Design and Build Your Custom AR 15 on a Budget

The Easiest Way to Build Your Own AR 15 Rifle or Pistol

If you go to any off-the-shelf gun centers and buy an entry-level mil-spec AR15, you will likely end up with an A2 System. They often come standard with an A2 front sight and a plastic clam-shell handguard with no attachment points. It also likely has a standard A2 flash hider. While it is still quite functional, it looks old-fashioned and honestly dull.

Why would you ever buy a standard AR 15 if you are not bored? Especially when you can easily buy a stripped lower receiver and assemble it yourself. When you build your AR 15, you can have it look exactly like you want. Not to mention the satisfaction you get from using your hands to assemble your rifle. We suggest you design and build your AR rifle or pistol from scratch. That way, you own a gun that fits your style from the start.

Where to Start; Do you think you should buy parts or kits?

Oh! So, it would be best if you were more confident in correctly picking out and assembling all the various parts and components required to create a working AR rifle. No worries, we have every type of AR builder covered at Black Rifle Depot.

We offer a vast selection of live-online inventory of individual parts for the designer who knows exactly the amount they want and complete* rifle and pistol build kits for the builder who prefers to know what it will look like before starting.

THESE KITS MAY NOT BE COMPLIANT WITH YOUR STATE OR LOCAL LAWS. REFER TO YOUR STATE OR LOCAL LAWS TO SEE IF YOU CAN OWN A STANDARD UN-MODIFIED AR RIFLE/PISTOL. AS THESE KITS ARE STANDARD AND NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY TO BE COMPLIANT WITH ANY STATE LAWS.

*Please note… Our Build Kits do not come with a lower receiver. You must purchase a lower receiver from a licensed FFL dealer and submit to the proper background checks to take possession of the lower receiver.

**Black Rifle Depot makes no guarantees or assumptions about your ability to purchase or own a registered AR 15 lower.

If you already own an AR that is or is not an A2-style rifle, we have plenty of options, including our complete lower-build kits and upper assemblies so that you can customize and upgrade your current weapon.

Try an AR 15 Rifle Build Kit

We hand-select each piece for each BRD custom Rifle Build Kit we offer and some Rifle Build Kits from other outfitters such as Timber Creek Outdoors. You can shop every Build Kit offered by Black Rifle Depot with complete confidence because we stand behind all our products with a lifetime warranty. Plus, you get the award-winning 5-star customer service that made Black Rifle Depot a household name for the best quality AR 15 Parts and accessories.

Take a look at these:

16" 5.56 NATO Cold Hammer Forged Rifle Build Kit

The 16" 5.56 NATO Cold Hammer Forged Rifle Build Kit comes with the Wraith 16" Cold Hammer Forged Upper, complete with M16 Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group and Mil-Spec charging handle. Also included is our standard AR 15 Lower Build Kit includes all the parts required to finish your AR 15 or variant lower receiver. These kits are 100% American Made and come with our Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Kit Includes:

• 16" 5.56 Wraith Cold Hammer Forged upper
• M16 Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group
• Mil-Spec AR 15 Charging Handle
• Mil-Spec Buffer Tube Assembly
• M4 6 Position Stock
• AR 15 Lower Parts Kit

Why would you shop multiple websites and get a list of delivery dates when you could order this kit and have it arrive in just a few days, ready for assembly? The upper assembly has the barrel, upper receiver, handguard, and muzzle device already assembled. If you are looking for something a little different, look at this one:

16" 5.56 Premium Rifle Build Kit W/15" M-LOK Handguard

The 16" 5.56 Premium Rifle Build Kit W/15" M-LOK Handguard is the perfect AR 15 rifle build kit for your lower, without all the required tools. Black Rifle Depot's complete AR 15 rifle build kits are made from the highest quality USA-produced components. All of Black Rifle Depot's full uppers are fully assembled, test fired, and ready to pin to the lower receiver of your choice. As with all of our products, these are guaranteed for life. These AR 15 rifle build kits include everything needed to finish your AR 15 lower receiver into a functioning AR 15 Rifle.

