I’m looking to build my first AR and it looks like this is a good place to get some information.
Matthew Answered question August 28, 2022
Building an AR-15 lower receiver from scratch isn’t as difficult as it might sound. With the right tools and a little patience, you can put together a high-quality lower receiver that will last for years. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- A drill press
- An end mill or router
- A set of Drill bits
- A set of End mill bits
- High-speed steel (HSS) tooling is recommended for aluminum, though carbide will work in a pinch
- An AR-15 lowers jig drilling template. This will be specific to the 80% lower you’re using. You can find these online or at your local gun store
- A lower receiver forging. This is the starting point for your build and can be sourced from several places, including online retailers or your local gun store
- An upper receiver assembly. This can also be sourced from several places, including online retailers or your local gun store
With those items in hand, you’re ready to start building your very own AR-15 lower receiver. Here’s a quick rundown of the steps involved:
- Begin by milling out the fire control pocket. This is where the trigger assembly will eventually go, so it’s important to get this step right.
- Next, you’ll need to drill the holes for the trigger and hammer pins. Again, take your time and make sure these holes are drilled precisely.
- Now it’s time to start milling out the magazine well. This is a fairly straightforward process, but take your time to avoid any mistakes.
- Once the magazine well is milled out, you can move on to drilling the holes for the bolt catch and release pins.
- With those holes drilled, you can now mill out the area for the pistol grip. This is a relatively simple process, but be careful not to overdo it and make the grip too thin.
- The final step is to drill the hole for the takedown pin. Once that’s done, your AR-15 lower receiver is complete!
Building your own AR-15 lower receiver can be a great way to get exactly the gun you want. With a little patience and attention to detail, you can create a high-quality receiver that will last for years.
Natalee Edited answer August 28, 2022