Considering buying a PSA lower kit. How hard is it to assemble with no experience?
If I can build one, anyone can, however, expect to lose a spring (or two). Those suckers are lively. Use a large clear plastic bag when assembling any parts wth springs. It’ll save u a lot of headache.
It ain’t rocket surgery. There are many online tutorials available.
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I’ve built all of my lower receivers from kits. Usually PSA kits. You just need a decent set of punches and a couple other tools.
This guide is pretty decent. How to Build an AR-15 Lower Receiver [Ultimate Visual Guide] - Pew Pew Tactical
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Not hard at all and actually make for a good afternoon.
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Not too hard and a lot of fun. I’ll second the comment about the springs. Definitely have some spares in case one goes flying or gets bent or distorted.
Lowers aren’t too bad and can be done with armors wrench and vice block. Biggest pain in the butt is the trigger assembly. But just order an oops kit with all the extras springs. Less then $10 mad great to have on hand. Or you could upgrade the trigger and buy a cassette style trigger that drops right in. Rise Armament has some nice ones for about $100. But upper needs more specialized tools like receiver rod and torque wrench to build it correctly. Need to get barrel alignment correct of accuracy and functionality will suffer.
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Now it is sounding a bit complicated.
It is only complicated if you make it complicated. I built my lowers without any special tools.
The specialized tools do help make it easier, especially if you plan on building a few lowers, but if you are only building one, most of what you need is already in your toolbox.
Go to YouTube and watch a few assembly videos. You will see it’s not complicated.
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It’s really not. My biggest piece of advice is to get yourself a large, clear trash bag to work in.
This will help keep you from launching springs, or detents, across the room.
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There is usually an option to buy the LPK with or without the trigger assembly. Mil-spec triggers suck! get an ALG-ACT trigger for around 70 bucks instead, It’s 1,000 times better!
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I buy the ALG LPK with the ACT trigger. One rock, one bird.
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What do you think of this for a starter AR? Gets very good reviews for a budget AR.
PSA PA-15?
Which one, can you post a link? And what do you want to get out of this AR? Range toy? Irons or plan an optic?
As others have mentioned you can get away with completing a lower without specialized tools. You might consider building the lower and purchasing a completed upper.
If ordering a completed PSA rifle (or a completed lower/upper) you will likely have FFL costs to pin the stock and muzzle device (possibly need to change the muzzle device to NJ compliant.) Not that you wouldn’t have those costs building your own, just be aware if ordering online.
You might want to see what your local shops have for sale, even a used one as a ‘starter’. The compliance work will likely have been completed already.
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If it is just a starter, then it’s not bad. But if this will be your one and only, I’d look for something else.
For not much more money, you can get a vastly superior Ruger AR-556. Ruger’s cold hammer forged barrels are known for their excellent accuracy.
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Thanks. I did see the Ruger also. I have a Ruger LCP Max 380. Very reliable but not my favorite 380.
I shoot at RTSP and I believe they have some used rifles. I will check it out. Thanks.
It’s mainly for range and home.
Yeah would go check out some local shops before you buy anything. Can likely find something for the same price as buying one online and having it shipped. Have to figure cost of rifle plus shipping, transfer fee, gunsmith fee to make NJ legal and buying 10 round magazines. By the time you pay for all the extras you will find AR for the same price at a NJ shop.
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Buy once, cry once.
Out of all my firearms my AR-15 is my least shot rifle.
Unless you plan on shooting outdoors, as a range toy, once you put a dot or scope on it, there really is no challenge to shooting an AR-15 indoors. Everyone should own one or fifteen for sure.
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I dont think PSA will ship to NJ anyway. Buy once cry once with a Billet receiver.
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