User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:16:12 PM EDT
[#1]
Check out Magpul's stuff. My AR is all MOE'd out. Nice stuff not too pricey. Midwest seems to make some nice stuff too.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:18:00 PM EDT
[#2]
They are expensive because so many people are willing to pay those prices, thus driving the price point up.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:17:38 PM EDT
[#3]
Raw materials cost + machine shop costs+ marketing+ retail markup+ shipping.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:18:59 PM EDT
[#4]
Because.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:21:29 PM EDT
[#5]
You just need to shop around and ask for advice. For example, you can find a new set of Knight's Armament carbine rails and vertical foregrip for less than $ 150 on the EE or Ebay. You can get a new Matech backup sight for $50 on Ebay. They are the ones used by the US Army. I have several rifles with those items and they work just fine. For example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Knights-Armament-Company-Rail-Adapter-System-NEW-/170867603543?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c880b857 |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:27:21 PM EDT
[#6]
Anything that secures to a rail well can be expensive, especially if it's made out of a solid block of metal. Single piece quad rails are $$$ because of the cost of materials and how they are manufactured. Plus for a lot of the nice stuff you're buying a lifetime warranty.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:29:24 PM EDT
[#7]
Buy off the EE. There are some good deals if you are patient.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:30:12 PM EDT
[#8]
Nice = Price $$$
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:30:16 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
They are expensive because so many people are willing to pay those prices, thus driving the price point up. This. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:30:34 PM EDT
[#10]
Mainly because every time the next "hot new thing" comes out, they get sold faster than they can be manufactured. Why the hell should they be any cheaper?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:33:32 PM EDT
[#11]
Has the OP stumbled across LaRue yet?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:38:50 PM EDT
[#12]
If price is a concern, maybe you should ask yourself why you think you need a rail. As others have pointed out, you can get some good deals on the EE, but OEM handguards will work just as well if you aren't seeking a freefloat or wanting to hang a bunch of accessories. You can easily add a light or VFG without a rail system.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 3:50:07 PM EDT
[#13]
If you just want a plinker, get a UTG rail and some Magpul MBUS for sights. Then you can decide if you want to spend more money on a different rail.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 4:01:15 PM EDT
[#14]
Because you have to pay for the CNC machines, rent, aluminum, and $20/hour wages, benefits etc. to the workers who make them. Knowing that this is your first build, do you really need a railed fore end? Do you need all that real estate when a MOE handguard will probably do the trick? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 4:09:08 PM EDT
[#15]
don't go looking for BMW at Kia pricing and you'll be less disappointed.
If you can produce it cheaper and make it worth your time go for it! |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 5:06:25 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
I'm in the process of building my first AR and was shocked by the prices of certain AR accessories like backup sights, quad rails, etc. Why are these things so expensive? Are there cheaper alternatives? I've been looking at rails and sights that are close to and above $200. The rifle I'm building is going to be less than $800 complete. I can't see myself spending so much on smaller items like this. Am I just a huge noob or is this ridiculous? What gives? The old saying was, "For every sucker born there's two to take him". Now it's like "10 to take him". The minute you associate a part to an object like airplane, boat, motorcycle, gun, etc they will be there to spout their sales pitch using words like triple chrome plated, billeted aluminum or other amazing words. These words and there prices are for those with money burning a hole in their pocket. You can come out with a really cool looking gun with some of those items but they won't help you shoot any straighter in most cases. Some of us with or without the money skip the kool aid and save lots a money. Everybody wins. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 5:11:10 PM EDT
[#17]
Unless you've worked in manufacturing, you'd be surprised how much of a pain-in-the-ass it is to consistently turn out high precision parts.
