[JwParker]

Hello all!
So I'm looking for a new hobby and would like to try out building a gun. I'm not super mechanical but I am capable of and enjoy basic maintenance on things...oil changes on my motorcycle, basic stuff on my family's bicycles, and cleaning my guns. I clean my guns almost after every use because I just love to. I love the tools, rags, oils, solvents, and smells. It's very Zen-like and satisfying.
I have shotguns, various handguns, and recently bought a M1a Socom 2 that was all tricked out with rails and accessories. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on M1a disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication (Brownells) and really enjoyed the process and learning about my new gun.
I thought I'd build an AR since there is an abundance of information available and the stuff seems to be everywhere but for some reason they don't really hit me.
So I'm looking for a kit or link to a previous thread with information. Pew Pew Tactical has stuff on an AR build and lists several options for all parts and that was/is enticing so maybe, but I love the look and feel of the M14 and thought something like that would be better. Thought? Thanks!

 

[RAMMAC]

Stick with building an AR, like you said, every twat has one.

 

[JwParker]

Stick with building an AR, like you said, every twat has one.

OUCH

 

[Sorry Dude]

LRB has kits for sale but the usual process is to spend a couple of years collecting the parts while you wait for a receiver and barrel. First, decide on exactly what you want.

 

[smoothy8500]

I would say they seem like the weapon of choice for every twat at a protest or demonstration

Hmmmm, you can come shoot with us twats on the 600yd line anytime....

 

[82nd ABN]

Um not the word to make many friends on the forum. In fact I resemble that statement too. So you want to build your own M14 hmmmmm. I learned a little over a decade ago, much of what I needed to know I discovered herre on the forum however I had a seasoned gunsmith/manufacturer that didn't live far from me that held my (i am not going to say it) hand during my first two builds. Expect to do a lot of research on the tools required the techniques fitting parts ect. It is not like building an AR. Building an AR is comparable to an adult erector set if you are old enough to know what one is. The most difficult thing building an AR is installing a barrel extension if you want to consider it hard. Most AR barrels come with the extension already installed but you still need to check the HS unless the company making your barrel is willing to accept your bolt and HS before shipping. Krieger used to offer this service however they now headspace thier AR barrels using a JP bolt. My suggestion! Stick to oil changes and cleaning your firearms, buy off the rack. You are going to spend over 1k in tools alone are you prepared to do so? I have another suggestion, edit your post and use a different word. Know what I am sayin?

 

[thesurvivalshop]

Purchase a Barreled Receiver & save hundreds of $$ on the Tools to assemble a M14 type Rifle & still get the joy to acquire the other parts to assemble & complete it . There are manuals/ books on how to do it , as there is for the AR 15 , though the AR 15 is a Modular design & needs much less tooling expense & experience to assemble , everyone here , started somewhere .

Nothing wrong with building one or the other , they both are great Rifles !

 

[MemphisMachinists]

Building an M1a from scratch involves some special tools. A barrel vise and a receiver wrench are minimum. You will need a chamber reamer and some guages. This stuff cost about as much as you can buy an AR 15 for. It really makes very little sense to invest in all this to build one. If you buy a barreled action it will save this expense. If you still want to build one from scratch it would be good if you can find someone close that is already doing it. Post where you live and see if some one near you can help. This site has a search feature and you really should try to see what you can find with it. There are just a few folks that sell receivers and none of them do the work themselves. I bought an old M1a and became familiar with it first. Disassembly to the barreled action is not difficult. Check websites for availability and prices. Diving in without spending some time researching could be expensive. It's not rocket science, but it's not super easy or for everyone.Good luck and I will be watching to see what you do.

 

[Grizzman]

An M14 clone barreled action is definitely the way to go. I didn't need to purchase a single tool to complete mine from a barreled action with headspaced bolt. A few of the parts from the kit weren't quite to spec, but replacing them with USGI worked well in each case.

ARs are easy enough to assemble that anyone with enough intelligence to participate in this forum can do it. The problem is selecting from the vast options for all the different components. You could easily spend 6 months carefully choosing each item.

 

[JwParker]

Good information, thank you.

 

[Capona]

Buy a complete AR upper.
Buy a complete AR lower.
Put them together and boom Shaka laka. Go shoot and gave some fun. Don’t take on an M1a for your first. Too many special tools you won’t use again unless you intend on building more if the first goes well. Then there is the inexperience factor that could lead to undesired consequences.

 

[cockednlocked]

Hello all!
So I'm looking for a new hobby and would like to try out building a gun. I'm not super mechanical but I am capable of and enjoy basic maintenance on things...oil changes on my motorcycle, basic stuff on my family's bicycles, and cleaning my guns. I clean my guns almost after every use because I just love to. I love the tools, rags, oils, solvents, and smells. It's very Zen-like and satisfying.
I have shotguns, various handguns, and recently bought a M1a Socom 2 that was all tricked out with rails and accessories. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on M1a disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication (Brownells) and really enjoyed the process and learning about my new gun.
I thought I'd build an AR since there is an abundance of information available and the stuff seems to be everywhere but for some reason they don't really hit me.
So I'm looking for a kit or link to a previous thread with information. Pew Pew Tactical has stuff on an AR build and lists several options for all parts and that was/is enticing so maybe, but I love the look and feel of the M14 and thought something like that would be better. Thought? Thanks!

