Fellas, Need an AR-15 Complete or Kit for $700 MAX

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knicks118

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I was asked to build or recommend a complete for $700 MAX. I know on THR we like to say "well for $50 more". This person cannot go higher than $700 for now.

I haven't done builds for this low. I can definitely research some but I know a lot of you guys have a kit you can name right off memory.
 
I'd go with Mr. Mustard on this one, but if you gotta do a cheap build... Valhalla Armory has some, everything but the stripped receiver, DPMS kits for under $500 to a bit over $600. OK for a range fun gun, I guess. :rolleyes:
 
I'm seeing the current flavor of carbon fiber complete lowers for $100 dealer price. Complete uppers under $400. That leaves you $200 for optics and magazines whcih will buy you 5x30 round Pmags and a Bushnell Banner w/rings. If your dealer doesn't stick you and taxes weren't in your max budget.
 
Walmart had a DPMS Sportical AR for $597 last time I was there.

Seen the same model for $649 at a gun shop North of Chattanooga.
 
A LGS had a Del-Ton for $650 and another for $700. Both were 16" bbls and collapsing stocks, but that was as much as I looked at them.
 
Walmart had a DPMS Sportical AR for $597 last time I was there.
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My local Dicks Sporting Goods has some nice Bushmasters for $699.
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DPMS and Bushmasters are both part of Freedom Group who have a terrible track record with product quality. I would not consider either one when you can find other quality choices in the same price range.
 
I still think PSA is one of the best places to go, but so much is out of stock right now.

Just a few months ago I could find an upper for $300, a complete lower for $225, and a BCG for $140. They still have the uppers here but the BCG's and lowers sold out. Of course you can probably piece together a lower somehow, if you search around.

The only cheap BCG I could find was here unless you want to wait for backorder or pay $50 more.

In light of all this, the S&W Sport is probably the way to go.
 
$600-700 is for entry level commercial ARs. Nothing wrong with DPMS or Bushmaster or even the S&W sport at that price. What AR should someone get under $700 that will have dramatically better quality?

PSA would fit that need, but shipping times is an major issue right now and has been all year. Last year PSA had its own share of quality issues. Soft safety selectors, gas tubes not installed properly, etc.

There is also Double Star, Del-ton and mabye JSE surplus.

Building an AR now might not be a good choice with the rush on parts.
 
I have a PSA kit I'm very happy with. So far, its been 100% reliable (but I've not done any "serious" testing) and it is very accurate.
 
psa upper and core 15 bcg add a standard charging handle, and then you just have to put a lower together and add a cheap rear sight and mags for about 250 may be hard to do, with a complete polymer lower should be easy to come in under 700 though.
 
gotigers said:
$600-700 is for entry level commercial ARs. Nothing wrong with DPMS or Bushmaster or even the S&W sport at that price. What AR should someone get under $700 that will have dramatically better quality?

PSA would fit that need, but shipping times is an major issue right now and has been all year. Last year PSA had its own share of quality issues. Soft safety selectors, gas tubes not installed properly, etc.

There is also Double Star, Del-ton and mabye JSE surplus.

Building an AR now might not be a good choice with the rush on parts.
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Yep, time is of the importance as my buddy feels like the re-election will change things so he wants one now.
 
DPMS Sportical

I saw a DPMS Sportical in the local wally world for $597, the guy behind the counter was swamped with customers and I did not stay around long enough to ask questions. I would like to get some opinions on that rifle myself. I did see it was rated for NATO 5.56x45, but if someone with more experience with DPMS would rate this I may go back and pick that one up if it is still there.
 
Yep, time is of the importance as my buddy feels like the re-election will change things so he wants one now.
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Order a M&P Sport from the LGS and don't look back.
 
sfed said:
I saw a DPMS Sportical in the local wally world for $597, the guy behind the counter was swamped with customers and I did not stay around long enough to ask questions. I would like to get some opinions on that rifle myself. I did see it was rated for NATO 5.56x45, but if someone with more experience with DPMS would rate this I may go back and pick that one up if it is still there.
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I've almost heard 50/50 reviews on DPMS so I stay away.

