Started building my first AR15

[bigandy1966]

get one of those plastic lower blocks you can clamp in a vise
get an automatic center punch from HF and grind it flat, start the bolt catch roll pin with needle nosed pliers and use the centerpunch to knock it in put masking tape under it while you work
When doing the retainer pin detents get a box from an upper with the foam in it, and work with the lid halfway open, you still might lose the detents and springs, but this will increase your chances of finding them

[TDIfan]

get one of those plastic lower blocks you can clamp in a vise
get an automatic center punch from HF and grind it flat, start the bolt catch roll pin with needle nosed pliers and use the centerpunch to knock it in put masking tape under it while you work
When doing the retainer pin detents get a box from an upper with the foam in it, and work with the lid halfway open, you still might lose the detents and springs, but this will increase your chances of finding them

Thanks Bigandy,. I got the vice blocks, but haven't needed them yet. The auto center punch idea is great. I have a couple in the garage so I will grind one down as you said and try it. The method I used for the pivot pin detent was shown on website. After loading in the spring and detent, I used a thin x acto knife to hold detent down and slid the pivot pin in right over the knife blade. I actually dropped the pin on the floor and was able to reach it with my other hand, still holding knife/detent/spring in place!

[Emptymag]

Thanks Bigandy,. I got the vice blocks, but haven't needed them yet. The auto center punch idea is great. I have a couple in the garage so I will grind one down as you said and try it. The method I used for the pivot pin detent was shown on website. After loading in the spring and detent, I used a thin x acto knife to hold detent down and slid the pivot pin in right over the knife blade. I actually dropped the pin on the floor and was able to reach it with my other hand, still holding knife/detent/spring in place!

There's virtually no simpler way to do that pivot pin detent than using a thin blade like you mentioned.
It's pure genius - no need to spend money on a stupid tool that has only one purpose.

[TDIfan]

There's virtually no simpler way to do that pivot pin detent than using a thin blade like you mentioned.
It's pure genius - no need to spend money on a stupid tool that has only one purpose.

I saw different places selling that tool. I thought, how hard can it really be? Also saw a pin pusher for the trigger guard pin. Didn't need that one either. Hopefully I can finish it today. The upper is an assembled one from PSA.

[TDIfan]

Well, trigger and hammer are in, selector and grip are in. Grabbed the buffer tube, and damn it, forgot to get buffer tube nut and sling plate washers! Just ordered those from Midway along with a magpul miad grip like I have on others and backup sights. Dropped the bolt and charging handle into the upper, so that's ready to go once I get the lower done. Pretty easy job really.

[zachomega]

Well, trigger and hammer are in, selector and grip are in. Grabbed the buffer tube, and damn it, forgot to get buffer tube nut and sling plate washers! Just ordered those from Midway along with a magpul miad grip like I have on others and backup sights. Dropped the bolt and charging handle into the upper, so that's ready to go once I get the lower done. Pretty easy job really.

Be certain your disconnect spring is oriented the correct way. A function check may not reveal the problem until you are at the range and the trigger fails to reset or worse you are getting sideways glances because you just emptied in full auto.

-Zach

[TDIfan]

Be certain your disconnect spring is oriented the correct way. A function check may not reveal the problem until you are at the range and the trigger fails to reset or worse you are getting sideways glances because you just emptied in full auto.

-Zach

Thanks Zach

Yes it's in the correct way. That would be dangerous! After putting the lower together, I understand the genius behind Stoner's design and the simplicity of it. I really should have gotten into assembling these earlier!

[Emptymag]

Thanks Zach

Yes it's in the correct way. That would be dangerous! After putting the lower together, I understand the genius behind Stoner's design and the simplicity of it. I really should have gotten into assembling these earlier!

Haha!!! That's what I thought after building a few.
I always thought they were "complicated", but once you go through the process, you realize that is not the case.

Hope you don't mind me plopping this here. I do it to encourage others who may be on the fence - worried that it takes a bunch of special tools and a gunsmithing degree.


I'm really kicking myself for not doing a quick and dirty video of the assembly of this build.
It would really help to dispel the notion that it's hard to assemble an AR15 and/or you need "specialized tools" to do it.

I want people to understand that it's "just THAT easy" to assemble one all by yourself!

Tonight I grabbed the pistol, looked it over, and went over the process in my head, and gathered up all the tools I used to put it together.
Everything is here - including the work bench!

Aside from mounting the vise on a plank and parking the SUV on it to hold it secure while I torqued the barrel nut on, the rest of it was put together either in my lap while browsing poofa, or on the kitchen counter!
(not shown are the barrel nut "wrench/crows foot" and the hex key because they came with the hand guard)



4" vise (Harbor Freight)
White duct tape - used to protect the surface of the upper while installing roll pins/etc.
Long assed screwdriver for the grip screw
(edit: I started the grip screw with the screwdriver, but snugged it up with a hex bit and ratchet - forgot to include ratchet in pic)
Torque wrench (Harbor Freight)
Robo Grip pliers - used for roll pin on bolt catch and roll pin on gas tube. We don't need no STEEENKING PUNCHES!!!
3 sizes of hex keys
TAPCO cheapo $10 spanner wrench for castle nut
Blue thread locker (gas block set screws)
Upper vise block

EDIT: The measuring cup was not used in the assembly of the pistol - it was used to make blueberry muffins.
The gun turned out better than the muffins.

Oh crap!

I forgot the two most important tools I didn't need to buy! (ignore all those Youtube people who tell you to buy a $5 pivot pin tool)



Needle nose pliers - to hold the detent in place before applying the utility knife blade.

Small utility knife - to press in on the detent and hold it in place while you slide the pivot pin into place.

[bortle]

I put a PSA kit together on my coffee table in the living room. The little spring for the disconnecter went ping. It's still in the living room somewhere. Putting it all inside a large clear plastic bag during assembly is a good idea. Hind sight is 20/20.

[JDA58]

I can't find the video emptymag and I both used when first building ar lowers.. taping up some channel lock pliers and using the utility knife blade worked out so easy I did my other lowers the same way