building vs. putting together

[Caspian]

maybe i'm nit picking...o.k., i'm probably nit picking, but....

it absolutely drives me nuts when i hear AR folks talking about "building" their AR. they didn't build it, they put it together. it ranks right above setting the time on the microwave as far as skill level goes.

I've built a semi 1919, a 1911, several FALs, and some AKs. They required fitting, specialized tools, and knowledge of how to use those tools. I've also put together ARs. IIRC, i used a punch to line up the trigger assembly and set the bolt hold open.

I realize there are some who may actually barrel the rifle. I will give them points, however that's the minority.

I just wanted to blow off steam b/c i think there is a certain skill level in true building that deserves recognition. Putting together an AR is just that.

Rant for the day off. Tomorrow, i'll discuss why Cincinnati Bell wireless sucks the big one.:mad:

Caspian

[Snakeshot]

You make an excellent point, Caspian.

And after doing my first AK from from an 80%, even fal building starts to look a bit like assembly.

BTW, next project is well..., a Caspian!:biggrin:

[16R40]

WOW, I thought I was the only one that that had that veiw of "building" AR. most of the folks that say they "built" a AR, consist of putting parts in the lower receiver.......and mating it to a upper.

[ce]

I like to think of FAL building as wood and steel erection.

An AR is like making a sandwich.

[JoeLad]

I was surpised at how easy is was to put together an AR. Especially the lower.
It made me wonder why anyone would want pay $800 for an AR when they can assemble one for much less money. I'll never buy another AR, I may put one together from parts tho.

JoeLad:D

[W.E.G.]

Originally posted by ce
I like to think of FAL building as wood and steel erection.

An AR is like making a sandwich.


WECSOG'rs have wood and steel erections! :]

[Matchgrade]

build:
1 : to form by ordering and uniting materials by gradual means into a composite whole : CONSTRUCT
2 : to cause to be constructed

They did build it. They just didn't have to "fit" anything.

[Lon Moer]

I "build" my ARs, even barrelling uppers. The only difference between "building" ARs and "building" FALs, is that AR stuff is made to actually fit.;)

[RT]

16R40 ( WOW, I thought I was the only one that that had that veiw of "building" AR. most of the folks that say they "built" a AR, consist of putting parts in the lower receiver.......and mating it to a upper.) well i put some parts in a lower and now i am waiting on a RRA upper to mate it to . total cost $600.03 not bad. around here at a gun shop they sell for $995.00 what ever it was that i did i saved some money
:biggrin: ~R

[HawaiiFALer]

Gonna erect me another AR someday soon.

[Eagle59]

The first AR I “assembled” was based on an ASA, A2 kit and a DPMS lower I purchased at a gun show. That was a few years ago, my very first “Build”, that’s what I called it. That got me hooked, big-time! I then bought a flat-top upper and free-float tube and upgraded. With the parts that were “liberated” from that operation, I decided to try to finish an 80% lower. I made all the jigs and other fixtures myself from information gleaned from other great shooting boards and forums. That second rifle ended up as a cool 16” carbine with B.M. Dissipator barrel.

My interest piqued, my learning contunied…

After trolling this great forum, I took the plunge and have since “built” two great FALs; the first, an all-correct Imbel, number two, a Franken-FAL. I don’t know which one I like the best! Once again, information and help from the FALFiles contributed to the success of these projects.

Onward and upward…

I decided to try an AK build. Got a Bulgarian kit from K-Var, compliance parts from various sources and finished a bent blank from ACE. The information I got from this and other boards was invaluable. All this was done with a cheap drill press, Dremell tool, a big vice and a six-pack to pay for a friend’s time and his lathe.

Let’s not disparage each other for not doing things the way you would do them yourself. My experience was a logical progression from humble beginnings and an AR-15 parts kit. It seems like some in our community are quick to belittle others who don’t shoot or collect the same arms we, ourselves hold dear. I’m not trying to hijack the thread or start anything here. I have great respect for all of the great contributors here. I would not have been able to get this deep into this great hobby without the FALFiles and other forums. I don’t get why guys at some AR boards look down on AK owners or M1A shooters think that ARs don’t belong on the fireing line. I don’t get that. Can't we all just get along?

[bausch]

I don't build but I like to think of it as bringing the Dead back to Life
But I don't claim to be the creator

[W.E.G.]

Originally posted by ce
I like to think of FAL building as wood and steel erection.

An AR is like making a sandwich.


So, who wants to be first to show off his "erection?"