Probably going to go with a Del-Ton complete or the S&W complete as a 2nd choice.
 
I'm seeing the current flavor of carbon fiber complete lowers for $100 dealer price.
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If you are talking about what I think you are, New Frontier et al, they are not carbon fiber.

The only cheap BCG I could find was here unless you want to wait for backorder or pay $50 more.
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The BCG is one place I would not cheap out. That along with the barrel are the heart and sole of the rifle. BCM makes great bolt carrier groups. They are only $160 and are in stock. That is what I would get. http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...Auto-M16-p/bcm bolt carrier group auto mp.htm

You can get a barreled PSA upper for as low as $300. The upper on their site right now that I would get cost $350 IIRC. If you go with the $300 one, a BCM BCG, and pick up a charging handle somewhere you should be at around $475. That leaves you $225 to put together a lower. I know in the past that was doable. It may still be. You will also need a rear sight of some sort. I can often find servicable rear sights in my local classifieds for pretty cheap. This is the path I would try to pursue. I believe it would be a better rifle than something like an M&P sport.

PSA would fit that need, but shipping times is an major issue right now and has been all year
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I bought a rifle from PSA this year and their shipping time was exactly as advertised. 15 days. If his friends concern is what the OP has stated then there is no issue. As soon as he has paid his price is locked in and in 15 days he will have his upper.

Of course he could wait 18-24 months and buy one cheap off of one of the idiot panic buyers who helped pushed up the prices to absurd heights and then latter sold the stuff they panic bought at a huge loss. That is exactly what happened last time. In the wake of '08 you couldn't find an AR anything anywhere. Buy 2010 and 2011 there were crazy good deals to be had allover. You'd think people would learn from their past mistakes but I guess the election its self helps to prove otherwise.
 
Thanks for the info, glad I did not stick around because I was almost talking myself into going back!!
 
OK so it is a $700 budget.

Frontier armory complete assembled lower $109 with free shipping.http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/New_Frontier_Armory_LW_15_Complete_Poly_Lower_p/nfa-lw15blk.htm

DS Arms upper barrel assembly $240 for their cheapest model.http://www.dsarms.com/products.asp?dept=59

Core 15 BCG $128 with shipping,HT/MP tested with properly staked gas keys and chromed lined.http://core15.com/products/specials..._color_plus.tpl&product_id=116&category_id=27

Core 15 billet V.2 charging handle $30.http://core15.com/products/parts/up...j_color_plus.tpl&product_id=75&category_id=23

Aim Sports AR15 / M16 Single Plane Dual Aperture Rear Flip-Up Sight$30.18 http://www.wayfair.com/Aim-Sports-I...9380-TLM1205&gclid=CNna3OrrxbMCFQGFnQodrg4AOQ

You can get a 3 pack of Troy industries 30 round magazines for $42 http://www.cabelas.com/troy-30-round-battle-magazine-150-3-pack.shtml

You have $579.18 invested so far...I recommend highly a www.primaryarms.com red dot sight or spend the rest on ammo.:cool:
 
I'd rather spend an extra $100 and get a DSA arms complete lower of the polymer New frontier lower. DSA sales complete lowers for $200.
 
DSA

DSarms.com

Complete M4 lower: $200
ZM4 Upper: $240
Bolt Carrier Group: $135
Charging Handle: $14

Total: $589

Shipping: ~$30
FFL Transfer: $10-$40

Grand total: ~$630-$660

Of course, there are upgrade options, being that this would be the most basic rifle you could build with their parts. But it would be a decent rifle, especially at that price point.

I've built on 2 DSA lowers with various DSA parts, and have an 11" upper on the way, as well as A2 parts for another build. I've been very happy with their stuff. It's not LMT or noveske, but it also doesn't cost anywhere near what the top tier stuff does.

Beware, though: Their back order times were 4-6 weeks before the election, which I expect have doubled since.
 
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