[TFin04]

I'm thinking about buying/building an AR, but have no clue on where to start or what price range I'm looking at.

I see built models at shows ranging from $3000 to $600 for some of the cheap versions.

What am I looking at for a decent AR? I don't have a lot to spend and don't need anything top of the line just yet.

Would you recommend building or buying? What's the cost for each?

Thanks!

[Shear_stress]

Let me be the first to direct you here:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/

It's not hard to build an AR. Hell, even I can do it.

[wdlsguy]

If you decide to build, give Del-Ton (http://www.del-ton.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=79) a look. Their kits come with everything except a stripped lower (~ $100).

Lower receiver assembly instructions from ar15.com (http://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower).

[TFin04]

So one of those Del-Ton kits plus a reciever could build an AR for about $575, am I understanding you right?

That sounds pretty fair, is that a quality kit?

[Minator]

go to www.bushmaster.com order a set of punches, a how to dvd,barrel wrench, headspacing gauges, and you will be ready to build any AR any way you want.

[GunnySkox]

I built my AR on a DPMS Lower ($120) a Del-Ton 20" rifle kit ($470), misc. parts (sights, etc.; $100), tools (punches, roll pin punches (1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32"), stock wrench (for a telescoping stock), and a barrel wrench; about $100)

120 + 470 + 100 + 100 = ~$790

www.cproductsllc.com is my favored purveyor of magazines, and I currently have 10 20-rounders, at ten bucks apiece.

~GnSx

[LkWinnipesaukee]

Or you could buy a complete upper and complete lower, and snap them together and youre done.

[wdlsguy]

So one of those Del-Ton kits plus a reciever could build an AR for about $575, am I understanding you right?
If you go with a flat-top upper, you will need some sort of rear sight, so you will probably want to add a detachable carry handle or a flip-up rear sight. You will need a few tools to assemble the lower; the upper will come assembled and headspaced.

That sounds pretty fair, is that a quality kit?
I'm happy with my 11.5" Del-Ton SBR. Consensus on ar15.com seems to favor Del-Ton or J&T Distributing (http://www.jtdistributing.com).

[trickyasafox]

del-ton is very well thought of on ar15.com
so is cproducts-i can vouch for cproducts quality as well. top notch company

i use essential arms lowers. they are 76 bucks each before shipping and transfer. i was so pleased with my first my friends and I just ordered 4 more.

i built my first (and only till i finish the current one) off a stripped lower and used no special tools. . . .they may make the task easier but are not necessary.