Have any of you finished an AR lower, and if so how easy/difficult was it?

I have thought of getting a couple of these as a challenge (and because they are easier to find), but only if there is little to no chance of screwing them up because they are expensive enough <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

The one I'm specifically looking at is the American Spirit Arms 95% lower.

I have never built an AR at all, but how hard can it be?

Hey MD. Unless you are good at working with metal I wouldn't suggest it. Lowers are starting to show up again around here at normal prices. I picked up a DPMS lower last weekend for $129 which is what I will be using to build my AR. Also, AR's are starting to show up on the shelves again for normal prices. Last weekend DPMS AR's were starting at $699 at one of the local stores. The weekend before they had Stag's for $899 and this weekeend they are putting out M&P and Bushmaster AR's. Hope this helps.

i have a friend that has finished an 80% lower and he said it was cake as long as you have some equipment. also said the lower functions great.

Only attempt if you have the tooling to finish it properly.
I would recommend getting a stripped or complete lower.

have you built on a stripped lower before?

dont know anything about the unfinished lowers myself but if you are willing to invest in the tools and spend the time then I think you should go for. can't beat having that kind of knowledge and experience these days. and with added expense you have from dealing with your FFLs it seems like this would be the most cost effective way to go if you plan to have multiple ARs.

sounds like a good thing to have under our belt. plus you keep your builds off the books.

The tooling and knowledge are a extremely valuable skill. As long as you stick within specs it should work as well as a factory machined one. I've never considered going this route but with my lathe and milling attachment. And using a friends drill press I could probably do a good job on one.
Could you post a link to where you see them?

there are also some tutorials out there that show the process. i would review those to better understand what is required. i think it's a great route to go if you are inclined to that sort of work <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

lazi, you nailed it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I never built a stripped lower, but from what I have seen that doesn't scare me. I'm comfortable with delicate mechanics and electronics.

My interest isn't in saving money, they cost the same as a stripped lower, but rather the satisfaction of doing something like this, and because I can still do it legally. Think of it as "opting out because I can."

I wasn't aware that you could actually find lowers again, and there is nothing prohibiting me from going through an FFL, and I have done so several times. But the ones I usually deal with makes it an ordeal despite the fact that I tend to pass NICS faster than most people for some reason. Its just the general attitude that bothers me, maybe I just need a wider selection of experiences? So if I can swap the ordeal and headache for a fun project, why not?

Difficulty is certainly scary and a concern, and I do not want to mess up more than one (hence thinking of getting two), but I do have some experience with basic metalworking (shaping, drilling, welding, etc.) For a few years now I've not had the room or opportunity to play around with anything like this, but that is about to change.

The lower I was looking at only needs to have room milled out for the trigger group and have pin holes drilled for it. Basically the manufacturer claims it can be done with a drill press, a mill bit, and a steel jig/guide which you can buy separately.

Make sure you have specs to mill to and go for it if you want

i think a lot of people are going to start "opting out" in the next few years. you will just be ahead of the crowd. i think you are on the right track.

probably just requires being a little ocd the first time out. as far as the milling just check, double check, then check again. go slow and take off a little at a time. when it's done you will has a lifetime of confidence in your ability. maybe even start looking at the 80% lowers... should be a very fulfilling project. worst case you have the resources in place for a rainy day.

always somthing to wish i had gotten into back when it was cheaper. and probably in five years i will be wishing i had gotten into unfinished lowers. but it comes down to making the chioce and taking steps to get it done. sounds like you are there. I'm hoping you go for it and keep us posted.

I'm sure that with some basic machining skills it would be doable, but I would want to make certain that I could get it hard coat anodized. That will help with long term durability during assembly/ disassembly and any issues with hammer and trigger pin rotation.

the jig takes care of all the milling specs. i've seen a walk through and it looked straight fwd to me.