Blueprint Build: Tactical Advisor's AR15

Caleb from Brownells teams up with Zach from Tactical Advisor for the highly anticipated 2025 Dream Build! This year’s rifle features premium components, including an ADM lower receiver, Midwest Industries tools, Radian pins, and a BCM grip and buffer system. Watch as they assemble the lower receiver, install ambidextrous controls, stake the castle nut, and discuss the best methods for a reliable build.

[@davidg9352]

BCM uppers are thermal fit. You’re supposed to heat them up before inserting the barrel.

[@Snyper408]

Yeah that was hard to watch...

[@ThePaulAllen]

How is that idiot famous lol doesnt even know bcm are thermal fit uppers......

[@AnotherMike19]

Bcm being thermal fit they even say to not hammer things. This was not easy to watch.

[@aquila3958]

who gives a shit, do you own a BCM upper?

[@baneasbury9113]

@@aquila3958 I've got a thermal fit upper, it was still painful to watch... a few passes with a map gas torch and it would slide right in and be fully seated.

[@RME1911]

I think one of my favorite things about this platform is that there’s more than one way to assemble these, to where it becomes a really enjoyable activity with very minimal investment, which affords one to put their hard earned cash towards components 👍

[@billterry967]

I’m so jealous of Caleb’s Tool and parts kit. I keep all my build supplies in a cardboard box and ziplock bags 😂 Really enjoyed watching you two work together Thank you.

[@SCYAN1DE]

When trying to get those triggers pins in, I always thread a punch through the opposite side of the lower and use that to get the trigger and springs to stay in place as I tap the pin through. Always seems to work out really well for me.

[@Dynomitedog2]

I really enjoy this, brownells making videos with content creators. Do one with Summer shoots. Lover her positive energy.

[@milspecmike8440]

BCM uppers are supposed to be heated to fit the barrels. Did enjoy the pitch meeting reference.

[@Disastrous.Affect]

I have been watching these build videos on here and the Brownells website. Something that would be really nice, a parts listing of the various tools, fixtures, lubes, and such used in these builds. I am building a couple of AR's with my son right now and that would be a huge help for us.👍 Perhaps a "tips & tricks" video with them all listed.🤷‍♂

[@Pyrat_King13]

"This'll be... you owe me 60 bucks. Heh, I'm kidding. I'm kidding." The look on his face says, secretly, I'm caring, ALOT! Hahahah

[@Joseph-pr6pc]

I am shocked that Fix-it-sticks didn't make into this build. Great video guys!

[@miamoto69]

They have eveyone bent over and grabbing their ankles saying hail fix it sticks already.

[@theoriginaldashriprock]

FIX IT STICKS for the Win!!!

[@jtatro]

I'm loving these build videos. Get more KZbinrs on this! Larry potterfield's "nearly perfect safari rifle" series is how I got into gunsmithing.

[@adamgriffin]

After seeing that you guys met at Shot Show. It would be epic to have Chad from SOTAR on the build series 🙏🏾

[@zerohero6602]

That would be badass

[@imtall31]

Came here to say this and you beat me to it

[@TuttleScott]

he can teach him how to apply lube :P

[@msquared9605]

Man that build would take hours! And no room for all the parts on the table cause of all the gauges

[@RunningWithSauce]

Chad would have correctly installed the buffer tube so it wasn’t clocked and it was torqued to spec. These bros just winging it.

[@AR-ud1dp]

You can easily thermal fit this barrel man. Don’t hammer your barrel. Thermal fitting is easy and it will only take a minute. If this dude was experienced he would have known that Bcm uppers have a very tight fitting tolerance. Influencers are for entertainment only and you can’t really count them as experts. I think brownels is trying to expose them with these videos 😅

[@RB2_TechReviews]

From my understanding, you should be adding grease to both the threads on castle nut and also on the barrel nut. With the gas block screws, I'd be using Rocksett. The castle nut should be torqued to 40 ft/lbs. I also wouldn't hammer the barrel into the upper... Use a torch and heat up the upper allowing for the barrel to fully seat. The barrel nut will also fully seat the barrel.

[@th3raven352]

Another episode of Caleb's Colabs. I'm digging this setup where you're bringing on other you tubers to build different setups...

[@PreparednessNerd]

...and I'm still shaking my head at the way I've been installing MLOK all this time...

