Building an AR-15

[oberon]

The Windham stuff is fondly reminiscent of the old Quality Parts days. I have an Eagle lower and the rest of the guts are all Quality Parts bits. My rifle was always a little 'off' and I finally broke it whilst trying to make it work. I had already gotten A new buffer and spring, and when I showed up(yes, showed up) at the plant with my broken rifle, I was really pleased when those guys straightened it out for me. It has run like a spotted ape ever scince. I'm thinkin' in the '80s or so.
I have seen and handled the new Windham Weaponry stuff a couple times, and am awaiting some range reports. Meanwhile, the guns are, for all the world, the modern descendant offspring of Quality Parts. They look & feel great, and the attention to detail in the manufacture of them is evident. I believe they are hand built and not mass produced. Each gun is built by an armorer. Each guy does the complete gun.
They are in dealer's shops around this area now. My regular FFL guy has had a few already, and has no problem securing more as needed.
I'm hoping to see the parts avilability expand as the new company gains traction.

[RDak]

I went with the Spikes Tactical stripped lower after doing some research and reading good reviews. Everybody on the internets seem to have these on back order but my local guy had plenty.

Kinda funny filling out paperwork on this but now I can do the rest of my shopping online.



You could say I "Pulled the trigger" on this one but it doesn't have one.

You did fine IMHO.

Are you still going to build your upper from scratch or buy a completed upper?

Also, I know you have done it before years ago but, just in case, installing the lower parts is easy if you follow the directions closely. (Put some tape on the receiver adjacent to the bolt release when installing it to avoid scratches on the lower receiver. You'll know what I mean when you look at the instructions for installing a lower parts kit.)

ETA: I forgot to mention that using a bit of grease before installing any pins included in the lower parts kit makes it easier to insert them. Also, brass or heavy nylon hammer only should be used to "pound" in the pins.

And, NEVER, pull the trigger to release the hammer without the upper receiver attached fully to the lower receiver. Doing this without the upper receiver on the lower receiver can damage the bolt release mechanism.

Hold the hammer with your thumb or fingers and let it come to the non-cocked position gently whenever releasing the trigger without the upper fully attached to the lower receiver. Much like you would when lowering the hammer on a loaded revolver chamber.

There are a few manufacturers of upper parts and barrels that are touted at AR-15.com as being excellent in quality. Just browse the forums over there in the "build your own" section for more info.

In fact, discussions about who are the better manufactuers is found throughout that site in various forums.

Don't be afraid to ask questions over there, they will help you. They, like me, love the AR's.

Good luck.

[BigRix]

Thanks for all the advise and for the links.

I picked up a lower parts kit, PMAG, and Magpull grip.

Took me awhile to find out which springs went where. Boy it's amazing the info you can find on the internet.



Still not sure if I'm gonna build an upper or buy one that is complete.

[gunshooter]

Accuracy is one thing ARs have in abundance.....

One used to be able to get cheap cast receivers and contract parts at shows.
Picked up a kit at a show 25 years ago, turned out to have a 1-12 twist HBaR chrome lined, took it home and assembled it like a kid with christmas tinker toys.
Walkin one day, saw a crow 300 long paces away, went to prone, installed cheap,sighted in, $20 cleareance wally world ,sighted in scope on cheap one bolt-see through A2 style scope mount and upon cheap stamped, reamed leather lined bipod upon barrel.
One scope line high.PTTeeewww, watched the crow fly up 3 feet and drop dead, other guy didn't even see it and bet him $20.
I was $20 richer, crow 1/8" right of center of middle of bird chest shot
rifle is dead nuts on
one shot-one kill

[RDak]

Good job!!

[BigRix]

Got an e-mail allert that these upper assemblies were back in stock and had to do some scrambling, but I think it's a good price so I ordered one.

Spikes Tactical 16" Mid-Length 5.56/.223 Upper Receiver

They even swaped out the forearm to the color I wanted at no charge.

[BigRix]

Did some more side work this weekend and bought the buffer tube and butt stock yesterday.

Primary Weapons Systems buffer tube.

MagPul CTR stock.





Rock solid. Upper is due to be delivered later today. Then all I will have left is a rear BUIS and ammo.

Any suggestions for ammo?

Found some M855 at Sportmans Warehouse for something like $180 for a can full of 420 rounds on stripper clips.

[broknaxl]

Here's a site with all kinds of .223

.223 Rem (5.56x45mm NATO) rifle ammo ammunition - AmmoSeek.com

[BigRix]

Upper was waiting for me when I got home.

Quick pick for y'all.

[dandak]

So Colt doesn't sell just the receivers correct?