Building My First AR-15 — Need Advice!

[rg115]

Been kicking around the idea of building my first AR-15 for a bit. Finally got my hands on some parts catalogs and started to do a little shopping. Honestly, it’s overwhelming! There are so many brands and options, and I feel like I could really mess this up if I’m not careful.

I’m thinking of going with a basic 5.56 setup for my first build. Seems to be the common recommendation. But is that the best way to go? Would love to hear if anyone has different takes on that.

Also, what parts are worth the investment and which should I steer clear of? I've been hearing mixed things about certain brands, and it’s hard to know what’s just marketing hype.

I’ve read about hidden costs too — like tools I might need or things I might forget to budget for. Any rookie mistakes you guys made that I should watch out for? Sometimes I wonder if I’d be better off just buying a pre-built one, but building sounds like a fun challenge.

Thanks for any tips or advice you can throw my way!

 

[Ark_angel1]

Are you leaning more toward building it yourself for the experience, or would you rather have a pre-built rifle you can shoot right away?

 

[Skipper]

I built my first AR-15 a few months ago and went with a basic 5.56 setup, which most folks recommend. I focused on a quality lower and trigger, but kept the stock furniture budget-friendly. I also had to budget for tools like a torque wrench and punches

 

[Shiloh]

For your first build I’d suggest getting your upper pre assembled from Palmetto State Armory. They test fire them before they ship.

 

[lugerMike]

When it comes to parts, definitely put your money into the barrel and bolt carrier group. Those are key for making sure your setup is reliable and accurate. You can totally go with mid-tier options for the rest. Brands like Aero Precision, PSA, and BCM are great choices that won’t completely drain your wallet. Just steer clear of those super cheap, no-name options you find on Amazon.