[@shawnpatten6515]

Need a Steve O reaction video where he critiques the build along the way. 😂

[@Ja2808R]

YES! 😂

[@ThePaulAllen]

Never seasoned the threads on barrel extension when installing barrel nut

[@ROTT_LIFE]

Ok now this is a series that I’m down to watch

[@gregrehmer9069]

Warm the receiver and the barrel slides in,no pounding!

[@btmathews415]

These guys are an adorable couple

[@guildbank]

such a hype collab!!

[@IfereimiKoroiyale-pw6cl]

Good looking hardware!

[@brudamiranda3314]

Holy cow im going to look at that gas block punch set 💯💯💯💯💯💯🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@Bush_ConceptsLLC]

5:20 you guys are not beating the Brandon Herrera ar guys allegations

[@calebsone1630]

If I'm ever trying to line up a hammer or a trigger pin, I put a punch through the opposite side to hold everything in line with the holes and only push my fcg pin in on the manufacturer side. I feel like my builds are better than any manufactured build I've ever seen the only parts I didn't build is the BCG but I did upgrade it. It would be cool if you guys did some kind of build competition evaluating all aspects, tolerances, finishes, QC and part selection. I haven't seen a better build than mine all jokes aside.

[@turbotaz2067]

borescope to align the gas port and the S.A. gas block! it pays to have the holes centered up perfectly for smoother/ efficient gas actions! S.A. gas block has quite a bit of gap vs some others. I recommend clamp on version and a perfect alignment with borescope.

[@adb99999999999]

Dimple the barrel with the SLR jig (unless it’s factory dimpled), verify alignment with the bore scope.

[@turbotaz2067]

@@adb99999999999 Actually I just realized I'm thinking backwards. The gas block is probably standard and my barrel port must've needed the gap. Regardless, I would still claim there is a necessity for perfect hole alignment. This gas block has restrict mode and/or bleed off.

[@jaimegastelum-angulo1057]

Putting on m locks the wrong way this whole time you just made my next build much more easy.

[@johnb.6468]

Great series Caleb! Brownells always impresses with their presentations. In a time where so many have psa beginner rifles, now is when we should look to upgrade them.

[@walther5027]

Love Tactical Advisor

[@Lucysdad66]

These shows need to be called the apprenticeship build.

[@genghiskaitiemuzhen564]

Tactical Toolbox needs to be on these series Caleb is the man! Brownells better keep him until he looks like Steve.

[@dancarter7009]

I claim to be no professional but just a few questions… - what about checking the alignment on the buffer tube? - shouldn’t the castle nut be torqued at 40ft lbs? - BCM says to heat the upper to insert barrel, does tapping it in work the same w/o damage? - shouldn’t the gas block screws be torqued to at least 25in lbs with Rocksett? - shouldn’t the muzzle device be torqued to 20-30ft lbs (Max) also with Rocksett when it’s a suppressor host? Not trying to say anything negative about your methods, just curious. Thank you

[@Mjdeben]

If you're doing things properly then the answer to all your questions is yes. Every time I've used a BCM4 upper I HAD to use a heat gun or else the barrel wouldn't even begin to seat in the receiver nose pocket. Even then, I could usually only get it about 60% in, and I'd have to pull it home using the same method presented here by threading the barrel nut and tightening it until the barrel xtension was fully seated. Banging on the muzzle end, even with a muzzle device attached seems a bit crude.

[@adb99999999999]

You should say negative things about essentially every method employed in this video other than maybe installation of the front pivot pin. Hammering on things that should not be hammered, failure to follow proper installation instructions for a thermal fit barrel, failure to just RTFM at all. Some of these build videos are great but this was an absolute train wreck.

[@DonnaSeward-m7l]

they really dont wanna see how i install pins 🤣😂 also i love aero receivers because the fwd asst and bolt catch both have threaded pins, instead of roll pins....SO MUCH EASIER! this is also why i love the kaw valley gas blocks 👍🏾👍🏾 just get rid of roll pins, and make them ALL threaded 🤞🏽

[@Lucysdad66]

The threads are easier but never fly with the military I've had the bolt catch back out a few time and so has alot of people I had to put lock tight I hope I can get it off now.

[@DonnaSeward-m7l]

@Lucysdad66 ah, interesting. i wasnt thinking of that...but makes complete sense 🤔🫡

[@abelacosta7200]

Shoutout Zach & his channel Tactical Advisor! Love his videos & been a long time subscriber. Can’t wait to see who else y’all bring out on these builds. Honest Outlaw, Elliot Delp, my guy from Tactical Toolbox, Hop, QVO Tactical, & so many others. This series is endless.

