Our guest blogger, Maggie, has plenty of gun wisdom to share. She’s built her own Automatic Rifle and shares her story below. If you’re like me, you’ll be scouring the internet for an AR kit as soon as you finish the article!

I have always had a soft place in my heart for M16/AR15 rifles. Even before I really knew anything about guns I had the chance to fire an M16 on the hilltops outside Jerusalem. I hit my paper target and it was love and first shot. When I later became interested in firearms and went on to take classes and purchase my own guns, I thought owning my own AR was a dream that I would achieve One Day. Then I got an email announcing the class – Build your own AR! The chance to actually build my own AR was too much for me. Not only could I own one but I would learn exactly how it works, how to care for and clean it, and pick out every last part on it. The dream was going to come true.

The classes were split into three parts: (1) Introduction to materials needed for the build; (2) Build your lower receiver; and (3) Build your upper receiver– put it all together and test it out! In the first class, I learned about how versatile the AR platform is, how you can add and take off and rearrange to create something new just like building a Lego model! I left the first class with my Brownells (gun parts) catalog and a head swimming with gun parts.

To start with, I chose the parts for the lower. The stripped lower receiver serves as the base – the actual registered part of the gun. I chose a Mega Machine Gator. Then I added a standard DPMS lower parts kit (to install trigger, selector switch, magazine release, etc.) and a Hogue pistol grip for comfort. Finally the awesome Magpul MOE stock (yes it is pinned because adjustable stock is banned in NJ, where I live). I headed out to class and I put in every last spring, screw and detent. I didn’t lose any parts – which isn’t so easy as they are so small and springy! By the time I left that night I had built a lower receiver. We attached it to a complete upper (the part that has the bolt/carrier, the barrel and the handguard, which wraps around the barrel to allow the shooter to have a grip to balance the rifle and keep skin off the hot metal) and it worked – at least in the classroom. All the way home that night I kept checking out the distance to the next red traffic light and wondered, if I took aim with my finished rifle if I could hit it.

The search for the perfect upper took a bit more time. I spent a lot of time surfing the internet searching out rifle parts. My only ally here was my adorable five year old who is probably as in love with ARs as I am. We searched the catalogs for just the right barrel with muzzle break (Armalite), the perfect tactical handguard (Yankee Hill) and the best vertical grip, sights, etc. Then I had to pull back a bit on involving him. I had told him we were just building a fantasy gun – and he started to cry. Big crocodile tears. But in the end I did show him the finished rifle – I couldn’t help myself. He knows almost as much about it as I do.

I’ll never forget the day the barrel was delivered in the mail. When packages come in our house everyone runs to see what has arrived. We came home one Saturday to find a long box on the porch. My husband and kids dragged it to the kitchen (“It’s heavy!”), ripped it open, and then they all just stared into the box. My husband called to me, “Uh, hon, can you come tell us what the heck this is?” I peered in the box and said, “YES! It’s my BARREL!” They all looked at my husband with expressions that said, What did you do with our mother?
With more ease than seemed possible, I finished my AR 15 and I love it. I really wanted to understand how to take it apart and clean it so I challenged myself to see how fast I could disassemble and reassemble the rifle (1 minute and 1 second) and I made sure to clean it every time I fired it even if it was only ten rounds. Since the class I added a sweet little ejection port cover just for fun that says, “Don’t Run, you’ll just Die tired”, and my husband bought me a nice sling for my birthday.

Now I am looking forward to warmer weather so I can go shooting outside. In the meantime, I find myself taking the rifle out every once in a while, you know, just to look at it. As soon as I smell the oils I usually can’t help but pull the trigger. Then it is only a matter of a day or two before I find myself at the indoor range with a full magazine…

And now that the class is over I just think it all went by too fast. I have a great rifle but I still find myself surfing the gun websites for rifle parts. I told my husband this would be the only rifle I ever built so it had to be perfect and he just looked at me and shook his head. He was right, of course. I am already planning my next rifle build. I have the parts for the lower all picked out.

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Anthony
I wanted to let you know that i just finished the AR15 build with jimmy. this was a great experience. i had not owned one and i thought this would be a great way to learn a little about them, and end up having one. this has far exceeded my expectations. The class got me engaged in the process and i began to learn about the gun and its many variations. far more than i would have gotten out of going to a store and buying one. as a matter of fact, a couple of my friends are now asking me about the AR platform. go figure. But what made this all happen was jimmy. of course, he is an expert. but more than that, he has patience,(and you need a lot of that when dealing with me and the two friends i brought), and a wonderful sense of humor. he happens to be an excellent teacher because he lets you feel comfortable about the process. in my opinion, he is a natural. my group was totally ignorant about the gun, and he made us feel like any question was a good question. what else could you ask of a teacher.
just thought i would let you know, and thank you for the experience.
Ed orenstein

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Anthony
By the way, I am taking your AR build your own course and I cannot say enough good things about Jimmy and Charlie. They actually like what they are doing and are pleasant and helpful beyond words. It is really a fun course!!!
Tom M.

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Anthony,
I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you what a great time I had in the “Build an AR” class. I can’t tell you how proud and amazed I am that I actually built my own firearm. It was a truly rewarding experience. I would recommend this class to anyone that likes a challenge. I had zero experience in building firearms and quite frankly, fairly limited experience with firearms at all. I attribute most of the success to a well organized class run by Jimmy who went out of his way to make himself accessible. Jimmy was extremely helpful and made sure that we did the actual building, but was there every step of the way to provide guidance and make sure we were executing properly. I think that was the perfect way to run the class. You guys are doing a great job over there and I wish you much success. Keep up the good work!

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Anthony,
Wanted to thank you again and reiterate what I great experience I had with First Steps Shotgun. Rob was a fantastic instructor; he was adorable (in a totally platonic, big-brother kind of way) and respectful. The class was informative and the range time was awesome. My prior shooting experience consisted of several pick-up trucks, several more shotguns, and a large group of frat boys. While they taught me the fundamentals, no one discovered my cross eye dominance problem. Thanks to you and Rob, I'm now a fairly accurate shot and much more comfortable handling a shotgun.
Also, the driving directions were flawless. The gentleman wearing a bandanna (whose name I don't know) not only walked me to my car, but also led me to the parkway.
Please keep me posted on any upcoming events that you're hosting, as I'd love to get some more practice time in! And, when I'm ready to purchase a firearm, I plan on consulting with you guys first.
Thanks again. And I'm sorry I insulted your phone system.
- Rebecca

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Hi Anthony,
Just want to say thanks and tell you how impressed I was with your entire operation last night. I have sat through many classes with the fire dept and none of them were ever taught as well as yours. I will be in touch with you soon to enquire about getting additional carry permits for other states that I may be eligible for. My side line of work takes me to many places where I should be carrying. If you get the opportunity I would appreciate it if you could let me know how to acquire the information that tells me other states that I can get additional non resident carry permits.
Thanks again,
KEVIN PRESUTTI

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Anthony,
This is linda baker. I had such a good time at your class. everyone made me feel comfortable and welcome. I was a little leery about shooting my gun because everyone asked why I had it! but I had such a blast with it . I love my gun. I emailed paul devane about taking your class. I hope I can get into his club. I know it is not opened to the public and you have to be voted in. wish me luck! thanks for everything linda
- Linda Baker