The AR-15 is probably the most popular rifle bought and sold in America. If you’re reading this, you probably want one. There are two ways to join the owners’ club and this guide’s going to show you how to earn your membership: Option 1: Buy an AR-15 at a store that probably costs too much….
Barrel length and twist rate can make or break your custom AR build. A barrel that’s too short won’t provide good velocity and accuracy will suffer. A bad twist rate’s even worse: With the right barrel it won’t matter, your rounds will over-stabilize or fail to stabilize at all, resulting in bullet tumble and wonky physics….
Muzzle devices! There are lots of ’em. You’ve got muzzle brakes, and flash hiders, and compensators, and suppressor. What’s the difference between all of these? What’s a pinned and welded flash hider? Which device should I get? Let’s answer all the questions and compare muzzle brakes vs. flash hiders vs. compensators. Muzzle Device FAQs Q:…
Installing the lower parts kit in your AR-15’s lower receiver should take less than two hours for first-time builders. This guide will illustrate how to perform each assembly and install step with pictures and written instructions. We strongly recommend finding the right tools before you get started, lest you end up with missing roll pins…
You just finished putting together your first AR-15. Or, maybe you simply bought a “retail” rifle that came fully assembled. Either way, it’s probably a good shooter. Good, but not perfect. The AR-15 platform’s been developed for decades and it remains one of the most popular rifles sold in America. That means there are literally…
You’ve heard the phrase way too many times now: “Mil-spec.” It’s mostly a buzzword but it still plays a role in actual rifle and pistol specifications. Most notably, buffer tubes. They’re officially called receiver extensions. But what’s the difference between a commercial and mil-spec tube? Are they interchangeable? And how does that work with a commercial…
The AR platform can chamber dozens of calibers and be built in a plethora of configurations: Rifles, pistols, SBR’s, pistol calibers, centerfire and rimfire rifle calibers, and more. But the biggest component of any AR build, the lower parts kit (and the 80% lower or stripped receiver it goes into), often presents some confusion to…
Black rifles deserve the name: They’re almost all, well, black. Other parts ( like our raw 80% lowers) come unfinished so you can add your own coating. Even though they all look alike, there are loads of finishes available for your AR-15 and other guns. Which ones can you apply at home, and how do…
The AR-15 and AR-10 look identical in their designs, handling, and functions. They even look the same at a glance: Can’t tell the difference? You’re forgiven. The AR-15 and the AR-10 are almost the same rifle. They both use a direct-impingement gas system. Both have double-stacked box magazines. They share the same lower and upper…
If you’re building an AR-15 — or even just buying one — you’ve hit this fork in the road: Should you choose billet or forged upper and lower receivers? It’s a deceptively simple choice that can have a big impact on how your AR performs and how much it costs, and what parts you can…
