Building AR15 - is it worth it anymore?

[theotherwaldo]

I've assembled several ARs over the years.
They kind of vaguely resemble each other when I'm done.
They range from one that was built on a a-2 GI parts kit through a faux M-4 to a varminter type.
They look different, they feel different and they shoot different.
Oddly, they each cost about the same... .

 

[Chuck R.]

Is it worth it to save money, maybe. Is it worth it to get an AR with the exact parts I want and because it is fun, absolutely.

It's the only reason I ever built any, and all of mine have gone well over the average cost.

Honestly due to economy of scale, there's no way to compete with a company like PSA. I buy 1 barrel, 1 trigger, 1 lower etc. at a time. Even when I buy parts on sale, some of the manufactures I like to use never have steep discounts.

A big part of the fun for me is researching what parts I want, then finding them.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I was thinking a fun project this winter would be to build an AR15. Maybe use a few more premium parts than I’ve done in the past. I put together 5 or 6 lowers, sold off a few during the height of the pandemic and now I’m looking for another rifle build. I currently have 2 ARs - one has a viper 4-16, 18 inch barrel. The other is a “cheap” PSA with a strike fire for about $600 total. To keep this relatively short, I’ll cut to the chase. I’ve always like Aero precision M4E1, I even had a 300 blackout pistol for a few months - fit, finish excellent for my needs. I’d like to build an aero lower and upper in 223.

Larue trigger - $125 (I remember not so long ago these were $90)
Stripper upper - $80
Stripped lower - $90
BA premium series barrel 223 Wylde - $153
MFT stock - $60
Charging handle - $60
Aero BCG - $115
Parts kit - $100
Custom dust cover - $25
Muzzle device VG6 - $43
PSA SABRE handguard - $130

By the time I buy everything it’s just under $1000.

PSA is selling complete lowers for $125 free shipping and $330 uppers free shipping. Add a better grip and stock for $80 and it’s less than $550.

On top of that, the new PSA sabres are right around $1000 and have all the basic upgrades that one would do on a build.

I’m a little discouraged and I’m going in circles if the build is worth it. I don’t want to buy a rifle outright because the enjoyment of this is putting it together.

Am I thinking about this the right way? The parts I listed - am I getting more rifle than the PSA Sabre, for example? And worth spending more than $600 on complete upper/lower, 2 pins and go?

Well I look at it like this, I can pick and choose custom parts and components like a 16in 5.56 rifle gas barrel for instance. You should check out my AR-15 build post I have on here for inspiration.

 

[small town life]

I've bought only 3 complete AR's ever. Jes, I spend more on a build than most without going custom barrel. I build therefore I get exactly what I want! Resale isn't going to get me anything, but most likely I never will sell any of them! 6 kids, so there's plenty for them and possibly their kids. Most builds (10's & 15's) average (when not on sale) 1,500-1,800 $ without optics. My kast custom barrel (28" 7saum fluted) was just over $400. Not bad without a sale. CF barrels adds another 250-500 $. I've decided CF isn't worth it.

 

[N555]

No one makes what I want.
I want a higher end barrel, pretty good BCG, pinned gas block, an excellent $40 trigger, military style hand guards, an A2 style charge handle, heavy buffer, a5/emod or rifle length buffer, no carbine or pistol length buffer tubes, an A2 stock if it's a rifle and cheapish Magpul if it's carbine.

 

[blackd24]

I appreciate everyone’s input. I think I am going forward with a new build, but I’m going to take it slow and wait for sales. I’m going to add a new muzzle device for my current AR, along with a new handguard. I think this will make the rifle “feel” new.


I went to the range today and was very happy with both of my current ARs. My budget PSA rifle with a strike fire 1x was very accurate - I was able to ring steel at 200 yards on and 8 inch plate about 75% of the time.

My 18 inch 223 wylde had so really nice groups (the is the rifle I’m upgrading). The barrel got a little hot and I was shooting about 4 inches left at 200 yards so I assume that’s a result of the stainless steel entry level barrel quality. Best groups below (200 yards with viper 4-16 using 10x):

Edit - photos are too large to add for whatever reason. Never had this issue before… in that case, it was .25 MOA ha!

 

[Charlie98]

I take factory ARs our and shoot them no different than any other pistol, rifle, shotgun, etc. If I were to check anything, it would only be that the gas block wasn't loose and maybe take a look at the bolt. I'll be darned if I stripped everything back down to spear parts just for the hell of it.

Bought a DPMS a few years ago. Shot well enough, but it seemed to throw shots a little bit when I had the sling on. Come to find out the barrel nut was hand tight from the factory. After that, I tear them down... not that I buy a whole lot of assembled AR's anymore.

 

[Bronco72]

Well putting one together is like making a plan! When a plan comes together...priceless
I have only put two together! If I do my part the rifles can put 5 shots and a 100 yds. that can be covered with a nickle!

