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rentz wrote:i just finished building my first lower before I saw this video, the use of the vise grips would have made the bolt catch install much much easier

Alternative vice grips method was found on 2nd post here:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/226782 ... ions_.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It really helped.

glbedd53 wrote:I have two ARs but that makes me want to put one together. Why was the upper assy. already assembled, are they usually?

Mainly cost and build complexity. The lower is pretty easy to put together without any special tools, and buying a stripped lower and a parts kit is cheaper than buying an assembled lower. The upper requires proper torquing, precise alignment, and probably some tools I don't already own. I haven't priced out building the upper myself, but I don't know that I have the skills or tools to do it either.

For this build, everything came from Palmetto State Armory except the stripped lower. Total cost was about $715 including shipping and FFL transfer fee on the stripped lower. If can be done for less, but I 'upgraded' to MOE furniture and a hammer forged barrel. For a just a little more and if you can find it in stock, you could buy a complete, quality Spikes Tactical 5.56/.223 rifle, but you wouldn't have as much fun putting it together and you wouldn't get some of the little upgrades.

When I do it again, I may spend a little more money and get a Bravo Company upper.

I carefully selected the least valuable book I could find in my library, just for this task.

I've posted a time lapse of my first AR15 assembly on youtube. Nothing too cool other than the time lapse is kinda neat:

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[youtube][/youtube]