Tech Tip: Building an Affordable AR-15 That Doesn't Suck
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ค. 2024
- In today's video, let's check out the details of building an affordable AR-15 that doesn't compromise on quality. This build is designed to be both budget-friendly and reliable, perfect for home defense or any other situation where you need to trust your firearm.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
0:06 - Overview of the Build
1:12 - Addressing the Elephant: Anderson Lower Receiver
3:11 - Tip to Butt Breakdown
3:16 - Muzzle Brake: Midwest Industries
3:50 - Barrel: 223 Wylde Brownells
4:15 - Handguard: Breek Arms
5:04 - Upper Receiver: Aero Precision
5:19 - Stock, Grip, and Sights: Magpul
5:39 - Bolt Carrier Group: Brownells Nitride
6:12 - Optic: Sig Romeo 5
7:52 - Ensuring Long-Term Reliability
8:22 - Final Thoughts and Outro
What You'll Learn:
-How to build a high-quality AR-15 on a budget
-The importance of selecting reliable components
-Why the Anderson lower receiver is a good choice despite it's internet reputation
-Detailed breakdown of each part used in the build
-Tips for ensuring your AR-15 remains reliable over time
Product Highlights:
-Anderson Manufacturing Lower Receiver
-Midwest Industries Muzzle Brake
-223 Wylde Brownells Barrel
-Breek Arms Handguard
-Aero Precision Upper Receiver
-Magpul Stock, Grip, and Sights
-Brownells Nitride Bolt Carrier Group
-Sig Romeo 5 Optic
Don't forget to:
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What's y'alls go to budget part? Let me know in the comments!
Hey are you guys gonna be doing different finishes for the Brn-4 Bcg or just nitride.
I'm buying an Anderson lower for sure!! ASAP here in Ca
I'm assuming you used a mil spec trigger? or did I miss you saying what you used?
Bcm bare minimum.
Gotta have a LaRue trigger. I find them very comparable to a Geissele. Just checked and they're 115 bucks.
Sig Saur, the only company that can sell a quality red dot for less than $100 but can't produce a magazine for less than $50. 🤣🤣
Seriously, I put a Romeo5 on my brothers Big Horn Armory AR500 Automax bc he didnt have an optic yet and it worked fine. It didntblose zero, didnt knock to glass out.
That’s because holosun makes the optics
@@codyhill2507 facts they keep it at a lower price point though idk how
The romeo 5 is a range toy.
Crazy true !!
Caleb: "This AR doesn't suck!"
Me: [in the lane next to that muzzle brake] "I think it does."
Giant muzzle brake from a 155 Howitzer on a cheap (quality) pencil barrel, castle nut not even staked, and their BCG’s are no better than the cheap ones you can find. Yeah this build sucks and it’s cheap quality.
"If you don't like Anderson lowers, I don't care, still hit the like button." Hahaha😂
The most offensive thing about this rifle is that muzzle brake. lol
Effective, but loud 📢 as can be!
@@ratagris21 indeed. My bro has a radial brake on his 18" AR and it is incredibly loud inside.
@@noahallen5046 what? He has what? 🔊🔊📢 Can't hear 🙉 you....
Only to the minons beside you, at the firing line! 🤪
@@noahallen5046 shame him
+100 Points for being honest, and liking Anderson lowers! 🐎👍
He's on point Andersons are worth much more than they cost.
I've built 17 ARs and used Anderson lowers on 14 of them, with nary a problem. I like their lower parts kits too, with the stainless steel fire control group. Plus, they give me a veterans discount.
Inexpensive is not “cheap”
Just frugal and savvy
I agree. Cheap infers low quality
2014, my 1st build, got me started, Anderson, upper lower..and it still rocks n rolls.. i reload soo i have fed it a lot of stuff.. no jams no issues..and becuae of the price.. its fun to give it the musterd and watch it still rock n roll.
I use Anderson lowers exclusively for 15 builds and Aero M5's for the 10's. Never have I had an issue with any of them.
I live right here in the home town of Anderson Manufacturing and they do unfortunately get a bad name that really isn't (always) deserved. Heck, for those elitists out there; good ol'Anderson Mfg is the actual manufacturer for many big name brands' parts! So don't poop all over the Poverty Pony! They are doing the right thing out here in Kentucky providing low cost firearms for every American!
