AR-15 Build Your Own - Eric R. Shelton

[Mark Vanderberg]

[Karl]

Eric The Trend Setter....

http://www.thefirearmblog.com - Tango Down

[patrick_ford]

Hey Eric,

What a great review of your AR-15 build. I took the beginners approach to my AR-15 and bought a complete DPMS. I am currently replacing parts as I get a feel for the stock ones. Like you said, it's a little more expensive, but since I have no prior AR experience, it seems to be the best way to go about his sort of thing.

I wanted to comment on the Magpul MIAD grip. I got one not too long ago and it is awesome. Something about the finger groove of a standard A2 grip rubs my middle knuckle the wrong way. Going with a MIAD minus the finger groove really made shooting better, not to mention the interchangeable back straps. The extra storage is a plus too. Now I just need to pick up that Eotech...

Thanks,

Patrick

[Eric R Shelton]

The problem with building an AR is that it's addictive- I've already picked up another stripped lower, and may get one more today!  LOL.  And the odds are real good that I'll put a MIAD on this time...

What was with the link to the firearms blog?  I didn't get that one...? 

[Blackwing Shooter]

Eric,

Thank you for the review and ideas on the AR.  I, like others, could not wait and had to buy a completed DPMS.  However, it does not mean that I will not have the fun of tearing it down and building it back up.  Keep up the good work.

Keith

[BoltsFan]

Great review Eric. I have my Spikes lower sitting there waiting to become an EBR. Where can I see pics of yours?

[Eric R Shelton]

I had some pics on here, but I don't know what thread they're in anymore.  Email me at handgunpodcast@gmail.com, remind me it's for AR pics, and I'll send you the full size pics in my reply.  Deal?   

[Great Plains Scout]

Hey Eric,
I have got a single point sling attachment. At the point of attachment its position is just at the right angle that causes my thumb to be trapped when I attempt to rotate the AR selector, any idea of another model that places the point of attachment differently?

[S391]

Eric,

Great show, thank you very much!! I just picked up my first AR this afternoon but I've listen to this show more than a few times in the last couple of weeks and it has been a wealth of information (good information)!

I'm glad to see that this podcast is finally getting some legs under it and people are stepping up and producing some quality reviews.

Keep it up everyone!

[Sig Snob]

How difficult would it be for someone with mechanical skills but no really experience with gunsmithing to build an AR-15 from scratch?  And I mean scratch scratch.  Stripped lower and the works.  I want to build an AR myself because I'm kind of picky and oh yah, left-handed too.  I considered buying a DPMS and modifying it but I probably won't have the cash for atleast a year so I have lots of time to think about the exact parts I want.  Someone I work with thought it would be scary since I've never really done much to a gun besides stripping handguns to clean them but from what I've been reading it doesn't look like it's TOO scary.  Any opinions??

[Eric R Shelton]

Hey Eric,
I have got a single point sling attachment. At the point of attachment its position is just at the right angle that causes my thumb to be trapped when I attempt to rotate the AR selector, any idea of another model that places the point of attachment differently?

Scout, sorry for the long delay in reply.  There have been some times where I just got too behind on forum stuff and only checked under Handgun Podcast.  Your post must've been around then.  My apologies.

The only single point sling mounts I know of tend to be integrated with the rear plate, secured by the castle nut and buffer tube.  I'm guessing you have one that extends outward from there, protruding to the left?  The only other methods for a single-point that I'm aware of (that I would use) are Magpul's new ASAP plate which is designed to be ambidextrous, or something like Noveske's QD end plate.  Those have a chance of moving the sling more in line with the gun and out of your way.  Depending on your sling, the ASAP may just give you more play with your sling and drop it out of your way.

My other suggestion is that you change the way you carry your gun.  While I'm an advocate of 2-point slings, that's not where I'm going with this.  What I mean is: I carry my rifle slung, but I never let the sling carry the rifle.  Unless I'm adjusting targets, or doing another two-handed task, both my hands are on my rifle and holding it just a little above the point where tension would be on the sling.  My hand is on fire control, my rifle is not dangling, and I can bring it to bear at any given time, using the sling for added tension/stability while firing.  I haven't seen you shoot, so I can't comment on your technique- I'm just hoping this helps.


Sig Fan, it's freakin' easy.  If you can change your spark plugs/oil, you can build an AR from a stripped lower.  The only part that might give you headaches is attaching a barrel to an upper receiver- you really do need to make sure it's torqued correctly, and don't assume "if tight is good than tighter is better."  Otherwise, it's pretty simple.  Search Arfcom for some good info.

For a left-handed shooter, the obvious recommendation is a Stag upper.  I think DPMS is getting into left-handed uppers too...  But I'd going out on a limb here and suggesting a P.O.F. USA lower.  They're MUCH more expensive, but they're truly ambidextrous (new models on display at the NRA were even more ambi-than last year's), billet, come with all the specialty parts, and the finish is applied by Robar.  Top notch stuff, and you'll be the envy of every southpaw stuck with a right-handed lower (compensating with ambi-safety).

Sorry for the mega-post guys.  Hope that answers your questions.

[Sig Snob]

Eric, thanks for the input.  I started looking at P.O.F. USA's lowers after hearing your interview from the NRA convention.  Being a southpaw my ears perk up when someone says "truly ambidextrous".  The ambidexterity of their lower is very appealing to me but I think that's all I'd buy from them at this time.  I like their complete rifles too but I'm really looking at building.  The down side as you said is the price but since I want an EOTech HWS I guess I shouldn't complain about the cost of the body of the weapon.

The area that I've been thinking about cheating is the upper.  I'm thinking about the Stag Arms uppers because of the left-handed features and the fact that attaching the barrel sounds like a pain.  Frankly, I don't really care much about the barrel because as a recreational shooter I don't think I'll ever wear ANY barrel out. 

I do have a question about the left-handed uppers though.  I can come up with a few reasons on my own why it'd be nice not to have shells ejecting across my body but are there any other clear cut reasons??  I've always adapted to right-handed guns and controls are what have bothered me more than the location of the shell extraction. 

Southpaw envy is totally what I'm going for too!   But seriously, how great would it be to hand a right-handed person my left-handed gun???  Revenge is sweet!

[Eric R Shelton]

A right-handed person will still be able to operate your gun- the new-for-2009 POF lowers are truly ambidextrous.  They'll just finally know what it's like to be on the gas door (loud) side of the gun and have shells zinging past their heads!  LOL.  No, the really sweet deal will be another lefty who bought a complete Stag, then shoots yours and realizes his lower is a compromise at best...

I would buy the complete upper, in your case.  That way you get the left handed bolt, bolt carrier, and the whole shebang. 

If you go with POF, make sure you get specific about a NEW lower.  They're old ones were just ambi-bolt release.  You want ambi-mag release as well.

[Sig Snob]

Awesome intel man, thanks!  Although, I think i'll have to find a way to cover the right-handed controls when my friends shoot it cuz I'm really digging the revenge thing!  Oh well, maybe I could just settle for the shells in their face.    But seriously, thanks a bunch! It's going to be a while before I can afford all this but I'll keep you posted.  I'm pretty pumped to start buying my parts now that I have a good idea what I'm going to build. 

Keep up the good work on the podcast Eric, it's always a treat to get a new one to listen to on the weekend!

[Eric R Shelton]

You could always shave/dremel the "ping pong paddle" (bolt release) and safety lever on the left side...

Or you could do an ambi-single point mount like the Magpul ASAP, and have the best weak-side transitions on the field!