During class a while back I was learning how to weld aluminum using the GMAW (MIG) process. I made an offhand comment about 6061-T6 and 7076-TG aluminum used in making AR lowers and building AR’s from a stripped upper and lower to the instructor.
He has never built one, but wanted to, and I got stuck using next 20 minutes talking about building AR’s instead of welding. Over the next couple weeks, we bantered back and forth with him asking me questions and me supplying him answers.
Two weeks ago, I stepped into his office and he asked me what I was doing the following Friday after class. That Friday he followed me to Surplus Arms in Tacoma and he bought a stripped lower and I showed him some of the external hardware they had on display. The next day, he ordered his lower parts kit.
It all got here last Wednesday and on Saturday I went over to his place with my AR building tools and showed him just how simple they are to put together. He’ll be ordering his upper this Friday.
On a side note, I also left him with a copy of each of the following:
Army TM 9-1oo5-319-23&P Unit and Direct Support Maintenence Manual M16 & M4
Patriots – James Wesley, Rawles
That should keep him busy. That is why I own spares of each of those.
Some would think that the book list would be frightening, except the thing is, the guy is a multiple black-belted BJJ martial artist with a wall full of gold medals won in competition. His slogan is “When in doubt, Choke them out.” He’s in his mid-50’s and knows the feces is leaning towards the oscillator and his distance game consists of a couple pistols he inherited from his dad and a Colt A1 commercial AR15 from the 70’s that is waaaaay too small for someone of his stature. He has the mindset, but not the tools.
Fixed that.
Our next build will be a DPMS LR308.
Also, if anyone is looking for a damn near cherry Colt A1 commercial AR15 at a reasonable price, I know where there is one for sale now.
Define “reasonable”. The Ragin’ Mrs. is in the Inland Northwest right now. She may be interested.
Howdy Dave. He knows they go for $900-1000, but if you said you had an offer around $800 it would probably shiver his timbers. I could also help in persuading him.