A little backstory.
I'm the type of guy that has about five very good friends in my life. Two are bachelors, three are married.
The first had a boy two years ago, and he was over bitching about all the showers, pomp and circumstance, etc one day over a few beers. How the kid wouldn't remember his first birthday party, etc.
The discussion moved on to memorable gifts, and memorable moments in a man's life.
I decided I was going to buy a part a year for an AR for his boy, then we'd assemble it together on his 18th birthday together. Or around his birthday, or I'd assemble it for him and give it to him. That part doesn't matter. The point is I'm getting him a gift he won't appreciate when he's 10, but then will instantly "get it" when he's 18.
A family friend did that for me with savings bonds, to draw an analogy.
The point is, these boys are growing up in good American households with good values. Including respect for firearms. All friends are gun owners, but not all are enthusiasts.
Now, my first friend is having his second kid (found out today), and the other two have buns in the oven.
So, four ARs now need to be built.
(I'm good with lowers)
I can't afford KACs, but not everything has to be budget.
I bought a Magpul stock for the first boy last year. Thinking MBTs for triggers. Quality, but I can catch them on sale.
Stag isn't much more than PSA compete upper wise, how do they compare?
Should I just invest in some tools and build the uppers myself?
I'm thinking I'd like to buy parts ahead of schedule, given the favorable political climate at the moment.
I don't need to buy everything today, I have 18 years... and I have at least four years to get good prices.
Looking for any input on what parts to get when, good value, etc.
My goal is not to hand my friend's kids the cheapest guns possible, but they also don't need JP/KAC/LaRue/Noveske everything. It's a first rifle after all. All the families are with the program, only one father doesn't own one himself.
Any general tips or insight to complete this mission?