AR15 Build Series #1: Introduction to Building Your First AR15

Andy · December 17, 2016

AR15 Build Series #1: Introduction to Building Your First AR15

By Andy AR15 Building Series 14 Comments

The bare minimum, simple, easy to understand, and entertaining guide to AR15 building

I’m not a gun guy.

Guns don’t really interest me.

I see guns the same way I see power tools – useful when you need them – but ONLY if you know the right way to use them. Lack of skill or understanding can lead to a life-changing accident. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

The benefit of reading MY guide to building an AR15 is simple.

This AR15 building guide isn’t going to be the most scientific “how-to” guide out there – but its definitely going to teach you how to build an AR15. Hopefully, you’ll not only learn a lot – but you’ll be entertained and encouraged along the way.

You won’t hear about unnecessary information to boost your “AR15 knowledge ego” – but you will hear the basic fundamentals to building a damn fine gun.

My hopes for this guide is to be completely interactive. I’d really love for you to comment any question you have in the comments below – and I’ll do my best to answer in a timely manner.

First thing first: Let’s clear a few things up

AR15s are the subject of some pretty serious political beatings. Anytime there is a mass shooting, the AR15 is somehow blamed.

Before we continue, we need to understand a few very important principles about an AR15.

There’s no such thing as an “assault weapon.” This is a fictitious name made up by the biased media to make people who don’t understand AR15s dislike them. Labeling an rifle an “assault rifle” because it looks menacing is like labeling a hammer an “assault hammer” because its black.
AR15 does NOT stand for “assault rifle.” The AR in “AR-15” stands for ArmaLite rifle, which is the name of the company that started developing the design in the 1950s.
An AR15 is the equivalent in today’s society as the musket of 1776. While you can use it to hunt, and you can use it to defend your home, the primary purpose of an AR15 is to keep America FREE. To keep the power in the people’s hands.

Why build an AR15 when you can just buy one?

Most people who build AR15s are just bored and have nothing better to do.

Totally kidding. There’s a TON of reasons to build an AR15 from the ground up.

Here are a few of the reasons to build your own AR15:

Building an AR15 is the most effective way to understand each and every part of the AR platform.
If something ever breaks on your AR15, you can fix it.
Building an AR15 is a great way for couples or families to work together on a project that’s fun and exciting
Building an AR15 adds a notch in your “I’m a badass” belt

Besides being fun and educational, you can often build a higher quality AR15 when you pick and choose your own parts rather than purchase from a factory.

Building an AR15: What’s the bottom line?

Q: What does one penny say to the other penny?
A: Let’s get together and make some cents.

For most of us, we can’t just go online and purchase all of our AR15 building parts, tools, and pieces at one time. That’s part of the benefit to building an AR15 – you can build it as you can afford to.

If you are building an AR15 on a budget, you should be able to purchase all the parts, tools, and pieces of an AR15 for less than $1000.

How much technical skill is required to build an AR15?

If you can operate a hammer, you can pretty much build an AR15. It is not rocket science. The magic behind an AR15 is simple: just about anyone can do it.

OK, I’m in! How do I get started building my AR15?

Whoo hoo! I’m glad you want to build your first AR. The first thing you really ought to do is enter your name and email below so you can be alerted every time I upload a new article in this series.

The second thing you should do is leave a comment below letting me know any questions you might have so I can include them in the next article.

AR15 Build Series #1: Introduction to Building Your First AR15