Hi everyone.

Lurker for a while, finally decided to register and post.

I've wanted an AR-15 for several years but, quite honestly, couldn't afford to get one. I've spent many hours in the 'reading room' looking through the local trade rag and day-dreaming about having my own. Well, it's tax time and the wife (wonderful as she is) has agreed to buy me an AR-15 for Valentines day. She's given me a budget and this is what I've come up with.

This is the kit I am considering purchasing and, being a short guy (5'4") with short arms, I'm thinking of substituting the fixed shorty buttstock in lieu of the  piece of space plastic shown in the picture. I've looked at a few lowers and am leaning towards the RRA stripped lower receiver. I like the carry handle. I want a peep sight. I'm not interested in optics (it's the principle). I won't be kicking down doors and busting up a drug ring anytime soon.

My main use for this rifle, once complete, will be the destruction, with extreme predjudice, of those evil, vile, wicked, nasty pieces of paper with circles on them (though I'll be tempted to carry it to my tree stand at least once or twice, I'm certain). The longest distance range I have available to shoot at is ~600 yards.

Right now, cost and simplicity are my biggest deciding factors. I can't afford to spend much more than $700, or so, and I also don't want to end up buying a box full of springs and screws that sits on my workshop while I stare at it with a look of dumbfounded confusion, drool slowly dripping down my chin.

Speaking of the local trade rag, I can buy an AR-15 right now for $650, already complete, ready to shoot... but I want to put mine together. Even if it's just the lower and buttstock. I'm certain that this won't be my last black rifle. I'm nearly certain that my wife will want one of her own once I get mine finished.

So the advice I would like from you: Am I going to be disappointed with the above? Is it possible for me to stay within my price range and do better? What kind of things should I be on the look-out for?

I'm not new to guns. I've been an avid 'shooter' for the majority of my life. But I admit, I don't know all of the jargon. I don't know everything there is to know about barrel selection. I don't know what the difference between a pre-ban and a post-ban AR is supposed to be. To be honest, there's an awful lot that I don't know. What I do know is that I want this. I also know that I am setting myself up for a lifetime addiction. I know that, once I get started, I'll be at it forever. Funny thing is, I'm perfectly fine with that bit. So, anyone? Care to help a newbie out?

I would suggest that upper from HERE at ADCO Firearms.

A 6 position stock (or other stock if you're set on something different) HERE

And  a Lower Parts Kit HERE halfway down the page

Your total would be roughly $580 and $4 shipping. I don't know who makes M&A Parts' LPKs, but at least with a RRA LPK, you know what you're getting. All you would have to do then is buy a lower reciever and use the tacked thread at the top of the page to assemble your lower.

Hope this helps.

Welcome to the site.

WIZZO

First off, hold on to your wife!  I wish mine would buy me an AR for valentines day!

Second, what wizzo said.  Rock River is an excellent choice.  I also like their lower parts kits.  

The upper you're looking at form M&A is Rock River but the lower parts are a big ?

Go with known quality and you shouldn't be let down.

Quoted: First off, hold on to your wife!  I wish mine would buy me an AR for valentines day!

Oh, believe me, I intend to h=85%