Build or Buy AR?

[Dimis]

ive been looking into ARs and wanted to ask a few questions before i get started

first is as the title said should i build or buy an AR rifle?
i want it to be .223/5.56 collapsable buttstock quad rail flat top an M4 clone more or less

i dont think ill be competing with this rifle but i will train with it and expect it to function well with good accuracy
would there be a nice rifle already available in my 900-1200 price range?
mind you my price range is without accessories so just the rifle complete with quad rail and collapsable buttstock but nothing else
i can go higher but unless its needed i dont want to
ive looked into DPMS Stag and Armalite
am i overlooking a better brand? (dont say colt it isnt gonna happen)
is there anything i should know about these brands before i look further?

what about building my own?
who makes the better parts?
what would/have you used to build yours?

lastly i saw a modular lower with detatchable magwells this seems like a bad idea but maybe i dont know which one is shinola

thanks in advance

forgot to add one more question im looking at getting a tax stamp for an SBR if i do this for an AR am i still able to use the different uppers (various legal sizes) or will it always have to "wear" the SBR upper?

 

[dzmedia]

umm yeah.. you just have to wait for it. There are rifles popping up allover for $700+ range. They are basic ar15 variations but for the $700 range you have $500 of accessories you can put on it. Keep an eye out and here's a link to a site that might have some in stock.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/884451000082.html

call them for availability first.

 

[MarineOne]

Check CDNN .... they had a blow out sale recently and I'm looking to buy another AR for my ever growing collections.



Kris

 

[LoneRider]

I initially thought about building an AR-15 but I found it to be a bit more economical if I simply purchased a rifle and made the modifications I want to make. I'm probably gonna go for a Sabre Defense SPR (it's got the 20" barrel, the 1:8" twist, and the flattop rail/back up iron sights, all features I want) and I'll spend what I save on the optics and mounts.

 

[Patriot2112]

Check into the S&W M&P 15's. They are in the $900.00 to $1200.00 range. I purchased one recently and I love it. Go to the S&W web site and check them out. Awesome, awesome little AR's.

 

[Reid73]

It's a generic 'platform' so it makes little real difference which way yuo go.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

How much spare time do you have; how much is your time worth? Those are the most important questions in deciding.

 

[TechBrute]

How much spare time do you have; how much is your time worth? Those are the most important questions in deciding.

I disagree (Please note disclaimer in signature line.) I would think reliability and accuracy would be prime factors.

Anyway, With $1200, I recommend you save another $100 and go get yourself a Colt 6920. I know it doesn't meet your criteria of having the railed handguards, but you will be getting the gold standard of AR reliability and the option of adding them later.

If you have the choice between a Colt 6920 or a lesser brand with more gadgets, then you need to pick the Colt.

If you have some arbitrary reason for boycotting Colt, then look to BCM or S&W. These companies use Magnetic Particle Inspection on their critical parts. This will greatly reduce the chance of failure.