AR guys: can I buy a complete kit somewhere for a good price?

[Ibmikey]

Don't worry about a kit, sit down with a pencil and list each part needed, it is not hard to build from scratch.
Order assemblies when possible like ejection port cover Assy, or forward assist assembly. Brownells Or Midway handle parts as does most of the assemblers/ manufacturers or distributors found on the Internet. I would be cautious of buying on eBay as much of the offerings are Chinese and of poor quality.
With a few specialized tools and a little skill you can be shooting your bag of parts in no time.

 

[ThePomel]

PSA

I have also had very good experience with several PSA kits.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Model One makes good stuff, but I got my XM barrel from Tony's.

The A1 style upper is the hard part to find and few have it in stock. I got a DPMS made one on the cheap.

 

[Blade First]

"Buy one, sneak it into your garage or work room, take it apart and then present the 'kit' to your son. After taking it apart you will be able to help putting it back together better."

I see what you did there. Some on this thread don't appreciate the humor involved. Don't mind them...I like the way you think.

 

[MaterDei]

Thanks, Blade. In fairness, nobody really criticized me for that statement, they just disagreed with my statement that complete rifles can be had for less than a parts kit. I don't doubt that there are some cheap parts kit out there that are less money, but the price delta is quite small if you buy decent parts. And yes, I was trying to be funny but also make a point.

 

[meanmrmustard]

No, it's not. At minimum, building saves the FET tax manufacturers pay on complete rifles; that savings is realized by the end user.

You can put an AR together for less than $400 if you know where to look. Show me an assembled rifle for that price.

This.

I just finished a build from PSA during an online sale, used a stripped Anderson lower from Buds.

$415 after transfer and shipping.

 

[IROCZ]

PSA

I've had great luck with PSA also. The only problem is they are always sold out!

 

[FROGO207]

I have recently been mulling over the idea of getting an AR style rifle. I would think that building one from the ground up would be a good experience in and of itself. Now I just need to read up on all the differences and who sells the different things that enhance the accuracy/quality of the final build. Getting a better custom rifle for less total layout of cash does appeal to me.