Looking to build first ar. Need alot of help.

[tc_firefighter311]

I know i picked the wrong time to build an ar, but i want to build one for my wife to shoot. The problem i face is she is tiny. So the recoil is the biggest factor. Wanting to build one in a 308 if possible, but can go .223 in need be. Also trying to build on a budget. Her bolt 243 had a little more recoil than she liked. She shot it 20 times, but she was getting shy on the recoil. Any ideas??
Looking to stay under $1000 and shoot no mare than 500 to 600 yards.

Thanks Tommy

 

[smschulz]

With focus and question so vague perhaps just buying one or another already built might be in order.
Determine use or possible uses.
Determine caliber.
Have a budget.
Go shopping.

 

[ORD]

Tiny stature + recoil sensitivity = NO LARGE-FRAME ARs!!

Even if you can mitigate the recoil somewhat with an effective brake, if she doesn't like the recoil from a bolt action .243 (a relative pussycat by most standards), then getting into a large-frame semi-auto which has a good deal of reciprocating mass is probably NOT a great idea on your part. Thus, before you start spending cash on a project that may ultimately be a total waste (of time and $$$), why don't you find a friend with an AR (regardless of the type, config, etc.) and see if you can get your wife some trigger time on it to see if she'll even buy into the project.

Now, a .223/5.56 AR on the other hand, especially if build right with low mass components (BCG, Buffer, etc.) and an adjustable gas system, can have nearly no recoil impulse at all.

Just some food for thought before you get too deep into this one.

 

[NICETRY]

.308 cal AR is going to cost more than the average AR15. I have a JP LRP-07 in .308 and the recoil is very mild and does not weigh much more than most AR15's but it is a big rifle. If you want something that she could possibly hunt with since many places don't allow hunting with a .223/5.56 then you might want to look at rifles chambered in 300 Blackout, 6.5 Grendel, or the 6.8 SPC. With a brake or even better a suppressor recoil is very light and performance is good even out of a 16" barrel. Those rounds will not be as cheap to shoot as 5.56 but you could always just get an inexpensive 5.56 upper to go with it.

And now is a good time to build an AR. You can find parts again I just finished a lower I had been sitting on because past couple months it was hard to find some parts. But better than building an AR right now is if you shop around you can find deals on complete rifles. Many stores ordered as many AR's as they could a few months back and are now sitting on lots of inventory. People have either bought the AR's they want or just have run out of money.

 

[Rubberdown]

I fought the same issues with my wife. Luckily I had several guns for her to try out already. She ended up with a rifle length gas system .223 to shoot. That being said there is a lot more than 1000 bucks in that gun. And the price only goes up on the ar10s.

 

[Delta4-3]

Tiny stature + recoil sensitivity = NO LARGE-FRAME ARs!!

Even if you can mitigate the recoil somewhat with an effective brake, if she doesn't like the recoil from a bolt action .243 (a relative pussycat by most standards), then getting into a large-frame semi-auto which has a good deal of reciprocating mass is probably NOT a great idea on your part. Thus, before you start spending cash on a project that may ultimately be a total waste (of time and $$$), why don't you find a friend with an AR (regardless of the type, config, etc.) and see if you can get your wife some trigger time on it to see if she'll even buy into the project.

Now, a .223/5.56 AR on the other hand, especially if build right with low mass components (BCG, Buffer, etc.) and an adjustable gas system, can have nearly no recoil impulse at all.

Just some food for thought before you get too deep into this one.

That sir, is where you are wrong.
I use this technique all the time. I buy or build something I know she wont like, then I say "Oh I'm sorry honey, Ill build you something a little different and just put this guy in the safe. Im terribly sorry dear!"
It works every time. Well, it actually didn't work very well after the first time, but it didn't stop me from pulling the same stunt repeatedly.

 

[tc_firefighter311]

I was leaning on the .223. What is a good upper to buy?? I know im missing alot of details trying to post at work.

 

[ORD]

That sir, is where you are wrong.
I use this technique all the time. I buy or build something I know she wont like, then I say "Oh I'm sorry honey, Ill build you something a little different and just put this guy in the safe. Im terribly sorry dear!"
It works every time. Well, it actually didn't work very well after the first time, but it didn't stop me from pulling the same stunt repeatedly.

Oh...make no mistake...I am VERY familiar with that technique and have it almost down to a science after 10+ years of a very happy marriage!!

BUT...this poor guy seems to honestly want something for the little lady to be able to enjoy (perhaps an assumption on my part), but I don't think that a big-boy AR is gonna get it done for her given her build and recoil sensitivity!

 

[ORD]

I was leaning on the .223. What is a good upper to buy?? I know im missing alot of details trying to post at work.

It all depends on what you want for her and the ends she'll be using it for.

RRA makes some very good, basic, functional AR complete uppers that range from your more precision-minded setups like their Varmint uppers and their Predator uppers to more tacticool stuff. They are all pretty reasonably priced. Have a look here and see what you like:

Rock River Arms: .223/5.56mm Upper Halves

 

[Pat M]

.223, good muzzle brake, and adjustable gas tube should make an easy shooting rifle - lots of buffers out there that should help also

 

[cjlane]

Are you looking for a parts list? Or just tips on how to reduce the recoil on an ar-15? like others have said, getting an adjustable gas block, good buffer and muzzle brake will make it seem like shes shooting 22lr.

 

[Delta4-3]

Oh...make no mistake...I am VERY familiar with that technique and have it almost down to a science after 10+ years of a very happy marriage!!

BUT...this poor guy seems to honestly want something for the little lady to be able to enjoy (perhaps an assumption on my part), but I don't think that a big-boy AR is gonna get it done for her given her build and recoil sensitivity!

Yea, it doesn't work quite as good as it used to now that she gave up gun hunting for bow hunting.
To the OP. My wife is 5'6" and almost 115lbs. She shoots a ruger 77 compact in .243 with a 16" barrel and short stock. It was too much for her at first, until I corrected her posture. Once she had a good body position, she could run a couple boxes of hot hand loads through it with no problems. Same with her 7mm-08 A bolt. Make sure the shooter is gtg first, then worry about the stick.

 

[downhill]

My wife is 5'4" and I built her a 20" A3 with a government profile barrel to reduce weight. It has the standard A2 buttstock and she has no problems shouldering the rifle. With the A3 carry handle and sights she competes in NRA High Power Service Rifle. When we go varmint hunting I pull off the A3 handle and put her 3x9 scope and mount on and she's good to go.