Where do you shop for AR parts
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gotboostvr
Member
I like to order from either BCM USA or Midway if at all possible.
firesky101
Member
im cheap so dsa, del-ton, model1. Never had a problem with CS or FTF, FTE and the like. Of course I could be an exception.
nyresq
Member
Brownells gives a good LEO discount so thats where I get most of my parts.
mljdeckard
Member
Go to Brownell's and order their free AR parts catalog. (Then order them from Midway.)
madcratebuilder
Member
I have a LGS that specializes in the AR platform. Carries everything from high end to budget. Every Magpul part that's made. Most specialty parts direct from the manufacturer or Midway/Brownells.
Brownell's, Midway (with Brownell's mil/LEO discount their prices are usually about the same), Bravo Company USA, Palmetto State Armory, Addax Tactical, Spikes Tactical and Defense Solutions Group.
DSG has, by far, the best military discount on certain items that I have found and I buy a LOT of stuff from them as a result. The fact that I can place an order Monday morning and have my order Wednesday or Thursday at the latest doesn't hurt either. I buy most of my lower parts from Palmetto State. 5x LPKs so far, 2 Daniel Defense, 2x PSA and 1x PSA rifle kit.
Basically if I need parts, I check all of the above first and then I'll branch out into some others such as Model 1, AIM Surplus, JSE Surplus, Surplus Ammo, Primary Arms and a few others.
DSG has, by far, the best military discount on certain items that I have found and I buy a LOT of stuff from them as a result. The fact that I can place an order Monday morning and have my order Wednesday or Thursday at the latest doesn't hurt either. I buy most of my lower parts from Palmetto State. 5x LPKs so far, 2 Daniel Defense, 2x PSA and 1x PSA rifle kit.
Basically if I need parts, I check all of the above first and then I'll branch out into some others such as Model 1, AIM Surplus, JSE Surplus, Surplus Ammo, Primary Arms and a few others.
The arfcom Build it yourself forum keeps a thread going on the latest sale and closeout prices. I found the LAR Grizzly upper blem sale there - its from a milspec supplier, mine came with a Cardinal Forge mark. $48.
Other AR forums have smaller vendors who put things up for sale at good prices, LPK's, used M4 carry handles, etc. And one thread is a swap meet no charge, put up your extras, and simply ask for what someone else is giving away. Don't abuse that one.
Brownell's has a significant Mil/LEO discount that makes them very competitive.
I built a 6.8SPC, if you are considering an alternate caliber those specific vendors advertise in those forums, and they are also great suppliers for other parts as a package. I got a 16" barrel from ARP, it came nitrided, and also ordered the complete bolt carrier to match. A bit of a splurge, but altogether a competitive price shipped in one package.
Shipping IS a significant factor, bundle orders to reduce it. I have about $50 in shipping costs, which would pay for some mags easily. Those had to come extra above the budget.
An extreme tactical rifle build with all of the state of the art parts can run $1,800+, a budget build under $500, what you get as a result should be something no one makes. Otherwise, it's cheaper to buy it complete. A bunch of parts at retail usually cost more than a rifle shipped complete.
Other AR forums have smaller vendors who put things up for sale at good prices, LPK's, used M4 carry handles, etc. And one thread is a swap meet no charge, put up your extras, and simply ask for what someone else is giving away. Don't abuse that one.
Brownell's has a significant Mil/LEO discount that makes them very competitive.
I built a 6.8SPC, if you are considering an alternate caliber those specific vendors advertise in those forums, and they are also great suppliers for other parts as a package. I got a 16" barrel from ARP, it came nitrided, and also ordered the complete bolt carrier to match. A bit of a splurge, but altogether a competitive price shipped in one package.
Shipping IS a significant factor, bundle orders to reduce it. I have about $50 in shipping costs, which would pay for some mags easily. Those had to come extra above the budget.
An extreme tactical rifle build with all of the state of the art parts can run $1,800+, a budget build under $500, what you get as a result should be something no one makes. Otherwise, it's cheaper to buy it complete. A bunch of parts at retail usually cost more than a rifle shipped complete.
klcmschlesinger
Member
The ones listed above plus Joe Bob Outfitters is good for certain items. Valhalla tactical supply has good deals from time to time, plus a "deal of the day" that is good if it is what you are looking for. I also like Tactical gear group, DSGArms, and Westernsportsonline.
Surplus ammo as well.
Surplus ammo as well.
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KansasPaul
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- Jun 14, 2011
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- 194
Depends on what I'm looking for. I've bought a lot of parts from the ar15.com "Equipment Exchange", some bits from gunbroker, Karri's Guns (do an online search).
Have fun! Sometimes the hunt for parts is as much fun as putting the gun together.
Have fun! Sometimes the hunt for parts is as much fun as putting the gun together.
rodinal220
Member
BCM,Brownells,M&A for some things(they use LW Schnieder triggers and hammers,LPKs).Colt parts are gold plated and some come from the same outside venders everyone else uses.
The AR15 industry is an incestious one
The AR15 industry is an incestious one
ApacheCoTodd
member
Gun shows for me. I love hands on and am confident in my selections. Of course, we have an advantage here in that we have the "small arms review" show too.
fatcat4620
Member
Everywhere... if you shop at just one or two places you are getting ripped off.
Welding Rod
Member
Rock River Arms
BCM
PK Firearms
44mag.com.
BCM
PK Firearms
44mag.com.
Hocka Louis
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- Joined
- May 22, 2011
- Messages
- 313
Yesterday I got them at a Gun Show.
I needed hammer and trigger springs plus a Disconnector. The forced-into-retirement alchy gunsmith I've known in passing for many years, let's call him Eberhard, tried to sell me a cheap thin piece of junk where one face was obviously cut off angle. I asked three times to see another and to humor my being a pain in the neck despite his saying they're all the same. He finally obliged and pulled out a thicker heat-treated perfectly machined Disconnector. "I'll take this one instead since they're all the same" I said, and that was the last dollar of mine he'll ever see again.
Parts are not just parts.
I needed hammer and trigger springs plus a Disconnector. The forced-into-retirement alchy gunsmith I've known in passing for many years, let's call him Eberhard, tried to sell me a cheap thin piece of junk where one face was obviously cut off angle. I asked three times to see another and to humor my being a pain in the neck despite his saying they're all the same. He finally obliged and pulled out a thicker heat-treated perfectly machined Disconnector. "I'll take this one instead since they're all the same" I said, and that was the last dollar of mine he'll ever see again.
Parts are not just parts.
Ditch-Tiger
Member
Mostly Joe bobs, aim surplus and palmetto st armory.
Ramone
Member
mostly Midway- they ship super fast, and while you might find better pricing, they are almost a one stop shop.
I get a surprising amount of stuff like optics, grips/stocks/foregrips etc., from Amazon.
I get a surprising amount of stuff like optics, grips/stocks/foregrips etc., from Amazon.
LiquidTension
Member
AIM, BCM, PSA, and Midway.
Strykervet
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- Nov 16, 2010
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- 1,610
I like Rainier Arms. Having them local is BIG for me too. We also have Oly down the street, but I wouldn't be caught dead in there. Rainier is nice because they have a showroom instead of a store where you can fondle stuff and try out triggers and such. Comparing parts is nice, real nice.
Oh, and don't forget Craigslist and local surplus stores. You'd be surprised at what you can find just outside infantry posts and what the army gets rid of.
Oh, and don't forget Craigslist and local surplus stores. You'd be surprised at what you can find just outside infantry posts and what the army gets rid of.
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