 

[mavracer]

Nobody makes what I want.

That's my feelings, besides shopping for parts is 1/2 the fun.
You really can't build a basic M4gery cheaper than what's available on the shelf, but those don't interest me either.
Where you can save some $$$ is putting together an AR that will shoot with top shelf guns.

 

[Styx]

Bought a DPMS a few years ago. Shot well enough, but it seemed to throw shots a little bit when I had the sling on. Come to find out the barrel nut was hand tight from the factory. After that, I tear them down... not that I buy a whole lot of assembled AR's anymore.

To each their own. I take my newer firearms out and shoot them first. If there's an issue that arises in that process, then I'll solve it. I'm not completely disabling an AR, AK, or any rifle or shot gun and then have to reassemble it unless given a reason to via some malfunction. YMMV.

 

[InTheSwamp]

I am going forward with a new build, but I’m going to take it slow and wait for sales.

There will be sales during the Holidays. Wilson Combat usually has a nice sale on barrels. Same with Arm or Ally, PSA, etc.
Good luck with your build.

 

[gotboostvr]

I mostly build my AR's anymore.

It's probably more accurate to say I rebuild them actually.

I've got more uppers than lowers and if I want something different I'll usually tear down and replace just a few things on one upper. Maybe just a barrel, maybe a handguard and a gas block, rarely a whole ground-up build, really.

In that case it's *much* cheaper than buying a whole new upper.

 

[Skylerbone]

If I’m spending your money then I say go all out. And here’s where I’ve gone wrong in the past on my builds; spending more on the handguard or trigger (each) than on the barrel. Buying LPK separates that cost more than the barrel. Buying optics that cost many Xs what the barrel costs. I threw money at some things but not others is my point, and those parts do matter.

Why not head off script? Elect a purpose worthy of better parts then go out and find them. Nobody sane really wants 9 Glocks much less a dozen budget ARs.

 

[TonyAngel]

I like building my own and I really don't think I could buy what I want without spending an exorbitant amount of money. If you buy a rifle, you can get one with a Criterion Core barrel, Geissele trigger and a good forged set of receivers. Where they rake you across the coals is the exorbitant amount they charge for ridiculously priced handguards, Gucci BCGs, the muzzle device, the super duper gas tube, etc.

There are still rock solid basic rifles you can buy that don't cost a premium, but those are in the price range that I could build one for myself. I'm only picky about 2 things on an AR. The barrel and the trigger. You don't need to be so picky about the BCG anymore. Plenty good ones out there for less than $100.

 

[md7]

It’s worth it if you enjoy building, learn from the process, or like choosing specific parts.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Your thinking is all wrong. It's the same as people who load their own ammo. Nobody is fooling anyone here. You're doing it to save money. right?

 

[blackd24]

Well I couldn’t help myself… I need patience and I need it now! All parts are order. When you consider the PST 1-6, mount, and all parts it’s going to about $1500 for everything.

 

[Gun-Reck]

Finding Ruger SFAR .308's in the wild for a bit over $900.

Lots of rifle there.

 

[blackd24]

Ballistic Advantage has 25% off and a free muzzle device if you spend over $250. Got the adjustable gas block as well.

Upper, lower, bcg, charging handle, buffer assembly all purchased from primary arms with a $20 off coupon.

I purchased Larue trigger direct. I have lower parts, Magpul grip and stock on hand.

 

[drobs]

It's not worth it to me, having about 6 AR's in the safe.

I still have a stripped receiver and parts kit that needs to be assembled.

 

[Charlie98]

You really can't build a basic M4gery cheaper than what's available on the shelf, but those don't interest me either.

That's really true, even in today's market. In many cases, it's all you need... and buying a prebuilt is a reasonable option. That's my basic suggestion to folks looking for their first AR... just buy a rifle off the shelf, then go shoot it. After you shoot it a bit, you'll find what you like or don't like about it... THEN you can either spin on some new parts, or build a good one from scratch that more meets your likes or needs. The other facet to that is... by not dumping a bunch of money into a boutique build, or building one up from premium parts... if you find out you don't care for the AR platform, then you don't have a bunch of money wrapped up into a build you can't readily get rid of.

 

[Freudianfloyd]

I built an AR pistol a little bit at a time because I wanted a Saint pistol but couldn't afford one. So I started with a Spike's Tactical receiver. Then saved a bit more money and bought the BCG, then the lower parts kit, then saved up and bought the buffer, then saved up and bought a pistol upper ( I didn't build that part unfortunately), then got the best brace I could find at the time (I won a door prize at a gun show where they gave me a gift certificate and used the certificate to buy the brace). Anyway, I built mine because I couldn't afford to buy the one I wanted at the time.