Not trying to sound like that bougie guy, but I have my share of giessele, DD, some custom builds with higher end parts, and one of my favorites to shoot is still one of my first builds. Anderson lower, 10.5 PSA premium MK-18 mod-0 style upper. Only “real quality” stuff, is the LMT BCG that was actually given to me and I did put DD omega rail on it. The trigger is cheap mil spec but I do have my own little trick to make them buttery smooth with no malfunctions. I’ve never had a problem out of that lower, and the finish has honestly held up a lot better than some of the more expensive stuff.
You got to get into the real world. This is TH-cam land, where the Key Bord is King. As I said a number of times, with all these Super Master Rifle builders we have I don't know how all the Big name rifles Cos are staying afloat. Most have a line of people around the corner waiting for them to build a rifle for them. The old "On my next build" or my fav " I build rifles all the time" or the "on my first build" with a list of the highest priced parts list they can think of.
While I admittedly don't use many of their parts, the lowers are objectively perfect. They take zero pressures and force and simply are a home for the trigger, buffer tube, and grip. An accuwedge takes the slop out of mix fit uppers and lowers. A lower is a lower is a lower. By all means go cheap with them. I love PSA and Anderson lowers for any build. If someone can't make a rifle work with them, that is a problem only with that person.
@@arlissyoung8899"Any idiot can make a ridiculously good car, using all the latest and greatest parts money can buy. It takes a brilliant engineer to make a car as reliable or better with plastic and dogshit."
Makes me laugh. A CAD class teacher was teaching us about the principles of manufacturing back in high school. Brilliant guy. That was a line he dropped that always stuck with me. If someone can't get an Anderson lower to work well with a rifle build, that is a problem that resides with that "master builder".
Your Anderson lower earned my like!
I have used many, many, many, Anderson lower receivers and they have all been excellent..I agree 100%..I'm sure there could be bad ones but I have never come across a bad Anderson lower....
Good to see a lefty!
🇺🇸
My first AR build was all Anderson, barrel, bcg, hand guard, upper and lower receivers, parts kits, gas block and tube, I used Magpul furniture, and the same exact MI muzzle brake. I did use a nice Ruger trigger, and a Radian Raptor charging handle, that I had lying around. The gun works well and I have had zero problems with it over the last couple of years since I built it. I have no qualms recommending Anderson products to anyone out there.
If it was your first build why did you have a radian raptor "just lying around"? You have it on hand to use as a back-scratcher or something?
Have probably built around a dozen rifles on Anderson lowers. No complaints with any of them. They're as reliable and accurate as any others anybody I shoot with have. My only issues have been one upper receiver that the dust cover wouldn't stay closed, and one mag catch that was too long, and hang up. Anderson replaced them, no questions asked. To me, that shows the character of the company, and why I do not hesitate to recommend them. You don't like them? Fine. More on the shelf for me.
I've got a few Anderson lowers and some high-end ones and never had any trouble with them.
great show
I like how Andersen packages their lowers, its wrapped like a toy.
Another awesome video. I have been using Andersn since 2013 and than ventured over to PSA. Awesome for what I use them for.
Great video. You don't have to spend a lot to have a competent HD or competition rig.
The Anderson lowers are top shelf in my opinion. Roll mark, symmetrical, 👍 🇺🇸
A cheap birdcage is effective too
Great video series and great video, throw a sling on it and perfect house gun!
I have an SBR I built using a $30 Anderson lower and upper(inexpensive as well). I’ve shot at least 2,000 rounds through it with no malfunctions
I have a carbine that is almost exactly the same as this one. Literally everything is the same except I have a Faxon gunner barrel with pinned LoPro gas block, an A2 flash hider and ToolCraft BCG.
Nice Build Version.
BCM upper with an Aero lower. Thanks for the share!!
Ive vuilt 2 ars and both have anderson lowers. One of them has anderson upper and lowers. Never had any problems with either build. Probably going to use them again for a couple builds I have planned
Nice build Caleb. I would put this in my safe.
I have used Anderson stripped lower reveivers with the Aero M4E1 stripped upper receivers...never had an issue with any Anderson receiver.
I’ve put well over 60,000 rounds through full auto AR’s, I’ve used the cheapest of the cheap replacement parts and I’ve used DD and BCM. In my personal experience, having gone through countless complete upper receivers, from radical arms upper I once bought new for 150$ shipped….. it worked perfect, full auto mag dumps all day zero malfunctions and I used a 100$ BCG. I used many PSA upper receivers, roughly 1/4 of the time they will have issues but most of the time they work 100% reliable as long as you don’t get a lemon. I’ve gone through several BCM and DD and have had zero issues with either of them as well. The more expensive uppers are noticeably more durable, much more so. So in conclusion, the cheap(est) AR parts can and often do work 100% reliably, it is just a bit less likely that you will not get a lemon. With expensive brands you are largely paying for better QC and less likely to get a lemon and also they tend to be much more durable. The cheap uppers would start key holing and barrel would be shot out much sooner than the more expensive chrome lined ones. But this is shooting lots of full auto which 99% are not going to do anyway.
