Stoner Time!

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johndoe1027

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Sorry, I've been reading the Kalashnikov thread and I am having a tough time deciding what to do about my first AR. I understand that the time is now if I'm going to get one and I have decided basically what I want. A .223 16" is about as far as I've made it.
My question is this. Should I just get a lower now and worry about the rest later? People seem to think that the lower will be the only part that might be banned (god forbid). I could build the rest as I get the money so I can afford better parts.
Is this true? I don't need a 2800 dollar gun, I'm looking at 1300 total. Probably Bushmaster, probably something that they make from the factory. That is why I'm wondering if it will be worth the wait and labor.
Thanks in advance for all of your help.
 
I'm no expert as I'm currently awaiting arrival of all the parts for my first AR build and it's going to total out at ~$1150. I see people on the forums regularly talk about putting decent ARs together for $700 or so. With a $1300 budget I'd guess you're in great shape.

I'm sure others will be along shortly to give you specific recommendations.
 
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MMcfpd, you think its way better to build your own even though I really don't even know that much about Rifles? I know a little about handguns and a lot about other machines. I guess I have the basic skills to build one but it seems a bit overwhelming. Especially since I work 40+ hours a week at the 9-5 then I spend about 20-30 hours a week remodeling my house, a couple trips to the range each week, bada** girlfriend, new moving company on the side etc. I don't have a lot of spare time. Seems like the AR build would take forever (more research than actual working I'm sure).
I have just started my AR building research and got completely overwhelmed. I do not need a 600 yard rifle than can run 15,000 rounds between cleanings. I know thats exagerrated but you may get my point. I was saying $1300 ($1000 would be better) with a light and a really nice scope too. It seems like you can pay just as much as you want for a scope depending on how much you want it to do.
False Advertising!
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I dont get it, I'm a newb to Rifles.
 
A new AR build would take, oh about an evening. Perhaps the evening before to research it a little.

You can build a kick ass AR for about $800-$1000 bucks, or you can buy one factory stock for about $1000 that you will only spend another $400 to make what you wanted to begin with.

All the stuff about time, you just described 3/4 of the planet, and we still find time. Besides, it is the best way to know the rifle inside outside and upside down.
 
If you get a complete lower, you're around the corner on anything that might be considered difficult. As I said, I'm about to put one together from a stripped lower, and I don't think it's going to be that much of a bear. Also, of course, I have a factory completed one to look at. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt if you could borrow one to refer to as you build. Or just go to a friendly gun store (might be friendlier if that's where you purchase some parts) and inspect one, and ask questions. Be careful, though. New to this as I am, I've already encountered gun shop employees giving me uninformed bad info.

Also, if you do get a complete lower, assembly is just like putting it back together after stripping it.
 
All the stuff about time, you just described 3/4 of the planet, and we still find time.
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I know what you mean. :barf: Most people work a 40 and have two other part times? I know there are a lot, but most? Sorry, I know a lot of lazy people. No time for that.
You make it sound so simple that I am ready now. Looks like you can get most of it in big peices anyway (lower, upper, etc.). It might even be easier than building a 1911 from scratch and I thought about that at one point but decided on this instead.

I might even order that book to help me along. I'll start trolling somewhere like the AR forums tomorrow to see what I think I need. I know the RRA lower sounds good so far but I am still trying to figure out the upper. The rest is easy. I just worry about compatibility when it comes to mix matching brands on anything. I quess there isn't a whole lot of mechnical contact between the upper and lower so as ong as the screw holes line up you're okay? If that's the dumbest thing ever said in this sub forum, just pretend I didn't say it and I'll make fun of myself tomorrow when I figure out a little more. :evil:

Be careful, though. New to this as I am, I've already encountered gun shop employees giving me uninformed bad info.
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Thanks, my shop has some really knowledgable people in it so they will help most likely. I might not even have to buy many parts there (aside from accessories) because I just overpaid for a pistol by 125 dollars (over stores, not the net) and I told them that I knew it when I paid for it. ;)

Thanks
 
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AWBII covers parts that can be used to build an "assault weapon". So if you buy a lower and sit on it you may not be able to legally buy the parts needed to finish it. FWIW I like lowers from Bushmaster and Stag. They dont block out the rear shelf like some others do........just in case.
 
Actually, the Stoner was, IIRC, the .....m63 series of weapons? It was an entire weapons system, ranging from rifle, to LMG, to MMG. Or was it the M96? I can never remember.
 
The Stoner was a modular weapon system that fired the 5.56mm round and could be used either as a belt fed LMG, a magazine fed (top feed like a bren gun) LMG, a rifle, a carbine, or a solenoid-fired fixed machine gun for vehicle use. The bolt and lug system was similar to the AR series of rifles, and the weapon was developed by the same man as the AR Eugene Stoner. Like the AR the lower reciever was the key componant in the system. They were rare to say the least, and were to my knowledge only used by SEAL teams in Vietnam.

