What's the cheapest way to get me into a good quality AR

[Knife_Sniper]

My latest build is costing me mega bucks.

RRA lower receiver $130
Bushy parts kit $60
Ergo Grip $18
CAV arms C1 stock $60
Cav Arms M4 type 20 inch grip $20
Two new barrels (one post one pre for sunset) $418
Mini-y comp $30(in case ban doesent sunset I can weld it on and lose bayonet lug)
RRA upper $90
Les Baer bolt and carrier $200
Charging handle assembly and two stock screws $20
Detachable carry handle $100

All tools needed to assemble upper $140

As you see... say it with me... OUCH.

However, If I had purchased a brand new bushmaster for $750
and upgraded selected parts.. it would run around $1500

If I do it myself I end up with $1286.
I save a little.

 

[MrAcheson]

Two new barrels (one post one pre for sunset) $418

Ummm I'd watch it with doing something like this. You may not have a post-ban rifle with pre-ban features, but the mere possibility of you having one can be enough in some jurisdictions...

 

[Sulaco]

I just got done doing the same thing you want to do. I wanted a cheap priced, good quality AR for plinking and home defense.

I did tons of research and found out that the absolute cheapest and easiest way to get one was to buy the complete upper and complete lower and put them together (2 pins).

This way, you don't have to pay the 11% FET tax on a complete gun. Just make sure you buy the two parts from two different dealers or you are breaking the law.

I bought a complete RRA A2 20" upper and paid $394 shipped. I then bought a complete RRA A2 lower and paid $240.37 shipped and includng the FFL transfer fee.

That comes up to $634.37. I haven't seen anything new complete or parts that can compare with the RRA (in my opinion) and beat this price.

I think for you a 16" upper would work fine. You can always buy a 20" upper or barrel and switch it out later.

 

[Knife_Sniper]

Im not worried. Its going immediatly to a friend and will not be in my possesion. He is purchasing the barrel, and will sell it to me after sunset.

 

[DMK]

Well, I'm off and running.

I just ordered two Eagle(Armalite) stripped lowers for $75 each from the USMC (www.quanticoarms.com). With shipping and FFL transfer fees, I'm only into it for $198 so far.

It looks like I'll be building both a 16" carbine now and a 20" rifle later.

I knew this was going to start costing me money.

 

[DMK]

I bought a complete RRA A2 20" upper and paid $394 shipped. I then bought a complete RRA A2 lower and paid $240.37 shipped and includng the FFL transfer fee.

Sulaco, where did you get such great prices on those Rock River assemblies?

 

[Chris Rhines]

Much to my surprise, my JT M4gery parts kit showed up today.

First, the bad news - JT forgot to include the bolt, bolt carrier, and charging handle. Oops. They'll be getting a call tomorrow morning.

Next, the good news - the parts that did come look excellent. The upper reciever fits tight to my lower, and shows no sign of porosity or tolerance problems. The finish is perfect (a bit lighter than my lower, but I really can't compain about that.) I swabbed out the bore with some Kroil and it looks pretty good.

I'll post some pictures as I get the thing built up.

- Chris

 

[DMK]

Gotta love new toys!

Keep us posted on how that thing falls together Chris.

 

[Brigrat]

Join the military!

 

[c_yeager]

Sulaco, where did you get such great prices on those Rock River assemblies?

Im not sure where he got them but, i would suggest taking a look at www.adcofirearms.com they have a stellar reputation and good prices on RRA and others. This is also the place to get chrome-linned RRA M4 barrels. Check out his "build your own M4 upper" thing. Its pretty cool.

 

[DMK]

Im not sure where he got them but, i would suggest taking a look at www.adcofirearms.com they have a stellar reputation and good prices on RRA and others. This is also the place to get chrome-linned RRA M4 barrels. Check out his "build your own M4 upper" thing. Its pretty cool.

Thanks for the tip C-Yeager. After a bit of searching around, I also found www.rbprecision.com They also seem to have excellent prices and responded to my email questions very quickly.

 

[squibload]

Not the most popular brand on this board, but Olympic's Arms Plinkers are the cheapest factory AR out there, AFAIK.

They use cast receivers, but if you want to keep cost down, it would definitely work.

Factory warranty, and they're decent shooters.

 

[Black92LX]

Here is a DPMS Panther Lite 16" Carbine for $619.99

not sure that price can be beat.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/dpms_panther_lite.html

 

[DMK]

Im not sure where he got them but, i would suggest taking a look at www.adcofirearms.com they have a stellar reputation and good prices on RRA and others.

Man, Steve at Adco is the man. I called him this afternoon to ask a bunch of questions. After thinking over the options, I went to their website and ordered an RRA flattop carbine upper, detachable carry handle, lower parts kit and an A2 butt stock kit. Just as soon as I placed my order, I got an email from Steve because I ordered a different variation than we talked about on the phone. He just wanted to follow up and make sure that was what I intended. Just a couple hours after that, I had another email with a tracking number! Most of the other vendors I spoke told me there's be anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to order this stuff.

 

[Sulaco]

Not to mention you only paid 4 dollars for shipping.

Your are right, Steve is the man!

 

[telewinz]

Thats easy

Olympic Arms "Plinker". Shoots and feeds as well as my Colt SP1 and is alot more accurate. Comes with a no questions asked lifetime warranty.