There is no more daunting goalpost in the gun community than assembling or otherwise building your own AR-15, but by keeping in mind some basic considerations and doing your homework, that goal can be easily attained This article is part of our ongoing Guide to Everything AR.
Author: Michael Crites
Michael Crites has served as executive editor of AmericanFirearms.org since 2016 and previously held positions as associate editor and range correspondent dating back to 2000. He discovered his passion for precision shooting at age 12 during his first visit to his grandfather's shooting range, eventually earning an Expert classification in three different shooting disciplines before age 18.
During his studies at University of Wyoming, he earned four varsity letters on the collegiate rifle and pistol teams, serving as team captain for three consecutive years. He became the first UW student to complete the NRA Range Safety Officer certification while maintaining full-time student status. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Communications.
His diverse career has included roles as Range Safety Coordinator for the National Rifle Championships in Camp Perry 2001; editor-in-chief, Precision Shooter Quarterly; series editor, Modern Firearms Handbook collection; managing editor, National Shooting Sports Foundation Newsletter; editor, Competitive Shooter Magazine; operations director for Western Arms & Ammunition Co.; senior editor for the Shooter's Reference Annual (Cheyenne); content director for The Firearms Report, published by the American Shooting Coalition in Billings, MT; firearms correspondent for Hunting & Shooting, produced by Outdoor Sports Media Group in Jackson, WY; and publisher for Wyoming Shooting Sports Journal in Casper. He has contributed as a regular columnist for American Rifleman (NRA Publications), technical editor for Precision, a publication of the National Bench Rest Shooters Association (Phoenix, AZ); and as firearms specialist for the Gun Owner's Annual.
As a digital content creator, he has written more than 400 articles on AmericanFirearms.org, developed shooting technique coverage for the Brownells Shooting Blog (Montezuma, IA) and Federal Premium "Range Notes" platform (Anoka, MN), and served as lead content strategist for International Defensive Pistol Association (Berryville, AR). Beyond Tactical Firearms, his current endeavors include content development for the Wyoming State Rifle Association (Cheyenne, WY) and technical manual production for High Plains Publishing of Laramie, WY.
He has contributed to the 12th, 13th, and 14th editions of Modern Sporting Rifles Guide and edited The Complete Guide to Tactical Shooting and Competitive Shooter's Reference Manual (Gun Digest Books).
Best Shooting Tripods: Hunting & Precision Game Changers
As a hunter and provider, there is no worse feeling than knowing you just made a poor shot on an animal due to a lack of stability. As hunters, we want to make the most ethical shot possible so the animal doesn’t suffer, and that begins with a stable shooting position. That’s why many hunters… Continue reading Best Shooting Tripods: Hunting & Precision Game Changers
Top AR-15 Upper Receivers: Build Your Perfect Rifle
Arguably one of the most vital elements of the AR-15 is picking the right upper receiver group. After all, your upper provides the lock-up between the bolt and barrel, leaving you with either an accurate and dependable firearm or something that offers little more than consistent frustration. If you want to build an AR for… Continue reading Top AR-15 Upper Receivers: Build Your Perfect Rifle
Top Bergara Rifles For Long Range & Hunting: What Makes Them Special?
Bergara first appeared on the scene in the U.S. in 2013 with small batches of outrageously accurate precision rifles and has gone on to be widely adopted by competitive shooters, law enforcement, and hunters. But who’s behind these fine rifles and which of these quality rifles are for you? We dive deep into the best… Continue reading Top Bergara Rifles For Long Range & Hunting: What Makes Them Special?
Hunting & Sport: Your Guide to the Best Over-Under Shotguns
There’s something undeniably classy about swinging an over-under shotgun onto a covey of quail or a crossing clay target. Maybe it’s the satisfying thunk of the action closing, the precision of selecting which barrel fires first, or simply the timeless elegance of a well-crafted double gun. Whatever draws you to over-unders, you’re looking at one… Continue reading Hunting & Sport: Your Guide to the Best Over-Under Shotguns
The Best .300 Blackout Barrels
.300 Blackout barrels are a popular choice among firearm enthusiasts for their versatility and performance. There is a variety of 300 Blackout barrels available in different lengths, flutes, and finishes, allowing for personalization of weapon length and performance. Selecting the perfect barrel chambered in .300 AAC Blackout can be a little tricky as one has… Continue reading The Best .300 Blackout Barrels
Best Laser Bore Sights: Get On Target Faster!
Sighting in a rifle is a skill — one that takes time to develop — and one that can be made much easier with a few tools. Boresighting is the process of aligning your sight with the axis of your gun’s bore. It’s a critical first step in sighting in your scope. It creates a… Continue reading Best Laser Bore Sights: Get On Target Faster!
Best Rimfire Scopes: Small Calibers, Big Performance
If you’ve been shooting your .22LR with iron sights and wondering whether a scope is worth the investment, let me save you some time: it absolutely is. After putting more than 17 different rimfire scopes through their paces over the past few months, I can tell you that the right optic will transform your shooting… Continue reading Best Rimfire Scopes: Small Calibers, Big Performance
The Best .30-06 Rifles: A Timeless Caliber for Modern Hunters
What is the .30-06 cartridge and what keeps it one of America’s most popular hunting and competition rounds? We examine this .30-caliber military classic, explain why it has endured for over a century, and provide a selection of great “Aught Six” rifles. There’s no shortage of quality rifled chambered in this classic cartridge, so we… Continue reading The Best .30-06 Rifles: A Timeless Caliber for Modern Hunters
Best Home Defense Shotguns in 2025: Tactical vs. Traditional Picks
The Terminator series, The Fast and The Furious franchise, John Wick. What’s at the center of these movies, other than overpaid actors and scenes that rely too heavily of CGI? Pistol grip shotguns. Hollywood features them for a reason; they are damned cool. Feature films make these shotguns look good, but are they the stars… Continue reading Best Home Defense Shotguns in 2025: Tactical vs. Traditional Picks