AR 15 Parts List

Edifice AR-15s is oftentimes referred to as "Legos® for adults," and while the general fit-and-create concept applies, there'south a lot more than to successfully putting together a reliable firearm than making a Lego belfry. When you realize how many parts it takes to build an AR-15—most 65 to 100, depending on configuration—it might seem overwhelming. Consider this your one-stop read to find out what individual components are necessary to build an AR-fifteen.

What Are the Main Parts of an AR-15?

You can break an AR-15 downwards into its two largest parts, the upper and lower receivers. A complete upper receiverincludes the receiver itself, bolt carrier group, handguard, and butt. Of grade, in that location'south more to information technology than that; a consummate upper receiver has numerous small parts to make the larger pieces piece of work. A stripped upper receiverrequires you to install every tiny part.

A lower receiver includes the receiver itself, stock, buffer tube and buffer spring, trigger, safety, and other small parts. Information technology can also be purchased as a consummate or stripped lower receiver.

When you clean an AR-15, you separate the ii receivers by pushing the takedown pins free so the parts are no longer locked together. Y'all then remove the bolt carrier grouping from the upper and the buffer weight and spring from the lower to begin cleaning and lubricating your gun.

What Is Needed to Build an AR-15?

Although some people will say you tin build an AR-15 with standard wrenches and hammers—which is technically right—information technology'southward not a expert idea. Using the incorrect tools to build an AR-15 results in damage to the components, aptitude pins, and other problems that tin can end it from operation correctly. Aesthetically, it also creates a mess of scratches and dings on what should exist your make-new, pristine gun.

Tools to consider getting before yous start the building procedure:

  • Bench vise
  • Mag well vise block
  • Reaction or upper receiver rod/butt rod
  • AR-15 torque wrench, 30 lbs to 150 lbs (proper torque matters)
  • Armorer's wrench (check to see if the parts you lot're using crave a specific, proprietary AR-15 armorer's wrench)
  • Complete dial set (preferably one that includes brass and plastic punches in addition to steel)
  • Not-marring brass/nylon hammer
  • Hex wrench set up
  • Torx bit fix and handle
  • Needle-nosed pliers

Tools that are likewise nice to consider adding to your collection:

  • Gunsmith screwdriver set with magnetic bits
  • Roll pin holder/gyre pin starter punches
  • Whorl pivot punches (if non role of your original dial ready)
  • Pin pin installation tool
  • Gun demote mat
  • Collapsible buttstock tool (if using collapsible buttstock)
  • A2 sight adjustment tool (if using an A2 front sight)
  • Breaker bar
  • Strap wrench
  • Headspace gauge (go/no-go)

Miscellaneous items you may want:

  • Loctite® 222 (purple, low-strength)
    • Parts can exist removed relatively simply using hand tools once applied. Used for smaller parts like set screws.
  • Loctite® 243 (blue, medium-strength)
    • Parts tin exist removed using the proper tools once applied. Used for parts like handguard screws or anti-walk pins.
  • Loctite® 271 (red, high-strength)
    • Extremely hard to remove parts once applied. Sometimes used for gas block set screws and muzzle devices. Some builders use Rocksett® instead of scarlet Loctite®.
  • Anti-seize lubricant (copper-based)
    • Used for parts like the barrel nut. Some builders adopt using gun-friendly grease.
  • Lubricant

All Parts Needed to Build an AR-fifteen

It takes quite a few parts to build an AR-xv. The specific parts for an AR-fifteen can vary a flake depending on the configuration y'all've chosen, merely the nuts remain the same. Go along in listen that some components for an AR-15, such every bit the bolt carrier group, tin easily be purchased preassembled.

