building an SBR, value?
- Thread starter 9w1911
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myFRAGisFUBAR
Member
If you have the cash to do it and don't mind waiting go for it.
PJSprog
Member
I have a coworker who built one. He seems to think it was worth it. Ultimately, it's really up to you and, how much you want one.
I, personally, don't feel an overwhelming need for one. You might feel otherwise.
I, personally, don't feel an overwhelming need for one. You might feel otherwise.
SilentStalker
Member
You know I have been going back and forth on this for awhile and I still haven't quite decided but I am starting to think that it is not worth it for many reasons. Other than the coolness of building and SBR and adding a can I don't see what and SBR can do that any of my other rifles could not do. I mean seriously I just don't see how an SBR is an upgrade. Here is why, I can go buy something like a FN PS90 or a Tavor which will get me to the same length as most SBR's would be without having to go through paperwork, the extra money, etc. I can buy a PS90 pretty well equipped for $1200 here in my area. Try building a quality SBR for that, then adding the accessories, then paying the money for the forms and waiting forever and a day. The PS90 is short, efficient, doesn't cost as much as building a custom SBR, I don't have to wait to get it, the round is plenty powerful enough for most applications, they are accurate from my experience. I can go on and on. The only real difference to me would be the trigger and believe me when I say the PS90 is an awesome trigger especially for a bullpup. Its not as good as say a custom AR trigger but I thought it was very nice. So, for me I am not sure that an SBR is worth the hassle. I still think it would be cool to build one just for that cool factor but its really not all that practical.
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Justin
Moderator Emeritus
You can't get a PS90 chambered in 223, and bullpup rifles come with a whole host of issues that make the guns handle poorly.
That said, I still kind of lust for a Tavor.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4
That said, I still kind of lust for a Tavor.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4
SilentStalker
Member
Yeah, I was thinking of the Tavor when writing this but failed to mention it lol. I like the Tavor as well, but from the ones I have handled they seem extremely heavy to me. The only thing I don't like about the PS90 is a lack of place to put my left hand when firing. Other than that is a nice little gun. I have personally shot about 6700 rounds through one and have had 0 problems with it. FN doesn't even recommend cleaning it until every 2000 rounds.
You did start the thread in General as opposed to NFA where the SBR fans hang out so you may or may not get a representative sample.
Do keep in mind that there are several firearms that require SBR to be close to their design so it can be beneficial to pay the $200 extra and wait for the approval to have a M4-gery that looks authentic or a Suomi or ...
Do keep in mind that there are several firearms that require SBR to be close to their design so it can be beneficial to pay the $200 extra and wait for the approval to have a M4-gery that looks authentic or a Suomi or ...
madwildcat
Member
How much of a weight differential are we talking about with the Tavor compared to a well equipped SBR? Any time I contemplate going through the process for a SBR the thought of buying a good bullpup seems to be the easier route.
ny32182
Member
The biggest downside, especially with building one as opposed to buying one, is that the resale market is basically non-existant.
If you take the lower out of the registry, you don't get your $200 back, and you'd still have a practically unsellable lower engraved with your info even if you did.
The upper will be worth whatever the used AR market is doing at the time. But just know that if you SBR an AR lower, you effectively own it forever and its monetary value is effectively zero.
If you take the lower out of the registry, you don't get your $200 back, and you'd still have a practically unsellable lower engraved with your info even if you did.
The upper will be worth whatever the used AR market is doing at the time. But just know that if you SBR an AR lower, you effectively own it forever and its monetary value is effectively zero.
Telekinesis
Member
If you're already building up a few ARs, I would recommend sending in the paperwork on at least one of the receivers. The only cost difference between a Title 1 and Title 2 gun (if you're building from a stripped lower) is just the stamp. Everything else is the same, you just buy a shorter barrel when you're assembling the upper. The only problem comes when you decide that because you're already waiting, you might as well save up and build the most awesome gun possible.
I would say that the stamp is worth it. Then again, the first AR I built was a SBR so I am a little biased. I like it because having a SBR allows me to use whatever barrel I want, long or short. Having a SBR doesn't limit you to only short barrels, it expands the type of barrels you can put on the gun if you feel like it. It also helps if you're planning on suppressing the gun. For instance, my .300 Blk AR with a 10.5" barrel and suppressor is the same OAL as a 16" barreled gun with a flash hider.
Incidentally, I would also recommend the suppressed SBR .300 Blk setup. With 220 gr SMKs going 1005 fps, it sounds awesome
I would say that the stamp is worth it. Then again, the first AR I built was a SBR so I am a little biased. I like it because having a SBR allows me to use whatever barrel I want, long or short. Having a SBR doesn't limit you to only short barrels, it expands the type of barrels you can put on the gun if you feel like it. It also helps if you're planning on suppressing the gun. For instance, my .300 Blk AR with a 10.5" barrel and suppressor is the same OAL as a 16" barreled gun with a flash hider.
Incidentally, I would also recommend the suppressed SBR .300 Blk setup. With 220 gr SMKs going 1005 fps, it sounds awesome
What is the trigger group talk?
Other than the stamp, cost is what you make it.
