Have been wishing to buy a AR for a looong time now and have been doing quite a but of research. I must admit I am over whelmed at the amount of information I have found. That is why I'm here for help to sort things out and make my purchase. I'm sure the more information on what I wish to do with the gun and my budget will be nessasary before anyone can offer help and advise.

#1-I am a total novice on AR's but I am vary handy doing mu own smithing.
#2-Because of financial limitations I am forced to stay at the entry level cost of a AR
#3-Is it a better all around plan to build mu own AR or buy one?
#4-If building one is the best bang for my buck, then I will need a exact listing of the parts I will need to buy and from which maker.
$5-I wish the firearm to be able to shoot both .556 and .223 ammo and have the ability to have Iron sights as well as optics
#6-Considering my budget is $700 or less, preferably less, I need to know on which components I need to buy first rate and which I can buy simply average. Such as the barrel, some parts of the gas system, hand gaurd, pins and so on.
#9- Do I get it in a 1/7 or 1/9 twist?
#10-All else I have left out I need to know or buy for as good a entry level AR as I can get for under $700

Sorry if i sound like I don't know what Im talking about because really dont, that is why Im here asking help and advice from the AR Yodas of this website. Please help a newbee get the best possible for $700 or less.

Thanks,
Arthur.

Assembling your own requires tools - some specialized.





You are budget driven, so I suggest you buy.  Search the threads here for reviews of budget AR-15's.




Most, if not all, modern AR-15's have 5.56 NATO chambers, which can safely shoot 5.56 and .223 ammo.



You don't need a 1:7 barrel unless you plan to shoot heavier (actually, longer) bullets that most people don't shoot because they are more expensive than the 55gr and 62gr ammo that is normally purchased cheaply.



$700 is a tough number for me because I demand Geissele triggers in all my AR-15's.  Since they run $175+ it adds cost to the gun.  I also pretty much demand a railed forend for optics flexibility, and that adds cost as well.




Good luck.

Standby for info while I look a few things up...




























 

Welcome to the forum. Lot's of good information here, as you already know. Also, lots of help as well.

1. I'm a novice builder too, almost done building my first. It's a little daunting at first, but it's really fun actually. You won't have to do your own smithing to be honest.
2. Entry level ARs can be just as fun to build, and just as fun to shoot.
3. Building vs Buying is debatable. In my experience, most people are building to get exactly what they want the first time around. Buying is also great too if you're on a budget and can find what you're looking for. Personally I built my first one because I didn't want a bunch of parts laying around, and I wanted to pick and choose to my tastes.

4.  If you're interested in what you need for a build list, you'll need to do some home work on what you want to use the rifle for. From that point you can begin to put together build list. You might also look into the links to read at the top of the "Build it yourself" section. Their is lots of good information there that could potentially answer your questions before you need to ask them.

5. If you want to shoot both 556 and 223, then you need to go with a 556 barrel. Iron sights and optics can both be on one rifle at the same time if that is what you prefer.

6. If you're looking to stick to a budget, you might want to consider looking allocating funds for barrel, trigger, and BCG first. Some people might tell you differently, and my answer might change in 15 years after I've been doing this for a while. The links next, are just some of the more recent threads with regard to lower budgets. Really the trick is to be patient and wait until you can get a steal on the various sites.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/651391_New_Budget_Truck_Gun_Build___Opinions_are_welcome___.html
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/651398__450_AR_build_.html

9. Barrel twist is going to vary depending on what you're wanting to do with the rifle, and what kind of ammo you're going to shoot. Again, certainly something you can dig around for here. The key is to try to avoid posting questions that have already been covered in depth. I personally don't mind, but some members of the internet goat locker seem to get a little bent out of shape about it.

Most important of all though, learn. Share the knowledge with others, and have a good time doing it.

EDIT: Looks like some friends beat me too most of what I said, ha!

With the gunconomy the way it is right now, it's so much cheaper to buy a decent AR compared to building a cheap AR...

The only real benefit of building your own is the satisfaction of building and the ability to make it exactly how you want it.

However, since you are so new to AR's, it's unlikely you have a clue as to how you want it. You will probably change your mind about 100 times over about what exactly you like.

the 1-7 v. 1-9 question has been asked about 7000 times... or perhaps 9000 times (depends who you ask). Personally, I would say 1-8. So, I wouldn't recommend bringing that up again. Just google it and know that the VAST majority of cheap ammo is 55gr. That's all you need to know.

So, either buy a decent complete AR from a reputable company or at most, buy a "Rifle kit" and a lower and put lower together (which is the easiest part but does require a couple cheap tools).

Keep these things in mind when buying.... no polymer lowers (avoid the word "carbon")... 4150 or stainless barrel (not 4140)... C158 bolt... those are the "standards". There are better and there are worse. But if you go that route, you will be fine.

Good luck!

I put one in my first build, and I can't wait to give it a squeeze. Certainly worth the money in my opinion.

I love my Geissele too.. but not exactly a necessity for a cheap build. I have a few lowers with RRA NM 2-Stage triggers.. While there is a difference between it and my Geissele, the difference is not 170+ more IMHO.  

The standard Mil spec triggers do suck though. Anything is an improvement.

Forget building it if you are on a budget, don't have the tools, and don't know the weapon. You would be many steps ahead to buy this PSA 16" Stainless Mid-Length 1:7 Twist , or this PSA 16" Stainless Mid-Length 1:7 Twist MOE .

You will be VERY hard pressed to beat either one of these deals. Both are the same gun except the MOE version has Magpul stock and hand guards on it. They are very accurate shooters and will handle the longer bullets like the 75gr and 77gr stuff. All you would need to do is purchase a Magpul MBUS rear sight and you would be ready to go. You would still have money left over to put towards optics.

Trolly, thanks more than typing can convay. I will be ordering the PSA D/D for $599 as soon as I contact a local reputable guy who does FFL-TFs for $15 then I will order. FWIW this is my combined gift for turning 50, and graduating from EET shcool also at the age of 50. Thanks so much. Have researched PSA and I'm confident they are at least as well made, accurate and reliable as say a W/W, Colt Bushmaster etc.

Now all is left is to order. For the money I can not go wrong.

Thanks and be well,

Arthur.

Trolly, found a FFL holder to handle transfer am ordering Monday. PSA says 15 days from order to getting it. can't wait my boys are going to be doing back flips as Im going to surprise them with it.
Thanks again,
Arthur.

don't expect to have the gun delivered in 15 days. They may mean 15 work days or 3 weeks, but expect at least 3-4 weeks and if it's there before that it's a bonus.

Arthur, great choice!  I'm sure you and the kids will enjoy it.  PSA is one of the best for good gear and great pricing, their only problem is that they are slllloooowww in shipping.  Be patient it will get there.

Good choice brother. You will love it! That is a damn good weapon they are offering at an excellent price. As has already been mentioned, shipping estimate is based on 15 business days, so it may take up to three weeks, but then again, you might get it in 6 or six days. The last one I bought I received in 7 days total.

Congrats on on the purchase, now go buy all the ammo you can afford and shoot the hell out of it! Also, don't forget to pick up a rear flip up sight, something like the Magpul MBUS will work fine and doesn't cost a lot. If you are going to run optics later it is nice to have a rear sight that quickly flips up and down. If you need a recommendation for a good optic, feel free to email or message me through the forum here with your budget and intended use and I will gladly do my best to help.

Agreed.  Great choice for the price!