Midway has videos on building an AR rifle, showing the required tools and options. You should try an AR before jumping in the deep end with something more advanced. First, choose the caliber you'd like to build and read up on anything special about it when on that style of rifle. Read about upper and lower receivers and what parts fit where, and most especially about the legal aspects of your proposed build, such as barrel length, pistol or rifle, etc. Look for barrel and bolt combinations, most barrel makers have matched bolts for them so that headspacing will be correct. Look at trigger groups and decide what kind you want, single or 2-stage and basic or high precision. Look at buttstocks, buffers, fore end rails, sights and muzzle devices and the other individual parts needed. Once you get familiar with all the needed parts, you can decide what manufacturers you want to go with for quality and compatibility.

I built two uppers several years ago, much for the same reason you're expressing. I built one lower receiver that can be used with both uppers, each upper has a different purpose in mind. My 300 Blackout is a shorter barreled, medium range gun for CQB type shooting or short range hunting; the 6.5 Grendel upper is a long range rifle. The lower receiver is legally the rifle; that's what you do the paperwork for, and you can make as many uppers for it as you'd like, as long as they all qualify as the same type (all rifle or all pistol). It's an enjoyable project.

 

[dieselweasel]

Hello all!
So I'm looking for a new hobby and would like to try out building a gun. I'm not super mechanical but I am capable of and enjoy basic maintenance on things...oil changes on my motorcycle, basic stuff on my family's bicycles, and cleaning my guns. I clean my guns almost after every use because I just love to. I love the tools, rags, oils, solvents, and smells. It's very Zen-like and satisfying.
I have shotguns, various handguns, and recently bought a M1a Socom 2 that was all tricked out with rails and accessories. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on M1a disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication (Brownells) and really enjoyed the process and learning about my new gun.
I thought I'd build an AR since there is an abundance of information available and the stuff seems to be everywhere but for some reason they don't really hit me.
So I'm looking for a kit or link to a previous thread with information. Pew Pew Tactical has stuff on an AR build and lists several options for all parts and that was/is enticing so maybe, but I love the look and feel of the M14 and thought something like that would be better. Thought? Thanks!

Building an M14 rifle is not the same as building an AR. The best way to go about this is to buy a barreled action. If you really want to peace it together. (Buy a loose receiver ,barrel and bolt.) You will need to have someone that has the tools and experience to time the barrel to the receiver and set the head space. This is the most critical part of the build. If it is not done properly , you could have a safety issue on your hands. The rest of the build you can do your self if it is a simple build. If it is a more complex build you may want to work with someone that has built a few M14 rifles. There is a lot of little things that add up to make a great rifle. Check around your area I am sure you can find some one local. If not, post your needs, I am sure some one on this forum can help out.

 

[chainfire]

Just buy one. There are deals to be had if you are patient. Parts are crazy expensive these days.

 

[15636215]

Start with an easy one to get parts. AR or M1 garand. Parts are abundant! M14 parts are tough. I have enough M1 Garand parts to build 10 garands now, just need receivers. Not really looking too much.

 

[DLupini]

I purchased GI parts here and from a few other online retailers and then asked a forum member for the use of his tools and experience
to help me put mine together.

 

[JwParker]

Midway has videos on building an AR rifle, showing the required tools and options. You should try an AR before jumping in the deep end with something more advanced. First, choose the caliber you'd like to build and read up on anything special about it when on that style of rifle. Read about upper and lower receivers and what parts fit where, and most especially about the legal aspects of your proposed build, such as barrel length, pistol or rifle, etc. Look for barrel and bolt combinations, most barrel makers have matched bolts for them so that headspacing will be correct. Look at trigger groups and decide what kind you want, single or 2-stage and basic or high precision. Look at buttstocks, buffers, fore end rails, sights and muzzle devices and the other individual parts needed. Once you get familiar with all the needed parts, you can decide what manufacturers you want to go with for quality and compatibility.

I built two uppers several years ago, much for the same reason you're expressing. I built one lower receiver that can be used with both uppers, each upper has a different purpose in mind. My 300 Blackout is a shorter barreled, medium range gun for CQB type shooting or short range hunting; the 6.5 Grendel upper is a long range rifle. The lower receiver is legally the rifle; that's what you do the paperwork for, and you can make as many uppers for it as you'd like, as long as they all qualify as the same type (all rifle or all pistol). It's an enjoyable project.

Thank you very much. Started the series on Midway last night. This is exactly what I was after. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[playpump]

As mentioned by several others, definitely go the barreled action route. I was in the same situation, was only planning on building one and didn’t want to sink the funds into tooling. Even then you will still likely run into challenges you will have to overcome, which adds to the satisfaction when it performs well at the range.

 

[PFC THOMAS]

BEST ADVISE I CAN GIVE YOU. IS DON'T
The rabbit trails of chasing parts, learning how to do Parkerizing, Not be Happy with some Specialty Tools making a run or two of wrenches with barrel blocks, hooligans you meet and start running a muck with. IT GOES ON AND ON.
Pfc out

 

[anthonypd]

I know better than to ever put my cheek against a gun that I’ve assembled and pull the trigger. Hats off to all of you that can! 🍻