19 replies to this topic

[Bud]

This is a Palmetto lower, one of two I bought from "Rott" here on Illinois Carry. I used a Palmetto State Armory lower kit which included a Magpul MOE butt stock, trigger guard and hand grip.

[attachment=8281:Lower-build.jpg]

Has no real problems except i launched (read "lost") two detents so I had to use the ones included in the second kit and order a spare spring-pin-detent kit from Palmetto.

This one is for my son. He can find or build an upper on his own.

I will probably buy a Rock River Arms mid length upper for mine unless I find something used that is interesting and cheaper.

This was definitely worth doing. The lower from Rott was $80.00 and the lower kit and butt stock from Palmetto State Armory was $145.00 shipped.

Good deal all around.

[GarandFan]

Bud, on 28 May 2012 - 03:50 PM, said:

I will probably buy a Rock River Arms mid length upper for mine ... .

Very nice, congrats on your first lower assembly.  The RRA mid-length is a great choice.

[05FLHT]

Congrats, Bud. They are fun to put together and, after the first one, you do get that itch.

[Mr_Rich]

I just put one together with the Palmetto lower kit and Palmetto upper. I followed an assembly video that had you use an allen wrench at 90 degrees to the detent holes to capture the detents and prevent shooting them into the 9th dimension.

Rich

[Bud]

Mr_Rich, on 28 May 2012 - 04:29 PM, said:

I just put one together with the Palmetto lower kit and Palmetto upper. I followed an assembly video that had you use an allen wrench at 90 degrees to the detent holes to capture the detents and prevent shooting them into the 9th dimension.

Rich

I used both methods and managed to fire the first detent across the garage somehwere:

DVDTRacker

and then, figuring not to do that again, I used  this one to launch the second detent and another part of the garage:

Brandy

[rott]

Nice build Bud!

I shot one of my detents out onto carpeting...had the 5 y/o daughter looking for it with me at 10pm one night!  The LPK should come with at least one spare in my opinion...

I agree, the RRA mid-length is a good choice.  That is what I had on my first build (that I sold to a friend a few months ago).  It was a nice upper.

[Tvandermyde]

Bud there is a little tool for doing the detents and springs. Its $4 from midway. It is a pin wi a hole in it you push the spring and detnet thrpugh then rotate it and it holds them in while you slide the takedown pin in behind it.

It does get adicting

[Bud]

Tvandermyde, on 29 May 2012 - 07:33 AM, said:

Bud there is a little tool for doing the detents and springs. Its $4 from midway. It is a pin wi a hole in it you push the spring and detnet thrpugh then rotate it and it holds them in while you slide the takedown pin in behind it.

It does get adicting

straight over to Midway and ordered

[rott]

I am going to have to look that tool up....would have saved me some frustration!

[stm]

Looks good, Bud! I'd also recommend a RRA mid-length upper. Check out http://www.hilltopgunshop.com/. He doesn't have any mid-length uppers listed right now, but the last time I saw him at a show, he had several. He can build to order, also.

[rott]

I never tried this method out, but I ran across this last night:

http://www.ar15.com/..._56K_death.html

cheap way of getting the tool.  I found it after looking at Midway, and their $4 tool was on backorder...

[Jeffrey]

I've lost a couple pins before.  My 3 year old found one sitting on the fireplace about 4 months after the last one.  Into the toolbox it went for the next backup.

[Bud]

Okay, both done.

My son will be here this weekend to get his and will get his own upper.

I have to find some more money to buy some more lowers and also my upper.

Or, should I assemble my own upper from parts?

hmmmmmmmm..................


[attachment=8291:AR15 001.JPG]

[Tvandermyde]

Uppers are easy

[Bud]

yep, I have watched several "how to" videos on YouTube but I am alos in a hurry to shoot it <GRIN>

[Mr_Rich]

Todd:

How do you handle the headspace when you assemble the upper? Do you check with a gage after assembly?

I ask because I have another lower to build and it will need an upper, I'm thinking 20" rifle this time for a varmit gun.

Rich

[milq]

Mr. Rich,

You can check headspace but not much you can do about it unless you have a lathe and/or chamber reamer (depending on whether it's tight or loose).

Milspec parts are just that, mil spec. Most will assemble and fall into tolerance. The best way to assure a good headspace is to buy a bolt/barrel combo that is set up.

[rott]

I should have a few more spare lowers coming...

However, they did raise the prices on me by $3....still not a bad deal though.

[Bud]

How cool is this? My daughter-in-law firing the first rounds from the lower I built. My son used the upper froma Bushmaster he has to do the test run:


[attachment=8323:PSA Lower and Kristin.MOV]

[Ashes]

Bud, on 05 June 2012 - 06:39 PM, said:

How cool is this? My daughter-in-law firing the first rounds from the lower I built. My son used the upper froma Bushmaster he has to do the test run:

Looks awesome!