TexasCHLforum.com

So following the Christmas rush, I jumped on a few Christmas and New Years sales. I picked up all the parts I needed for the lower receiver and assembled it last night. It took about an hour or so once I actually got started, and the whole process was not very difficult at all.

I'm very happy with the way it turned out, but I still need to finish it off with the upper. I've decided to go with a complete barreled upper receiver so that I won't have to deal with buying additional tools. I have been looking at Palmetto State Armory, but they're VERY out of stock right now.

During some research, I came across Houston-based Radical Firearms. Does anyone have any experience with their products?

mr1337 wrote:I'll add one caveat to the "all parts work with all AR-15s" mantra. Pay attention to the type of buffer tube that you get with your lower parts kit. There are two types: commercial and mil-spec. They are slightly different size, and the size will determine what butt stock you should get. There are commercial stocks and mil-spec stocks that fit onto their respective-sized buffer tube.

I've seen that. Is there any practical difference between the two?

mr1337 wrote:Build your own lower. It will give you a lot of insight into how the weapon operates. The upper, you can just get a complete upper. I had to do this as I do not have a vice to torque the barrel.

I think this is the route I will take. I would enjoy building the lower and I have to the tools for it. I just don't have a vice or torque wrench. I'll get an armorers wrench though.

From what I've seen, it looks like there are lots of good kits for this type of build (assembled uppers and parts kits for the lower).

I would rather have a matching upper and lower, but does it make much of a difference to mix and match brands between the upper and lower?

I was under the impression that you also need a vice and a torque wrench. Are those not necessary?

Howdy!

I have gotten the urge to dive into the AR world. I have been doing a lot of research, but I need some guidance from those with more knowledge than I.

For the longest time, I always thought going with an off the shelf AR from a solid company was the only way to go for a newbie, but after looking at pricing and options, I have gotten interested in building.

I don't have the tools to build an AR from loose parts, so I'm thinking of buying some built segments and piecing them together. An inexpensive built upper with a good quality barrel (preferably minus BCG and charging handle) and inexpensive built lower. I was thinking of going with Palmetto State Armory for those portions, but I would like to put more money into the BCG (probably spikes or bcm) and I want an ambi charging handle (probably bcm).

So what suggestions do y'all have about this plan? Am I missing anything or is there anything I should know about this type of project?