I like to tell people I "restore" antique and obsolete erections...err...uh..."military rifles."

[W.E.G.]

Originally posted by Eagle59
...I don’t get why guys at some AR boards look down on AK owners or M1A shooters think that ARs don’t belong on the fireing line. I don’t get that. Can't we all just get along?


Oooh! Ooh!

I can answer that one.

SOUR GRAPES - plain and simple


The AR shooters are demolishing the .30 caliber crowd on the scoreboard at 99% of the highpower matches.

(Now back to your regularly-sceduled erection.)

[justashooter]

be it far from me to say, but the election is over, is it not?

[bookertbab]

So far I have built FAL's, a G3 and put together some AR's. Even mounting an AR barrel to the upper is simply screwing on the barrel nut so the gas tube lines up. All I have to do now is an AK and I have almost all the parts now.

I think a WECSOG'er should get extra points for using Century recievers like I have on one FAL and my G3. Century AR recievers are top notch in quality though.

[Caspian]

Originally posted by Eagle59
Let’s not disparage each other for not doing things the way you would do them yourself. My experience was a logical progression from humble beginnings and an AR-15 parts kit. Can't we all just get along?

you certainly get my respect for building from an 80% receiver. Now that is building.

i didn't mean to disrespect AR owners (i own a couple with 3 more receivers in transit). However, when a mall cop says he's "in law enforcement" i tend to stop listening to him.

Caspian

p.s. i built an FAL on a Hesse receiver. does that count as an 80% receiver? :p

[ThunderGod]

Nope, 'cause you hadta fill out a 4473 for that Hesse. Think of it as an 83% receiver.:rofl:

[icormba]

interesting...
lets say I wanted a new bicycle...
1) I could go buy a bicycle made by company A and take it home and assemble it with my hand tools.

2) Or I could go buy a Bicycle Frame from company A, buy the tires and wheels from company B & C then buy all the shifters and brakes from company D. I'd need a set of handle bars and a seat from company E and some peddles from company F. All the rest of the parts are from company G. Am I not building a bicycle?

3) I went to a garage sale and found a old bicycle at a really good price! just needed a few parts... bought some parts from company A, B, & C. Am I not "restoring" a bicycle? or is this "fixing" a bicycle? I guess it depends on how many parts it needs?

4) or I could take the easy way out and buy a bicycle already built.

ok, what the hell is this newbie talking about?
Too me... you can build a AR15, you can build a FAL, and you can build a M1 Garand... but you can also assemble, fix, and restore these rifles as well... it's just easier to do one than the other. building an AR15 is 10 times easier than building an M1 Garand... I haven't built my FAL yet, but I'm sure it's at least 5 times harder than building a AR15 if not more. For the AR, I just figure it's one of it's design features... easy to build, assemble, fix, and shoot... you know... for our "Modern Military types".

I personally like a challenge.

p.s. I think "building" an FAL or any other rifle or gun from an 80% reciever is the coolest thing... bordering on "Manufacturing" said rifle or gun.

Actually, doesn't the law say your are "Manufacturing" your own gun doing it this way? Thus no need for FFL crap?

[FP1201]

I don't think assembling and AR qualifies as a "build".:rolleyes:
AR's are so easy, I even talked a guy thru the whole process over the phone without one in front of me, so you know it can't be hard.:p

"...83% Hess" how about 92% Century's?:uhoh:

[vmtz]

I have built AR's, AK's and FAL's. I found that AR's were too easy to keep my interest. I am sure I'll build a few more, but only because it is cheaper then buying.

Vince

[dasu]

Who shoots high power? Its a small minority of shooters. So, I dont think its so much sour grapes as 308 shooters trying to be better (aww, heck we know we are!) and other armchair competitive types trying to one up eachother. The gun world is chock full of people trying to act tougher and better; I think they got beat up as kids or something.

But I think eagle69 hit the nail on the head. The fun is in building, and ya gotta start somewhere, like the druggy who started with alchohol moved to pot and is now hooked on heroin. As for me I am moving on to building an M14SA...

[rhodesianmerc]

The FAL isn't that hard to assemble if one starts with quality parts and tools. Same with the AR, albeit it is easier.

Those who machine their own parts, weld their own G-3 trunions or bend their own AK receivers are the ones who can boast above the FAL and AR builders.

[critterflht]

I've "built" several AR's and am now working on an FAL. Neither is rocket science but the FAL has definately been more labor intensive. A far greater feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment accompanies that though!;)
Lee:fal: