AR Build price

[ldlfh7]

What is a reasonable price to build an AR-15 on the cheap? My budget is limited so this will probably be done in phases. Just curious how much the whole project may be.

 

[wally]

The cheapest way is to shop continuously, know current prices, and jump an good or better quality parts when on sale. If you assemble you own upper hopefully you can borrow the few special tools you will need, otherwise probably best to look for complete uppers, a lower, lower parts kit and butt stock parts "on sale".

As long as you avoid Hesse/Vulcan/Blackthorne/whatever-they-call-themselves you should be fine.


For example, Primary arms had Aero Precision forged lowers on sale this morning for $69.95, but they are sold out already, they are trying to get more to sell at that price.
Get on the "Email specials" lists from all the major AR component suppliers -- sometimes "marketing spam" will have exactly what you want but you have to move fast! I placed a web order for the AP lower at 8:30AM this morning after getting their Email, and drove done to PA's storefront to pick it up and do the 4473 (avoids shipping and FFL transfer fees, so a local source for the lower is usually best) at 11AM and they had sold the last one on-line before I'd left.

 

[silicosys4]

I just built what I consider to be a decent, fairly budget rifle. I started a few months ago, so some of the components were a little taxed, even though I tried to avoid parts that had a "post sandy hook" tax involved.
Here is a breakdown of my costs.
Del-ton lower: $125 after shipping and transfer
CMMG LPK: $70 after shipping
PSA collapsible stock kit: $65 after shipping
DSA BCG: $125 after shipping
Charging handle: $20 after shipping
PSA blemished 16" m4 upper w. MI handguard: $435 after shipping

All in all, $820 or so. IMO, PSA's upper sales are the way to go for keeping costs down. I cannot find the blemishes that PSA discounted the upper for.
Rifle runs great.

 

[juk]

I built mine a few years back over the course of a year, but the prices are still realistic.
Sabre Defence lower. 109
Doublestar LPK. 70
BCM stock kit. 65
Stag 2 upper kit. 525
AR Stoner 30 rd mags (2). 16

All told, the basic build set me back 785. I think that the upper is still a good deal. Flat top receiver, 1/9 chrome lined barrel, carbine gas, with bcg, charging handle, and a MI ERS flip up sight.

My friend built one at the same time but went with a Del-Ton kit. I think he ended up building his complete mid length for just north of 600.

 

[theautobahn]

I don't know what's actually in stock, but I think I priced out a cheap build a few months ago just playing around for $550-$600. DSA has low priced uppers, but not sure if they're in stock. Same with Del-Ton and as has been said, get on PSA's e-mail list for smoking deals. They seem to have a ton of blem complete uppers lately.

 

[Quentin]

I started a basic build last October and finished it by the end of the year, waiting on sales.

Valkyrie stripped lower $100 (purchased locally to avoid FFL transfer as Wally pointed out)
PSA LBK $80
Basic sling $10
GI magazine $10

PSA 16" lighter profile midlength upper $280
PSA charging handle $15
BCM M16 BCG $150
MBUS2 rear BUIS $52

So about $700 for a complete milspec AR with iron sights for about the same price as the cheapest comspec ARs out there. It might be hard to do that today but with patience waiting for sales you could come close.

 

[Warp]

What is a reasonable price to build an AR-15 on the cheap? My budget is limited so this will probably be done in phases. Just curious how much the whole project may be.

$650-$700 to assemble a decent budget oriented AR

Or just buy a Smith and Wesson M&P Sport.

This + a stripped lower receiver would do it:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-16-m4-premium-moe-fde-rifle-kit.html

$560...and you can get stripped lowers for $70-$100

 

[Dr.Rob]

On occasion you'll see a complete M-4 style lower for around $200.

If you like plastic I got a COMPLETE lower for $100 in early 2012. It can happen, be patient. I did a through write up of one of these and it's great stuff for the price. The trigger is the only negative I could find. It's stiff but serviceable, and the buffer tube is a commercial rather than mil spec one.

https://newfrontierarmory.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=245_285

With the LEAST expensive upper and a bolt carrier group you are looking at another $4-500

http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=301

What MOST of the 'build it yourself guys' wont say is you need a few tools for the build. (ESP if you are going to build an upper from parts).

