AR-15 build reality check.

[jr_roosa]

I wanted to see if I'm missing something in my thinking here...

I'm thinking about building an AR-15 and I sat down with some catalogs and a spreadsheet to see what the options are.

I'd like an entry-level carbine, no bells, no whistles, except maybe a flat-top. I like the idea of building one mostly to try to save money, but also to try to understand the rifle better (I've never had an AR).

It looks like I could build a bargain-basement gun for a little under $600.

I could go name-brand and hit around $800, but it would basically be a replica of what I could buy at the store for about $850 (which would come with a factory warranty).

It looks like building my own entry-level gun wouldn't save me enough to pay for the tools and the shipping on the parts. I'd hate to give up on this project and just buy one off the rack if there's something I'm not seeing. It looks like it would be fun to build.

So, my question is this: Does building your own AR only save money if you want to go with the cheapest parts you can find or if you want something really tricked out?

Am I missing something?

Thanks.

-J.

 

[Drgong]

Well my build out is like $650, and I think half the enjoyment of building your own is the fun of "building it yourself."

 

[Onmilo]

Well, look at building a rifle as similar to buiding a car.
A 17 year old kid can cobble a working vehicle together out of whatever parts he can scrounge up.

A serious builder can put together an automobile that is a work of art.

Unless you enjoy it and understand building as an art form, you will be better served buying a complete firearm same as the kid will be better served saving his pennies and buying a working car to begin with.

Then again, who learns anything letting someone else do all the work??

 

[Gingerbreadman]

What I have found from all the time I have spent looking at parts and adding up the costs, you don't really save money by building a basic AR15 as opposed to buying a complete one. You can save money by building an AR15 that is exactly how you like it as opposed to buying one that is close to what you want and modifying it.

 

[rantingredneck]

I came out right at around 700.00 on mine.

Complete RRA A3 HBAR upper 450.00
Tactical Innovations stripped lower 120.00
Armalite LPK 57.00
Milspec buttstock kit 60.00
Traded some stuff I didn't need for some other parts so no cash out of pocket for those (Mags, Carry handle, etc.)

 

[jr_roosa]

Yeah, I do prefer to build stuff myself. It's nice because when stuff breaks I can then fix it myself too. On the other hand $650-800 is a lot of green to lay down on a project that might turn into a mess.

I'm thinking that maybe I should get the carbine off the rack, shoot it a bit, and then build a match rifle if I want to get serious about competing.

Maybe building a second gun would be better...sort of like having the every day car and the hot-rod project in the garage.

-J.

 

[MaterDei]

If you buy a stripped lower, a lower parts kit, and a complete upper you'll save some money, get to build the most complicated part of the rifle and not have to buy any special tools.

You can get a stripped lower from Buds for $99 shipped, a lower kit and complete upper at your next local gun show or at a local dealer. Don't forget about sales tax. The cost of shipping on a complete upper is going to definitely be less than sales tax.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I like Onmilo's analogy. As a pure economic game though, you usually don't save much money building yourself unless you are building custom rigs just to your taste or building many ARs.

 

[10MMGary]

Only way to really save on a AR is to buy the upper and lower separately and you'll save like 11% federal excise tax. I built my own from stripped lowers and uppers and now am at three and a half builds and still have not paid for the tools with the savings from building my own. I just wanted to do it and got caught up in the symptoms of BRD.

 

[DougW]

Building can be fun, if you are fairly good with hand tools and mechanical thingies. If not, buy the brand of complete rifle you like best. I agree with jr roosa's assertion. There are some good "how to" guides available on building. Buy good stuff at the start and you will not be disappointed.

 

[yenchisks]

Model one sales complete kit $460...R guns dpms reciever $105

 

[no_problem]

Building has it's benefits. The learning experience is one benefit. Yet another is the savings.

However, there is little incremental savings to be had from a build is of little consolence when you have to get support for your gun...the few dollars saved can feel good at first, but later when you need service...well, you are on your own. Three old addages apply here:

1. Just because you can, don't mean you should.
2. You can go broke trying to save money
3. You get what you paid for

In my opinion, unless you are a professional, you are better served by buying a complete rifle over doing it yourself.

Just my two cents

 

[dispatch55126]

The real sickness is when you want to built a 601 or a 604. Then you really have to look around for authentic parts twitch, twitch

 

[Eightball]

Am I missing something?

You might miss the concept of that factory warrenty if your build doesn't work right.

The Warrenty is the exact reason I bought a completed rifle for my first AR; I can tinker around with a build for my next one, but for now, I want one that functions that I can get fixed if something happens.

