Questions on My First AR Build

rg115

New member
Joined
Jul 2, 2025
Messages
3
Been thinking about building my first AR-15 for a while now and finally started looking at parts. I've seen some decent deals out there, but man, it's overwhelming. I’m not exactly sure what’s worth buying.

I'm planning a basic rifle build, probably going with 5.56 for now, but I'm totally open to other suggestions if anyone has them.

What brands should I definitely steer clear of? What are some hidden costs that new builders often miss? And honestly, would it just be smarter to buy one already put together?

I’d really appreciate any advice or maybe just some lessons you learned the hard way when starting out. Thanks!
 
The AR has endless possibilities, but the 5.56 is an excellent starting platform.

Lot's of ammo available in commercial .225/5.56 and military surplus 5.56.

I have AR's in various calibers including .223/5.56, .300 Blackout, .350 Legend, 9mm
I also have an AR-10 (7.62 x 51) around

You can go with basic components for reasonable prices or spend a pile of $$$ for high end stuff.

I prefer a red-dot optic for the most part, but I do have some scopes and a few thermal optics as well.


Good luck!
 
I have been there...build if you love tinkering, buy if you want to shoot now. Spend on barrel, bolt carrier group, and a decent trigger. Avoid mystery brands and don’t forget tools, optic, and transfer fees
 
Personally I like shooting more than doing a lot of tinkering. I have two AR Platforms, an AR-15 in 5.56 and an AR-10 in 308. They are both Palmetto State Armory upper and lowers, emphasis on the barrels. Both shoot sub moa and the two together did not cost me $1000. I see no reason to spend thousands of dollars on any rifle if a less expensive one will do the same thing. The most I have ever spent on any rifle is $900. Additions, scope bases, rings and the scope are not in that price and are extra. The $900 rifle was a vintage 1966 Remington 700 BDL in 338 Win Mag. I bought it in an auction not knowing a lot about it other than it was rated in like new condition. Once I got it home and went to clean it up when I bore scoped it, the barrel was virgin, never been fired. Took pictures and showed them to some very good gunsmiths that I know and they agreed, never been fired.

It was in a cheap, and I do mean cheap plastic stock, non adjustable trigger and shot 0.6 MOA using cheap 210 gr ammo. At that point I decided to take it and turn it into something special. New original Remington BDL long action stock. I put a new Limbsaver recoil pad on it and had it pillar bedded the barrel floated and installed a competition muzzle brake. I took the old trigger off and put on a new Triggertech Diamond two stage trigger and set it to 2 pounds. Optics are a Talley 20 MOA rail, Vortex Pro Rings and a Vortex Strike Eagle 5 - 25 x 56 scope on it. The new muzzle brake opened up the groups slightly, now shooting between 0.6 MOA and 0.9 MOA with all ammo, 180 through 250 gr using Nosler bullets and a variety of powders.
 

Attachments

  • image0 (2).webp
    image0 (2).webp
    100.5 KB
I've had good luck with palmetto state armory. Bear Creek Arsenal has good value for the buck. When you build it get a good trigger. Trigger tech is a great trigger. You can thank me later.
 
I've had good luck with palmetto state armory. Bear Creek Arsenal has good value for the buck. When you build it get a good trigger. Trigger tech is a great trigger. You can thank me later.
Palmetto is a good choice. I have both an AR-15 and an AR-10. If you get a 1/7 twist barrel you will need 70 gr or heavier ammo, 55 gr will scatter like a shotgun. For the AR-10 get a match grade stainless barrel, 308, 1/10 twist. It will shoot sub moa with 165/168/180 gr. I might also add that the recoil of the AR-10 in 308 is very mild, more like a 243. Original triggers are not too bad, two stage which I prefer with a fairly clean break. However there is nothing wrong with a Trigger Tech, I have them on a couple of other rifles and they are great.
 
If you're building from scratch, be patient and watch for sales. You will discover that some parts are very often out of stock, buy them whenever they are available.

Good handguards are surprisingly expensive.

For a first build, the Aero Precision M4E1 threaded lower is easy to assemble. Have fun and report back.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top