[@greggullett1272]

I run my forward grip "backwards" as well. It just works

[@johnboy66717]

Tactically advise to pin and weld the flash hider on the 13.9" barrel

[@theoriginaldashriprock]

It's unnecessary

[@jackbauer4186]

Man, SOTAR stans out here freaking out with the lack of Aeroshell grease and torque wrenches on the buffer.

[@adb99999999999]

Lack of Aeroshell on the barrel nut threads, especially with their absolute hack job barrel install method, all but guarantees galling of the receiver threads. Torque wrench on the buffer tube castle nut would be a touch of superfluous OCD, I agree.

[@jackbauer4186]

@adb99999999999 No thread locker on the gas block is kind of a mortal sin, too.

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

@@jackbauer4186Unpinned gas blocks are the real sin.

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

@@adb9999999999918:31

[@hairydogstail]

@@rifleshooterchannel208 Buffer, not barrel lol.

[@RJ-de2up]

"I'ma need that back"❤❤❤❤

[@traumamike]

For those of us just starting out building AR’s it would be really helpful if you could take the extra second or two to tell us exactly which part or spring you’re installing as you do it. Thanks

[@TuttleScott]

there's a lot of those on this channel, this one is more entertainment than info

[@traumamike]

Thanks, I’ll look for them.👍🏻

[@Lucysdad66]

Go to the school of the american rifle there is nobody better then him with AR's

[@diemos9304]

I feel like Caleb just has people in for this series for flirting with guests and compliments about his tools.

[@Pyrat_King13]

Nothing wrong with a guy wanting to keep the tools sharp (flirtations) and graciously accepting unsolicited compliments. Hahahah

[@bgilton79]

Why are you not heating the upper to fit the barrel? They are thermo fit.

[@derrickleo5225]

Someone really had the sniffles.

[@adb99999999999]

You don’t beat trigger pins in with a hammer! Line it up correctly

[@DanK-pz5re]

Pretty sweet SBR! Ive thought about doing a 13.7" like yours. Did you get that flash hider straight from Forward Controls or does Brownells carry it?

[@smptactical259]

I’ve built uppers with friction fit uppers, why not just heat it with a heat gun? Will slide in smooth.

[@jaretmoskal5558]

I was going to make this same comment. I think BCM actually recommends heating the threaded part of the upper

[@zerohero6602]

Same. Heat is key

[@smptactical259]

I was cringing when he was hammering it in. If there are any burrs they would have hammered in some aluminum on the receiver. And did you see the mangled vice block from all the blows on the muzzle device.

[@IsaiahChapter53isAboutJesus]

The hair gel brought you two together.

[@calebsone1630]

Did anybody else lose it when he didn't just heat the upper and forced that barrel in? It's a cool video though it's like sitting there with your buddies building a rifle.😂

[@TuttleScott]

that's what happens when steve isnt around

[@calebsone1630]

@TuttleScott yeah I noticed a couple of things that would have made me nuts if I was there. Lol

[@Constitutionalist76]

You can be anything you want to be, so just be an AR guy.

[@Ghostgunner85]

My man plays star citizen. Caleb is cooler by the day.

[@turbotaz2067]

Clean the ID of the receiver that the barrel slips into! Use some hot cold if necessary torque your MD before slamming the Threads and MD! Where's the receiver lapping square ? Put the darn hammers away! you can wiggle everything into place without HAMBURGESA them shtuff!!

[@arlissyoung8899]

How often do you recommend changing the oil and grease in your hair? Is there a good degreaser that should be applied?

[@realearly12]

Star Citizen for the win! Im playing in the new 4.01 now.

[@adb99999999999]

Is that a registered SBR lower that you just assembled into an SBR?

[@Rick-n5g]

Do you have a build list?

[@TonerLow]

I can't be the only one who has used pen springs on the buffer retainer in a pinch?

[@wvlongshooter3912]

Question please??? What about headspace ? Thanks!!

[@IsaiahChapter53isAboutJesus]

Where's the detent pin at 2:25?

[@CwxwYT]

it went in there rewatch that part

[@ericshurtz4901]

This episode should have been called "Advising the tactical advisor"😂

[@Mjdeben]

I guess the only thing missing from your toolbox is a heat gun

[@adb99999999999]

Torch works too. JP has a great video on assembling thermal fit uppers.