 

[railroader]

Here's a flat top del-ton for $669. All you need is a rear sight or a carry handle. http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Del-Ton_DTI-15_5.56_Carbine.html

 

[dogloose]

Without any big fan-fare... read this before you decide to build... you may still decide to build... but at least you'll go in with your eyes open!

http://www.tacticalyellowvisor.net/8343/25301.html

 

[G.A. Heath]

Lets look on the other side of the coin. Do you enjoy building things? in my case the answer is "yes". Do you have the skills to do this? In my case the answer is yes. Can you tolerate fixing problems? in my case the answer is "If I built it, otherwise not so much."

My path to the dark side started out with a DPMS AP4 in 6.8SPC which I still own (it still has problems). Next I purchased an Olympic Arms rig that I later traded off (not a single malfunction from it). Finally I built my first AR I picked up a DPMS lower and LPK, got a cheap A2 stock and ordered a complete upper. I was disappointed in how easy it was to assemble the rifle as I wanted a challenge. So I move on down the road and find another DPMS stripped lower and LPK and started my more serious, bigger budget, and more detailed build. I have two packages currently between the vendor and me that I need to finish it (the rifle looks kinda funny w/o a FSB or gas block and no hand guards).

If I could do it all over again what would I do different? I would get a different 6.8 than the one that is currently on its way back to DPMS again. If it comes back still having malfunctions this time I will say screw the warranty and deal with the issues myself or have a third party solve them.

 

[bwavec]

I think alot of it depends on who you are as a person.

I realistically could build firearms, repair and maintain automobiles, trick out bicycles, do ding repair on my surfboards and build up my own custom computer systems.

What I do not have is time to spend on these various projects, the tools to do them properly and efficiently or the patience to potentially do the same work over and over to get it right.

So instead, I pay money to someone else, to spend their time, use their tools and their knowledge and experience to get it right.

I think it would be gratifying to build up my own AR.

I would prefer to go and buy one off the shelf take it to the range and begin USING it right away.

I don't do any reloading either.

You have to figure out the kind of person you are..............

 

[jrfoxx]

As a pure economic game though, you usually don't save much money building yourself unless you are building custom rigs just to your taste

That was basically the conclusion I came too when looking to get my firts AR/M4. After figuring in shipping for everything from multiple places, tools, time,possible hassle/frustartion, it just didnt seem likeI would be realling saving much money at all comapred to just buying one already built, and like you said, then you get a warrenty with it. Had I been looking to build with specific parts, for a particular purpose, that wasnt available just like I wanted it from any manufacturer, it would be a different story, as then you have to figure the cost of the gun, plus money for the changes made to it to get it just like you wanted. For me, I really just wanted a basic M4 style, and everyone and there brother builds them just like I would want mine anyway, so I decided that piecing my own together just didnt really get me anything over just buying one whole from a good manufacturer.

 

[railroader]

Building a kit is really simple. The upper is completely assembled. All you are doing is putting parts in the lower and attaching the butt stock. It takes about an hour with simple tools. I built my del-ton rifle and it runs great. You just get a lower and a kit and you can go online and it shows you step by step how to do it. I took my lap top out into the garage and put it together. Piece a cake. I wound up with a mid length, with the carry handle and a chrome barrel for about $750 plus transfer. It's hard to find a complete rifle new for that. Mark

 

[Deer Hunter]

I built my AR with DPMS and RRA parts with a del-ton upper. It's been 100% reliable with all ammo (match to wolf).

It cost me around 600 dollars.

 

[Picard]

I would suggest doing what I plan on doing.

If you go to www.del-ton.com, you can buy a "Rifle Kit". What this consists of is a fully-assembled upper receiver and all the parts needed to complete a stripped lower receiver. From what I have read, completing a stripped lower is pretty idiot-proof. Once you build the lower, just snap on the upper, and you have a finished rifle.

Buying an AR that way will teach you how it works, and will save you around $100-200. Best wishes in whatever you choose.

 

[ir3e971]

I just built a del-ton kit on Friday.

DPMS Lower 119.00
Mid Length Kit (chrome lined, M4 feed ramps) 550.00 I think
Used Bushmaster Carrying handle 60.00 (with sites) (from internets)
SMLE sling (what the heck, I had it, and it fit)

Total cost was about 729.00.

Cost would have been 75.00 cheaper without chrome lining and feed ramps, dropping the price to 650.

Can you find a complete rifle that cheap? Sometimes, however this has the features I wanted rather than settling for whatever rifle I could get used.

Assembling it is not hard. I did it in about an hour and a half with some needlenose, a screwdriver, and some punches, and a few odds and ends that were drafted into the process.

I have never built one before, so fear not. It isn't brain surgery. Assembling is probably a more correct term than building.

The instructions to assemble the rifle were found on AR15.com with pictures and everything.

The rifle works flawlessly (so far). If you happen to save some money, put the extra towards magazines or reloading supplies.

I would post a picture but I already did on the AR club, so THR won't let me re-post.

Hope this helps.