The Deer Hunter
Member
I was looking at building an AR, because its a saving between $200-$600. Anywho, would it be preferrable to buy a used one instead of building one? And how much do used AR's in good condition go for?
How much do used AR-15's cost?
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tank mechanic
Member
I have decided to build one and have been looking around quite a bit. No matter how I price building my own it always comes out to the same price for one that is complete. And you usually get a case and at least one mag when you buy a complete rifle.
Check this out:
http://mooneysfirearms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=34
$275 for RRA lower (cheaper if you email and get the discount code)
http://mooneysfirearms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=30
$490 for RRA mid length upper (cheaper if you email and get the discount code)
$765 for complete RRA AR-15
I can't find any complete RRA Ar-15s for less on Gunbroker.
http://mooneysfirearms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=34
$275 for RRA lower (cheaper if you email and get the discount code)
http://mooneysfirearms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=30
$490 for RRA mid length upper (cheaper if you email and get the discount code)
$765 for complete RRA AR-15
I can't find any complete RRA Ar-15s for less on Gunbroker.
The Deer Hunter
Member
Del-ton.com has a kit with everything included for around $450
Everything but the important part 
.
You see where it says "Does not include stripped lower reciever" in big bold letters?
A stripped lower is going to cost you probably around $160.
Which brings your grand total for a box of parts to about $610. Is that $450 you quoted before or after shipping? If that is before shipping don't forget to add on probably $40 for that.
After the parts, shipping, and FFL fee for the lower reciever (unless you have your own FFL) that brings everything to about $700.
You aren't going to save any money building this thing yourself.
I'm not trying to discourage you from doing it, I thinks its a cool idea and you should do it. I just want you to know that from my research you're not going to come out any cheaper.
.You see where it says "Does not include stripped lower reciever" in big bold letters?
A stripped lower is going to cost you probably around $160.
Which brings your grand total for a box of parts to about $610. Is that $450 you quoted before or after shipping? If that is before shipping don't forget to add on probably $40 for that.
After the parts, shipping, and FFL fee for the lower reciever (unless you have your own FFL) that brings everything to about $700.
You aren't going to save any money building this thing yourself.
I'm not trying to discourage you from doing it, I thinks its a cool idea and you should do it. I just want you to know that from my research you're not going to come out any cheaper.
The Deer Hunter
Member
you can find them for around $99-$131 for DPMS. Thats still only $550 ish dollars.
RockyMtnTactical
Member
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Building would be the best.
lycanthrope
Member
Stag/RRA stripped lowers are under $100.
In building it, you have to get the gas tube,gas hole in the barrel and front sight straight or it wont work.For this, Id get a barrel'd upper done by the factory. The lower is as easy as pie to assemble if you know your design and weapon.
I have had a couple ar's, one that I traded for at a show,mixmaster of different manufacturers. It short stroked alot and I found it wasnt built properly.The sight was turned slightly.The next was a factory built bushmaster shorty that my ffl ordered directly from bushmaster which I have to this day and enjoy.
I have had a couple ar's, one that I traded for at a show,mixmaster of different manufacturers. It short stroked alot and I found it wasnt built properly.The sight was turned slightly.The next was a factory built bushmaster shorty that my ffl ordered directly from bushmaster which I have to this day and enjoy.
Zach S
Member
I put my first together on 09/17/04 for a little more than $650. Traded a scattergun for an assembled BM lower, and then I put the RRA upper and 6 postion stock on it that I ordered from adco a few months before.
I cant find the invoice for the upper and stock, but IIRC it was a little over $460 shipped. But this was two and a half years ago, when you could get an A4 RRA upper for just under $400.
I put my last AR together myself, and I'm doing so with my next one as well. I dont know if its still cheaper, but I can only buy a few parts at a time.
I cant find the invoice for the upper and stock, but IIRC it was a little over $460 shipped. But this was two and a half years ago, when you could get an A4 RRA upper for just under $400.
I put my last AR together myself, and I'm doing so with my next one as well. I dont know if its still cheaper, but I can only buy a few parts at a time.
nico
Member
Mattw, your numbers are off. Shipping for a Del-Ton kit (which includes a complete upper, lower parts kit, and stock) is $12.72, and you can get a stripped lower from Essential Arms for $77+$14 shipping, which comes to $568.72 + FFL fee delivered, and is about as cheap as you're going to get a new AR. I have no idea where you got $40 shipping and $160 for a lower.
Very good deals can be had on the EE at AR15.com. I just got (picked it up yesterday, in fact) a RRA A4 midlength upper w/ SS barrel (MSRP: $520) for $463 delivered. It's going with a complete M4 lower from Ameetec Arms, which was $224 delivered with an H-buffer, and an LMT BUIS (MSRP: $120) which I got from Title2 for $84 shipped. Total for the build is $771 + $36 FFL fee. MSRP on a similar complete rifle from RRA is $1060. The RRA rifle has a standard carbine buffer, but includes their 2-stage trigger, which I opted not to get, but can be had for ~$80 shipped.
