Last week, we started our AR-15 upper build with laying out the tools we'll be using. It is now time to start pounding some stuff and getting things installed into your AR-15 upper receiver. Specifically, I will be covering how to install the forward assist into a stripped upper receiver. Remember that not all AR-15 upper receivers have forward assists, so if yours does not … [Read more...]
installation
How to Build an AR-15 Lower Receiver: Hammer
At this point in our AR-15 lower receiver build, we've finished putting together the magazine catch, trigger guard, bolt catch, pivot pin, and trigger, and now we're ready to install the hammer. I have two references for you to check out, if you like, that go along with this article. First is a list of the tools and parts I'm using for this build, and the second is a video … [Read more...]
How to Build an AR-15 Lower Receiver: Safety Selector and Pistol Grip
We're now halfway through the steps for building our AR-15 lower receiver. We last left off with installing the hammer, and ready to move on to adding the safety selector and pistol grip. If you wanted to know what tools I'm referencing in this article, check out the tools and components post. The video embedded above is a visual walk-through of the steps covered in this post, … [Read more...]
Wanna Re-load Fast? Speed Shooter Specialties: Magwell and Base Pad Review
Wanna go fast? There's no substitute for training, but getting good gear can help. What I'll look into for this article are the magwell and base pad by Speed Shooter Specialties. Recently I acquired a Smith and Wesson M&P9. For some reason, it just felt that the gun was lacking something, just a bit, in the grip area. As I was shooting, I noticed my hand gradually creeping … [Read more...]
Geissele Automatics Gas Block Tools Make My Life Easier
I can recall building my first couple of AR-15 rifles and it taking just short of forever to install that “stupid" roll pin (or, at least, that's how I felt about it at first) into the gas block for the gas tube. If you have ever had the great pleasure of installing (or removing) a gas tube roll pin into a gas block, you will more than likely agree that it would help to have a … [Read more...]
How to Build an AR-15 Lower Receiver: Trigger
Our rifle build is shaping up, no? If you've finished with the pivot pin, let's get that trigger installed. For reference, check the video embedded in this post (the time stamp below will jump you to the corresponding point in the vid) and the post where I laid out all the tools and components I'm using for this build. (10:50) Step 5 – Trigger I think you might be surprised … [Read more...]