Build a cheap AR

[kentucky_smith]

Okay, so lets see who has built the cheapest AR. I've been thinking about adding an AR to the arsenal, but don't want to waste much money on a poodle shooter. I found a complete lower from Sarco for $179 and the cheapest complete upper was $330 (model 1 sales).

What do I want to do with it? Shoot it. Cheap now, tinker later. 20" standard barrel, A2 buttstock. Open sights.

I can buy a doublestar for $699, but for that I'd go ahead and get a RRA.

Can anyone beat this? I've heard of builds under $450.

And yes, I've been to arfcom

 

[Farnham]

$500 20" A2 upper, A2 stock, and LPK from Del-Ton Inc. Sprung for the chrome lined barrel, $455 without that.

$89 Stag lower from Aim Surplus (bought 2).

$589 + $20 transfer fee, $609. Not that cheap, but definitely cheaper. Could have built it cheaper by buying used parts off ARFCOM, but this was faster.



S/F

Farnham

 

[Harry Tuttle]

sarco has nam issue 20 inch uppers

#2 - Complete upper assembly: Complete upper with complete barrel assy. All parts in the upper assembly except the bolt carrier assembly & cocking handle... AR232 $275.00 - For special select, add $10.00 For original Colt barrel & receiver, add $25.00
http://www.sarcoinc.com/m16.html


cdnn has new $370 Sp1s:
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/arsp1upnewco.html
BRAND NEW ï Colt Factory SP1 Upper Assmebly ï Tear Drop Forward Assist ï Triangular Handguards ï 20" Chrome Lined Barrel with Flash Hider ï Small Hole Upper ï SP1 Sights ï NO BOLT, BOLT CARRIER OR CHARGING HANDLE!!

ya said cheap
not good

 

[kentucky_smith]

That's the look I'm going for. Nice gun.

 

[wdlsguy]

the cheapest complete upper was $330 (model 1 sales).

Does the Model 1 upper include a bolt carrier group and charging handle? If not, that's going to add $85.

You should look at the rifle kits from Del-Ton. I've been very happy with mine.

 

[lycanthrope]

M1 sales comes complete with bolt and carrier.

$510 brand spankin' new.

Sub 3/4 MOA at 100 yards.

 

[kentucky_smith]

which kit is that, and what stripped lower did you use?

 

[lycanthrope]

That's actually a 16" lightweight CAR kit. I use Stag lowers from www.eaglefirearms.net

They are identical to RRA lowers and of excellent quality.

 

[Malice]

I scoured Model 1 sales, I couldnt find a $330 upper... lowest is like $450

Any help?

 

[c_yeager]

Here is my problem everytime I try to price a home built AR. I look at the prices of various components, and notice that a significant upgrade costs a pretty small sum, but that it adds up to a rifle that isnt much cheaper than a commercial example.

I have a thing where I really want chrome lined barrels and really specific features, and I havent found a really cheap way of doing this.

 

[swingset]

Here's how I did my cheapie:
Stag Arms lower: $89
Lower Kit from Midway: $51
Unissued M16A1 upper from Model1 (CDNN sells them too): $325

$465 and change for a new gun.

Came out great, here's a pic....right next to my $295 L1A1 (that's another story!)

 

[waterhouse]

If you allow used uppers I've had a couple of mine come in around 460, but that's also allowing for the fact that I bought the Stag lowers in bulk at a discount.

I've never been able to build a new one all that cheaply, because if I'm buying a new upper I tend to get exactly what I want and it usually costs more.

 

[lycanthrope]

I scoured Model 1 sales, I couldnt find a $330 upper... lowest is like $450

Any help?

Kits are a bit cheaper. M1 standard rifle kit: $435
Stripped Stag lower:$95

Rifle cost:$530

 

[swingset]

If you allow used uppers I've had a couple of mine come in around 460.

Well, used counts, the topic is "build a cheap AR", not build a cheap new AR.

If you shop the EE on AR15.com, you can score used stuff very cheap. My buddy built a complete 20" A2 rifle from EE parts for $375, and it's all new except for the barrel and furniture....and even those look like new.

I wouldn't even consider Model1 when you can get a chrome-line Bushy or Colt upper for the same dough used.

 

[Steelcore]

I bought a RRA complete lower with A2 stock for 225 then I bought a J&T upper for 375.Then I put them together.Cost was $600.Bought both at a local gunshow.

 

[wdlsguy]

M1 sales comes complete with bolt and carrier.

I agree that the kits include the B/BC/CH, but the upper halves don't seem to. If you look at this page, the first upper half is priced at $300, but the selection for "BOLT CARRIER GROUP & CHARGING HANDLE" says "None Selected". You can add a bolt carrier group & charging handle for $85, bringing the total to $385.

 

[c_yeager]

Here's how I did my cheapie:
Stag Arms lower: $89
Lower Kit from Midway: $51
Unissued M16A1 upper from Model1 (CDNN sells them too): $325

$465 and change for a new gun.

Came out great, here's a pic....right next to my $295 L1A1 (that's another story!)

How did you find an A1 kit that included the BCG?

 

[wdlsguy]

Here is my Del-Ton kit built on a Stag stripped receiver.

 

[Correia]

This is a few years old, but nobody has ever built a cheaper AR. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142580

 

[cgv69]

Just keep in mind, you get what you pay for. Most of the people I've seen bitching about AR's not being reliable are people who bought cheap kits. Not saying that everything from Model1 Sales or whoever is crap but they obviously cut costs whenever possible so IMO, you pay your money and you take your chances.

The lower is the easy part and you should be able to easily build a good one for ~$200 (~$100 receiver, ~$50-55 for the LPK and ~ $50-70 for a complete A2 stock assembly). A quality complete upper for ~$400 is another thing. It can be done if you are lucky and know what you are looking for and get some good deals but it may take some time. The used market will be your friend here but again, you have to know what you are looking for so that you don't buy crap and\or pay too much. As an example, I just saw a complete Colt 6721 upper with only 1k rounds through it and looked brand new sell for $400 on the EE on ARFCOM. That's an awesome price but deals like that don't come around often and when they do, they go fast.

I personally would not buy a cheap (as in low quality) barrel or bolt and I would make sure the gas key is properly staked onto the bolt carrier. Those 3 things (along with bad\cheap ammo\magazines) seem to account for the majority of problems some people have with AR's

Just my $.02. Good luck

 

[swingset]

How did you find an A1 kit that included the BCG?

Model 1 sold me mine with the BCG & CH. I haven't shopped for one online, do they not include them at CDNN or elsewhere?

 

[kentucky_smith]

Screw it, I'm going to get another Garand, Service or correct grade.