[@Nohkazeki]

No test shots! Ahhh!

[@RJ-de2up]

"what do you need a hammer for?' ❤

[@jonathanfree1186]

Did makeup give you guys both the same hair gel?😅

[@Murderface666]

Is Zach the son of William Fichtner? They look related!

[@soggybiscuits9399]

Anyone else cringe watching them trying to pound a barrel into a thermal fit upper? Couple seconds with a map torch and it would have slid in there.

[@brianwood7882]

I’m glad they’re not doing that for me.

[@yeshua1176]

I cannot believe you just beat a barrel into a thermo fit upper that was the most cringe thing I've seen in awhile

[@cognition26]

The staking part always makes me laugh because the gun would never produce enough vibration for even a bad stake job to spin off. It's the whole reason the PWS ratcheting castle nut works and it won't wear out unless you're on your 10th buffer tube which I don't know how that happens. Also with how many detents are all over the gun I'm surprised no one has put one back there that locks the castle nut.

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

Castle Nuts shoot loose often. I see it often and so do people who teach AR classes.

[@adb99999999999]

@@SchooloftheAmericanRifleI just tack braze them to the buffer tube threads (jk)

[@DYS_72]

Does longer hair make you a better shooter?😂 coffee mug is sus🤣🤣🤣carry on good people✌🏻

[@Totoprepper]

Curious why you call it build, well in fact its shop and assemble.

[@beauc3920]

Caleb in the beginning says the guest is going to take the lead then proceed to micro manage and take the lead lol

[@Portuguese-linguica]

I didn't know brad Kowalski was in to weapon systems.

[@khann844]

I thought stuff like this wasn't allowed on youtube?

[@jaretmoskal5558]

Shhhhhh!

[@HoosierQuail]

Nice seeing the lead singer from AFI on your show

[@Americanstruggle]

Tallest optic riser ever!

[@ghostedyoutuber263]

I prefer @SS to MOUTH.

[@jon37025]

I’m sorry, but this dude has a channel called “Tactical Advisor” but he has no idea what he’s doing or what he’s talking about other than the accessories.

[@ethanosborn3516]

mlok masters

[@WOLF3GOIF]

I don't stake or use the buffer detent. 😂

[@lily_valkyrie]

Ya know it makes sense a gun nerd would know starcitizen. both require a sever distaste for money lol.

[@xiongvou]

Aimpoint Compm5 just too dam expensive. I'll settle for the Holosun EXPS2

[@JuanRomero-ik9dk]

Thermal fit! 😢 That was hard to watch

[@papertrell4538]

Dude cldnt stop moving is he high on something or just nervous 😅😂

[@j.e.pedersen9615]

It would be interesting to see which coffee cop with whom name on it would sell best on Brownells website? Khaleb or the old white bearded dudes

[@ROTT_LIFE]

It seems like dude actually never assembled an AR15 before. I could build a supremely better platform hands down and know how to assemble it properly as well. Don’t waste another blueprint build on a square and choose me for your next candidate.

[@johnl-cz2qg]

Great... another clown show on how to NOT build an AR video!!! I think Caleb should go to a School of the American Rifle class that way he will know how to build an AR correctly!!!

[@papertrell4538]

SMH it’s a thermal-fit upper

[@danielgregory7200]

Can he talk a little faster? And maybe pronunciate a little less? I can almost understand him.

[@danp3414]

Dude needs to slow the f down.

[@BravoJulietAlpha]

What a shit show. I made it almost six minutes before I shut it off. A little advice, don't do cocaine before you are going to be filmed putting together a firearm.

[@LionDAD12]

Not enough torque for me.

[@Richie-v2z]

Guess these guys don't know how to thermal fit barrels..Number 1 rule never beat your barrels in, but what do I know I was only taught at C.R.A.N.E..

[@RJ-de2up]

I've seen a video where Caleb states that as a method to seat a barrel. From past videos Caleb states he was an army armory specialist, so I think he may feel it is fine. I was wondering why they didn't use a punch or the cone shaped pin starters for the trigger pins, but I was wondering why not have a little torch on hand

[@bigyote]

a hammer? How lame are you?

[@joeforte9607]

Where did you get the parts from for this build? Surely not brownells. Their always out if stock on everything but the "NOTIFY ME" TICK.

[@joeforte9607]

Hey bud, tell this piss poor company to spend some money and stock their shelves. They should rename the company from brownells to Notify Me