Down the road, I'll be taking an AR-15 class. Rather than buy a complete gun and replace a lot of parts, I'd like to buy a parts kit and machine the receiver. Any leads/experience with companies for parts kits and 80% receivers? And any AR sites you folks like?
The other question is whether to go the traditional route, or the S+W style of piston driven.
I realize these are general noob questions, and appreciate your time and experience.
thanks,
-Armen

A good source for an 80 % receiver forging is http://www.lesbaer.com/pricnga.html.

Parts kits are everywhere: I got mine at http://www.fulton-armory.com/ They have a reputation for high quality parts.

http://www.ar15.com/ seems to be the premier AR site, but there are several others.

RWO

http://www.dsarms.com/AR15-Lower-Rec...ductinfo/1001/

$27.95 each!

this site has tips on finishing one:
http://www.arlower.ray-vin.com/disclaimer.htm

the "book" is here, or click on the link at the bottom of the disclaimer page.
http://arlower.ray-vin.com/ar15

good luck and post pics of your work!

The best 80% lowers are from Kevin Audibert (audibk@yahoo.com) as recognized on cncguns.com I've built a few of these and the quality is top notch. I've bought my uppers complete from m-16parts.com, good prices and good parts. They don't charge your card untill they ship the parts. Use the drill guide from cncguns.com, it's the best. I have the cnc program for the fire control pocket if you need it.

This is exactly the approach I took and it worked great with a DPMS parts kit.

I'd go with the conventional gas system - it's easier, lighter, and not really a problem. You might also look at the book "The Complete Guide to AR-15 Accuracy" by Martin and Tillman (the guys at Accuracy Speaks) for some good info.

GsT

+ one for GenT. The OEM gas system is fine. The dsarms forgings are as good as anyones. I suspect they all get them from the same wholesaler.

Is it possible to do the necessary machining of a $27.95 lower on a 9"SB?


Thanks.

And no mill? Or are you referring to the single (going from memory) lathe operation which is the boring of the buffer tube tower? The boring and threading the buffer tube tower would be a close fit, but I think it would work. (Without running out and measuring).

You'll need a mill, and the work envelope need not be terrible large. The most demanding operations will be those on the but of the buffer tube tower where Z-height is consumed in abundance.

GsT

You need a vertical mill, preferably a knee mill, to do the job. A lathe is not suitable. The $27.95 lower requires that you do all the machining. The magazine well is the toughest cut to do. You can buy the same forging with the mag well already machined from Les Baer for $99. It is well worth it, IMHO.

RWO

An 80% receiver isn't machining. A block of aluminum is available everywhere, and it's cheap, and it's machining.

bushmaster or rock river arms IMO are very good parts,without having to spend a ton of money.all of their parts are supposeted to be mil-spec,which is more than i can say f other places.2 most critical parts are barrel and bolt,dont scrimp on those 2.if you get your parts kit from Bushy or RRA you wont have to worry about those 2 parts.

As far as rifle kits go that have everything but the lower receiver Model 1 Sales is reasonbly priced as is Del-Ton.

Be conscious of any part that requires an indexed thread to be cut .That is not a simple job .

Boy, this one's been beat to death in other forums, but here goes. Although what's considered to be the original spec drawing for the receiver shows an indexed buffer tube (receiver extension) there's absolutely no good reason the need one. The tube fully seats, and there's nothing on the tube posistion sensitive. Just thread the tower and don't worry about it. The critical part is making sure the position of the hole for the buffer retaining pin is in the right place, with the pin just barely retained by the tube when fully seated.

Ditto. Also, the buffer retaining pin is optional, if you screw up the hole, or don't want to drill it, it just means your buffer pops out on disassembly and must be manual held to the rear on reassembly.

GsT

Here is an 80% lower for $80 ! http://www.tacticalmachining.com/products.php?pid=28
jigs can be found at www.cncguns.com
cody

I have heard good things about his stuff and the cncguns.com is a great site about the 80% lowers. If you buy a straight forging you have lots of work ahead of you. I know they are about $30 but pay the extra $50 and get one that is almost done and save you lots of hours! Also when you are comparing these make sure they both have the same amount of work left. I have seen some 80% where you have to thread where the stock goes and some not. By far the Tactical machining looks like the best for the money.

If you want a project, buy a raw forging.

If you want a rifle, buy the tactical machining 80%er. The neat thing about these is the tedious little holes are done and the magwell is EDMed. The only thing to do is mill out the magwell and drill the trigger and hammer pins. The 80%er I bought from them looks very good, and they have quantity discounts.

If that Tactical Machining receiver comes already engraved like their picture shows, that's a really nice feature. Many builders struggle over the engraving.

Ranier Arms is selling complete receivers on sale for $99.00. It makes no sense to me to buy anything less. 80%, whatever, is a total waste of money when the completed and perfectly machined lower is available for that price.

If you want the challenge of making it yourself start with a block of 6061 or stainless steel if you like and complete the whole thing from scratch. You will spend untold hours upon hours trying to get it right and it may end up being trash anyway.

Paying $80.00 for an 80% receiver only saves you $20.00. What's your time worth?