Are all AR15's built the same?

[Lpherr]

The best for the money imo is Aero Precision AR-15 and AR-10 parts. High quality parts and I've built several rifles using their parts. Not one has failed to be quality.

I checked the website. Thanks!

 

[Lpherr]

Already said but no. And not all free float rails are the same. You definitely get what you pay for with a handguard. Same can be said about every part on an AR. Although there are garbage brands like strike industries that have expensive parts that are just expensive garbage.



To start a build define your use. Then define your budget. I suggest a factory complete upper while you get to know your ar. Centurion arms is an Indiana company and they put out quality across the board.

I checked Centurions website. It looks like they are out of stock on just about everything.

I had no intention on building an AR, but after looking at the above websites, I might have a bit more interest.
I would still like to get to know all the part names, which is where this started. Would one of those mats help with that?

Something I've noticed, some uppers say they have forward assist, and some say without.
Which is preferred? And why?
Also, the only thing that states it needs shipped to an FFL is the lower. Is that correct? And the BG form would need to be filed also?
When building one of these, do they have a serial number?

 

[Mgderf]

I checked Centurions website. It looks like they are out of stock on just about everything.

I had no intention on building an AR, but after looking at the above websites, I might have a bit more interest.
I would still like to get to know all the part names, which is where this started. Would one of those mats help with that?

Something I've noticed, some uppers say they have forward assist, and some say without.
Which is preferred? And why?
Also, the only thing that states it needs shipped to an FFL is the lower. Is that correct? And the BG form would need to be filed also?
When building one of these, do they have a serial number?

Lower is the only part that has a serial number.
This must go through an FFL, unless it's a private sale.
Forward assist- This is just what the name implies.
If the bolt carrier group does not go fully into battery, the forward assist is there to "assist" in seating the bolt completely.
Some feel a forward assist is not necessary so some companies offer uppers that are not set up for the assist mechanism.
These also sometimes come without a dust cover set-up as well.

The mat you have will identify most every part by name.
Watch a You Tube video on assembly of the AR15 lower.
It's ridiculously easy.

I assembled my first AR15 lower in 45 minutes with no more knowledge or instruction than a pictorial I found on AR15.com.
That, mated to a "complete" upper and I was up and running.

Now I think I could probably put a lower together in the dark.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Only the lower is controlled. That is officially the firearm. everything else is just "machine parts".

And if you ever have to return a gun to the factory for service, they can ship it directly back to you. It doesnt ALWAYS have to go to a FFL. (only when it isnt yours YET because you dont have the blessing of the ATF. Even though you paid for it.)

Dont worry about knowing all the parts. It wont hurt. But its not like you need to know the lower parts to buy individually. You buy them as a "lower parts kit" and it comes with everything you need. Generally speaking, if you cant see it from the outside, you dont need to order one special. Exceptions are special mag releases, bolt catches, takedown pins, etc. Everything else is in the LPK as a kit.

EDIT: and the forward assist is also a hotbutton issue. Some say its required, some say its not necessary. But supposedly Rittenhouse (and one other high profile defender too as I recall, but dont remember who) had to use his to get his gun back in the fight. I say its not a big issue to have one. Its not like they ever get in the way. Its considered something not necessary today for most people. Probably because its a range toy.

 

[Ggreen]

I checked Centurions website. It looks like they are out of stock on just about everything.

I had no intention on building an AR, but after looking at the above websites, I might have a bit more interest.
I would still like to get to know all the part names, which is where this started. Would one of those mats help with that?

Something I've noticed, some uppers say they have forward assist, and some say without.
Which is preferred? And why?
Also, the only thing that states it needs shipped to an FFL is the lower. Is that correct? And the BG form would need to be filed also?
When building one of these, do they have a serial number?

The lower is the serialized part and needs an ffl.

Better than a mat would be buying a complete rifle from a reputable vendor and manufacturer and learning the parts on a properly built and qc'd carbine. If you decide to build understand you won't build cheaper than buying a complete without cutting a corner on quality somewhere.

