mounting an ar-15 barrel

[pdelcasino]

I'm considering building an ar-15 from scratch. Do I need a gunsmith to attach the barrel or can it be done at home? I know my way around the rifle, but I don't have any special tools. I know there's a spacing issue, but I'm not certain as to the specifics and I've heard people tell me both yes and no. Any details would be appreciated.

[Whiskey Delta]

There are some tools involved, but nothing like a hydraulic press.

The barrel has a retaining nut.

Specialized tools make it easier, such as a vice block to hold the reciever, you will need pin punches, and there is a multi-wrench that does most of the specialized tasks, and they are about $30.

I would buy an assembly video first, and watch it to see if you can do it with what you have.

You build an AR for the experience, not necessarily due to it being cheaper. I don't think that it is any cheaper any more.

[Kaos]

Originally Posted by Whiskey Delta

There are some tools involved, but nothing like a hydraulic press.

The barrel has a retaining nut.

Specialized tools make it easier, such as a vice block to hold the reciever, you will need pin punches, and there is a multi-wrench that does most of the specialized tasks, and they are about $30.

I would buy an assembly video first, and watch it to see if you can do it with what you have.

You build an AR for the experience, not necessarily due to it being cheaper. I don't think that it is any cheaper any more.

I built my first AR with nothing but a hammer, a punch, some masking tape, a screwdriver and a strap wrench. It all depends on what products you buy.

It is still cheaper to build UNLESS you just want a stock rifle or you want some kind of factory warranty. Neither of those interest me personally.

If you want good rails, an optic in a good mount, good quality hardware and internals you're going to pay for it in a new rifle. It all depends on what you're going to use the rifle for too. By building my rifle I am not paying for parts twice, and I'm getting exactly what I want.

If I had to buy a complete rifle out the door it would be a colt, one of the magpul special guns, or an LMT.

[wjkuleck]

Originally Posted by pdelcasino

I'm considering building an ar-15 from scratch. Do I need a gunsmith to attach the barrel or can it be done at home? I know my way around the rifle, but I don't have any special tools. I know there's a spacing issue, but I'm not certain as to the specifics and I've heard people tell me both yes and no. Any details would be appreciated.

I've written a couple of books on the subject . Generally a new bolt and new barrel will headspace perfectly, particularly if they come from the same vendor, if said vendor also builds rifles & uppers. At Fulton ARmory, for example, we don't want the hassle of "adjusting" AR headspace, so we make the parts to the print.

You should always check the headpace of the assembled upper anyway. Once assembled, NEVER swap bolts.

Regards,

Walt

[gold cup abuser]

To properly do a barrel to upper receiver you will need the following:

AR 15 armorers wrench

Pin Punch to set the gas tube

Vice block to hold the upper receiver in place as you are attaching the barrel locking nut.

Torque Wrench to set the barrel locking nut at the proper weight

A MATCHED set of GO and NO GO gagues and they should be the same as the caliber of the rifle...ie 223 chamber or 5.56 chamber

do a search on youtube and you shoud be good to go if you are handy with tools.

If after watching the vidoes if you thing you can do it then go for it

If not then either take the parts to a gunsmith or get a fully assembled upper reciever with a MATCHING bolt carrier group.

If not a good gunsmith can make it happen for you just ask them if they are a AR 15 armorer or if they have done AR 15 builds before.

The Valley Forge show there is a guy there that sells AR barrels and uppers and if I recall right they can do the job for you.

good luck either way you decide

[pacomdiver]

its easy to do, but if its gonna be your only one id second the guy at the valley forge gun show putting it together for you. theres no reason to buy tools you wont use again

[robdog]

I built my first AR with just a couple brass punches and a armorers combo wrench. The barrel already had the extension and Front sight post on it. Took about 45-60 min. You can borrow or buy the Headspace gauges. Of all the AR's I have built none have ever been out of headspace. Check out Shotgun News for a ton of companies selling kits for under 450. I recently built a sweet retro AR with a A1 upper and 16" pencil barrel for under $500. Very light weight and runs like a dream.

[Wildturk]

AR's are an easy build, as mentioned if you buy the Upper kit all you need are a couple of punches, hammer and possibly a screw driver or allen wrench. You might want to check out www.ar15.com great bunch there and all the build info you need, lot's of valuable info, tips, etc there.

[John@JCDLESales]

Everyone above offered very sound advice but one thing was overlooked. You will have to Torque your Barrel Nut 3 Times unloosening the first two times and if need be overtorqing on the third time to line up for the Gas Tube. BUT you will want to coat the threads on the Receiver and the threads of the Barrel Nut with a Good Quality Never-Seize first. You have two different metals here the Alloy Receiver and the Steel Barrel Nut. Without the application of the Never-Seize you wil get electrolisis and this is to be avoided. Find below a Pic of a Jar of Never-Seize I have had for 20+ years and it will be half full when I'm gone. A Very Little Goes A Long Way but you need this for proper AR Barrel Installation. I also use it when reinserting AK Barrels