Even assembling a lower requires a few punches, and a plastic block (you could shape a wooden one if you are handy) to the clamp the lower in place on a bench vise.

If you shop around you can build a decent no frills rifle for $600 or so.

 

[Jackal]

Buying some used parts, you can come in around $500, but the rifle will be very low end. In my opinion, unless you have at least $650 to spend, look elsewhere. $650 will get you a S&W Sport. $800 will get you a Mil SPec AR. $1200+ will get you premium.

 

[gotigers]

Warp nailed it. I like both of his ideas in the current market.

The way prices are falling, lowers and part kits might be very cheap in a few months.

 

[John3921]

This is where I'm at. Not trying for bottom of the bbl budget wise - but not trying for tier 1 either.
Price shipping total
Lower Spikes Tactical $89.00 $12.00 $101.00
LPK RRA 2 stage NM 3.5 $156.00 $0.00 $156.00
BCG Palmetto State Arms $99.99 $7.00 $106.99
Upper Vltor MUR $199.95 $14.59 $214.54
Receiver Extension Spikes Tactical $69.95 $11.64 $81.59
Stock Vltor emod $90.00 $0.00 $90.00
Charge Handle BCM Gunfighter $45.00 $0.00 $45.00
BBL Douglass air gauge CM $290.00 $14.33 $304.33
front rail $tbd
gas block Compass Lake $35.00 $0.00 $35.00
gas tube $tbd
Compensator $tbd
optics $tbd
$1,074.89 $59.56 $1,134.45

 

[newfalguy101]

By the looks of the prices quoted, there doesn't really seem to be any real monetary reason to build a mutt.

 

[BigDeesul]

What is a reasonable price to build an AR-15 on the cheap? My budget is limited so this will probably be done in phases. Just curious how much the whole project may be.

Joeboboutfitters.com

Cant beat their prices or service. Free shipping over $100

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

 

[Hacker15E]

I would go with something like this for $559:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-16-m4-premium-moe-fde-rifle-kit.html

...then add a stripped lower, for around $100.

 

[Quentin]

By the looks of the prices quoted, there doesn't really seem to be any real monetary reason to build a mutt.

I disagree. With adequate research and understanding you can put together a darn good "mutt" for about the same price as those sad low ballers we all see in the LGS rack. Why not get the barrel profile, length, twist and gas length you really want along with other specs - not what some bean counter foists off on buyers who don't do their homework.

 

[gotigers]

build a "mutt" and you get exactly what you want and learn something about ARs while researching, buying and building it.

 

[Fishbed77]

PSA is the way to go for a cheap high-quality build.

 

[tuj]

do it over time and use mid-range to higher-end parts and build the rifle you WANT. Me? I splurged on a Geissele trigger, which is excellent. PSA is a good mid-range choice.

 

[theautobahn]

Even assembling a lower requires a few punches, and a plastic block (you could shape a wooden one if you are handy) the clamp the lower in place on a bench vise.

Punches, yes. Punch block, vice block, etc., not necessary (although a heck of a lot easier). You can substitute a roll of tape (or as you said, a block of wood with holes in it) for the punch block. As far as the mag/vice block, it's not necessary - I did my first lower build on the bench without clamping the lower in. It's not easy, but doable.

 

[theautobahn]

None of these include stripped lower (add $120, might be able to find a blem or something on sale cheaper)-

DSA upper with no Bolt/Carrier-$270
http://www.dsarms.com/DSA-ZM4-A3-Up...--M4---ZM4CBU16M4-A/productinfo/ZM4CBU16M4-A/

PSA lower build kit and bolt/carrier combo- $229
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...arrier-group-w-charging-handle/category/3995/

Total build cost with $120 lower - $620.

OR

PSA Upper and Bolt/Carrier and lower build kit (with stock, etc.) - $479.99
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...rifle-length-diamond-rifle-kit/category/3995/

Total build cost with $120 lower - $610

 

[Deer_Freak]

If you choose a PSA kit I would get them to assemble it. You get a warranty if they assemble the rifle. If you assemble the rifle you are on your own. Plus when they assemble the rifle you get better sights/optics. By they time you spend $100 on sights you are at the same price as if they assembled the rifle.