Eightball it was the 63/63A series, they were manufactured from 1963 to 1966.
 
An AR is not refered to as a STONER, a Stoner is a belt fed machine gun.
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Oh, I thought the man that invented it had the last name Stoner, like the AK's creator was Kalishnikov. SORRY! :rolleyes: I thought I was being clever, that's what I get. I need a Stoner too though I guess. :evil:
So if you buy a lower and sit on it you may not be able to legally buy the parts needed to finish it. FWIW I like lowers from Bushmaster and Stag. They dont block out the rear shelf like some others do........just in case.
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Thanks a lot for that info, very helpful. I'll be getting it all very soon then. As far as lowers go, what is the quality/price heirarchy? I assume if you are going to spend extra on a part it should be the lower?

Thanks a lot guys and sorry for the mislabeling of the thread.
 
Personally, I have no preference to lower manufactures (I have three different ones and they are all good), you can pay from $80 to $150 for a stripped lower. Then you will need a parts kit, usually around $50.
Don't sweat it, if you have any mechanical ability at all, and about two hours you can have your lower running.
http://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/
Step by step with pictures.
Enjoy!
 
another good option is to buy used, just find someone that has one set up the way you want it, or as close as possible and buy it used that will be a great way to go.
 
Thanks a lot for that info, very helpful. I'll be getting it all very soon then. As far as lowers go, what is the quality/price heirarchy? I assume if you are going to spend extra on a part it should be the lower?
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Bushmaster and Stag lowers go for about $100. Add shipping, and FFL fees your looking at about $150. Quality of various lowers will raise much debate on these forums. I will not recommend what I have not owned, but Bushmaster, Stag, Colt (you will not find a stripped Colt lower so dont even bother), and Rock River are all great. I bought a complete Stag lower that included a 6 pos stock, and a stag flat top M4 upper with bolt assy/ charging handle/ BUIS for $770 shipped to my FFL. Just push together two pins and save $200 over buying off the shelf. It has been a fine rifle right up there with my Colt, but at a much lower price.
 
I'm looking at 1300 total.
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You can get a complete weapon from LMT or Bravo Company Manufacturing for this. Look hard enough, and you can get a Colt 6920 for this price.

Those are pretty much top of the line when it comes to ARs.
 
Stoner Time!
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False Advertising!
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Huh? What? my time? Did someone say something? cuogh, cough.
I thought the man that invented it had the last name Stoner, like the AK's creator was Kalishnikov.
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OH! That Stoner!. Yeah, Eugene Stoner was chief designer at the Armilite division of Fairchild Industaries, who lead the effort to design the AR-10 (with the direct impringement gas system) for the US Military compatition to replace the M1 Garand. The AR-10 lost to the M-14 and Armilite kept working on the AR-10, and used what they learned to design the AR-15, that won the US Miliraty's next rifle compatioion, calling it the M-16. So they say Stoner is the father of all ARs.

(Stoner later left Armilite and worked for another company, devloping the Stoner weopon system described above.)
 
I'd say get a Bushmaster complete and use the extra coupla hundred for the doo dads you might want to add, like rails or a nice scope.
 
If you go the Bushmaster route, be sure the gas key is properly staked. Bushy tends to do this with a lick and a prayer if it attempts it at all.

As for Rock River, be aware that some of the lowers were out of spec. Just something to check for. I've heard good things about RRA with some bad mixed in.
 
If you don't want to build, there are many options within your budget. A quick look at Atlantic Firearms (as a random check - there are many vendors from which to choose) shows around a dozen DPMS, Bushmaster and Olympic Arms complete ARs in the $700-800 range. That leaves a bit for whatever else you might want to do to it.
 
I think anyone that has an AR platform design could be legitimately refered to as a Stoner! JMO You know, I used to get called a stoner all the time when I was a young teenager, I kind of miss it! :evil:
 
Dickie, thanks for the link, that'll help a lot!
Glockfan, thanks for all of the info, I am much more comfortable with this now. I think I'll wait for the gun show here next weekend to see what they have (after I take a pistol I'm trying to trade to both shops in town today) :) . After that, I'll hit the net hard and get something on the way if I have to.
possum, looks like everyone is getting nervous about selling their AR for some reason lately. :uhoh:
buzz, I'd like to get out for less than a G with optics. I was saying 1300 for a off the shelf version. I do not have a lot of extra cash right now (please read NO extra cash) . I will take your advice about the lowers for sure.
gun gnome, thanks for straightening me out there.
MMcfpd, I'll check out what the stores have today and if nothing strikes my fancy (whatever that means) then I will start looking for parts.
I used to get called a stoner all the time when I was a young teenager, I kind of miss it!
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me too, hehe.
 
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