AR to build or buy

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

Kahr33556

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2012
Messages
210
Location
USA
Any help or info will be great.
Have many guns, No AR 15 yet.
Dont want to spend a lot but want a good gun.
Looking at Smith & WessonAR15 sport for around 600 bucks.
Can build a gun from a kit cheaper but never done it.
I say 600 is around what I want to spend because I will be adding acessories after that, optics, case, extra mags, ect.

.
 
Go with the Sport. Has a warranty, resale, and a great reputation. You can get them for under $600, btw. If you're paying $600, you're paying too much.
 
Honestly, right now, you wont save much money by building.

The S&W is a fine gun that can be bought for under $600 and if you look around, there are even some guns for around $500.
 
My thing about "building" an AR, is that there is no warranty. Unless you are saving a ton of money, buy one all ready to go. It's guaranteed to shoot and function properly.
 
Buy for warranty, build for cost. I would buy complete upper and build/assembly lower.
 
If you have a good understanding of how the rifle operates and want the experience of building something from the ground up (and like the idea of troubleshooting), or you know exactly what you want, I would recommend building. Otherwise it's much simpler (and sometimes cheaper) to just buy one from a manufacturer.

I built one because I fell into both those categories and I had a 6 month wait for a NFA stamp which let me collect parts as I found them on sale (still not convinced I saved any money though...). It was fun and I would certainly do it again, but if your goal is just to save money, I'd buy one off the rack.
 
Thanks for the info so far,
I am thinking of building one with all blem parts, complete uppers and lowers, don't want to put everything together.
I will look at the colt and the smith close also.
 
I just finished my first AR and I built it myself with an assembled upper. Way more bang for your buck building one from scratch, and right now there are some serious deals to be had on parts.

Anderson Arms Lower: $60
Bushmaster LPK: $60
UTG M4 stock kit: $50
Nickle Boron BCG from local MFG: $150
BCM Mod 3 charging handle: $45
PSA Premium Mid-Length upper on clearance: $250

$615 for a rifle built exactly how I want it with a chrome-lined FN barrel and other premium parts trumps the same cash outlay for a entry-level rifle every time in my book.

WP_20140920_16_38_33_Pro1_zpsc790e3bb.gif
 
Last edited:
Right now entry level AR costs are very competitive and the M&Ps are good guns. I just went though this with a friend of mine pricing components, and comparing with local sellers. Cost wise, it was actually cheaper to just buy an entry level (like the M&P) than build it, after factoring in shipping, magazines, sights, etc.

Now if you want some custom pieces, or would like things in a specific way, build, all the way. It will be cheaper.

But for an entry level AR right now, just go and buy one.
 
Kahr33556 said:
A
Can build a gun from a kit cheaper but never done it.

.
Click to expand...

None of the ARs that I have built are less expensive than the low end ARs on the market. I tend to buy higher end parts, barrels and triggers.

I do get to put in the rifle what i want.

Building an AR is not difficult if you have reasonable mechanic-ing skills but there are a few tools you will want to have on hand to make the assembly easier. If you don't already have them, or cannot borrow them, it does add to the cost of the AR. If you think you might build more than one AR, then the tool cost gets spread over several rifles.

Me, I bought my first two AR-15s, one was a Service Rifle Match rifle, but have assembled them since.
 
I've always recommended buying a complete rifle if you can find one with all the specs and parts you want. That goes double if it is your first.

That said, it isn't a hard platform to learn to build and doesn't require a very large investment in parts. If you're wanting to try your hand at building a rifle, it's one of the best options.

For me, I did exactly as gotigers suggested.
 
Careful though, whichever way you go - ARs can be like potato chips - one ain't enough. :D

Bought my Sport from Grabagun 7 months ago ($579 then, they are $559 now) - all I changed on it was to upgrade the hand guard to a Magpul:

92325784f8dd2164bbd0b928792843f4441f121.jpg

The Sport is a great value for the good quality fit & finish, but it just whetted my desire for another AR. So I caught another sale at GaG a couple weeks ago and bought this Colt LE6920 MP-B for $879:

18b351c744bdd1891b66b55907b131fab683109.jpg

If there's another AR in my future, I would build one using all "made in Texas" parts with Lone Star State type slogans & logos.
 
