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Posted: 10/27/2004 5:37:22 PM EDT
[#1]
Essential Arms lower rx $66.00 plus shipping ($8) FFL transfer $20 = $94
(Stinger, Mega, Double Star forged lowers about $20 more) J&T Rifle or Carbine kit $450 + $20 shipping = $470 (opt, add chrome lined barrel, extra $50) $564.00 The J&T kits have excellent parts, and the upper receiver/barrel assembly is completely assembled and ready to go, so no need to buy barrel wrench, action block, etc. Not $550, but real close. |
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Posted: 10/27/2004 5:49:43 PM EDT
[#2]
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Posted: 10/27/2004 6:16:23 PM EDT
[#3]
Where? |
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Posted: 10/27/2004 6:51:30 PM EDT
[#4]
Essential Arms Co. phone # 337-945-0185 (btw....great people there)
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Posted: 10/27/2004 7:00:58 PM EDT
[#5]
FWIW, Essential is still cast. they are working on forged lowers though, I am told. If you don't mind cast, you'll probably never have any trouble with it anyway.
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Posted: 10/27/2004 7:56:04 PM EDT
[#6]
It is VERY possible to build a good AR for under $550, the magic secret is that you can't be in a hurry, and you have to be always on the look out for good deals. There are a bunch of us who have built up super cheap ARs for very little money. You don't need much, if any skill to assemble an AR15 lower, and the uppers are usually pre-assembled that are floating around.
Do a search for cheapest ARs built, and get ready to be shocked at the results. |
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Posted: 10/27/2004 8:07:24 PM EDT
[#7]
Skip the J&T kit, check out Model 1 or even M&A parts, they have good kits for $425 plus shipping. Model 1 had some issues with one other member's return here, but they've been good in general. I bought a M4gery kit from M&A, no problems.... www.m-aparts.com www.model1sales.com |
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Posted: 10/27/2004 8:26:54 PM EDT
[#8]
I have heard about Model 1 being flakey sometimes. Before I even knew of AR15.com I built a post-ban CAR-15 using a Bushmaster lower and Model 1 upper. They were very nice to me, shipped promptly and the rifle functioned flawlessy. The thing devoured any ammo I fed it, worked even when hoplessly dirty, and continues to provide my friend (who I sold it to) with hours of shooting enjoyment. The thing has had nearly 5000 rounds of various manufacture through it with one problem - the gas key recently loosened itself and caused it to stop cycling properly. I instructed my friend how to reslove this issue and every has been cool since.
In short, I was satisfied with Model 1, but I only ordered one item from them, so I have very limited exposure. |
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Posted: 10/27/2004 8:35:51 PM EDT
[#9]
I'm sure some of these guys have built some good rifles cheap. "Do it yourselfers" know how to tell good parts from junk and how to put it all together. But you say your gunsmithing skills are pretty limited, as are mine.
As a general rule, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Guns are no exception. Gun shops are full of good post-ban AR's right now because everyone's trading them in on non-ban guns. You could probably get a screaming deal on a post-ban Bushy right now, and you may think about going that route. I have seen them around here in excellent condition for $650 and that's asking price. You may get into one for close to $600. That's only $100 more than you want to spend, and you will be buying a quality rifle. You can always save a little money and upgrade the Bushmaster. Bushmaster will sell a complete barrel assembly (everything in front of the upper receiver= barrel, gas tube, front sight w/lug, flash suppressor, handguards, etc) for $215 with free installation and test-firing. |
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Posted: 10/28/2004 9:34:20 AM EDT
[#10]
Spend the extra $20 & get a forged lower. You won't be sorry in the long run.
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Posted: 10/28/2004 5:47:50 PM EDT
[#11]
Made a mistake, if you look in SGN (Shotgun News) the ad shows the kit prices as $415, but on the net it's $425. Ask for the SGN price if you order. Building it yourself is fun, and takes away the mystique of how they work. Not hard to do eithere.... |
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Posted: 10/28/2004 5:56:16 PM EDT
[#12]
J&T Complete 20" A2 AR-15 Kit : $449.95
Stipped MEGA Lower: $89.00 Total cost: $538.95 There you go. Now that is awesome deal. Hmm, I think I'll follow up on that one myself... |
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Posted: 10/28/2004 6:01:43 PM EDT
[#13]
IF you aren't against used--there are several complete uppers in the EE for sale.
Mine being one 16" Hbar A2 |
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Posted: 10/28/2004 6:11:11 PM EDT
[#14]
If you can scrape up a few more dollars, and don't want to do a complete build, try this option.
Del-Ton is blowing out post ban uppers, complete A2 for $340 or flattop for $300. Add maybe $10 for shipping. You should be able to find a complete lower for about $250 out the door...Thats about $560 for the flattop or $600 for the standard...its a little more $ but no assembly required. Or, look on the Equipment Exchange and you'll find something I bet. |
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Posted: 10/28/2004 6:51:17 PM EDT
[#15]
Thanks for all the info guys, and keep it coming.
I was thinking stag arms lower and model 1 kit. Thats what i went with for my m4gery. I think mine ended up a little over $600, closer to 8 by the time I added optics. |
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Posted: 10/28/2004 6:58:17 PM EDT
[#16]
Yes, and like I commented easrlier, it is honestly a matter of being at the right palce at the right time. This is one I built for under $160, actually, I finished it with Norrells while I was doing a write-up, so I might as well call it $160 even now. 
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Posted: 10/28/2004 6:59:10 PM EDT
[#17]
MEGA lower form carricozarmory.com-$89
JTD kit for $450 |
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Posted: 10/28/2004 7:00:03 PM EDT
[#18]
Yes.
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Posted: 10/28/2004 7:16:35 PM EDT
[#19]
Look around, you can do better off the EE, gunshows, and your local people.
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Posted: 10/28/2004 7:20:32 PM EDT
[#20]
Very nice rifle Stickman. Who made the upper and lower?
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