Building My First AR-15: Need Your Thoughts

[rg115]

Been thinking about building my own AR-15 for a while now, and I finally pulled the trigger — pun intended. I've started browsing parts, and honestly, it's a bit overwhelming. There are so many options out there!

I'm aiming for a basic rifle build to keep it simple, probably sticking with 5.56. But I'm guessing there are other calibers worth considering? What do you guys think?

I've seen some pretty decent deals here and there, but I'm still trying to figure out what's a good buy versus what's overpriced junk. Are there any brands you'd recommend steering clear of? I could definitely use some pointers on that.

Also, what are some hidden costs or common mistakes you made when you were building yours? Like, do you really need to invest in all the fancy tools, or can you get by with the basics? I'm all ears for any tips or tricks.

Honestly, I'm torn between building my own and just buying a pre-built one. There's something appealing about doing it myself, but I don't want to get in over my head. Any thoughts?

Thanks for any advice you can share. I really appreciate it!

 

[UTBMXCruiser]

How much money do you want to spend? You could build a cheapo for 550 sometimes less, or spend like 5K to build one. The barrel is the most important consideration for real accuracy. High end service rifle barrels are expensive, but do make a difference. Do your research.

 

[UTBMXCruiser]

How much money do you want to spend? You could build a cheapo for 550 sometimes less, or spend like 5K to build one. The barrel is the most important consideration for real accuracy. High end service rifle barrels are expensive, but do make a difference. Do your research.

My son bought a Ruger AR556 that shoots pretty good.