Build or Custom Order AR

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zdc1775

zdc1775

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Ok to start I am not new to AR's but I have never built one myself before. I have owned several but have sold them off at various times for different reasons so I currently don't have one myself. I know the configuration I want but haven't found any factory offering that wouldn't require some changes to get to what I want. Is there any reason to not just build it myself the way I want? Or should I just custom order it from one of the various makers?
By my count the advantages of building are:
Exactly what I want
Ability to pick up a few parts at a time as funds allow
Greater knowledge of the weapon system
Downsides are:
Lower resale value
Possibility of mechanical issues with little/no factory support
 
I'd recommend the build option. In addition to being able to spread the cost over time, you can also save money by picking up items on sale. For instance, PSA had a stripped lower and pmags package for cheap (I can't remember how many mags and at what price, just that it was a really good deal). Just things like that that you can keep your eyes out for. Also Midway is having a half off sale on a specific Daniels Defense free-float tube right now. Just things like that.

Your reservation about thre resale value has merit, but if you get someone who knows AR's and you use quality parts, that says something to them. If you also keep receipts to show to a buyer, keep it well cleaned and make sure everything is done right, your resale value still won't be as good as a fully branded rifle, but not near as bad as a bubba'd job.
 
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Build it yourself. It's actually not difficult at all. While you are waiting for certain parts you want to become in stock, you can research how to put said parts together (YouTube has tons of videos on the process). It also makes it a lot easier later down the road if you want to replace something/something breaks.

Not to mention it can be much cheaper if you pick up a deal at the right time. Just last week PSA had a stripped lower and LPK for $99. That's a heck of a deal.
 
After looking around at what it will cost to order everything I think I will go with building it myself.
 
Possibility of mechanical issues with little/no factory support
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The internet is excellent technical support. It's such a popular rifle, you will have no mechanical problem that ten shooters haven't had before you and documented with circles, arrows and a youtube video.

Depending on just how well you know the platform, you might have problems purchasing compatible parts. If you already know there are differences like commercial vs. mil-spec receiver tubes, F-marked front sights and Colt-sized takedown pins, you probably know it well enough to avoid buying mistakes.

Congratulations on deciding to roll your own and pay as you go. :)
 
Went through the same question myself.

The second question I had to ask myself was if it doesn't run after its built who's gonna help work out the bugs? How much will that cost?

I went with a new S/W.
 
The second question I had to ask myself was if it doesn't run after its built who's gonna help work out the bugs? How much will that cost?
Click to expand...

Well he can diagnose it on here to find out what the problem is then youtube how to fix that problem. All of the home mods/repairs we are able to do because of the info on the internet is amazing. I don't know how people did it before the web came about.
 
Build

Make a list of wanted parts and accessories. Watch the different websites. Order parts as they go on sale (and they will).

When i build i watch these sites of sales: PSA, DSG Arms, Joe Bob Outfitters, PK Firearms, Citizen Armory, Primary Arms, Aim Surplus and MidwayUSA. Watch for midwayusa coupon codes at slickguns.net. I am forgetting a few. I almost always find what i want on sale.

If you dont have the specific AR tools needed, find locals that might have them. Many locals will help out.

edit: you can get caught up trying to design the perfect AR. Weeks of drooling over the coolest parts, which part is lightest, etc. As long as you get parts made by known quality manufacturers you really can’t go wrong. For example: there are a hundred of different forends for the AR15. Once you decide on length and style, make a list from the quality manufacturers that make forends with the features you want. Don’t dwell on things like is Daniel Defense better than Centurion, Troy, Etc. Get the one that fits your budget.
 
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I would call and check but from my experience custom shops building a rifle to you specs are backlogged months deep. Its not that hard to do yourself. If you are worried about reliability, buy an off the shelf rifle and the parts you want. sell the new take off parts to recoup some of your money, it might cost a few extra bucks to do it that way but it is cheaper than a gunsmith.
 
1775, you sound like a good candidate for building, you've given it much thought and that's exactly what you need for a quality custom build. I agree with the pros and cons you listed but wouldn't worry about tech support if you buy quality parts.

Even though many warn against it, I built my first AR. No major issues with it or the other three I've done since. I have had to solve small problems but nothing expensive or too challenging. I'm very happy with each rifle.
 
Went through the same question myself.

The second question I had to ask myself was if it doesn't run after its built who's gonna help work out the bugs? How much will that cost?

I went with a new S/W.
Click to expand...

