Hello,
I am looking for advice/input on what things I should do during the assembly of my AR to help ensure the reliability and/or durability of the weapon.
I don’t intend on storming the beaches of Normandy, Not conducting any extreme torture testing, but would like to be able to trust that it will go bang when I pull the trigger and serve its purpose if it ever came down to a defensive situation.
I know there is a lot that goes into it, and there is a lot I don’t know, and that I will never be as good as a top tier weapon from someone doing this for 20 years. My goal is to hopefully assemble with quality in the middle of “you’ll never be as good as Colt/SOLGW/DD/LMT/etc.” and “Much better than a PSA/Radical/etc.”
Please refrain from replies such as, “buy a complete upper from [insert favorite mfg here].” I have already committed to doing the build for the knowledge and experience. Also, please refrain from a general reply such as “buy quality parts” unless you have a specific reason like “use XYZ part instead of ABC part because....” I realize quality parts matter and there are plenty of threads on what constitutes a quality manufacturer of parts. I am more looking for specifics on what I should do to ensure I am building a quality reliable weapon. I am fully aware that there are some learnings involved, but I am hoping to learn as many tips, tricks, do’s and don’ts As I can before actually making a mistake and having to do it over.
I have a list (in no particular order) of things I have seen or read and am hoping you all can share your knowledge and experience, look it over, tell me if something should not be done and why, and if there is something in addition that I should do and why.
Sorry for the long post, and thank you in advance for any advice!
The list of home-build QC:
Conduct appropriate function checks (trigger and hammer function, safety selector function, mag catch, bolt catch, etc.)
Verify hammer spring correctly engages hammer pin and trigger pin
Season castle nut threads- hand tighten on/off 3x
Aeroshell castle nut threads
Torque castle nut to spec
Stake castle nut
Torque gas block set screws to 25in.lbs
Red loctite gas block set screws
Blue loctite grip screw
Blue Loctite handguard screws
Torque handguard screws to mfg spec
Season barrel nut- hand tighten on/off 3x
Aeroshell barrel extension
Aeroshell barrel nut
Torque barrel nut to mfg spec
Verify headspace with go/no go gauges
Verify feed ramp alignment
Check feed ramp for hang ups or overhang
Verify extractor o-ring
Test bolt gas rings with bolt/carrier drop test
Check gas tube/gas key alignment with carrier drop test
Verify gas port alignment?
Gauge firing pin protrusion?
Gauge gas tube/gas key?
Torque muzzle device to 20-30 ft.lbs per mfg spec
Lube all springs, detents, and internal components during assembly
Also, if there are other threads that discuss this please feel free to post the link and point me in the right direction. I did (and still am) searching threads but I’ve seen a lot of generalizations like “build it the right way” but not a lot of specifics on what that means exactly.
Thanks again.