AR 15, $2,000 - $3,000 Your choice?

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For me, it depends what I want out of the AR. If you just want a 16” noisemaking carbine, buy a Ruger or a S&W for $450-600, or whatever the vid-flated current price might be and be merry. Spending more for DD, BCM, Larue, etc for this task just gives you internet bragging rights on Arfcom and less money in your wallet. I’ve had a few of these and have had even more on my bench, and can’t pretend they really do anything different for the civilian, and really not even for the warfighter.

If you want something specialized, like a go-fast gun for 3 gun competition, or a long range precision gasser (kinda an oxymoron), then spending $2000-3000 makes sense to me, and in those cases, I generally find that sourcing parts and building (or having someone build for you) is less expensive than buying a boutique semi-bespoke factory offering (JP, GA Precision, Seekins, etc).

I acknowledge that some guys just want a turnkey option, however, and spending a couple hundred extra to avoid buying $100 in tools and a spending few hours fitting and assembling isn’t for everyone. But still, the application dictates the design.
 
Sold all but 2 Colts, as far as store bought. Built over a dozen purpose driven of my own. Many with Colt uppers. Created my own versions of:

LE6940 - M4 monolithic
LE6536 - Dissipator
LE6945CK - 10.5" pistol
LT6720 - pencil barrel, m-lok instead of quad-rail
LE6943CK - 11.5" pistol
CR6724 - 24" bull barrel bench/target/varmint
CRP-18 - 3 gun racer

All with exceptional triggers from Elftmann, Hyperfire, ALG, etc.

Recommend the $750 unit, add trigger of choice and spend the rest on ammo/mags.
 
Jimfern said:
If you build one and later decide to sell it, you won't get anywhere near what you put into it. Buy a high end AR from a reputable company and you'll get more of your $ back if you decide to sell it and it will probably work right out of the box.
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I disagree. If you build an AR using reputable parts, then, if you decide to sell you will get a decent return. You will lose money on any AR you sell used.
If you are looking for a high end AR I would recommend Daniel Defense.
 
colt-trooper-patrol-rifle-ar-15-f.jpg

Get a Colt Trooper. You don't need to spend $2000 for a damn good AR. Stag and FN have similar models.

If you want top shelf performance but with a realistic budget, get ANY complete carbine lower assembly from your LGS. Then simply snap on a COMPLETE upper assembly. From BCM, Odin Works, Larue.

Larue has a nice billet upper for sale right now. You'll have to wait in line though.
 
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Jimfern said:
If you build one and later decide to sell it, you won't get anywhere near what you put into it. Buy a high end AR from a reputable company and you'll get more of your $ back if you decide to sell it and it will probably work right out of the box.
Click to expand...

True-ish.

I'm in the middle of this right now kind of. I've got a carbine I put together, but I want something different.

Since I know how to put one together, instead of selling and buying and taking a hit, I'm just rebarreling it. I'm out the cost of a barrel, a gas block and a gas tube. Reselling my old parts will work out pretty close to a wash as they're pretty lightly used.
 
I surmise that the idea is to build rather than buy. The thread on building your own AR, which parts and why, which build fits the parameters of $2k - $3K? As far as adding tools, I think the only tool I'd want to add to my collection is ...? I don't know what it's called. It's a lapping tool for the barrel extension. I'm not sure how much else there is other than very well made parts to create a highly accurate and dependable rifle? Or all the arguments on SS, cut, button, etc. I hear the military is going with SS. I thought this was a rather wearable finish and was surprised at this choice. I know there are plenty of much less costing builds and buys that are very accurate and dependable. I also am well aware that it takes many dollars to make very small differences. If it's $175 or $275 for a titanium gas block because of it's weight and wear, so be it. There are several AR's around here. Most are 15's. Mixed in are 9mm pistols, .300 BO's, 6ARC, .308, etc. Now I want a really nice, proud to own, AR. Light, very pretty, Super accurate, dependable and if it lives in the vault, well so be it. I guess it's kind of a bucket list thing.
 
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Worrying about the potential resale value of AR's is like doing so for a used German luxury car.

The ar market is beyond saturated and prices have done nothing and will continue to do nothing but crater. Guns that were $3000 5 years ago are sub $700 used now

For a non retro/ precision target use there's absolutely nothing a $3000 rifle does that a sub 1k one from the box store doesn't for people like us who don't don body armor every day.

