How To Build Ar-15 Upper?

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

How to Build an AR-15 Upper Receiver

The AR-15 is one of the most popular rifles in the world, and for good reason. It’s accurate, reliable, and easy to use. But what many people don’t know is that you can build your own AR-15 upper receiver. Building your own AR-15 upper is a great way to customize your rifle and save money. It’s also a fun and rewarding project that you can do in your own garage.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of building an AR-15 upper receiver. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right parts to assembling your upper receiver. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and skills you need to build your own AR-15 upper receiver.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

How To Build Ar-15 Upper?

| Part | Description | Required? |
|—|—|—|
| Upper Receiver | The main component of the upper receiver is the barrel, which is a long, cylindrical tube that houses the firing pin, bolt, and firing chamber. The upper receiver also includes the ejection port, forward assist, dust cover, and rear sight. | Yes |
| Barrel | The barrel is the long, cylindrical tube that houses the firing pin, bolt, and firing chamber. It is responsible for propelling the bullet down the barrel and out of the gun. | Yes |
| Bolt Carrier Group (BCG) | The bolt carrier group (BCG) is a self-contained unit that includes the bolt, bolt carrier, and firing pin. It is responsible for loading, firing, and extracting the cartridge. | Yes |

The AR-15 is a popular rifle for both civilian and military use. It is a versatile platform that can be used for a variety of purposes, from hunting to self-defense. Building your own AR-15 upper is a great way to customize the rifle to your specific needs and budget.

This guide will walk you through the process of building an AR-15 upper. We will provide a list of the parts you need, as well as instructions on how to assemble them.

Parts

The following is a list of the parts you need to build an AR-15 upper:

  • Barrel
  • Bolt carrier group (BCG)
  • Charging handle
  • Handguard
  • Gas block
  • Gas tube
  • Muzzle device
  • Receiver extension (buffer tube)
  • Buffer spring
  • Buffer
  • Bolt catch
  • Magazine catch
  • Trigger guard
  • LPK (lower parts kit)

Barrel

The barrel is the most important part of the AR-15 upper. It is responsible for propelling the bullet down the barrel and out of the muzzle. Barrels are available in a variety of lengths and profiles. The length of the barrel will affect the velocity of the bullet, while the profile will affect the weight and balance of the rifle.

Bolt carrier group (BCG)

The bolt carrier group (BCG) is responsible for cycling the action of the rifle. It consists of the bolt, bolt carrier, and firing pin. The bolt is the part that actually engages the chamber and fires the round. The bolt carrier is the part that moves the bolt back and forth. The firing pin is the part that strikes the primer of the cartridge and ignites the powder.

Charging handle

The charging handle is used to manually cycle the action of the rifle. It is located on the rear of the receiver and is operated by pulling it back and then forward.

Handguard

The handguard is the part of the upper receiver that protects the barrel and provides a place to grip the rifle. Handguards are available in a variety of styles, materials, and lengths.

Gas block

The gas block is located on the barrel and redirects gas from the expanding gasses of the fired cartridge back into the action of the rifle. This gas is used to cycle the action and load the next round.

Gas tube

The gas tube is a small tube that connects the gas block to the bolt carrier group. It allows the gas from the gas block to travel to the BCG and cycle the action.

Muzzle device

The muzzle device is a device that is attached to the end of the barrel. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as reducing recoil, flash suppression, or muzzle rise.

Receiver extension (buffer tube)

The receiver extension (buffer tube) is a tube that is attached to the rear of the lower receiver. It houses the buffer spring and buffer. The buffer spring helps to absorb the recoil of the rifle, while the buffer helps to prevent the bolt carrier group from slamming into the rear of the receiver.

Buffer spring

The buffer spring is a spring that is located inside the receiver extension. It helps to absorb the recoil of the rifle.

Buffer

The buffer is a small weight that is located inside the receiver extension. It helps to prevent the bolt carrier group from slamming into the rear of the receiver.

Bolt catch

The bolt catch is a small lever that is located on the left side of the lower receiver. It catches the bolt carrier group when the last round is fired from the magazine.

Magazine catch

The magazine catch is a small lever that is located on the right side of the lower receiver. It releases the magazine from the rifle.

Trigger guard

The trigger guard is a metal loop that surrounds the trigger. It protects the trigger from being accidentally activated.

LPK (lower parts kit)

The lower parts kit (LPK) is a collection of small parts that are needed to assemble the lower receiver of the AR-15. It includes the trigger, hammer, disconnector, safety selector, magazine catch, and other small parts.

Tools

The following are the tools you will need to build an AR-15 upper:

  • AR-15 upper receiver vice block
  • AR-15 upper receiver vise
  • AR-15 armorer’s wrench
  • AR-15 torque wrench
  • AR-15 punch set
  • AR-15 hammer
  • AR-15 screwdriver set
  • AR-15 cleaning kit
  • AR-15 oil

Assembly

To assemble an AR-15 upper,

3. Assembly

Step-by-step instructions on how to assemble an AR-15 upper

Building an AR-15 upper is a relatively simple process, but it is important to follow the steps carefully to ensure that the upper is properly assembled and functions safely.