I’ve had 3 or 4 Anderson lowers with zero issues.
I am currently rocking faxon and rosco barrels and I pick them up when there’s a sale. I bought a bunch of bcm pnt triggers a few years ago so I keep using them and they perform well. I’m also rocking and Anderson lower on one rifle and a KE Arms kp15 lower on another. Sig Romeo 5 red dot sights are great for cheap but I usually throw them on a UTG lower 3rd mount. Magpul furniture and b5 are my usual go to for polymer furniture. Love the blue force gear padded slings. I have Midwest industries combat rails on several rifles and a set of their fixed combat sights. I really like the streamlight hlx rifle lights for the price. I really like a lot of different companies products and I tend to drift towards more budget minded parts from reputable manufacturers. Great video
Got that same muzzle brake on my 16" 350 legend upper. Does a good job because it still kick kinda hard.
ive had good results from a few Anderson lower.
Online gun community is one of the most toxic groups out there. Anything less than BCM is considered “hot trash” in some mid tier circles.
I'm a retired master gunsmith. Yes, I said master. Had my own gunsmith business for over three decades, and schooled and trained by the best.
That said, I have one AR carbine, and it's simply an Anderson lower and a PSA freedom upper. F2 sight up front and a carry handle rear sight. Complete mil-spec parts. A Mission First Minimalist stock, and a Magpul MOE-K2 grip added. A GI sling, and I was done. $425 invested and it shoots 1.25" at 100m when I do my part with my own loads. It would have been $350 if I remained with stock parts all the way. I keep things simple and functional.
I use my carbine to shoot the many hogs, coyotes, and feral dogs that run through my woods. It's perfect for that purpose, and is the reason I set it up in this manner.
Those who say Anderson is garbage, obviously are being magpies of the keyboard commandos who know nothing about what they're saying.
That thud you heard was me dropping the mike and walking away. 🎤
As an enthusiast, I couldn’t agree more. I have my share of fancy stuff but my favorite to shoot if my first AR pistol build (Anderson lower, 10.5 PSA premium mk-18 mod-0 style upper) and I love it.
I’ve seen the “higher quality is better” theory literally debunked first hand from one of my clients turned friend who has his own range on his property. That guy is an extreme range junky and he spends more on ammo a year than I do in 5 years. His policy,…good barrel, good BCG and good optics and he could care less about anything else and long as the mag doesn’t fall out plus he does shoot night vision and suppressed. That guy literally puts his stuff through the ringer, and one of his rifles is set up with a complete Anderson lower than has fired thousands and thousands of rounds, and he said that he’s never had a issue with anything in the lower. He just replaces his barrels, and replaces his BCG’s if they don’t hold a rebuild. That guy just sees targets and I’ve found that he looks at guns like a soccer mom looks at car parts. “As long as it’s there and it works, who cares who makes it”
I've built numerous rifle(s) using Anderson AM-15 lowers. Anderson lowers are built to mil-spec just like the high ends lowers. No matter if it's a forged or a milled lower it must meet mil-spec so that mags, fire control group, fire selector and butt stock all fit and function in concert with each other.
I like Anderson Arms, they have law enforcement and military contracts. Anderson Arms is proven reliable.
Anderson lowers are just fine. What does the lower actually do?
It holds you fire control and the magazine. Everything else is standard and doesn't affect the firing of the weapon. None of the lower is a moving part it is just a container. If you can get it cheap enough the spend more on the trigger and fire control parts.
A good barrel and bolt carrier group and trigger set are more important . Maybe the upper receiver also as those are the moving parts where all the wear is going to occur.
Many Anderson lowers, zero issues. More important to me than the opinions or trolls and shills. Like engaged. I do like the Magpul CTR stock though, mainly for the QD mounts and also the MFT minimalist stock is growing on me. But that's all personal preference in the price range.
Cheap and inexpensive do not necessarily mean the same thing. There are many good options for the AR-15 platform out there that have a budget minded builder in mind. Breek Arms is one such company.
Love Anderson receivers
Sweet
I have an Andersen lower. Its a 10" barrel AR. I have a Leupold optic on it. .68" group at 100yds.
I built a cheap AR with pretty much all Anderson parts. I did polish some things up and did a good job building it. The rifle runs flawlessly. One out of spec problem is that Magpul mags do not drop free. The GI mags drop free and the plastic ones have to be pulled out, but it is easy to pull them out.