  • Upper receiver (stripped)
    • Charging handle (can be purchased as a complete kit)
      • Charging handle latch
      • Charging handle latch spring
      • Charging handle latch curlicue pin
    • Forward assist (if including i; can exist purchased every bit a complete kit)
      • Forward assist pawl
      • Frontward assist pawl detent
      • Forrad assist pawl detent spring
      • Frontward assist retaining pin
      • Forward help spring
      • Pawl pin
    • Ejection port cover/grit comprehend (can be purchased as a complete kit)
      • Ejection port cover pivot
      • Ejection port cover pin retaining ring
      • Ejection port cover leap
    • Barrel assembly
      • Barrel
      • Barrel nut
      • Barrel indexing pivot
      • Crush washer
      • Delta band
      • Handguard (associated parts depend on whether it's free-floating, amid other details)
      • Front and rear sights if using iron sights (parts associated with front sight are dependent on blazon of sight you lot choose)
      • Cage device (muzzle break, flash hider, )
      • Gas tube
      • Gas tube roll pin
      • Gas cake
      • Gas block set screws
    • Bolt carrier group (can exist purchased complete)
      • Commodities carrier
      • Bolt
      • Bolt carrier key
      • Bolt carrier key screw (×ii)
      • Cam pin
      • Ejector
      • Ejector spring
      • Ejector curlicue pin
      • Extractor
      • Extractor bound
      • Extractor pin
      • Firing pin
      • Firing pin retaining pivot
      • Gas rings (×3)
    • Lower receiver (stripped)
      • Lower parts kit (parts tin be purchased as individual components, but complete kits are widely available)
      • Bolt take hold of
      • Bolt catch plunger
      • Bolt catch roll pin
      • Bolt catch jump
      • Buffer retainer
      • Buffer retainer spring
      • Disconnector
      • Disconnector leap
      • Hammer
      • Hammer pivot
      • Hammer spring
      • Mag catch
      • Magazine catch push
      • Mag take hold of spring
      • Pistol grip
      • Pistol grip lock washer
      • Pistol grip spiral
      • Pin pin
      • Pivot pin detent
      • Pivot pin detent spring
      • Selector
      • Selector detent
      • Selector detent spring
      • Takedown pin
      • Takedown pin detent
      • Takedown pin detent spring
      • Trigger (tin be jumpsuit, drop-in style, or assorted parts that must be assembled)
      • Trigger guard (if the lower doesn't have one)
      • Trigger guard whorl pin
      • Trigger pin
      • Trigger jump
  • Stock assembly
    • Stock (collapsible stocks require more parts and can be purchased consummate or with individual components)
    • Buffer weight
    • Buffer leap
    • Buffer tube
    • Castle nut
    • Receiver terminate plate
    • Receiver extension
    • Receiver extension nut
  • Aftermarket parts to consider:
    • Bipod
    • Foregrip
    • Optics (riflescope or red dot sights)
      • Optics mount and associated parts
    • Laser
    • Magazines
    • Sling
      • Quick Detach (QD) sling mount or rings
    • Trigger, drib-in or otherwise customized
    • Vertical grip
    • Weapon mounted light (WML)

How Long Does It Take to Build an AR-xv?

The length of time it takes to build an AR-15 depends on your experience and the parts involved. Purchasing complete receivers that have all the individual components already installed saves a lot of fourth dimension, but that isn't considered "building" then much equally "assembling." Stripped receivers require the architect to install every pivot, screw, and role.

When you're a new AR builder, it may take you all solar day to build an AR-15. Once you go the hang of information technology, building an AR-15 can be accomplished rather quickly, perchance within a couple of hours. It'due south even possible to build an AR-15 within an hour, although that tends to involve less attending to particular.

Is Information technology Cheaper to Build an AR-15 or Buy an AR-fifteen?

Whether it's cheaper to build an AR-15 or buy an AR-xv depends on the specific gun. AR components come in a broad range of styles with varying quality. For example, you might find an inexpensive, basic bolt carrier group for $50 while a titanium, gas-regulated model could cost more than $300. It's possible to build an AR-fifteen without straining your banking company business relationship, but you could also spend quite a flake of coin very easily.

When you're trying to decide if information technology'south worth it to put the time and money into edifice your own AR-fifteen, it's all about priorities. Outset, consider what you lot need the AR-15 to do. Is it for hunting, home defense force, or general range employ? 2d, determine how long you'd similar the gun in question to last. Exist realistic about your AR budget, simply empathize odds are high you'll cease upwards spending more money than you originally expected. High-quality components can be well worth it, merely many expensive AR-xv parts are aught only gimmicks, so have the time to do some research.

Is an Upgraded Trigger for an AR-15 Worth the Coin?

Many gun owners are happy with standard AR-xv trigger assemblies. These are the blazon yous run across in lower parts kitsthat require you to assemble the springs and other individual components into a functioning trigger. Aftermarket triggers, such as those that are drop-in cassettes or that crave assembly just include specific spring weights and trigger shoes, are excellent options for many shooters. Having an aftermarket or college-end trigger gives you the liberty to fit the trigger to your own hand size and fingers. It also means choosing your trigger pull weight, which is a overnice thing to accept command over.

Why Should I Build My Ain AR-15?

Aside from the fact that edifice your ain AR-15 can exist fun, information technology'southward a good learning experience. By putting an AR-15 together from scratch, you have the opportunity to learn how every tiny component fits and functions. That can go a long way toward learning how to troubleshoot and repair your gun. As well, the more you know virtually how AR-15s work, the more finer y'all can run them—whether for self-defense force or for fun.

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