Same here.

I've build a few AR's, and also bought a few Factory AR's. By far, buying one from a reputable company like Colt or Smith and Wesson gives me more peace of mind, having the backing of a manufacturer.

Nothing wrong with building them yourself, but you will have to personally deal with the headache when you have issues, and pay out-of-pocket costs for parts/repair vs having a manufacturer warranty.

You can also save a ton of money by building, and also pick every part yourself.

OP, good luck with your build. It is a fun learning experience. Buy some good tools along with known manufacturers (PSA, Spikes, etc).
 
After building a few guns I would suggest it to anyone who wants to really know what they are getting. I have built a few bolt actions and 5 ARs. Yes they may have less resale value but I'll sell my house or car before I sell a firearm. If you are a perfectionist and/or mechanically inclined then go for it.

People that build firearms using proper tools, specs, torque values, and parts rarely have problems. Guess what, that's how factories build them. It's the guys that do it for the first time trying to use vice grips, nail heads, and inferior parts that usually get in trouble.

The guys that get in trouble 99% of the time are what everyone calls "bubbas". A thread I was just reading had a guy using what he had to work with to build a mosin. He even called it a bubba job. From the looks of things it's not his first rodeo. Would I suggest such an undertaking to someone for their first build? Not a chance in hell. Not because they might ruin a gun or make something ugly but because firearms are inherently dangerous.

Do you trust yourself and your mechanical abilities? Do you have or are you going to get the right tools for the build? Do you have the information such as torque values and build schematics? Would you trust your build is safe not only in your hands but anyone else's you might have fire it? If you can answer yes to these questions then build away. If not let a professional build it.

I don't want to seem harsh but hurting yourself or someone else is something I hate to see. This is also the same conversation that I had with my dad just before I started reloading. Same one right before I started building firearms for myself, I've always considered pop a smart guy. Out of all the things involved in building a firearm yourself safety comes first!
 
Build it -- there is a lot of value in having the skills and tools to be able to perform armory-level maintenance on your rifle. It is not very hard either.
 
A couple of years ago I had no desire to buy an AR-15. After seeing so many component parts on sale at various places I became intrigued with the idea of building one for myself though. The more I read, the easier it seemed it would be. I decided to go for it. I did buy a complete LMT upper but I bought a stripped lower and quality parts (Spikes stripped lower and FA BCG, DD LPK, BCM charging handle, Magpul furniture and MBUS). It was a great project and I'm very pleased with the results. A friend of mine bought a nice piston AR (think it's a SIG?) that I shot the other day. Honestly, I like my build better. As far as resale goes, I don't intend to sell it. If something breaks, I'm confident I can fix it as long as the parts can be found.
 
I own a couple, both non-builds, but the latter is a PSA carbine I bought last December for $700. I swapped out the handguard (Midwest Ind Gen II SS), trigger (Geissele) and rear sight (Knights Armament) and for $1,100 have a rifle that shoots very, very well. The former, A DD M4V7 needed nothing but a trigger and sights (this one's scoped) but I have $1,500 in it before optics. Both have proven pretty bullet proof and, so far (more to go), equally accurate. I suggest the PSA route as it was fun picking and choosing the few parts I swapped.
 
What is your goal? If you want a top-notch competitive service rifle for hi-power competition, your best bet is a custom build from White Oak Armament; they make some great rifles.

If you just want a good shooter, built it yourself, its not hard at all.
 
Buy the upper assembled, or at least that seems to be the really tough part that require specialized tools.

A lower can be assembled with a few punches and a piece of wood in a vice.(Or you could buy a receiver block for $10).

Doing the lower can be a three handed job, but it's not that hard.

I built my first AR as a purpose built rifle for about $1200, including the optic. No it's not 'brand name' but I got exactly the features I wanted in a compact package that was ready to run.

$207 for a Noveske lower (about $100 more than I had planned to spend on a stripped lower) $680 for the Model One Sales parts kit compete, a new grip, sling swivel, optic, sling, shipping... my total cost was spread over 7 months (The model one backlog was tremendous at one time).

I am really pleased with the results.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=722752
 
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I did my first 223 caliber from-scratch build last month and it was a thousand times easier than I expected.

I'd rate it as about 1/4 as hard as disassembling a Ruger MKIII.

I put together a very high end AR for about 1050 bucks.
CMT lower, geissele SSA-E trigger, DD CHF upper, magpul furniture, KAC micro rear, f-marked front.
 
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