[MIL-DOT]

hello all, prior to posting this,i've been tearing my hair out wading through all the crap on the internet,looking for the occasional bit of useful information.i've learned a lot in a short time,but could use the help of "the collective" here.
my plan is to assemble a AR-15 from a new (old) colt A-1 upper ( pre-assembled upper receiver, barrel,forward assist, NO bolt carrier group or charging handle) with the old triangle handguards. so i'm not so much building as "assembling". i'd like to get the low-down on a company called " lone star wholesale" that seems to have the best deal on an entire lower assembly,either rock river or armalite/eagle with A-2 solid stock, at $229. my concern is that they're substantially cheaper than anyone else, yet several other respected operations are completely out of stock on these parts and predict a substantial wait. the old saying about it looking too good to be true is echoing in my head,so i'm just trying to check them out before sending them a load O' cash.
so, any help,advice comments, on lonestar and my project in general will be much appreciated.......

[rbernie]

I've bought several lowers from LoneStar, since they're local to me. Their stuff is standard over-the-counter parts that you can get anywhere. They just sell it cheaper sometimes.

[jagdpanzer347]

MIL-DOT, first off, welcome aboard. Are you getting the upper from CDNN?
I would be interested in pictures of it when you receive it, as I am considering such a build myself.

-jagd

[MIL-DOT]

thanks jagdpanzer (i always liked that tank !!) .yeah, it's the upper from CDNN. i checked today,they have plenty, but i guess i should jump pretty soon.just called the guy at lonestar to check on availablity,he's good,too. i was leaning toward the armalite receiver, but i keep reading that the rock river will give it a little better resale value, and i've always said,whether with guns,guitars or bikes,"all other things being equal, go with best re-sale value".

[swingset]

Consider also going with a Stag lower, as you can pick one up for around $90 delivered (EE on AR15.com). Add a lower parts kit ($55), a used A1 stock (correct to the M16 upper you're considering), and you'll be cheaper than a new RRA or Eagle lower with equal quality.

I built one of the CDNN uppers onto a Stag lower, and couldn't be happier. Great gun for cheap.

[jagdpanzer347]

I've always read good things about Stag components but I have a hard time getting used to the giant deer on the receiver! Does the upper come in "Colt Grey"?(CDNN upper). If so, what is the best way to get a long-lasting, matching finish on the lower?

-jagd

[Brian Williams]

Welcome and you have had some good advice, Let us see some pics when you get it done. One of these days I would like to build a slabside my self.

[LanEvo`]

I'm not new to firearms (I've been shooting and competing with handguns for maybe 15 years) but I'm VERY new to rifles. I am also looking into building an AR-15 for the first time.

Is there a good FAQ or something on the topic? I just want to get a feel for what basic parts are required and what the common upgrades and/or "hot" parts are.

Thanks!

[modifiedbrowning]

Another good dealer for AR lowers (Stag) is Eagle Firearms. (http://www.eaglefirearms.net/stag_arms.htm)
I bought an RRA midlength upper from them and the service was excellent.
Another good resource is www.ar15.com, as long as you stick to the technical forums and have a thick skin.

[swingset]

I've always read good things about Stag components but I have a hard time getting used to the giant deer on the receiver! Does the upper come in "Colt Grey"?(CDNN upper). If so, what is the best way to get a long-lasting, matching finish on the lower?

Stag components are quality stuff through and through. As for the looks? I guess I don't put finish matching and animal logos high on my list of things to disqualify a functional military rifle, especially one bought at low prices.

If you're insistent on everything looking pretty, you can always just buy a new matching upper/lower from one of the bigger companies, or buy a logo'd receiver you find attractive and Duracoat the whole mess.

[swingset]

Is there a good FAQ or something on the topic? I just want to get a feel for what basic parts are required and what the common upgrades and/or "hot" parts are.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

This thread will guide you through all the stuff and tools necessary to build an AR.

http://www.ar15.com/content/

Look under the "guides" section, and there you will find everything you need before. Look there first.

[MIL-DOT]

many thanks one and all for the warm welcome and numerous responses. i have in fact considered STAG and others. i didn't much care which i got,i was just after the deal. from what i've read, these days,one US-made forged receiver is as good as the next. also read in a couple places that stag is made by the same co. that does rock river receivers.
and yes,i did consider buying separate lower receiver,build kit and buttstock kit,and though i hear it ain't rocket science to assemble,for the measly $40 bucks or so that i'd save, i'd rather just have it sent finished and know it was done right.
and yes, i have checked out eagle arms, but (if i remember correctly) they were out of almost everything i was interested in,and still,no one could touch the price on a lower from lonestar.
i tried to call CDNN to order the upper, but i'd been goofing off on the internet trying to scam a discount coupon,and they'd just closed when i'd called.:(
anyway,thanks again......mark
p.s. and i've been trying for two days to get on ar15.com to troll around for info, but i can't get it to come up.

[taliv]

mildot, since you're in GA, it may be easier/cheaper for you to do the transfer locally on the lower. if you go to rockriverarms.com, the first link is their premier dealers. for example, hit and run, despite the annoying name, has been extremely competitive in terms of price and having stuff in stock, in my experience. call all the dealers in your state before you buy.

edit: don't be afraid to assemble your lower. if you've never done it before, it's probably a 30 minute job.

[jason10mm]

I found that I actually spent MORE money assembling my lower. Mainly because I cherry picked the parts and got lots of new tools. It was lots of fun, especially when one of those tiny little pins goes missing and you have to mkae an emergency order from Brownells :) For a single rifle, I don't really think it is economical (fun though!), but the pride in making your own rifle and the skills/tools to do it again (and again and again) are worth it though.

[MIL-DOT]

yeah, i'm sure i could handle it, but little mechanical puzzles tend to piss me off rather than be an enjoyable challenge.:cuss:
and thanks taliv, i did look up "hit and run",but i'm down around columbus and they're the far side of atlanta, a solid two hour drive even without a typical atlanta traffic nightmare ! then i'd be paying about the same in state tax that my FFL guy will charge,no saving there. add $25 in gas, and probably a second trip up since the feebies have mysteriously and annoyingly put a 3 day delay on my purchases the last few times. (i'm hearing this from others as well).
and i've been up and down the internet, i don't see anyone coming close to a rock river fully assembled lower for what those texas boys can,especially considering,as stated earlier, many operations are out of stock and can't say when they'll be re-supplied.

[Gary G23]

http://www.title2.com/Stagarms.html

[M110]

Check out R B Precision He's got good prices, and a very nice guy to do buisness with. They have stag, superior, dpms, and rock river lowers. Custom engraving and more.



http://www.rbprecision.com/id97.htm