I was randomly browsing through reddit one day and came across a DIY build for an AR15. The guy had built a really nice AR15 from the ground up. I've always owned guns, but honestly never had much desire to buy an AR15. To me, they always seemed overhyped and I just assumed people were just buying them to spite Obama. Little did I know, however, they are beautifully engineered and their modularity, reliability, and reasonable price make them one of the best rifles on the market. I still have no desire to buy a stock AR, but the idea of creating my own from parts is really appealing. I'll use this page to document the build over the next few months as I slowly start acquiring parts and putting it together.

Research

In this section, I'll document some builds that I like and start putting together my wish list for parts.

Builds

Kaky Budget Build (reddit) - Budget

Very basic budget AR - probably wouldn't want to go much cheaper

The cost was around $560 sans magazines and sights. here is the shopping list:
PSA 16" Mid-length 5.56 NATO 1/7 11" SQR Free Float Upper - No BCG or CH - 7780257 ($270)
PSA 5.56 Premium HPT/MPI Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group - No Logo - 39339 ($80)
Palmetto State Amory Charging Handle with Tactical Release Latch ($30)
PSA AR-15 Complete Lower - Magpul CTR Edition - Black, No Magazine - 49177($170)
I bought some Gen2 Magpul mags from my local Cabellas for around $11 each, and found gen1 Magpul flip up sights on ebay for $20 new. so total it was under $600


SeaLegs (reddit) - SBR

Upper
Ballistic Advantage 12.5” government profile barrel, Modern Series
Ballistic Advantage BCG, phosphate
Aero Precision upper
BCM KMR-10 handguard
A2 flash hider
Lower
Geissele SSA-E trigger
KAK lower parts kit
KAK Shockwave Blade and tube, standard carbine buffer
Spike’s lower
Accessories
MBUS front sight
KAC 600m rear sight
Holosun red dot, solar powered
Magpul BAD lever
BCM keymod panels, BCM QD sling point, BCM QD rear plate

Whiskey Fire (reddit)

Aero Precision 5.56 Rifle = 519.05
UTG Mid Profile Riser = 8.77
Bushnell TRS-25 RDS = 68.19
Strike Industries Dust Cover = 15.95
MFT BMS Minimalist Mils Spec Buttstock = 44.75
Magpul MBUS = 69.95
Fortis Rev II 14” M-Lok Rail = 228.39
Lancer L5 30 Rd Mag = 16.99
Paracord = 4.99
BCM Gunfighter Mod 2 = 29.95 (not installed yet)

Qaest (reddit)

Upper: Palmetto
Lower: Palmetto
Charging handle: BCM gunfighter mod 3
BCG: Palmetto Premium 9310
Barrel: 16" 1:7 twist Palmetto Premium carbine gas (made by FN)
Flash hider: YHM phantom
Rail: YHM SLK 12 keymod
Sights: Magpul BUIS
Optic: Vortex Strikefire gen 1
Optic mount: Aero Precision 30mm
Scope covers: Butler Creek
Stock: Magpul CTR
Grip: Magpul MOE+
Magazine: Magpul 20rd gen 2
Trigger: Geissele SSA-E

Construction Guides

Suppliers

Core Parts

  • Lockestone - Beautiful, but very expensive 80% Lowers. They also sell a reasonably priced, reusable jig that is supposed to work with any milspec lower
  • Tactical Machining - Inexpensive and popular 80% lowers
  • Palmetto State Armory - these guys seem to be a very popular supplier with a decent price/quality ratio

Furniture

General AR15

Barrel Length - 16, 18, or 20" - 18" sounds like a good all around pick

Parts List