Centurion is available monthly just have to sign up for notifications. They are also available through a lot of the vendors. It's my favorite ar brand.

Aero precision and stag arms are owned by the same group and share a lot of parts. I don't recommend old stags but current production stag and aero precision are good entry level guns. Both use ballistic advantage barrels because ballistic advantage is also owned by the same holding company.

What kind of budget do you have?

 

[Mgderf]

Only the lower is controlled. That is officially the firearm. everything else is just "machine parts".

And if you ever have to return a gun to the factory for service, they can ship it directly back to you. It doesnt ALWAYS have to go to a FFL. (only when it isnt yours YET because you dont have the blessing of the ATF. Even though you paid for it.)

Dont worry about knowing all the parts. It wont hurt. But its not like you need to know the lower parts to buy individually. You buy them as a "lower parts kit" and it comes with everything you need. Generally speaking, if you cant see it from the outside, you dont need to order one special. Exceptions are special mag releases, bolt catches, takedown pins, etc. Everything else is in the LPK as a kit.

EDIT: and the forward assist is also a hotbutton issue. Some say its required, some say its not necessary. But supposedly Rittenhouse (and one other high profile defender too as I recall, but dont remember who) had to use his to get his gun back in the fight. I say its not a big issue to have one. Its not like they ever get in the way. Its considered something not necessary today for most people. Probably because its a range toy.

And anti-rotation pins for the fire control group, the binary trigger, adjustable gas block...

Only half kidding.
Yes, all the parts you need come in a lower parts kit.
That said, a lot of people don't use the fire control group, choosing to upgrade those to start.

 

[IUKalash429]

The mat will help, OP. You can also perform an internet search for something like "AR exploded parts diagram" to get a quick reference guide and start learning all the different parts names.

 

[Lpherr]

This is all great info, and I really appreciate it.

Knowing the part names is more than just so I know what to buy, it would also help me follow when people are talking about them, and so I don't sound like an idiot when talking or asking about them.
I sound like an idiot enough, without adding to it. I know I have and will have more questions.

Looking at the various parts, I see it will cost a chunk to build one. I assume the quality would be better than a manufactured rifle, if using better parts, i.e. Centurion, or Aero pro parts?

I don't have a set budget, since I wasn't intending on building, but I suppose $1500-$2000, if I spaced it out, and bought parts over time.

 

[Cameramonkey]

The mat will help. My Glock mat gets LOTS of use. It sits next to my keyboard opposite my mouse pad and my cat uses it as a bed when he wants to hang with me. LOL

 

[Ggreen]

This is all great info, and I really appreciate it.

Knowing the part names is more than just so I know what to buy, it would also help me follow when people are talking about them, and so I don't sound like an idiot when talking or asking about them.
I sound like an idiot enough, without adding to it. I know I have and will have more questions.

Looking at the various parts, I see it will cost a chunk to build one. I assume the quality would be better than a manufactured rifle, if using better parts, i.e. Centurion, or Aero pro parts?

I don't have a set budget, since I wasn't intending on building, but I suppose $1500-$2000, if I spaced it out, and bought parts over time.

A rifle built by a quality builder will be better than 99.9 percent of home builds

Centurion is better than aero by quite a bit, and the price reflects that gap. 2k will get you quality parts and I'm sure there is a reputable builder around you to help you assemble.

I started cheap and it has cost me a lot of money time and frustration.

 

[Goodcat]

Centurion is amazing, sign up for notifications. They blow Aero out of the water. SOLGW is decent. ADM, KAC and LMT are other good brands.

Don’t touch anti-rotation pins. If you need them, you purchased an out of spec lower or pins. The AR platform is designed to allow the pins to rotate freely as the trigger is pulled. In that same vein, disregard anyone who tells you to get an adjustible gas block, it’s a band-aid to a properly adjusted and designed gas system, and can create reliability issues.