It will still shoot reactivate steel targets, piggies, deer or whatever and sit in a case or safe 99.999987 % of the rest of the time it exists
 
I'd buy a POF rogue and a good scope. not technically an ar15, as it is a 308, but I cannot see spending that kind of money on a regular ar15.

or buy a good $800 ar, a good $800 suppressor, and a good $400 scope. =$2k
 
Unless you are doing a boutique cartridge I would build two or three $1,000 guns.
I don't even know how to spend a $1,000 on one rifle.
I guess I could blow several hundred dollars on an inferior trigger compared to what I can do with a basic one.
 
Nice barrel, gas block, bolt (and maybe bolt carrier), and trigger.

Your choice of these will probably get things done...

Everything else is fairly standard.
 
gun'sRgood said:
I'm not sure if building one in this price range is a better idea or buying one. I'd like to be in the two to three thousand range. Or, a really nice AR. I'm not sure if it's me or just my kind of luck but it seems that often I'll pick up a nice AR, say DD, and find the trigger is a mess. This scares me that there may be other items sliding by the QC guys. The local GS here don't carry the higher grade. I don't blame them. expensive inventory. Not being able to handle it worries me but in that range I would guess there's some kind of try it time period? Anyway, suggestions?
Click to expand...

https://hk-usa.com/hk-models/mr556a1/


https://www.knightarmco.com/
 
The Glockodile said:
Nice barrel, gas block, bolt (and maybe bolt carrier), and trigger.

Your choice of these will probably get things done...

Everything else is fairly standard.
Click to expand...

Um, what? o_Oo_Oo_O

The opportunity for varying handguards, stocks, grips, and muzzle devices is huge.
 
Oh, this will be fun. I'll GarandThumb this & go tip to butt...

Muzzle device- https://www.cmttac.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=205
$84.99

Barrel- Well, you didn't say what you want it to do, but I'm going to assume MOA capable but also will hold up under long strings of fire. https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier-arms-mountain-mod2-5-56-nato-barrel/ $300

Gas block- https://www.rainierarms.com/v-seven-weapon-systems-titanium-750-gas-block-set-screw-ionbond-blk/ $88.27 (I only use these anymore. The reduced weight up front makes them just a little handier)

Gas tube- https://bootleginc.com/product/bootleg-sbn-gas-tube/ $15.99

Handguard- https://www.at3tactical.com/products/doublestar-cloak-m-lok-free-float-handguard-15-5 $179.99 Have this on one of my builds. Love it.

Upper Receiver- https://www.wingtactical.com/firear...eivers/spikes-tactical-billet-upper-receiver/ Will be a thermal fit with your barrel and already has the forward assist and dust cover. $243

BCG- https://www.wingtactical.com/firear.../lantac-enhanced-full-auto-black-nitride-bcg/ $261.99 Finest BCG on the market in my opinion.

Charging handle- Everyone is crazy about the Radian Raptors. I do have one. This is my favorite, though. https://nextlevelarms.com/product/nlx-556-charging-handle-best-ambi-ambidextrous-ar15/ $83

BUIS- https://www.primaryarms.com/magpul-mbus-pro-flip-up-sight-set-black $159.99

Lower Receiver- https://ar15discounts.com/products/dirty-bird-multi-cal-forged-ambidextrous-lower-receiver/ Ambidextrous bolt catch AND bolt release. My favorite lower on the market $279.99

Takedown/Pivot pins- https://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPTDP-223-SET I always buy the oversized pins to ensure the snuggest possible upper/lower fit. $28

Mag Catch- I use these on all my builds. https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...extrous-black-sku100040296-137349-247950.aspx $49.99

Mag Release Button/Spring- https://www.forwardcontrolsdesign.com/EMR-HC_p_23.html $19

Trigger-
Single Stage: https://velocitytriggers.com/product/steel-cased-ar-trigger/ $159.95

2 stage: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003413461 $189.95

Trigger/Hammer pins- I always get the nitrided pin set https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/product/gen-2-mod-3-nrthp/ $38

Safety- Now here, Radian got it right. I put their 45° talon safety on everything https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RADIAN-TALON-2LEVER $52.95

Trigger Guard- https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/billet-trigger-guard-anodized $24.99

Grip- it's a personal thing but I've really become a fan of the LaRue A-Peg https://www.larue.com/products/larue-tactical-a-peg-grip/ $11.99

Buffer Tube/Castle Nut- https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/PWS-AR-15-ENHANCED-BUFFER-TUBE-MOD-2-p/pws-4g2btmb1.htm $99.95

Buffer Spring- https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003402417 $25.99

Buffer- slickest, quietest buffer I've ever used https://www.wingtactical.com/firear...ffers/v-seven-enhanced-ar-15-carbine-buffers/ $50.44

Stock- Plenty of cheek weld, locks up solid and just enough weight to balance out that barrel https://www.wingtactical.com/firear.../magpul-acs-adaptable-carbine-stock-mil-spec/ $89.95

$2378.41 without me shopping around for deals or discount codes. Probably could get that down to $2250 or better. Comes out to a rifle with better features than anything on the market.
 
js8588 said:
Oh, this will be fun. I'll GarandThumb this & go tip to butt...

