Ruger Forum

heymatthew · October 21st, 2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yipykyah

I've found a feeler gauge to be the best tool for that job.

Perfect! Keep the ideas comin' guys! I'm a newbie at this and can use all the help I can get. The smith at my LGS where I purchased the lower told me if I get stuck, just to bring him my stuff and he'll help me out. I've got a good relationship with the guys at the shop. It's just a couple guys and they know me by name. I figure they can bail me out if I start swearing too much. LOL!

heymatthew · October 21st, 2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gen2tegboi

+1 on the bcm upper. I got my upper, m16 bcg, and heavy buffer from them. I just built my first ever AR with no experience what so ever and it went smoothly. If you want a top notch LPK go with the Daniel Defense, they come with a nice trigger already, and you can't go wrong with some Magpul furniture. My lower is a spikes tactical though.

Looking at Bravo Company now... Man, this build needs to happen NOW!

HappilyAddicted · October 21st, 2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heymatthew

Perfect! Keep the ideas comin' guys! I'm a newbie at this and can use all the help I can get. The smith at my LGS where I purchased the lower told me if I get stuck, just to bring him my stuff and he'll help me out. I've got a good relationship with the guys at the shop. It's just a couple guys and they know me by name. I figure they can bail me out if I start swearing too much. LOL!

I use an Allen wrench that's slightly smaller than the hole. It's not a perfect solution but it works. I then slide out the Allen wrench while pushing in the pivot pin at the same time. Hope that makes sense.

heymatthew · October 21st, 2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappilyAddicted

I use an Allen wrench that's slightly smaller than the hole. It's not a perfect solution but it works. I then slide out the Allen wrench while pushing in the pivot pin at the same time. Hope that makes sense.

Makes perfect sense. Thanks!

heymatthew · October 22nd, 2012, 05:29 PM

GUYS.... I just installed my mag release, trigger group, safety selector, pistol grip and forward pivot pin (is that what it's called?). So far, this build has gone off without a hitch. I wish I had made a video when I put in the pivot pin because it quite literally took less than 10 seconds. Probably closer to 5.

Since you guys have been so helpful, I wanted to pay it forward and share my special secret. I was looking for something very thin and strong to hold that detent/spring in place without trying to push one thing in while pulling out the other. So... What I did was to put the lower in a cardboard box to keep everything from flying out. I used an Xacto knife and with the flat of the blade, I pushed the detent and spring down until the blade was hard against the lower. Then, I just slipped the pivot pin in and once it was about halfway in and the detent was safe, I slipped the Xacto blade out from under it without a scratch. And, I didn't lose my detent or spring and I didn't even have to cuss!

Hope this helps you guys out on your future builds. I appreciate everything you all have done for me so far. I'll be wrapping up the lower probably Wednesday. I needed to wait on some roll pin punches and roll pin holders that I ordered to do the bolt release and trigger guard. I've done such a good job this far and I just didn't feel good about using regular punches on those two components. I'll keep you guys posted as I wrap things up.

Thanks again for all of your help!!!

HappilyAddicted · October 23rd, 2012, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heymatthew

GUYS.... I just installed my mag release, trigger group, safety selector, pistol grip and forward pivot pin (is that what it's called?). So far, this build has gone off without a hitch. I wish I had made a video when I put in the pivot pin because it quite literally took less than 10 seconds. Probably closer to 5.

Since you guys have been so helpful, I wanted to pay it forward and share my special secret. I was looking for something very thin and strong to hold that detent/spring in place without trying to push one thing in while pulling out the other. So... What I did was to put the lower in a cardboard box to keep everything from flying out. I used an Xacto knife and with the flat of the blade, I pushed the detent and spring down until the blade was hard against the lower. Then, I just slipped the pivot pin in and once it was about halfway in and the detent was safe, I slipped the Xacto blade out from under it without a scratch. And, I didn't lose my detent or spring and I didn't even have to cuss!

Hope this helps you guys out on your future builds. I appreciate everything you all have done for me so far. I'll be wrapping up the lower probably Wednesday. I needed to wait on some roll pin punches and roll pin holders that I ordered to do the bolt release and trigger guard. I've done such a good job this far and I just didn't feel good about using regular punches on those two components. I'll keep you guys posted as I wrap things up.

Thanks again for all of your help!!!

Nice job!!! Thanks for sharing about the Xacto knife, I didn't even think about that.
One thing, when you're installing the trigger guard make sure to take your time tapping in the roll pin. That part of the receiver is very fragile and has been known to crack if you're not careful. Please keep us posted on your build. I would wish you good luck but it seems you're doing great without it!

heymatthew · October 23rd, 2012, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappilyAddicted

Nice job!!! Thanks for sharing about the Xacto knife, I didn't even think about that.
One thing, when you're installing the trigger guard make sure to take your time tapping in the roll pin. That part of the receiver is very fragile and has been known to crack if you're not careful. Please keep us posted on your build. I would wish you good luck but it seems you're doing great without it!

