committed: 3 budget builds by Christmas

ksenter · Nov 24, 2014

I just ordered 3 AR build kits from Palmetto State Armory, to be completed by Christmas. My dad has given me a budget of $500 each for 3 AR's, one for each of his sons. AWESOME!!! I will be getting lowers this weekend from David at TGD. The Palmetto kits state they take 15 days to prepare for shipment and I assume another 5-7 days ground shipping, should put me mid-December at the earliest. The kits I ordered have a completed upper with a lower parts kit including buttstock assembly, complete for $429. Add a lower for $50 and I hopefully will have enough left to find rear back up sights to complete the rifles. I'm excited, but my brothers, who have never owned an AR, are ecstatic!!! This is going to be fun!

HOW FREAKING COOL IS THAT?????

this is the kits I ordered
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...ainless-mid-length-1-7-freedom-rifle-kit.html

JWlineman · Nov 24, 2014

Was looking at those earlier, that's an awesome Christmas gift! It's almost as fun building em as it is to shoot em.

jogan · Nov 24, 2014

too cool! should only take you about 30 mins each to put 'em together! anything more than that, and you're wasting time!lol

Marquezj16 · Nov 24, 2014

Price drop to $399. Good kit.

ksenter · Nov 24, 2014

really the only assembly will be the lowers. So youre probably right, about 30 minutes each. As long as the parts are all there and as long as they're all within tolerance, no problems.

As the saying goes, if something CAN go wrong, something WILL go wrong.

Very excited for my brothers!

ksenter · Nov 24, 2014

Marquezj16 said:
Price drop to $399. Good kit.

you're right. I looked it up the other day at $429. Locked in at $399!!! WINNING!

TraderDan · Nov 25, 2014

Dang it Kenny, now I have to find 2 lowers, and I better not get hooked on this building thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL >> I have always wanted to try a build, hope it's not too hard .

redneck · Nov 25, 2014

TraderDan said:
Dang it Kenny, now I have to find 2 lowers, and I better not get hooked on this building thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL >> I have always wanted to try a build, hope it's not too hard .

Call me I can help

From the deep woods

TraderDan · Nov 25, 2014

Thanks, I may need to.

TackleberryMCS · Nov 25, 2014

TraderDan said:
Dang it Kenny, now I have to find 2 lowers, and I better not get hooked on this building thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL >> I have always wanted to try a build, hope it's not too hard .

Builds are really easy. You just want to make sure you have everything planned out and try your best to have everything ready to assemble the lower assembly and/or the upper assembly. Have a space that is big enough and well lit. When building the lower, I like to have the different groups separated on a light colored towel. This way, I can see everything at a glance and can methodically assemble the lower. Only a few simple tools are needed. For assembling, it does help to have a vise and a receiver block set. It is not necessary, but it can make things easier. I really like building my own ARs. I have probably built close to three dozen over the past ten years.

merkinman · Nov 25, 2014

Prayer that all the springs and pins in the package! Have had a few kits missing pieces.

Marquezj16 · Nov 25, 2014

The best instructions on how to assemble a lower is the one from AR15.com. Step by step with great pictures.

http://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/

ksenter · Nov 25, 2014

Holy crap! Already have a tracking number

TraderDan · Nov 26, 2014

Marquezj16 said:
The best instructions on how to assemble a lower is the one from AR15.com. Step by step with great pictures.

http://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/

Thanks that will be a great help

>>Kenny where did you get your lowers??

Marquezj16 · Nov 26, 2014

You don't need the pivot pin installation tool. What I do is drop the spring then detent and using a box cutter blade, I compress and hold it in place while I pop in the pin. Do this very carefully as it can launch the detent if you slip. And those suckers disappear into the Bermuda Triangle if ever launched.

Another thing is make sure you protect your lower with masking tape when installing the bolt catch assembly. Use pliers to squeeze the roll pin into the rear hump.

I can't think of any other tricks of the trade. You tube does have a bunch of videos. Take your time on the first one. Everything should go in with just light taps. No need for a big hammer.

Good luck!

Dan1612 · Nov 26, 2014

Dan,
All you need is a set of brass punches, or some old drill bits if you don't have that, and a screw driver or hex tool for the grip screw. The two tricky parts are the bolt catch and the front detent. For the bolt catch, protect the receiver from marring, put a small punch in from the front to hold it in place, put the pin in from the other end pushing in just far enough so it'll stay, start it with one punch, then put another punch on top of that so you're not swinging the little hammer thing right next the the receiver and drive it home.
For the front detent, slide a punch in from the left abs use a blade or card to push the spring and detent down under the punch, then push it out of the way with the actual pin, and done. It's helpful to drape a towel over a basket right in front of it in case you launch the pin. Oh, and use a pencil eraser for the mag catch. Also, pick up your two on Friday from TGD for $100 otd.
If you're building carbines, you'll eventually need a castle nut wrench and to have it staked. Id recommend building rifles for the very reason, but it's all preference.
Call me if you get stuck.

ksenter · Nov 26, 2014

Dan, I'm getting the lowers from TGD on Friday. If he's out or has limitations on qty, Aimsurpluss.com has the same lowers for $35 + shipping + transfer. Or I will search for Aero blemish or Surplusammo.com lowers or something of the like. These being budget builds, logos and manufacturers arent of the highest priority.

jogan · Nov 26, 2014

Kenny, if you go with the TGD lowers, all the hassle/risk of the bolt catch are eliminated since they were kind enough to utilize a small Allen screw to replace the pin.

TraderDan · Nov 26, 2014

That is a great deal, but I just can't get down there on friday. Wish I could.
How many lowers does he have? maybe could sneak out in afternoon???

Droshki · Nov 26, 2014

ksenter said:
Holy crap! Already have a tracking number

Palmetto sends out their tracking numbers early. It will still be at least three or four days before they ship.

Regarding building: I'd recommend putting the bolt catch pin in a vise and chamfering the leading edge before attempting insertion.

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committed: 3 budget builds by Christmas

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