Some of the stuff made in our company machine shop makes even the most Gucci-tactical rails look like stuff you'd buy at Home Deopt, and it has a price to match 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 5:51:29 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted: Raw materials cost + machine shop costs+ marketing+ retail markup+ shipping. Plus ITAR means that a crap offshore manufacturer cannot dump a lot of these things on the US market with ease..... |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/2/2012 7:04:31 PM EDT
[#19]
A lot of photos you'll see on here feature huge tracts of rails... and one accessory. For those guys that mount a VFG, light, IR laser, optic, night vision unit, and maybe a little more, yes a full quad rail is worth the expense. But if you're only going to mount 1-2 things on your rifle, Magpul MOE foregrips look like a way less expensive and much lighter way to satisfy your needs.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2012 3:59:21 AM EDT
[#20]
Good stuff costs money, simple fact. People in America are used to Chinese manufacturing where everything is cheaply made and quality is an attribute far down the priority list. Things have become disposable. Most people I talk to in a given day would rather spend less and replace it more often then spend more and never have to worry.
Here at the brewery I have a spray nozzle on a hose station that cost 300 dollars, most people would look at me like I'm crazy. But it's lasted 15 years so far, the Walmart specials need replacing every few months. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2012 5:14:28 AM EDT
[#21]
Quoted: Unless you've worked in manufacturing, you'd be surprised how much of a pain-in-the-ass it is to consistently turn out high precision parts. Some of the stuff made in our company machine shop makes even the most Gucci-tactical rails look like stuff you'd buy at Home Deopt, and it has a price to match Yup, same here. OP. it goes like this. Take a 3lb block of billet aluminum and put it in a $200K machine and remove 87% of the material and throw it away. Then put it into a different $200K Machine and remove everything that does not look like a finished rail. Then its off to deburring and then it goes into an automated tapping/inserting machine (This one is only $80K) where the holes are drilled and inserts inserted. Finally it goes to the coating department where it is cleaned with several solvents and given a surface treatment and then finally coated with a tough outer protective coating. Next it goes to final inspection (It has passed through the hands of 4-5 inspectors already with 5-10% getting tossed out or reworked), then it finally goes to packaging. It gets quite involved. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2012 5:21:48 AM EDT
[#22]
What brand build?
That would help the board decide what quality you should use. I like GG&G parts. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2012 5:24:50 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Unless you've worked in manufacturing, you'd be surprised how much of a pain-in-the-ass it is to consistently turn out high precision parts. Some of the stuff made in our company machine shop makes even the most Gucci-tactical rails look like stuff you'd buy at Home Deopt, and it has a price to match Yup, same here. OP. it goes like this. Take a 3lb block of billet aluminum and put it in a $200K machine and remove 87% of the material and throw it away. Then put it into a different $200K Machine and remove everything that does not look like a finished rail. Then its off to deburring and then it goes into an automated tapping/inserting machine (This one is only $80K) where the holes are drilled and inserts inserted. Finally it goes to the coating department where it is cleaned with several solvents and given a surface treatment and then finally coated with a tough outer protective coating. Next it goes to final inspection (It has passed through the hands of 4-5 inspectors already with 5-10% getting tossed out or reworked), then it finally goes to packaging. It gets quite involved. How dare you spout your knowledge of quality things that shouldn't cost more than $50!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2012 5:29:11 AM EDT
[#24]
Go to a local (and competent) machine shop and get a quote for them to make you one. Even if you provide the 3D models, you're mind will still be blown by how much they would charge and you wouldn't feel so bad paying $200 for a railed forearm.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2012 5:38:41 AM EDT
[#25]
make one yourself. then ask yourself what you would have paid to avoid that work... 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2012 5:48:55 AM EDT
[#26]
Just buy used of the EE. Used Matech rear sights are <$50.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 8:28:07 AM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
They are expensive because so many people are willing to pay those prices, thus driving the price point up. A bit simplistic there. If it developed that there were no longer as many people willing to pay those prices, would the prices necessarily come down? Perhaps (or perhaps not) a bit for remaining inventory before the products disappear from the market. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 8:33:50 AM EDT