Kit Includes:

• 16" 1:7 Twist 4150CMV Barrel
• Mid Length Gas
• 15" Premium free float MLOK handguard
• Forged 7075-T6 upper receiver
• Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group
• Extended A2 Flash Hider
• Billet charging handle
• Complete AR 15 Lower Parts Kit
• Complete AR 15 6 position stock kit
• 100% USA made

If you want to see the full lineup of the Rifle Build Kits in stock right now, use this link: Complete Rifle Build Kits.

Try an AR 15 Pistol Build Kit

If you want something slightly shorter than a pistol, a build kit is your choice. Each Pistol Build Kit from Black Rifle Depot has everything you need to complete your firearm lower receiver. All of our Build kits fit beautifully on standard mil-spec registered lower receivers. We cannot guarantee our build kits will work properly with any other lower type. Here are a few of our favorite Pistol Build Kits to consider:

7.5" 5.56 NATO AR 15 Pistol Kit

The 7.5" 5.56 NATO AR 15 Pistol Kit has everything needed to finish your AR 15 lower receiver. This kit includes a 7.5" 5.56 NATO Pistol upper with Black Nitride M16 Bolt Carrier Group and mil-spec charging handle. Also had is a complete AR 15 Pistol Lower Build kit with a lower parts kit and buffer assembly.

Kit Includes:

• 7.5" 5.56 NATO Upper
• M16 Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group
• Mil-Spec Charging Handle
• Mil-Spec AR 15 Lower Parts Kit
• Pistol Buffer Kit
• 100% American Made

*All NFA/ATF Rules Apply
You may use this AR 15 Pistol kit with a lower receiver that is a Registered SBR, Machine Gun, or Pistol. Possession of this upper and a non-NFA lower receiver is Prohibited, except when installed on a Pistol configuration firearm.

Details for the Black Rifle Depot *Lifetime Warranty can be found here.

10.5" 5.56 NATO AR 15 Pistol Kit

The 10.5" 5.56 NATO AR 15 Pistol Kit has everything needed to finish your AR 15 lower receiver. This kit includes a 10.5" 5.56 NATO Pistol upper with Black Nitride M16 Bolt Carrier Group and mil-spec charging handle. Also had is a complete AR 15 Pistol Lower Build kit with a lower parts kit and buffer assembly.

Kit Includes:

• 10.5" 5.56 NATO Upper
• M16 Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group
• Mil-Spec Charging Handle
• Mil-Spec AR 15 Lower Parts Kit
• Pistol Buffer Kit
• 100% American Made

*All NFA/ATF Rules Apply
You may use this AR 15 Pistol kit with a lower receiver that is a Registered SBR, Machine Gun, or Pistol. Possession of this upper and a non-NFA lower receiver is Prohibited, except when installed on a Pistol configuration firearm.

11.5" 5.56 Premium AR 15 Pistol Build Kit W/9.85" M-LOK Handguard

The 11.5" 5.56 Premium AR 15 Pistol Build Kit W/9.85" M-LOK Handguard is the perfect AR 15 pistol build kit for your lower, without all the tools required. Black Rifle Depot's complete AR 15 pistol build kits are made from the highest quality USA-produced components. All of Black Rifle Depot's full uppers are fully assembled, test fired, and ready to pin to the lower receiver of your choice. As with all of our products, these are guaranteed for life. These AR 15 pistol build kits include everything needed to finish your AR 15 lower receiver into a functioning AR 15 pistol.

Kit Includes:

• 11.5" 1:7 Twist 4150CMV Barrel
• Carbine Length Gas
• 9.85" Premium free float MLOK handguard
• Forged 7075-T6 upper receive
• Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group
• Extended A2 Flash Hider
• Billet charging handle
• Complete AR 15 Lower Parts Kit
• Complete AR 15 Pistol tube kit
• 100% USA made

*All NFA/ATF Rules Apply 

You may use this AR 15 Pistol Upper with a lower receiver that is a Registered SBR, Machine Gun, or Pistol. Possession of this upper and a non-NFA lower receiver is Prohibited, except when installed on a Pistol configuration firearm.

Upper Assemblies for the Upgrade

If you want to add a new upper to your existing lower, there is no better way than to purchase an Upper from Black Rifle Depot. We have many choices, so you’ll always get your desired look. You can get your upper in one of our favorite Cerakote finishes or have them done your way. Click the link to shop the entire lineup of Complete Upper Assemblies from Black Rifle Depot.