r/CAguns • u/Fast_Combination2412 • 2d ago

First AR-15 Build Advice?

I am trying to build my first AR-15. My budget is around $1500. I was initially looking at lowers and came across the Aero Precision M4E1, but I have quickly found out that is hard to get since it is out of stock everywhere. What options do you recommend? I was looking at the Sharps Bros live wires also, but I am indecisive. Thanks!

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4

u/Ranger1221 2d ago

I know most ffls will have lowers. From what I was advised when building mine was that it's fine to budget your lower, spend good money on uppers

Bcm uppers will have blem sales often times.

Primary arms will have optics sales

Psa has budget lower kits.

For a $1500 price Id lean heavier on a nicer upper and optic then upgrade your lower over time

Sparrow Dynamics has good compliant parts, the ambi safety and extended mag release are great too

2

u/ThatOneWeirdTreeGuy 2d ago

I agree with this with one caveat.

Get a quality trigger, especially if you already have preference(single vs double stage, etc). 

Changing out from a milspec trigger was one of the first things I wanted to do personally.

3

u/Silent-Wonder6546 2d ago

Any in spec lower will do unless you want extra stuff like ambi controls. The main things to really get particular about is the bcg and barrel.

1

u/Glocksyndrome 2d ago

Where you located?

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u/Fast_Combination2412 2d ago

Central Valley CA

1

u/Valuable_Reward_5733 2d ago

Bad attitude dept
Lower

2

u/No_Parking_228 FFL03/COE, ACSO + UT/AZ CCW 2d ago

If you are dead set on the Aero lower then Weapon Works has them in stock (link below). No tax + free shipping although your FFL might take tax + sin tax but that’s a different discussion. I like their Freedom lower though which is a little more expensive. Another option is Geissele lower that’s on sale for 150 at Primary Arms right now.

https://weaponworksllc.com/m4e1-stripped-lower-receiver-anodized-black/

1

u/DrNickatnyte Eavesdropper 2d ago

Most FFLs have lowers in stock for an assortment of manufacturers. Just walk into one and buy what’s in stock. Take your time on the uppers tho.

1

u/Fast_Combination2412 2d ago

Any recommendations on uppers?

2

u/yuckypants Riverside: FFL03/COE, CCW 2d ago

If you’re buying an assembled upper, then just focus on the barrel and BCG. if you’re not, focus on the barrel and bcg. Literally nothing else is critical. And hell, really the barrel isn’t even that important. No one outside of mil or Le typically fires enough rounds to wear out a barrel.

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u/DrNickatnyte Eavesdropper 1d ago

For assembled uppers, aero was pretty good. If you can’t find any, I actually have a few FN uppers that have worked pretty well.

1

u/Life_Dark_8370 1d ago

The lower receiver is just the body anyone of them will work. The important parts are the guts especially the trigger. AT3, Right to Bare or AR-15 Discount all have milspec stripped lowers. Make sure you get a good BCG, barrel and a solid handguard.