Geissele makes some of the best triggers. Avoid any “cassette” triggers. The drop in triggers have the some of the highest failure rates with high volume shooters. Centurion AST trigger, and LaRue MBT2S are two very reliable, and pretty darned good options on a budget.

 

[bwframe]

There is a baaaazillion YouTube videos. Never rely on any one source, including INGO.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ar15+build+setup

Thanks, but I don't want to build one, not yet anyway.
I just want to learn the parts and their names. Start at the beginning... so to speak.
If the parts are the same across the AR15 platform, then a detailed, generic mat should provide the information, correct?
That would provide a quick visual reference for a newbie.

Here's what I'm looking at:

View attachment 174162

I don't get what you want explained to you, that you cannot research yourself? Pop any question you have into Google or Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=best+ar15+armorers+course

Again, opinions are like a-holes, everybody has them. Confirm any advice given.

 

[IUKalash429]

I don't get what you want explained to you, that you cannot research yourself?

Probably at least somewhat trying to get his post count up. We all had to start somewhere.

 

[MCgrease08]

Oh. I always love a chance to bring this thread back.

Do you TRULY want a good AR-15 or do you want crap?

I and other members who know our guns have spoke highly of BCM rifles for years now and how these are the best bang for the buck. A rifle that you could go to war with and that will last your lifetime (for the average shooter). Also some of us on here have talked about how Colts quality has...

www.indianagunowners.com

 

[Cameramonkey]

And if OP really wants to build a mediocre 100 yard plinker to have fun and understands the risks, so be it.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Probably at least somewhat trying to get his post count up. We all had to start somewhere.

And I dont fault him. Not a bad way to do it. Info plus post count. Win-win!

 

[Lpherr]

Probably at least somewhat trying to get his post count up. We all had to start somewhere.

Negative.
I honestly want to learn about the AR15, and yes, I could spend hours searching the web, and getting contradicting information, or ask some questions on a gun forum and get answers and some helpful links.
As stated so eloquently, opinions are like a-holes, but on a forum with other enthusiasts, those opinions can be argued, as opposed to an article or video. Those would just lead back here with more questions anyway, so why not start here?

I've checked the mentioned places, and did the diagram search, and both have been helpful, and also brought up more questions.
I apologize if my questions are an inconvenience to some, but I appreciate those that have been kind enough to contribute.

I originally wanted to know if the parts to build an AR15, were used across the platform, so I could learn them and be able to converse and follow others. Not knowing the names of the parts won't help in a search for a part.
Anyway, after the suggestions posted, I'm now getting more interested in a potential build.

 

[MCgrease08]

Watch this. It has all the components and parts labeled.

 

[churchmouse]

The matched upper/lower set offered by Standard Manf. Is in my mind a serious offering. The cut/finish is on par with any I have seen and I have seen many.
They are a few dollars more than the Aero pieces but the are sold as a set fit to each other and it is apparent.
LPKs are all over the place. Don’t jump on cheap. Just avoid cheap. It will pay dividends down the road. ALG makes a very nice enhanced trigger group that is $70-ish.
A decent quality barrel and hand guard with a serious barrel nut. The BCG is another area to avoid cheap.
I have gone back to a standard A2 buttstock.
Sights are a matter of preference. So many options.
Many of us had the very same questions as you have in our meager beginnings and there was a lot of trial and error along the way. It’s how we learn. Mistakes will be made and learned from.

Set a budget. A realistic one and figure in an optic as you will be getting one anyway.
Someone on this forum who may be close to you will (I would but did you not say you were well north) set down and show you the ropes. How/where to shop. What you need. And the tools required to assemble it.
Another way is buy an entry level rifle like an M&P base level and then start changing parts to make it your own.

 

[Lpherr]

Watch this. It has all the components and parts labeled.

Thank you, sir. That's awesome, it not only names the parts, but shows how the are assembled. I have it bookmarked.
I also peeked at your link above. I'll go through it later, but I'm guessing BCM is another quality manufacturer? I looked at
their website, but there isn't any pricing. I'll revisit and contact them.
This is why I asked on a gun forum... good information and experience.