The AR platform consists of various calibers and modified rifles and pistols. The 5.56 NATO, .223 Remington, DPMS .308 and AR-10 all share the same bolt carrier group (BCG) design. This guide covers how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble your AR’s bolt. Grab some cleaning equipment and tools, first. Here’s what you need: Recommended Tools…
The AR-15 platform is no longer reserved for the typical 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington cartridges. With new developments by major manufacturers like PSA and Anderson, the 9mm pistol-caliber carbine (“PCC”) dubbed the AR9 has become a popular alternative to the typical black rifle. This blowback-operated variant ditches the gas system and some other important…
Finished cutting and drilling your 80% lower receiver? Or, bought a stripped lower? Then congratulations! You’re the proud owner of an AR-15 (well, at least legally). It doesn’t look like much yet, and that’s because you still need to assemble the thing. We’re going to show you how with easy-to-follow written and picture instructions! No experience is…
This guide illustrates the tools required, torque specs, and the steps involved for properly installing your AR-15’s new barrel. We’re using a traditional 0.750″ low-profile gas block for this install, though the install steps are generally the same if you’re using an A2-style FSB. You’ll need about 30 minutes to one hour to get this…
A lot of AR parts manufacturers like to label things meant for .308 rifles as “AR-10” parts. Hell, with all the misnomers and different configurations hitting the market, you may very well think that all .308 parts are “AR-10” parts. They are not and this can be a problem if you’re building your own rifle…
We’ve got a lot to cover, so we’ll keep this short: You want to build an AR-15 from scratch. You might have no idea where to begin. We’re going to teach you everything you need to know! The rifle we’re piecing together in this guide is a typical AR-15 with a 16″ barrel, chambered in…
It’s a small, unremarkable little part, but it’s one of the most important pieces in your AR-15: We’re talking about the buffer! The buffer and recoil spring in your black rifle (or pistol) helps manage recoil but more importantly, it controls the action of the bolt carrier group (we wrote a guide on the AR-15…
Full auto! “M16 BCG”. Staked gas keys – what does it all mean? Today, we’re teaching you everything you could ever want to know about the AR-15 bolt carrier group. This guide will break down its functionality, how it works as part of the black rifle’s gas system, what types of BCGs are out there,…
“Isn’t mil-spec better than commercial? I want what the military uses!” That’s a question and a statement often made by so many black rifle builders and shooters. This quick lil’ guide explains the similarities and differences between mil-spec and commercial AR-15 buffer tubes. What’s a Buffer Tube? If you’re a first-time builder shopping around for…
You know what an 80% lower is (if you don’t, read this), and now you want to build your first gun using one. Whether that new gun is an AR or handgun, you need some tools to build it. Most tools are available around your house or at your hardware store, but one is specially…
