My first Ar-15

[Colorado68]

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









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

[hurley842002]

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

[Irving]

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

[kidicarus13]

Make room in your safe, they will magically multiply.

[Will1776]

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

[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.

[Colorado68]

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.

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

[DenverGP]

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.

[CS1983]

Nice looking rig.

+1 for the LaRue MBT suggestion

[beast556]

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