The following steps will walk you through the process of assembling an AR-15 upper:

1. Assemble the upper receiver. The upper receiver is the main component of the AR-15 upper, and it houses the bolt carrier group (BCG), barrel, and handguard. To assemble the upper receiver, you will need the following parts:

  • An AR-15 upper receiver
  • A barrel nut
  • A barrel
  • A gas tube
  • A gas block
  • A handguard
  • A delta ring assembly
  • A forward assist
  • A dust cover

2. Install the barrel nut. The barrel nut is a threaded ring that is used to secure the barrel to the upper receiver. To install the barrel nut, you will need the following tools:

  • A barrel nut wrench
  • A torque wrench

To install the barrel nut, follow these steps:

1. Place the barrel nut on the upper receiver.
2. Align the barrel nut with the threads on the barrel.
3. Use the barrel nut wrench to tighten the barrel nut until it is snug against the upper receiver.
4. Use the torque wrench to tighten the barrel nut to the specified torque (typically 35-40 ft-lbs).

3. Install the barrel. The barrel is the main component of the AR-15 upper, and it is responsible for propelling the projectile down the barrel and out of the muzzle. To install the barrel, you will need the following tools:

  • A barrel vise
  • A barrel vice block
  • A torque wrench

To install the barrel, follow these steps:

1. Place the barrel in the barrel vise.
2. Insert the barrel vice block into the barrel extension.
3. Use the torque wrench to tighten the barrel extension nut until it is snug against the barrel.
4. Use the torque wrench to tighten the barrel extension nut to the specified torque (typically 35-40 ft-lbs).

4. Install the gas tube. The gas tube is a small tube that connects the gas block to the bolt carrier group. It is responsible for transferring the gas from the expanding gas behind the projectile to the bolt carrier group, which cycles the action of the rifle. To install the gas tube, you will need the following tools:

  • A gas tube roll pin punch
  • A hammer

To install the gas tube, follow these steps:

1. Insert the gas tube into the gas block.
2. Use the gas tube roll pin punch to install the roll pin through the gas tube and gas block.

5. Install the gas block. The gas block is a small block that is located on the barrel and is responsible for directing the gas from the expanding gas behind the projectile to the gas tube. To install the gas block, you will need the following tools:

  • A gas block wrench
  • A torque wrench

To install the gas block, follow these steps:

1. Place the gas block on the barrel.
2. Align the gas block with the gas port on the barrel.
3. Use the gas block wrench to tighten the gas block until it is snug against the barrel.
4. Use the torque wrench to tighten the gas block to the specified torque (typically 35-40 ft-lbs).

6. Install the handguard. The handguard is a rail system that is used to attach accessories to the AR-15 upper. To install the handguard, you will need the following tools:

  • A castle nut wrench
  • A delta ring assembly
  • A torque wrench

To install the handguard, follow these steps:

1. Place the handguard on the upper receiver.
2. Insert the delta ring assembly into the handguard.
3. Use the castle nut wrench to tighten the castle nut until it is snug against the delta ring assembly.
4. Use the torque wrench to tighten the castle nut to the specified torque (typically 35-40 ft-lbs).

7. Install the forward assist. The forward assist is a small lever that is used to manually cycle the bolt carrier group. To install the forward assist, you will need the following tools:

  • A forward assist roll pin

    In this comprehensive guide, we have discussed the steps involved in building an AR-15 upper receiver. We started by discussing the different types of AR-15 upper receivers and their features. We then moved on to discuss the tools and materials you will need to build an AR-15 upper receiver. Finally, we provided step-by-step instructions on how to build an AR-15 upper receiver.

We hope that this guide has been helpful and that you are now confident in your ability to build an AR-15 upper receiver. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Here are some key takeaways from this guide:

  • AR-15 upper receivers are available in a variety of styles, including monolithic, forged, and billet.
  • The tools and materials you will need to build an AR-15 upper receiver include a vice, AR-15 upper receiver block, AR-15 upper receiver vice wrench, AR-15 upper receiver alignment rod, AR-15 upper receiver torque wrench, AR-15 upper receiver parts kit, AR-15 upper receiver barrel, AR-15 upper receiver gas block, AR-15 upper receiver gas tube, and AR-15 upper receiver handguard.
  • The steps involved in building an AR-15 upper receiver include:
  • Installing the barrel nut
  • Installing the barrel
  • Installing the gas block
  • Installing the gas tube
  • Installing the handguard

We encourage you to take the time to learn more about AR-15 upper receivers and how to build them. With a little effort, you can build an AR-15 upper receiver that is both reliable and accurate.

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