Build Your Own AR-15

This is an exciting class for us. We have partnered with Critical Dynamics to offer this very unusual and useful class at Garnet School.

I may or may not have an AR-15-class rifle. But, like a lot of people who own such tools, I only know enough to put rounds in the magazine and keep my finger off the trigger and the barrel pointed downrange until I’m ready to shoot.

I’ve heard all the words from the gunsmith people, “buffer tube”, “bolt carrier group”, “extractor”, but what do all these things mean? And how would I know, if one of them breaks, how to fix it, or even diagnose the problem?

I adhere to the concept of “learn by doing”, so I’ve always wanted to build my own gun. But the learning curve seemed daunting with plenty of new words to learn, tools required, and parts that, while common enough, needed to fit together perfectly or else you could have a bad day.

Even if I were to figure out how all the parts go together, there’s the myriad regulations, many of them that carry hefty penalties including prison time, that you must navigate to make sure you are not afoul of the law.

To that end, we are offering a full-day workshop where you will be able to build your own AR-15 class rifle, shoot it, and take it home. There’s nothing like putting every piece in place to give you an appreciation of the construction of this machine, while at the same time giving you a detailed knowledge of its construction and being able to fix any problem that might arise.

This is an all-day workshop, led by a certified armorer. But in order to take it home, you’ll be required, by federal firearms regulations, to get a permit to own the gun. To that end, we will have a Federal Firearm Licensed dealer on hand to take your information. So, while you are building your gun, he will be getting the appropriate license for you.

Once your gun is assembled, you’ll take it out to our range to zero it in and do some test firing. This is all done at the Garnet School property.

At the end of the day, you’ll have your own AR-15, zeroed-in and ready to take home.

In order to provide personalized instruction, the class is limited to eight people. Well, seven, because I’m signing up.

If there is more demand, we’ll hold the class again.

There are six different builds possible, either rifle or pistol configuration. See the event site for more information.

I can’t tell you how excited we are to be a part of this.