I have recently decided to add an AR15 to my collection of firearms and I have been doing research for about a week. I want to get some advice from experienced AR owners/builders.

I'm not sure if I have the means to build an AR myself, but I like the idea of buying a decent complete upper/lower. So I'm looking for suggestions on complete uppers and lowers for a more tactical AR build. 16" 556/223 barrel for the upper and a good complete lower to go with it.

I am looking to spend $900 or less for the whole thing.

Also, when buying a complete upper/lower is there any other items I need to buy to complete the AR like special tools ect...?

Let the suggestions begin

This weekend would be perfect because there are some decent discounts because of Memorial Day.  There will also be some great sales around 4th of July if you want to do a little more research.

You can buy a complete Aero Magpul lower, barreled 5.56 M4E1 Aero upper with handguard, their basic BCG and basic charging handle for $733.55 plus FFL transfer fee.

Another option would be to buy a complete basic Aero lower, barreled 5.56 M4E1 Aero upper with handguard, their basic BCG and basic charging handle for $648.55 plus FFL transfer fee.  

You could pc together a complete rifle from Palmetto State Armory for a little less.

Both of the above vendors are having some great sales and both are free shipping right now.  I have items from both vendors and am very happy with both.  Don't forget to budget for sights, magazines and other misc. items (cleaners, cleaning tools, lubes/ oils, rifle bag and etc...).

You can also get a complete Colt 6920 rifle for less than $900 most anytime of the year which is also a good option for a first time buyer.

No special tools needed for that.
Do some more research.....as your understanding of the platform develops, so will your wants.
Keep an eye on Palmetto State Armory.

When you think you have an idea on what you want, post it here for comments.

Thank you for all your suggestions. I am trying to take advantage of the Memorial Day sales and found this lower parts kit with stock. Is this a good deal?
PSA lower parts kit

I am planning to build a carbine. I thought it would be more cost effective to buy a whole kit especially with the sale. And I don't mind spending a little more money for a better quality stock

the whole kit I posted above is gone BTW



 

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/603477_THE_IN_STOCK_LOWER_RECEIVER_THREAD_Part_2.html&page=371#i6573186

$100 lower complete w/ parts kit, stock, & buffer/spring.  (Since I made that post, I set up their website for compensation.  Not currently doing any work for them.)

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/barreled-upper-assemblies/ptac-16-midlength-5-56-nato-socom-1-7-nitride-upper-with-bcg-and-charging-handle.html

This is what someone I know just put together, except the upper was on sale for $270.

Whoops I meant a complete lower parts kit not a complete rifle kit

If you want to LEARN about how your gun works, thus making you a better shooter - do the build.
If you want to be able to teach your kids the "why" of guns - do the build.
If you like to tinker and build up "stuff" in an empty house - do the build.
If you happen to have won the lottery and bought a barrel of 5.56 surplus during one of the green tip "sales", just buy the gun and get to plinking.

There are tons of things available to the builder to learn about. Each of the issues you run across will help you become a better and more intuitive shooter. It doesn't take ANY special equipment. I built my first project on the kitchen table using a receiver block/vise I made out of wood. I already had punches and a torque wrench. It is so simple, I plan on teaching my nephew as soon as he is old enough. Actually I use it as an opportunity to spread the wealth of knowledge. Buy a part for the birthday, a barrel for Christmas, a stock for graduation etc... eventually you have enough parts (and the child is old enough) to do the build (Got my friends doing the same with their daughters). They will understand the process of ignition as well the inner workings, and WHY things went wrong (if and when they do) and will be able to troubleshoot any mishaps on their own.

Besides, it can get personal. The old days, you were stuck using what the manufacturer provided, usually a 1/9 barrel with chrome lining. These days, there are far more alternatives as well as calibers to go with (i.e. 300Blk who wudda thunk it).

Build.  

It's fun as hell and you get exactly what you want.

This.