Thanks! Glad I could give some insight on future builds.

I've heard that the ears on the trigger guard section are pretty fragile. I'll make sure to take extra care when tapping those pins in. I'll have my roll pin punches and hammer today and the roll pin holders will be here tomorrow. I found them on MidwayUSA. It's a set of two but they're double-ended so you really get four. Hopefully they'll do the trick...

heymatthew · October 24th, 2012, 05:41 AM

The lower is pretty much complete. I can tell right off the bat that I'm not a fan of the stock as it doesn't fit as tightly as I'd like it to. I'm planning on changing it out to a Magpul stock once I get the whole thing put together. I also don't care for the grip. I'm thinking a Hogue grip is what I'll put on permanently. Otherwise, everything went together really well. I got those roll pin punches in and they made driving in the roll pins effortless and clean. I had to really smack that trigger guard pin to get it in, but the lower held up to the abuse just fine. The bolt stop release went in very smoothly.

All-in-all, I think I did a pretty good job and I'm really pleased with the turnout. This was super fun.

I also want to note that I filled in the pictograms and that's all I was planning on doing, but I had some paint run into the wording and I couldn't get it out so I just went ahead and filled that in as well. I don't think it's too obnoxious.

Thanks again for all the help guys!

Rivers2k · October 24th, 2012, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heymatthew

The lower is pretty much complete. I can tell right off the bat that I'm not a fan of the stock as it doesn't fit as tightly as I'd like it to. I'm planning on changing it out to a Magpul stock once I get the whole thing put together. I also don't care for the grip. I'm thinking a Hogue grip is what I'll put on permanently. Otherwise, everything went together really well. I got those roll pin punches in and they made driving in the roll pins effortless and clean. I had to really smack that trigger guard pin to get it in, but the lower held up to the abuse just fine. The bolt stop release went in very smoothly.

All-in-all, I think I did a pretty good job and I'm really pleased with the turnout. This was super fun.

I also want to note that I filled in the pictograms and that's all I was planning on doing, but I had some paint run into the wording and I couldn't get it out so I just went ahead and filled that in as well. I don't think it's too obnoxious.

Thanks again for all the help guys!

looking good congrats on the new build. Any idea what you are doing for an upper?

heymatthew · October 24th, 2012, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivers2k

looking good congrats on the new build. Any idea what you are doing for an upper?

I think I might go with a 16" M4-Style upper. Something kind of small and lightweight. I'm planning to use Magpul furniture up front. I like the feel of their stuff and it's sturdy and lightweight.

Definitely 5.56/.223 since I have a Mini 14 that shoots the same. I think this is a pretty good price on a completed upper. Then I'd just need the BCG and Charging Handle. M4 Madness - 16'' CMV Chrome-Lined Stripped Upper - Without BCG or Charging Handle - Barreled Upper Assemblies - AR-15

I saw a Bravo Company Upper that I liked but it's sold out. I put the PSA upper on my Christmas List for my parents so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll be under the tree.

Any thoughts?

pah · October 25th, 2012, 02:30 AM

Honestly if that's what your looking at check out rock river they have some nice entry level uppers for around 480.00. The BCG is pretty hard to find now. The ones that are available are the pricey ones. Also check out DPMS they also have entry level uppers

HappilyAddicted · October 28th, 2012, 07:26 AM

Congrats man, looks awesome to me. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

P.S. Great photography as well.

heymatthew · October 28th, 2012, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pah

Honestly if that's what your looking at check out rock river they have some nice entry level uppers for around 480.00. The BCG is pretty hard to find now. The ones that are available are the pricey ones. Also check out DPMS they also have entry level uppers

Thanks Pah. Looking at the RRA uppers pretty heavily right now. Completed uppers with the BCG and everything included sounds good to me!

heymatthew · October 28th, 2012, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappilyAddicted

Congrats man, looks awesome to me. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

P.S. Great photography as well.

Thank you kindly... I'm looking forward to seeing it as well. As soon as money permits, she'll be done. You know how that is though...

OH25shooter · October 28th, 2012, 07:46 AM

Have you looked at CMMG (they aren't cheap) uppers? I'm new to AR's but got lucky and bought a Bushmaster from a buddy. I immediately noticed three things that needed changing (for me). That cheap skinny plastic pistol grip. I bought a Magpul MOE+ (the rubber one), and the charging handle had to go. I like the BCM (mod4) which made a big difference, because I prefer to charge it with my left hand while holding the pistol grip with my right. I know mags are a personal choice, but at least check the aluminum ones from Brownells. I like metal over plastic. They have a nice video that explains the making of them on their website. Good luck and by all means post pictures of the build.