Muzzle device- https://www.cmttac.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=205
$84.99

Barrel- Well, you didn't say what you want it to do, but I'm going to assume MOA capable but also will hold up under long strings of fire. https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier-arms-mountain-mod2-5-56-nato-barrel/ $300

Gas block- https://www.rainierarms.com/v-seven-weapon-systems-titanium-750-gas-block-set-screw-ionbond-blk/ $88.27 (I only use these anymore. The reduced weight up front makes them just a little handier)

Gas tube- https://bootleginc.com/product/bootleg-sbn-gas-tube/ $15.99

Handguard- https://www.at3tactical.com/products/doublestar-cloak-m-lok-free-float-handguard-15-5 $179.99 Have this on one of my builds. Love it.

Upper Receiver- https://www.wingtactical.com/firear...eivers/spikes-tactical-billet-upper-receiver/ Will be a thermal fit with your barrel and already has the forward assist and dust cover. $243

BCG- https://www.wingtactical.com/firear.../lantac-enhanced-full-auto-black-nitride-bcg/ $261.99 Finest BCG on the market in my opinion.

Charging handle- Everyone is crazy about the Radian Raptors. I do have one. This is my favorite, though. https://nextlevelarms.com/product/nlx-556-charging-handle-best-ambi-ambidextrous-ar15/ $83

BUIS- https://www.primaryarms.com/magpul-mbus-pro-flip-up-sight-set-black $159.99

Lower Receiver- https://ar15discounts.com/products/dirty-bird-multi-cal-forged-ambidextrous-lower-receiver/ Ambidextrous bolt catch AND bolt release. My favorite lower on the market $279.99

Takedown/Pivot pins- https://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPTDP-223-SET I always buy the oversized pins to ensure the snuggest possible upper/lower fit. $28

Mag Catch- I use these on all my builds. https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...extrous-black-sku100040296-137349-247950.aspx $49.99

Mag Release Button/Spring- https://www.forwardcontrolsdesign.com/EMR-HC_p_23.html $19

Trigger-
Single Stage: https://velocitytriggers.com/product/steel-cased-ar-trigger/ $159.95

2 stage: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003413461 $189.95

Trigger/Hammer pins- I always get the nitrided pin set https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/product/gen-2-mod-3-nrthp/ $38

Safety- Now here, Radian got it right. I put their 45° talon safety on everything https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RADIAN-TALON-2LEVER $52.95

Trigger Guard- https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/billet-trigger-guard-anodized $24.99

Grip- it's a personal thing but I've really become a fan of the LaRue A-Peg https://www.larue.com/products/larue-tactical-a-peg-grip/ $11.99

Buffer Tube/Castle Nut- https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/PWS-AR-15-ENHANCED-BUFFER-TUBE-MOD-2-p/pws-4g2btmb1.htm $99.95

Buffer Spring- https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003402417 $25.99

Buffer- slickest, quietest buffer I've ever used https://www.wingtactical.com/firear...ffers/v-seven-enhanced-ar-15-carbine-buffers/ $50.44

Stock- Plenty of cheek weld, locks up solid and just enough weight to balance out that barrel https://www.wingtactical.com/firear.../magpul-acs-adaptable-carbine-stock-mil-spec/ $89.95

$2378.41 without me shopping around for deals or discount codes. Probably could get that down to $2250 or better. Comes out to a rifle with better features than anything on the market.
Click to expand...

Out of honest curiosity, what does your proposed rifle do that the Fulton I mentioned above does not?
Well except having to be assembled, not come with a refund & lifetime warranty, and cost $700 more?
 
gun'sRgood said:
I'm not sure if building one in this price range is a better idea or buying one. I'd like to be in the two to three thousand range.
Click to expand...
There are diminishing returns when it comes to AR's, or AR parts. After a certain point, more money does not translate into noticeably better quality. What I'm trying to say is that above about $1,000, the extra money is likely to be wasted. I've been collecting AR's for a long time, and I don't believe I've ever spent more than about $800 for one (with the obvious exception of the full-auto ones).
 
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