[PUMC_TomG]

Okay, I've decided to get an AR-15... and I want to do it cheaply. I was thinking about buying a stripped lower, a lower parts kit, and then a complete upper... How does this sound?

These are the features I want:
16" barrel, flip up sights... I may want to mount an ACOG or similar... chrome lined barrel... a stock okay for a guy who is 6'1"... and good construction...

I've heard lots of good things about Rock River Arms, and Bushmaster.... but all my REAL AR experience is with M16A1s and A2s... not civilian models....

So - if you were building my weapon... what would you buy and from where. (This will be used for 3-gun, maybe plinking with a .22LR conversion, and HD.)

[PUMC_TomG]

Thinkin more....

What do you guys think of a stripped DPMS lower receiver and parts kit for $165....

and then adding whatever upper I decide on later...

[Redlg155]

Make sure it is a forged reciever as they are much nicer than the cast DPMS ones. The cast of course will work just fine, but they don't look as nice. Plus the forged ones have the panther logo. The cast ones don't.

Check out Sable Co. (http://www.sableco.net/id21.htm) for the rest of the stuff. He has some very nice prices on Rock River.

As for budget, the flip up front and rear sights plus the chrome lining will cost you a bit more. Look at about $200 more on your budged vs a standard kit AR. The rear sight will run you about $100 and the cheapest front sight I've seen was the BMAS from Bushmaster at about $50. Then figure in a railed front sight base, another $30-$50 option. Bushmaster also makes a very nice one with rails on all corners. Chrome upgrade for Rock River barrels run about $30. Bushmaster and Colt run a bit more than the normal chrome moly steel barrels.

A standard kit AR15 can be had for $435...figure $450 shipped to your door from JT dist. Their uppers are headspaced and ready to go and the kit has everything needed to build and AR from a stripped lower. Just put on the buttstock, buffer tube and install the internals. The upper is completely assembled.

If you have the money I suggest purchasing a complete lower. It will save a little overall, plus you won't have to worry about scratching your lower while installing roll pins. Findind a complete upper is easy.

Good Shooting
RED

[*8*]

Sounds like an okay deal to me. FAC is also selling it for $49 and a complete Oly AR parts kit, less receiver for $399.