AR Sponsor
Posted: 3/7/2015 6:41:30 PM EDT
|
I want to build my first AR-15, but I'm overwhelmed with the amount of different manufactures and which ones I should go with. I've read all about what is needed to build one. I just need some direction of what parts from which manufacture I should go with. Do I go with a complete upper and a complete lower or should I do kits for them? I'm going to use the gun for target shooting and maybe some coyote hunting. I'm looking to spend around $800 without any optics or mags. I don't want it to be a low quality gun just to save on a few $100., so i'm flexible on the price. I found these.
Lower Kit: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/17263/s/palmetto-state-armory-b5-systems-lower-build-kit-coyote-brown/category/388/ Lower: http://www.andersonrifles.com/product/these-colors-never-run-lower-receiver-2235-56/ Upper: http://www.andersonrifles.com/product/anderson-rf85-16-complete-upper/ |
|
building the complete rifle will save you money, but you will have the cost of tools, upper and lower vise blocks and a vise.
I would buy a complete upper, and not the Anderson one you posted, then build or buy a complete lower. building the lower requires just a few tools and is easy. You could buy one of these uppers, which are far better than the Anderson, and come with a bolt carrier group, then buy a PSA complete lower $159. $678 $638 $622 All these uppers are 14.5" and need to have an A2x flash hider (or any other extended length FH) pinned and welded to make it 16"+. BCM will do this for you For $45 if you choose the extended A2 flash hider in the drop down menu. You'd still need a rear sight (front too if you don't opt for the fixed front sight one) and a charging handle. magpul mbus sights are cheap as are charging handles. IMO That's about the best rifle you could get for $800. |
|
For your first build I would NOT buy any of those. Those were all 14.5" barrels which you would have to pin or solder on an extension for the 16" legal limit
If you are set on the Anderson upper go here you will get the lower part kit and buttstock set up for $100 which is pretty much what you wanted just black instead of tan |
|
Quoted:
For your first build I would NOT buy any of those. Those were all 14.5" barrels which you would have to pin or solder on an extension for the 16" legal limit If you are set on the Anderson upper go here you will get the lower part kit and buttstock set up for $100 which is pretty much what you wanted just black instead of tan They can come pinned from BCM if you select that option. I meant to pu that in my post and forgot. If you don't want that, they have the exact same 16" uppers for the same price as well. Anderson stripped lowers are one thing, but I wouldn't buy that rifle kit for $600, that's highway robbery. if you did, and got a lower you're at $640. For $200 more get a quality set up....you won't regret it. |
| Heres a cheaper option for an upper that is still far better than the Anderson upper. psa $439, but you'd still need a bolt carrier group and charging handle. |
|
Quoted:
Thanks for the input. Is a $800 build not worth building? Is it going to be better if I just wait and save more money, so I can put more into it? You can build a hell of a rifle for 800 bucks. Just not with an anderson barreled upper. There are much better options for the same amount of cash. Don't go cheap on the barrel or bcg. PSA has a chf upper with a free float rail for 439. Add a bcg for 100 and 15 dollar charging handle and your right at 565. BCM is also a good choice but a little more coin. There are other brands that offer a good value and use quality parts. I'm not saying anderson uses crap parts but they certainly aren't the best. Another route you could go is to buy good quality parts then send it off to adco for assembly. |
|
Quoted:
Thanks for the input. Is a $800 build not worth building? Is it going to be better if I just wait and save more money, so I can put more into it? I think that you could do OK for $800 (not counting tools) This one came in at $890 (and could have been done for less in a few places) 
|
|
The big question is: What will you use it for?
If it's a hobby rifle, you can build decent for around $600. If you are LE or planning on using it in less than hospitable areas then don't cheap out. You can piece together a decent rifle from PSA for under $600. Good barrels and decent BCG. The lower parts kits are good as far as mil spec go. Decent 8# triggers that will wear in. There are others but these are what I have and they work just fine. Fit and finish are good. I went with MOE furniture except on my A1 frankenrifle because it's good stuff for the money. Accessories are extra of course and can be added at any time later. It's the accessories that can make or break a rifle.  And can add up quickly.
For a first rifle (and you KNOW there will be more) try a KISS (basic) rifle to get to know the platform. Down the road you can change ANYTHING you want on it. Plan B is to buy a complete rifle. Basic Armalites and Colts are going for pretty cheap lately. And you can STILL change ANYTHING on them later. 
What counts is that you are committing Freedom! EDIT for tpyo. |
AR Sponsor
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.