My first Ar-15

Hello,

Been a gun guy for a long time, mostly collecting, shooting & restoring WWI & II weapons. Also a lot of hunting, black powder and long range bolt action rifles.
Have never owned a black gun or even shot an AR before.

While attending the Tanner GS with a friend last month, I saw an unfinished (80%) lower receiver on a table and inquired.
The fella gave me a good education on what they were and how to finish them. I headed home to research (didn't buy anything).
After hours of research and youtube videos, I committed to building one from 80%.

I like the fact you can build your own legally, just follow the rules to comply with laws.

This is my first and just finished it today, Headed to the range (5280) tomorrow to see how it operates and get on paper.
Being a first build, I focused on simple design and low cost parts to get one under my belt. Milling came out great using the EZ Gen 1 jig. It weighs in at 6lbs 12oz (as-seen in pictures) with a 16" 5.56 socom pencil 1:8 .
Pretty sure I'll end up buying a new trigger assembly. The milspec is rough.
Have learned a lot thanks to this forum.

Thought I'd share a few pics .....and I didn't have to cover up any serial numbers :)

https://i.imgur.com/wZGXUXt.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/vAlACI7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5uDJAX6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZPocfji.jpg

Will be starting a new 80% build soon and posting questions recommendations in another thread.

I like the looks of that a lot, well done.

Looks good. Interested to see how it works. How does the inside look?

Make room in your safe, they will magically multiply.

Fantastic! Not your typical FDE or black AR, the colors work really well

Have you looked into smoothing up your milspec trigger or a spring kit? It's something I'm interested in doing for a few of mine.

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Originally Posted by blacklabel

Have you looked into smoothing up your milspec trigger or a spring kit? It's something I'm interested in doing for a few of mine.

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black - no I have not, would be interested in hearing more about "smoothing" it out. I prefer a 2-4lb pull on my triggers. Will have to look into improving the milspec ones. I see a few drop in's for sale, but they seem pricey.

Irving - The milling came out good except for a couple of scuffs at the top. When I started my first milling run, I didn't have the chuck tightened enough. After tightening, all went great.
Final depth using the tip in method and hit the marks

I went with the JP spring kit in my first milspec trigger AR, and it did improve it a little bit, along with a little polishing. But it wasn't anywhere close to a nice 2 stage or drop-in trigger. I've got a LaRue MBT in one of mine, and a CMC 3.5# single stage in another, and both are awesome. Wouldn't want to own an AR without one or the other.

Nice looking rig.

+1 for the LaRue MBT suggestion

Nice looking blaster, another+1 forthe MBT awesome trigger with a nice price tag.

Thanks for the trigger tips fellas. Ordered a cmc dit for starters. I should have waited and ordered the MBT to start. Will probably do that for the next build.
New fun hobby for me , like legos all over again :) for adults

I like the 2 stage triggers like the MBT on a long range gun. On shorter range / faster shooting guns I like the single stage like the CMC.

My 18" ar has a 4.5-18 scope, and an MBT. My 16" AR has a 1-4 scope and a CMC. My 10" AR pistol has a strikefire red dot and a CMC.

Shoot me a PM if you'd like to try to meet up over at Bristlecone Shooting Center one of these days, I can bring one of each for you to get a feel for the difference.

Just tried it out for the first time today meeting up with DenverGP, what a great guy!

He taught me a lot and graciously let me shoot a couple of his rigs with upgraded triggers.
I could really tell the difference from my gritty milspec to his CMC & MBT.
Certainly liked the 2 stage in comparison. So both are now on the way, although the Larue might take longer to arrive.

Thanks for all the recommendations!

Was a fun range visit, and your gun shoots as nice as it looks. Very impressive for your first ever AR, and even more so knowing you built it all, including milling the 80% lower.

I've been wanting to try out the 80% thing, and now I know who to call when I decide to get started.

Neato for sure.

Looks like you built a nice Tier - FUN, carbine.

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

Looks like you built a nice Tier - FUN, carbine.

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Giggle

FWIW- attempting to clean up a mil-spec trigger is generally a waste. They are case hardened and most of the time when you polish out the factory grinding scratches (which ranges from the Grand Canyon to your driveway scratches) you have cut through the case hardening.

I have run the Geisselle triggers very hard and they last.

+1 for Larue MTB's. Plus he is running weekly drawings for those who purchase certain items such as those MTB's.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

Looks like you built a nice Tier - FUN, carbine.

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Yes sir I did, we all gotta start somewhere. Its as you described ,just a fun, gun.
For my second build, Taking it up a notch (or4), a tier 5 bcm might do well, do they offer 80% for machinists?
Just learning :)