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Uncle Fester
Senior MemberTexas as soon as I can get there.Posts: 1,629 Senior Member
AR Parts?

Building up a lower today, I buggered up a roll pin and scratched the finish on my very expensive Anderson lower.
1) Is there a good source for buying the various pins and springs necessary to build up an AR without buying and entire parts kit. I had fun with my build despite the various hiccups. I figure minor parts issues are likely to happen in the future.
2) It’s aluminum and a cheap build. Is there any reason to bother touching up the scuff except looks?
3) How much more difficult is an upper build?
1) Is there a good source for buying the various pins and springs necessary to build up an AR without buying and entire parts kit. I had fun with my build despite the various hiccups. I figure minor parts issues are likely to happen in the future.
2) It’s aluminum and a cheap build. Is there any reason to bother touching up the scuff except looks?
3) How much more difficult is an upper build?
Replies
I used to use these guys. I have tons of stuff laying around now so I have not bought small parts in years.
the field repair kit is a good idea.
as long as you have a receiver block an upper build is pretty simple.
i have something like, but not necessarily this.
https://www.amazon.com/Obsidian-Arms-Modern-Rifle-Receiver/dp/B079TGL35B/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=upper+receiver+block&qid=1552826279&s=gateway&sr=8-1
I have have lost count of the barrels, and hand guards I have put on with this style of bench block.
Scratches and scuffs just show a gun gets use. Unless it is a safe queen who cares.
ECHO...ECHO....echo...
Ah......One savors the hypocrisy!
Karma.........It’s a bitch.
I have only put together one upper and found it a little more difficult than the lower, but there are several good vids on youtube. There are several good uppers available, these days I find what I like and look for a sale.
ECHO...ECHO....echo...
Ah......One savors the hypocrisy!
Karma.........It’s a bitch.
But, I am almost done. Once I get get a wrench (on order) to adjust the Castle wrench, I’ll wrap up the build.
That bolt catch roll pin was by by far the hardest part of the build.
2.Other than to make it black and non-shiny, or if you're one of those guys that parks on the far end of the lot to avoid door dings, no.
3. Uppers aren't particularly hard, but they are a little more involved when it comes to task-specific tools. You're gonna need:
*Big honkin' vise
*Barrel nut wrench
*Foot-pound torque wrench
*one of the devices that holds the receiver while you torque the barrel on. I would recommend one of the "rod" types that inserts into the rear of the barrel extension and clamps into a vise behind the upper receiver. This puts all the load on steel parts and none on the aluminum upper.
*The plastic vise blocks that hold the upper by the pin holes are nice for assembling the small parts, and are worth having, but not what I want when I'm cranking a barrel nut on.
Nice to have but not 100% necessary is the alignment tool that fits in the bolt carrier key and protrudes forward to let you know how well aligned the notches in your barrel nut are.
FYI - they make a specialized roll pin punch for the bolt stop that is flattened on one side so you don't **** the receiver. Worth having.
"Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee