Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles First AR-15 "build" - tools needed

Getting ready to tackle my first "build" on the platform. It's really more "assembly" in my mind but that's another topic. Will be six position stock, 16" lightweight barrel build for simple plinking by my daughter.

Question is - what tools should I acquire to make the process go well?

I have a couple of ARs now so I'm somewhat comfortable with the platform but have never assembled one from scratch.

Thanks in advance for the info.

upper reciever blocks.
Roll pin punches. Standard punches. And there is one specialty punch I can't recall right now.

Plus something to put the barrel on with, which depending could be anything from GI wrench to strap wrenches to pipe wrench with piece of leather for liner.... just depends on what you are doing barrel nut wise.

Plus collapse stock needs spanner wrench of some sort though I bet I could do it without depending.

It is only assembly is right, thats why about anyone could do it.

Set of gauges to verify headspace supposedly is required though over the years in checking I"ve yet to see anything decent barre and bolt wise that didn't fall where it needed to be as is.

Thanks, rost. Figure this will be a good learning experience so that I know more about the operation of the AR platform. By the time I buy some tools it really won't save me anything but I like the concept and can always (legislation permitting) do more in the future.

FWIW I could get away with it with reciever blocks and a set of punches, but roll pin make it easier... and some of the other tools make it easier too.... but really, it can be done without fancy ones.

Hopefully others will chime in on anything I missed.

Brownell's makes a special roll pin punch for the bolt release. It's flat on one side...comes in pretty handy. The roll pin holders are really nice, as are the roll pin punches and receiver blocks that rost mentioned.

roll pin punches , smaller hammer, and this wrench, should get you by .

And where do I obtain that particular wrench?

Brownells has them.

Thanks - I'll check it out.

when installing he Bolt Catch put a piece of tape between the punch and the receiver so not to scratch it and always support the bottom ear when installing the trigger guard so not to break it off and ruin the lower receiver.

Thanks for the tips, bea175. Appreciate the info.

Go spend some time here

http://www.ar15.com/forums/b/3_AR_15.html

Just remember you are not really building a AR , you are just assembling parts.

You know I guess we assemble house too...

yes and you also assemble Modular Home

Just got a 10 inch Knipex pliers wrench. You can put your punches and hammers back in the toolbox. Great tool on sale at Sears.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ols&sName=Pliers%20&%20Setsmv=rr