My AR 5.56 SBR has a lot of very nice parts. With stamp, I am around $1600 without optics. Probably overkill on the quality.
Worth the wait? yes.
Worth the cost? depends. I am very happy with mine.
Edit: I see a suppressor and other uppers in my future.
My AR 5.56 SBR has a lot of very nice parts. With stamp, I am around $1600 without optics. Probably overkill on the quality.
Worth the wait? yes.
Worth the cost? depends. I am very happy with mine.
Edit: I see a suppressor and other uppers in my future.
Tejicano Loco
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For an AR I cannot imagine myself doing it. I already have an AR hadngun in 6.8 SPC with an 11.5" barrel and that gets me 85% there without the stamp and restrictions.
However, I am very much planning to do it with my Thompson M1927 since there is a lot of difference in how a Thompson carbine - with that long barrel - handles and looks vs how a TSMG package handles and looks.
However, I am very much planning to do it with my Thompson M1927 since there is a lot of difference in how a Thompson carbine - with that long barrel - handles and looks vs how a TSMG package handles and looks.
boricua9mm
Member
If your intentions are for a 5.56 SBR, I recommend getting some trigger time on one first. I find them to be extremely obnoxious to shoot unless there's a suppressor attached. I almost did an HK53 build, but I went for the Steyr AUG A3 instead. Much less obnoxious, better ballistics, runs cleaner, and it was comparable in price. I find the AUG to be very natural to shoot, and in the case of the A3, the mag changes were the only thing I had to work at. The overall length is the same as my MP5 SBR.
Now, my MP5 SBR was absolutely worth the money, the stamp and the "paperwork." MP5 pistols aren't all that useful and an MP5 with a 16" barrel is a "shoulda grabbed my AR" proposition. In SBR format, it's a pretty formidable weapon; rapid fire hits at range are very easy, it doesn't blow out your eardrums, and when wearing its suppressor it sounds like a typewriter (yes, that stamp was worth it too).
You only live once, and we don't get to pick and choose when we have to return to the dust. If you enjoy shooting and you can get it done, make like Nike and JUST DO IT! If anything, I regret not getting into NFA items earlier.
Now, my MP5 SBR was absolutely worth the money, the stamp and the "paperwork." MP5 pistols aren't all that useful and an MP5 with a 16" barrel is a "shoulda grabbed my AR" proposition. In SBR format, it's a pretty formidable weapon; rapid fire hits at range are very easy, it doesn't blow out your eardrums, and when wearing its suppressor it sounds like a typewriter (yes, that stamp was worth it too).
You only live once, and we don't get to pick and choose when we have to return to the dust. If you enjoy shooting and you can get it done, make like Nike and JUST DO IT! If anything, I regret not getting into NFA items earlier.
MachIVshooter
Member
It's absolutely worth it, and I'd venture to say most dissenters you hear from are saying no not because they wouldn't like to own one, but because they just can't bring themselves to spend $200 and wait a year, and are thus trying to convince themselves more than anyone else.
It took me quite a while to get around to it, and I, too, was one who long told myself 16" was short enough or a pistol-rifle was close enough. I was lying to myself, though, and that became abundantly clear once I did it. The freedom to play with configuration without boundaries is awesome!
Ultimately, I found that a 12.5" AR was really optimal for general use, being short enough for CQB type use, but stabile enough and providing sufficient velocity for pests & predators at a couple hundred yards on the property.
I also have a 7.5" upper just for fun, and will be doing a suppressed 10" .300 Blk soon. Probably going to SBR my FAL in the near future as well.
It took me quite a while to get around to it, and I, too, was one who long told myself 16" was short enough or a pistol-rifle was close enough. I was lying to myself, though, and that became abundantly clear once I did it. The freedom to play with configuration without boundaries is awesome!
Ultimately, I found that a 12.5" AR was really optimal for general use, being short enough for CQB type use, but stabile enough and providing sufficient velocity for pests & predators at a couple hundred yards on the property.
I also have a 7.5" upper just for fun, and will be doing a suppressed 10" .300 Blk soon. Probably going to SBR my FAL in the near future as well.
Jackal
Member
SBR totally depends on the caliber. SBR .308? Heck no. SBR a 7.62x39, heck yes. Also, kinda depends on how much you want cutoff. Cutting a 16" back to a 14.5 would be silly. 12ish inches or shorter, in a caliber thats not totally neutered by the short barrel? Why not.
kimberkid
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Absolutely ...
Not to minimize it too much but the difference is only a $200 stamp. There has been many times I've shot that much in ammo in an afternoon, I'll never get that back either. It was a lot easier when the wait time was only 45-60 days instead of the 15+ months it is now ... that being said, I have one more form 1 that's due any time now and 3 form 4's for suppressors that are spread over the next year ... after that I'm done with NFA.
Not to minimize it too much but the difference is only a $200 stamp. There has been many times I've shot that much in ammo in an afternoon, I'll never get that back either. It was a lot easier when the wait time was only 45-60 days instead of the 15+ months it is now ... that being said, I have one more form 1 that's due any time now and 3 form 4's for suppressors that are spread over the next year ... after that I'm done with NFA.
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