A mid-middle upper cost/quality AR-10 vid would be nice. I’ve been helping a friend with suggestions for his what he wants to be an heirloom quality dmr, kinda tough when he’s ready to buy top tier parts but not interested in spending $6-10k total lol. I’d consider barrel, upper, bolt carrier group, and trigger group to be the most important(in that order but I’m no gunsmith). Point us in the right direction guys, thanks in advance!
I too like Anderson lowers. I’ve bought and built off of probably 12-15 Anderson lowers and had zero issues with them. They’re just plain and simple. Nothing fancy, but definitely nothing wrong with them.
Andersons rock, an American company cranking out a great product at a fair price. Bourgie-boys need not apply...
I've used two Anderson lowers and they've both been fine. No frills budget lowers to be sure, but there's nothing wrong with them.
The idea that a lower receiver sucks is crazy to me.
Aren't all lowers made out of the same aluminum?
What is wrong with people
I have 4 Anderson uppers and lowers , and I tend to spend a little more on the bolt carriers and barrels. Everything else I shop for the best deal!
i built 2 toys with Anderson lowers and uppers to match them up.... no issues yet!!
ballisitic advantage and Aero precision are my go to for decent not expensive, not " cheap" AR parts.
I have never used an Anderson Receiver before, but I haven't heard anything bad about them. I usually use Aero Precision Receivers. This way the upper and lower colors match. Plus Aero manufactures receivers for other companies. I use the Sig Sauer Red Dot, and I have no issues with it. I think you have a great build.
I approve of everything you said
Would be dope to see a build of those magnesium alloy rifles.
Would you consider the aero precision nitride bolt carrier the same quality as the Brownells bcg or is one of them better?
Smart not to use any other Anderson parts!
My first thing i put together was assembled an aero lower and bought a daimondback db15 upper but upgraded it to an aero upper i put together
No issue with my Anderson lower, the issue is with my lack of training
Love Caleb. Love Brownells. Don't love background music when people are talking.
My not use a regular flash hider??
Here’s my opinion on lowers. With a milspec lower, the price tag reflects your chances of getting an out of spec lower. I’ve had Anderson’s work great and a couple that weren’t milled exactly right. Both still worked though.
All my ARs have andersons and they work mint. From $300 to $2000 uppers they work fine. Mil spec is mil spec
That's a great rifle I appreciate what you did there and I appreciate you giving Anderson a fair shake. 2 questions will actually warn them to comment what can you tell us about mim parts versus parts made like Larue's trigger group which is made out of pieces of steel not metal injection molded. I also have to mention the most important thing on an upper is gonna be your bolt Carrier and your Is barrel. I think just to get up and running with a rifle you can cheat out a lot of other stuff but try to get the best barrel you can possibly get in the best boat Carrier group you can always upgrade other things another day when you have more money but those are the 2 money things that I think are very very important to a quality rifle
What would be a good 308 lower receiver to purchase & barrel twist for long range shooting ?
I personally like Aero, specially when they have a blem sale. I have a blem upper and lower, It just had some tooling marks thats usually hidden.
You could get a complete Aero upper and Anderson lower for Less
It's hard to do better than $800 without using junk or unknown brands. The Sig flip up sights are pretty good too. You wont save money building, especially when you consider your time, but you can get slightly better quality and features than an off the shelf rifle if you shop around.
From my experience with Anderson lower builds, the lowers I have are slightly out of spec. Both of those works just fine but the tolerances are just slightly off. With Aeros I didn’t see any issues so just putting that out there.
What was out of spec and how did you know what the spec is?
@@hairydogstail The distance between the takedown pins were slightly larger than spec, causing poor alignment for various uppers. Had to use a punch to get the pins out every time. YMMV.
@@florious80 How did you measure it and what is the spec between the pins?
@@hairydogstail I don't recall the exact numbers but i used a caliper.
@@florious80 You need the exact pin gauges with a caliber, plus the TDP tolerances to make such a claim..I'm not trying to be difficult, but the take down/pivot pin, detents, etc could be out of spec and not the lower receiver.. You need to have the tolerances and tools needed to make such a claim..
My rig has an Anderson lower, and the only problem I've had with is that it's a little picky on what kind of mag I put in it. Magpul works great, but other generic mags have given me failure to feed issues. YMMV.
How much do you have to add to the cost for the tools needed for the build?
I build guns. And the problem with Anderson lowers is they're often out of spec. If it's in spec it works but a BCM lower isn't that much..