Bottom line: putting the gun together yourself will usually (if not always) save you some money over buying a complete new one.
Edited to add: if you want a carbine length 16" or a 20," you should have no problem finding a good used upper. I wanted a midlength 16" barrel, so I had fewer choices.
Very good deals can be had on the EE at AR15.com. I just got (picked it up yesterday, in fact) a RRA A4 midlength upper w/ SS barrel (MSRP: $520) for $463 delivered. It's going with a complete M4 lower from Ameetec Arms, which was $224 delivered with an H-buffer, and an LMT BUIS (MSRP: $120) which I got from Title2 for $84 shipped. Total for the build is $771 + $36 FFL fee. MSRP on a similar complete rifle from RRA is $1060. The RRA rifle has a standard carbine buffer, but includes their 2-stage trigger, which I opted not to get, but can be had for ~$80 shipped.
Bottom line: putting the gun together yourself will usually (if not always) save you some money over buying a complete new one.
Edited to add: if you want a carbine length 16" or a 20," you should have no problem finding a good used upper. I wanted a midlength 16" barrel, so I had fewer choices.
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rhubarb
Member
I bought a Bushmaster A2 20" HBAR from the original owner for $500 after it'd had 160 rounds through it.
nwilliams
Member
less than a new one I would hope
Check gunbroker.com like others have said.
Check gunbroker.com like others have said.
LoadedDrum
Member
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- Dec 7, 2004
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- 612
There are bargins out there if you check this board and other boards like
AR15.com. I scored an Armalite M4gery with 100rds down the tube for 700 bucks.
AR15.com. I scored an Armalite M4gery with 100rds down the tube for 700 bucks.
Frog48
Member
Depends where you buy from.
At a gunshop, you'll pay nearly what it costs for a new one.
If you find a good deal from an individual or gunbroker.com, you can get one for way less than new.
Building an AR is an entirely different subject. Prices and savings will range widely based on what parts/options you go for.
At a gunshop, you'll pay nearly what it costs for a new one.
If you find a good deal from an individual or gunbroker.com, you can get one for way less than new.
Building an AR is an entirely different subject. Prices and savings will range widely based on what parts/options you go for.
tank mechanic
Member
My local shop sells a complete lower bushmaster with collapse able stock for $319 plus tax. They also sell a complete DPMS with 16 inch barrel and collapse able stock for $759. I am having a hard time finding a complete upper receiver for under $440 out the door, so as to make putting one together cheaper than buying a cheap ar 15.
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nico
Member
Tank mechanic, trying to build a gun on a complete Bushmaster lower for less than a complete DPMS isn't a fair comparison as Bushmaster is generally more expensive than DPMS. What does the shop sell a complete Bushmaster with that lower for?
Like I said in my earlier post, you can get a complete lower with an M4 or A2 stock for $209 shipped + FFL fee on AR15.com that will be functionally identical to the Bushmaster. You can get a complete RRA upper with chrome lined barrel for $434 shipped too. If you can't build an AR for less than $759, you're just not looking very hard.
edited to add: Here is a Stag complete lower, which is arguably better than Bushmaster, for $239 delivered.
Like I said in my earlier post, you can get a complete lower with an M4 or A2 stock for $209 shipped + FFL fee on AR15.com that will be functionally identical to the Bushmaster. You can get a complete RRA upper with chrome lined barrel for $434 shipped too. If you can't build an AR for less than $759, you're just not looking very hard.
edited to add: Here is a Stag complete lower, which is arguably better than Bushmaster, for $239 delivered.
atblis
Member
Huh
You can easily stay under a hundred. Heck, before being forced to go through all the middleman crap they're about $80 bucks.
You can easily stay under a hundred. Heck, before being forced to go through all the middleman crap they're about $80 bucks.
tank mechanic
Member
nico
Yes I realize that the comparision is unfair, but I already have a bushmaster m4gery. all I want is another ar 15. It does not matter what kind, I just simply want another one. I mentioned the bushmaster lower because it was the best deal the gun shop had, and the DPMS because it was the cheapest complete rifle they had. Thanks for the link. I will try harder like you suggested.
Yes I realize that the comparision is unfair, but I already have a bushmaster m4gery. all I want is another ar 15. It does not matter what kind, I just simply want another one. I mentioned the bushmaster lower because it was the best deal the gun shop had, and the DPMS because it was the cheapest complete rifle they had. Thanks for the link. I will try harder like you suggested.
nico
Member
It isn't that you have to look all that hard. You can find very good prices on everything through the equipment exchange on ar15.com.
eta: I didn't mean to be a smartass in my previous post. I just don't want people who want an AR but can't/don't want to pay $750+ to think they're out of luck. The more EBR owners, the better!
eta: I didn't mean to be a smartass in my previous post. I just don't want people who want an AR but can't/don't want to pay $750+ to think they're out of luck. The more EBR owners, the better!
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