M4 build/tools requirement?

BlueDuck · September 21, 2004, 12:47

Folks,
I have not done a search yet, nor have I been over to the AR 15 site. I'm going to build a 16'' barrel M4 type rifle for my brother. I already have a lower and am going to order a kit from Model 1 Sales. Are there any particular tools that would make this build easier? Are there any tools that are absolutely required? Thanks for any help or thoughts.
BlueDuck

Lon Moer · September 21, 2004, 13:23

Print and follow (from ARFcom) ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/
FYI the "kit" from Mod1 will come with the barrel and upper receiver assembled and headspaced.

**ar15junkie** · September 21, 2004, 13:42

I assume your talking about building an upper. You would need one of those combo wrench deals and an action vise. The wrench to tighten the barrel nut and the action vise to hold the upper rec. still while you tighten.

BlueDuck · September 21, 2004, 18:57

Wow! You guys are great. I plan on buying a complete upper with the lower parts included in the kit. The kit will have a colapsible stock, so I wonder if there are any tools needed for that. Guess it is time to delve in to the link provided by you guys. Thanks again.
BlueDuck

Rooster · September 21, 2004, 21:13

There is a spanner wrench made to tighten up the buttstock. It is quite useful and runs about $5.00 . A guy at the range happened to have one he let me use.

Mouse · September 22, 2004, 09:13

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueDuck
Folks,
I have not done a search yet, nor have I been over to the AR 15 site. I'm going to build a 16'' barrel M4 type rifle for my brother. I already have a lower and am going to order a kit from Model 1 Sales. Are there any particular tools that would make this build easier? Are there any tools that are absolutely required? Thanks for any help or thoughts.
BlueDuck

If your upper is already assembled you shouldn't need many specialty tools. You will need the spanner for the buttstock retaining ring, you can use a small punch to tighten this if you're careful.

I would also invest in some roll pin punches, especially useful when installing the bolt hold open pin, if you use a standard punch on this and slip you will be pissed when you see the scratches on your lower.

Buy a mag (if you don't already have one) that you can sacrifice, install the mag catch first and put the mag in a vice and use it to hold the receiver when you're installing the parts.

Is your receiver and Olympic? If so you're going to have trouble installing the hammer and spring. I've built probably 2 dozen ar's on Olympics and it seems like every time I have to relieve the receiver because it isn't cut with enough clearence for the hammer.

It is the easiest rifle out there to "build" if you have any trouble feel free to IM me and I'll talk you through it.
Good Luck

JasonB · September 22, 2004, 18:58

Do yourself a big favor if you have to buy a wrench and get the heavy duty model and not the GI type. Actually, the upper receiver holding fixture is very nice also compared to the GI type aluminum barrel holding jaw blocks.

BlueDuck · September 22, 2004, 21:30

Thanks for the replies. I have an American Spirit Arms lower. Not sure if it is a crappy lower or not. My wife bought it for me while I was deployed. Hopefully it is not the dreaded Hesse of the AR 15 lowers. Guess I will find out. So it sounds like I need some roll pin punches and a spanner wrench. Too easy! Thanks again.
BlueDuck

eodinert · September 23, 2004, 13:22

ASA lowers are OK, except they say ASA on them. Whatever effect that may have on resale value, your gun will work fine if all the other parts are up to the task.

September 21, 2004, 12:47	#1
BlueDuck Registered FALaholic #: 5769 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Wainwright, AK Posts: 1,001	M4 build/tools requirement? Folks, I have not done a search yet, nor have I been over to the AR 15 site. I'm going to build a 16'' barrel M4 type rifle for my brother. I already have a lower and am going to order a kit from Model 1 Sales. Are there any particular tools that would make this build easier? Are there any tools that are absolutely required? Thanks for any help or thoughts. BlueDuck __________________ Toujours Pret

September 21, 2004, 13:23	#2
Lon Moer Registered FALaholic #: 12098 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CA Posts: 3,522	Print and follow (from ARFcom) ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/ FYI the "kit" from Mod1 will come with the barrel and upper receiver assembled and headspaced. __________________ I've known daredevils and I ain't got nothing against them.....its just they're all dead. Last edited by Lon Moer; September 21, 2004 at 17:41.

September 21, 2004, 18:57	#4
BlueDuck Registered FALaholic #: 5769 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Wainwright, AK Posts: 1,001	Wow! You guys are great. I plan on buying a complete upper with the lower parts included in the kit. The kit will have a colapsible stock, so I wonder if there are any tools needed for that. Guess it is time to delve in to the link provided by you guys. Thanks again. BlueDuck __________________ Toujours Pret

September 22, 2004, 21:30	#8
BlueDuck Registered FALaholic #: 5769 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Wainwright, AK Posts: 1,001	Thanks for the replies. I have an American Spirit Arms lower. Not sure if it is a crappy lower or not. My wife bought it for me while I was deployed. Hopefully it is not the dreaded Hesse of the AR 15 lowers. Guess I will find out. So it sounds like I need some roll pin punches and a spanner wrench. Too easy! Thanks again. BlueDuck __________________ Toujours Pret

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September 21, 2004, 13:42	#3
ar15junkie Veteran Member Contributor FALaholic #: 9867 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,122	I assume your talking about building an upper. You would need one of those combo wrench deals and an action vise. The wrench to tighten the barrel nut and the action vise to hold the upper rec. still while you tighten.

September 21, 2004, 21:13	#5
Rooster Banned (Temp) FALaholic #: 9328 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: US Posts: 4,868	There is a spanner wrench made to tighten up the buttstock. It is quite useful and runs about $5.00 . A guy at the range happened to have one he let me use.

September 22, 2004, 18:58	#7
JasonB Registered FALaholic #: 7430 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 90° N 0° W Posts: 9,640	Do yourself a big favor if you have to buy a wrench and get the heavy duty model and not the GI type. Actually, the upper receiver holding fixture is very nice also compared to the GI type aluminum barrel holding jaw blocks.

September 23, 2004, 13:22	#9
eodinert Registered FALaholic #: 1488 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 787	ASA lowers are OK, except they say ASA on them. Whatever effect that may have on resale value, your gun will work fine if all the other parts are up to the task.