Designing Your AR
Whether you are having an AR custom built or you are building your own, there is a lot that you need to understand in order to build a functional firearm. The articles in this section are intended to provide you objective guidance on the various elements of AR design.
The most important consideration when designing an AR is complying with the law. The National Firearms Act has been entangling the uninformed and irresponsible since 1934.
This article explores the major elements of NFA, how they affect your build, and how you can stay on the right side of the law.
Military specifications for the M16/M4 platform have been largely adopted in the market for civilian variants. However, there are exceptions.
This article explores the military specification and where you might find deviations.
The class of AR pretty much defines what you can do with the gun.
This article explores the selection of AR class. We look at the pistol caliber (i.e. “pistol caliber carbine”), small frame (a.k.a. AR-15), and large frame (a.k.a. AR-10 or LR308) AR.
The platform is the heart of the AR. Choosing the right platform from the start can make or break your firearm’s potential. The right platform can take you from a entry level gun through a competition level gun, with unlimited upgradeability.
This article explores the selection of AR platform. We also offer our opinion on Aero Precision Enhanced platforms, which are the hearts of the systems that we build and recommend.
The length of your handguard is more than just a cosmetic choice; your safety depends on it.
In this article, we explore the considerations for choosing a handguard length and the consequences of choosing unwisely. We offer a formulaic approach to find that Goldilocks length, based on your gas system length, barrel length, and muzzle device.
The AR market is flooded with an alphabet soup of metals and finishes.
In this article, we explore the different types of metals, their properties, their applications, and what to watch out for. We also cover a wide array of finishes and coatings, including performance measures and applications. As always, we try to present as much as possible in as objective a way as possible.
Two of the best things about the AR platform are standardization and modularity. So many of the components can be used across all classes and manufacturers. But not all.
Here, we offer tables of compatibility of components across AR classes. No more guessing, buying, trying, buying, trying.
The two primary cartridges in the AR platform have siblings, and they don’t always play nice.
This article explores the two primary calibers of the AR platform, as well as the compatibility of the sister cartridges for each.
You can build the AR in dozens of calibers and cartridges.
This article explores the most popular cartridge options for each platform (AR-9, AR-15, and AR-10). For each option, we identify the components that are cartridge-specific, as well as our top picks for those components.
The muzzle device is more than just a pretty face; it can directly contribute to the performance of a weapon.
In this article, we explore the design elements and types of muzzle devices, including flash hiders, compensators, muzzle brakes, blast forwarding devices, sound suppressors, and hybrid devices.
Whether you are buying a factory barrel or designing a custom barrel, barrel selection is one of the most important decisions in the design process.
This article provides a summary of selection criteria. For more, check out our Barrel Deep Dive series!
The gas block has one of the most important jobs in the AR. Selecting the right gas block can make or break your build.
In this article we review the different gas block designs, as well as the benefits and limitations of each.
The bolt carrier group is the heart of the AR. It is part gas system, part cartridge manager, and part reciprocating mass. It is a beautiful feat of engineering, the way it was designed. Yet, the AR enthusiast is faced with dozens of design options.
In this article, we cover the basics of BCG design and selection, and walk you through the truth and the gimmicks.
The operating system of the AR is a complex and interdependent collection of components.
In this article, we explore the buffer spring and how it contributes to the proper function of the AR platform. We discuss the four types of buffer springs, their benefits, and our recommendations.
The trigger is one of the most important components of any firearm and there are a lot of flavors of trigger.
This article explores the construction and operation of the trigger system. We review the design parameters, the options, and how pick the best combination for your use case. We offer our recommendations on both brands and triggers, with a comparison for each of our favorites.
It may seem strange to dedicate an article to pins; but there is a lot of pervasive misinformation out there.
In this article, we explore the three categories of hammer and trigger pins, why you might consider each of them, and when (if ever) to avoid each of them.
The first upgrades that should be made to an AR center around the interface between the gun and the shooter.
This article explores the primary controls of the AR operating system and what you should be looking for as you upgrade them.
The first upgrades that should be made to an AR center around the interface between the gun and the shooter.
This article explores the furniture upgrades that you can make to improve the handling of your AR.
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