How to Build an AR-15 (The Complete Parts Guide)

https://www.ar-15lowerreceivers.com/blogs/80-lower-news/how-to-build-ar-15-the-complete-parts-guide/ ^ | Black_Rifle_Gunsmith

[Magnum44]

With respect to receivers, Forged. I don’t have any polymer receivers so I cant speak to them, but my concern has always been life and reliability.

[Black_Rifle_Gunsmith]

You can use either option, Glad2bnuts. A forged or billet receiver will afford the most ruggedness, but they are more difficult to machine and require the use of more advanced tooling (a drill press or router). Forged receivers are actually easier to machine than billet aluminum, though billet receivers have their own benefits (threaded pin holes instead of using roll pins and punches), and the trigger guard's usually integrated into the receiver blank (example here). A polymer receiver can actually be completed using a Dremel, hand files, and a handheld drill. You can still use a drill press if you want to. The only downside to using a polymer lower is the included jig is usually "eaten up" in the process (it, too, is made from polymer to aid in easy machining). But the whole process is safer and I'd recommend it for first-time builders who want to get their feet wet. I wrote a guide on finishing polymer receivers, too.

[Fellow Traveler]

BTT So I can find it later

[archy]

She’s especially twitchy about her handguard.

https://offhandgear.smugmug.com/Hand-Guard-Gallery/i-BQzTCnS/A

Can’t imagine why.....

Aw, that's purty! Makes my plain old GI set look like...well, a plain old GI set.

Had a set of walnut on an M16A1 once, but that was long ago.

[archy]

I've had good success with the 300. Probably the best subsonic i’ve ever worked with. Cycles well using a pistol gas tube. Have my glass zeroed for subsonic then dial it to the stop for my supersonic. 220’grain for sub and those long black tipped Barnes 110 for super.

Concur. I've really rung out 2 .300s, swore I'd move on to the 7.62x40 Wilson instead, but .300 at reasonable prices is showing up on mart-mart and some dealer's shelves. My next build will be a .350 Winchester Legend, with a fallback option of a Brownell's BRN-180S upper in 5.56mm for the AR15 lower.

However I was asked *Why not a 20" barrel .300*? and I didn't really have a good answer. I may try that possibility out if I'm not thrilled with the .350 Legend.

[Lurker]

Between the handguard and the Cerakote she’s got around $300 in it. So I don’t entirely blame her. We are doing the Zombie Shoot in September and it’ll most likely get a ding or two there.

https://youtu.be/ZBExWNB6SQE

L