It took me until my third to get up the gumption to build the whole thing, but I started out on my first building the lower and buying the upper I wanted, and things progressed from there. Now I can't even imagine buying a complete rifle, it just wouldn't be any fun.

Another tip is to keep your eye on the equipment exchange here. You might be able to pick up some quality gear at a decent savings, and most of the folks here are awesome to deal with.

I just built a carbine this morning, 1st time. Used this kit:

http://www.groundzeroprecision.com/collections/ar-15-carbine-rifle-complete-build-kits/products/diy-16-223-5-56-carbine-ar-15-project-kit-with-mft-battlelink-minimalist-stock-free-shipping?variant=1908195265

and a $39 Anderson lower receiver. Bought a free float rail on ebay for $23. A few tools to boot (small brass hammer and roll pin punches and holders and barrel wrench. All under $500. Here is the current result.








Nothing special but all seems to be tight and in order. Need to test fire it next. Took about 2 hours complete to do it the first time. Hardest thing was the dust cover spring. The You tube videos really helped show what goes where and when.

Well done light flyer!

Here are some items I have purchased/ picked out for my semi build so far.

Complete Upper with Mlok hand guard
Stripped lower
Lower parts kit with Magpul stock

 

If you have not already purchased the lower from Areo, you can get it from Schuyler for $50 plus shipping.  You would be around $60-$65 shipped plus the FFL fee.  Schuyler is a site sponsor inn the EE.

I am probably going to get the bcg + charging handle as addon items with aero.
And I just realized that aero is in Tacoma, WA which is about a 40min drive from me so I may just end up going down there to get my lower. It would be pointless to pay for it to get shipped 30 miles to a FFL in my town.

Thanks for the tips!

 With all due respect, Daniel, your question about buying completed upper and lowers is better posed in the "general discussion" forum.  Here, we are inclined to try and talk you into building your own rifle.  The tools required to build from detail parts are minimal, mostly a vise and a receiver clamp.  

Bear in mind that when ARs are put together on factory assembly lines, the production workers often don't take as much care as you would, they tend to cut corners.  Also there is no knowledge transfer about how it went together.  If/when the rifle breaks or malfunctions you won't know what to do about it other than take it to a gunsmith or return it to the factory.  $900 could be done either way. - CW

He is going to get a stripped lower, LPK and assemble the lower himself.  With all due respect, how is that not building/ assembling part of the rifle?

 My mistake, I didn't read enough of the thread to realize the OP had decided to start with a stripped lower.  The first entry leaned toward buying a complete upper and lower, not necessarily from the same company, for a more tactical final product.  FWIW, my experience has been assembling a lower from parts is more challenging, and takes longer, than assembling an upper.  Neither one is particularly difficult, compared to building an AK or FAL, for example.  - CW

I figured you had not read his most recent posts.

I would say the lower is more difficult/ time consuming as well.  

I enjoyed building my first one so much I bought another 4 sets of parts to build some more.

I just finished my first build (mostly from scratch). It was a long process, mostly due to funds and piecing everything together over time, but it was a blast to learn and do everything myself.

I just shot it this weekend for the first time, and had great success for the first 50 rounds. I ran into an ejection problem, so now I get to tinker again. It sucks I had malfunctions, but I love to troubleshoot and work with my hands so it's a bit of a win-win for me.

If you enjoy learning, like to do things yourself, and want the pride in knowing you built that, do the build. Don't lose heart when things go wrong, take it as a learning experience and an opportunity to understand your weapon better.

I went and bought one...thanks!

Has anybody had any success with AIM BCGs? I like the price but how about quality?

I have heard mostly good about them.  There is thread about the Aim and another with some feedback active right now in this forum.  Another good option is a Toolcraft BCG either Nib coated or not from WC Armory.  The Nib coated is $113 and the non coated is $93.  I have both and have not had any issues with either. Toolcraft makes the BCG's for many vendors that put their name on them just like Aero does for uppers and lowers.  There is also a vendor in the EE selling Nib coated BCG's for $125 shipped.