Last edited:
I say build, just for the fact that you will form a special bond with the rifle. You will learn so much from building. It is true, that the dollar savings these days are minimal with all the excellent AR15 deals there been this year, it keeps getting better!
 
I would buy first. Cabala's and others have name brands on sale for 600 brand new with warrantee and customer service. 3 different Bushmasters and some others. Unless you know what parts go with what style rifle and have tools you might have trouble. Also some parts are difficult like detent pins and springs. Or you can by a kit that is partially assembled. I put together a kit, had to change some parts. Turned out it would have been cheaper to buy a new rifle. I have also had problems timing issues on home builds. At today's prices buy your first one.
 
Well build it is. I just got a complete lower from psa.
next I will look for a complete upper.
I know not a real build from scratch but Im new at this.
Now what do I need to buy or look for un a upper, sights ect.
with a complete lower and a comple upper comming next month what else I need besides mag and ammo
 
Many uppers come without a bolt carrier group, so you will need that and a charging handle to be in business. PSA has a recurring deal with one of their phosphate BCG's and a mil-spec charging handle for $99 that offers quality parts for an inexpensive price.

If you keep your eyes peeled, checking in each day, PSA prices fluctuate constantly and they frequently run special deals. The upper I got has been running $319 for the last few weeks then one day I checked in to drool and it was marked clearance at $249 so i bit. If you want a carbine, I saw blems marked down to $229 one morning when checking in.
 
Kahr33556 said:
Any help or info will be great.
Have many guns, No AR 15 yet.
Dont want to spend a lot but want a good gun.
Looking at Smith & WessonAR15 sport for around 600 bucks.
Can build a gun from a kit cheaper but never done it.
I say 600 is around what I want to spend because I will be adding acessories after that, optics, case, extra mags, ect.

.
Click to expand...
so you want a cheap/reliable ar15 to play uhh?

$569.99
http://www.classicfirearms.com/ar15bearcreekarsenalm4a3carryhandlew-magandcase

image_332.jpg


Enjoy it :)


if you find it helpful let me know.
 
Last edited:
BCM is running some great deals on AR uppers right. That is route I would go. It will cost a bit more than a PSA but be a better value. I have both a PSA gun and a BCM. With the deals on BCM uppers there really isn't much reason to go with a PSA at this point.
 
I always found that if you decide to build, you have to be really disciplined if you need to keep to a budget. I'm the type who orders a car and checks every option I come across. Upgrading triggers, bolts, stocks, free floating the barrel with a rail all adds up. Watch the shipping charges also. Better to have as few parts sources as possible unless you can get a deal on shipping. All add up.
Good luck with your build if you take that route.
 
I would say build your own if you think you are capable of it. They are probably the easiest rifle to build that has ever been invented.

Be aware though, BRD (black rifle disease) can strike at any time and before you know it, you are compelled to build more.

IMG_3515-XL.jpg
IMG_3466-XL.jpg
IMG_3365-XL.jpg
IMG_3536-XL.jpg
 
Build it.

Don't worry about the lack of a warranty. I've built enough ARs that I am NOT concerned if it doesn't run right. Why? I know the platform backwards and forwards now, and can fix any AR. If a part is "unfixable," I'd just buy another part. Most 'builders' lean towards high quality parts, so building a non-working AR is not very common. In fact, builds usually work better than factory built guns. I'd put my builds up against any professionally assembled AR.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
Building an ar-15
Replies
15
Views
1K
WinThePennant
W
Z
  • Locked
building a .308 style AR-10
Replies
1
Views
294
Z-Michigan
Z
B
  • Locked
Which AR15 to get on a $600 budget?
2 3
Replies
55
Views
5K
E121FX
E
T
  • Locked
What does it take to build an AR?
Replies
8
Views
464
trickyasafox
T
D
  • Locked
Considering first AR build.
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
moxie
M
Back
Top