grip that’s been coated in Desert Digital by our friends at CRC Hydrographics. They’ve also introduced a brand new rubberized clear coating we’ll be talking about as well.
Continue reading for our step-by-step instructions for installing the Safety Selector and Pistol Grip with detailed photos and video.
[Read More…]
Today in part five of our DIY AR-15 Build you’ll learn how to install the Trigger Group in your Lower Receiver.
The trigger group is definitely something not to skimp on in terms of quality. We’ve never experienced any issues with the recommended Stag Arms Lower Parts Kit and feel confident recommending it’s components.
A failure point on the AR platform that can render your firearm unusable, is having a Hammer or Trigger Pin walk out on you. Literally.
We’ll show you how to prevent this problem as well as provide you step-by-step instructions for installing the Trigger Group. [Read More…]
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