I just assembled my first ar10. Used a ballistic advantage/ aero precision M5 upper, lower, 15" handguard. Nickel boron toolcraft bcg, giessle SSA-E-X trigger, Faxon 308 big gunner 18" barrel with rifle length gas system. Mostly for deer, some hogs & range fun too. After My first shot the bcg got stuck forward in chamber with a live round. It was stuck good enough the charging handle wouldn't budge it! I did free it up. What would cause this? What do I need to check out to fix the issue?? Thanks
I used few Anderson and there ok .. But now you can buy a Ambi lower from unbranded and there 79-100$ lol and are solid ..cant beat them
Take off that muzzle brake, lord have mercy son.
PSA 20" Freedom upper
Aero Precision A2 (M16A4) clone lower
Toolcraft phosphate and chromed/C158 BCG
CMMG Charging handle
Fulton Armory detachable rear sight assy (carry handle)
IMI A2 handguards
Love me some Poverty Ponies - Got a small herd of 'em. The only thing I've found that they don't do just fine is poop like real ponies - but since we've got several of THOSE wandering around the place, that's not too much of an issue. :)
Which Magpul sights are those? They look like they're laying nice and flat.
When will Magpul start making free floating hand guard and dominate the market on them?
I’ve used a few Andersons, no issue. But then again I don’t see the difference in high dollar vs cheap ar’s either. I’ve done one “expensive” heavy barrel varmint type build with a Wilson combat barrel, on an Anderson lower, shoots great. To me most parts are all the same. But I’m not one of those “tacticool” fellas either. I also mainly shoot sporting clays and o/u’s so maybe I’m naive lol.
Three most important parts in an AR build: barrel, BCG, and FCG (trigger). A simple mil spec trigger is extremely inexpensive and reliable if you prep it properly, if you are going for a very basic build. Use your budget on a quality M16/full auto BCG and well-made barrel. The rest is just preference.
Caleb, you said you were going to disclose the total cost at the end but I couldn't find it in the video or description.
$800 minus the sight
@@dtropolopicus3602 Thanks! I can't believe I missed it. Found it at 6:38.
If Caleb made a 14.5"
P/W CHF 1/7 Brownells Barrel with an Aero Upper Receiver - I'd buy it.
👍
The only ‘expensive’ part on my ARs are the barrels and BCGs matched to the barrels. My ‘expensive’ Wilson Combat barrels are only $250 when they are on sale. High quality stocks are not always expensive but you usually get what you pay for. I have found no difference in all other parts.
anderson, PSA, whats the diff?
It's all good!. You should hear our voices when we are you!!...
I put a Bear Creek upper on a home build lower (15), then put another Bear Creek upper on a Palmetto State lower (10) because I am cheap and I don't need another merit badge.
My only issue has been ME not oiling enough. 1500 rounds through the 15, and only about 300 so far through the 10.
Caleb - please rip me a new one.
Built mine out for $377.
So, they finally made an affordable and functional jetpack.
The sales are through the roof.
BCM upper/aero lower.
PLx nova 1-6x or a vortex viper 1-6
There you go.
when in doubt about ones technical skills, it is always the easy route to blame
KAK muzzle devices. Well made, effective, muzzle devices in all the normal thread pitches (M14x1.0 LH too)
Jesus. Pause the video at 0:40 and you can see the rail horribly aligned. You should do a SmythBusters on rail/upper alignment.
get your eyes checked.
@@mikehammer2075 get your Mom checked.
I don't think the rail is misaligned. It looks like the pic rail on the hand guard is wider than the pic rail on the upper.
I just found this today, and I would never call you dumb for using any part. :-) I only know how to shoot them, not build them. I just want an AR for home defense and the occasional coyote or ground hog that decides it needs to invade my property in southern rural Indiana here.. My questions, and I hope it's okay to ask here, is how hard is it to install a barrel, and that kind of stuff? I know one needs tools, etc, and I used to be a machinist so I do have some experience with tools and working with metal.. I realize that is a long way from being a gun smith though. Do you have any instructions on your website on how to do a build? I will check it out since I asked. I've been there before, but only to look for some gun specifically. I'm still not sure I will go with an AR because I might end up with a good semi auto shotgun if I can find one. I used to own a Remington 1187 that was killer and I had it pimped out with a extended mag and ammo carrier attached, etc, and it was a nice shotgun and functioned great and was devastating at close range out to a 100 yards with the right ammo. Here where I live you rarely get a shot past 50 yards or 100 to 200 at the upmost.
God speed sir. Great video as always!
Tim