I bult my first AR, it's the one I use for service rifle competition. It's actually a pretty easy process. I would buy the lower, and a complete parts kit, or if you want more flexibility, buy the lower parts kit, and whatever buttstock and upper assembly you want. Assembling it yourself can save you some serious coin.

The standard single stage AR trigger is not adjustable. Some of the aftermarket 2 stage triggers are adjustable, but they are finnicky. I did read about one manufacturer that makes a receiver with a set screw that puts a preload on the stock single stage trigger, but I don't think I would want to introduce a variable like that into the trigger system.

Any particular reason you want to build one in 5.45X39 versus 5.56 NATO?

I'm working on a 2nd AR right now, it's the half rifle in the picture below. I'm building up the funds to buy the upper.



Matt

13k rounds... Wow, thas a lot o' ammo!

As for my rifles, the only thing RRA in my competition rifle is the 2 stage trigger, and that was worked over by White Oak Armament. The lower is a Fulton Armory that I picked up at the National Matches several years ago. It was a "blemished" one so it was like $99 plus tax. I have yet to find the elusive blemish. The rest is a Model 1 sales CMP kit. It's got all the goodies, the barrel is a stainless ER Shaw 1 in 8 twist. It's got a free float tube under the hand guards, NM sights (the rear is a hooded unit I got from WOA), and there's about 3 lbs of lead in the butt to balance it out for offhand. I had some problems with it early on, but it was thoroughly tweaked by the US Army Marksmanship Unit armorers at Camp Perry. I asked the NCO in the van to help me figure out why my bolt hold open wasn't working 100%, he said, "sure thing, LT, lets have a look". Next thing I know he's got my rifle all torn apart on the bench and he's swaping out parts. He swapped out my bolt catch, gas seal rings on the bolt, and did some tweaking on the gas tube. I don't think its had a single hiccup in the 3 or so years since he worked on it.

The half rifle is a RRA lower that also came from Camp Perry, it was a "blem" as well, heck if I can find anything wrong with it. It's loaded with a CMMG lower parts kit and a 6 position M4 busttstock I was given as a gift. I'm going to complete it with a Stag 2H flat top M4 style upper. Should be a sweet little carbine when its done.

For triggers, I think the RRA 2 stage is pretty good. They're almost as simple as the stock single stage. However, I can't recommend putting a 2 stage in an AR that you plan to trust with your life. They are just too fragile. My "M4" lower has a stock single stage and that is how its going to stay, just because that (along with my M14) will probably be one of my "go-to" weapons in case of civil unrest (or if the zombies attack, ha ha).

I think you'll find some real satisfciton if you build your own 5.45X39 AR. Almost any lower receiver will work fine (just stay away from Hesse, Vulan, and Blackthorne), a decent lower parts kit can be had from CMMG, RRA, DPMS, and CMT/Stag. The buttstock is a personal preference thing. Your homebrew lower assembly should work just great with that S&W upper!

Matt