[#28]
You can get some as low as $40 or up to $300. The ones for $30 might weight 15 oz carbine while higher end might be half the weight. Also you wouldn't want a light weight one to bust after a few shots so strength is also a factor. Is it worth $300? probably not but it does explain why some are more than others.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 9:18:36 AM EDT
[#29]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Unless you've worked in manufacturing, you'd be surprised how much of a pain-in-the-ass it is to consistently turn out high precision parts. Some of the stuff made in our company machine shop makes even the most Gucci-tactical rails look like stuff you'd buy at Home Deopt, and it has a price to match Yup, same here. OP. it goes like this. Take a 3lb block of billet aluminum and put it in a $200K machine and remove 87% of the material and throw it away. Then put it into a different $200K Machine and remove everything that does not look like a finished rail. Then its off to deburring and then it goes into an automated tapping/inserting machine (This one is only $80K) where the holes are drilled and inserts inserted. Finally it goes to the coating department where it is cleaned with several solvents and given a surface treatment and then finally coated with a tough outer protective coating. Next it goes to final inspection (It has passed through the hands of 4-5 inspectors already with 5-10% getting tossed out or reworked), then it finally goes to packaging. It gets quite involved. For a hand guard /rail? you guys dont use extruded blanks? 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 9:41:40 AM EDT
[#30]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Unless you've worked in manufacturing, you'd be surprised how much of a pain-in-the-ass it is to consistently turn out high precision parts. Some of the stuff made in our company machine shop makes even the most Gucci-tactical rails look like stuff you'd buy at Home Deopt, and it has a price to match Yup, same here. OP. it goes like this. Take a 3lb block of billet aluminum and put it in a $200K machine and remove 87% of the material and throw it away. Then put it into a different $200K Machine and remove everything that does not look like a finished rail. Then its off to deburring and then it goes into an automated tapping/inserting machine (This one is only $80K) where the holes are drilled and inserts inserted. Finally it goes to the coating department where it is cleaned with several solvents and given a surface treatment and then finally coated with a tough outer protective coating. Next it goes to final inspection (It has passed through the hands of 4-5 inspectors already with 5-10% getting tossed out or reworked), then it finally goes to packaging. It gets quite involved. For a hand guard /rail? you guys dont use extruded blanks?
Then you need another machine to make the extrusions. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 9:43:40 AM EDT
[#31]
You're paying for a name on all the most popular accessories.
Check out MagPul and YHM. Quality products without the ridiculous pricetags. BrightFlashlights over in the industry section is a YHM(and Surefire) retailer and a great guy to deal with. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 9:45:59 AM EDT
[#32]
Quoted: If you just want a plinker, get a UTG rail and some Magpul MBUS for sights. Then you can decide if you want to spend more money on a different rail. Pretty simple. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 9:48:04 AM EDT
[#33]
Quoted:
I'm in the process of building my first AR and was shocked by the prices of certain AR accessories like backup sights, quad rails, etc. Why are these things so expensive? Are there cheaper alternatives? I've been looking at rails and sights that are close to and above $200. The rifle I'm building is going to be less than $800 complete. I can't see myself spending so much on smaller items like this. Am I just a huge noob or is this ridiculous? What gives? We already have one soylent, we don't need another. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 9:48:36 AM EDT
[#34]
Because you're gay and they hate you.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 12:34:14 PM EDT
[#35]
Quoted:
You're paying for a name on all the most popular accessories. Check out MagPul and YHM. Quality products without the ridiculous pricetags. BrightFlashlights over in the industry section is a YHM(and Surefire) retailer and a great guy to deal with. Demand prices aside, I'll disagree. Magpul is polymer, which doesn't require machining. YHM's products are designed where there is less machine time than say a LaRue or Daniel defense. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 12:50:47 PM EDT
[#36]
PT Barnum and all that...
but even knowing that, I still buy nothing but KAC. What's wrong with me?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 12:56:53 PM EDT
[#37]
Quoted:
Go to a local (and competent) machine shop and get a quote for them to make you one. Even if you provide the 3D models, you're mind will still be blown by how much they would charge and you wouldn't feel so bad paying $200 for a railed forearm. Yea i asked my machinist at work... he quoted me something like $1200 for what was nothing more than a DD RIS 2 rail that got raped by a KAC URX 3.1.... I then gave up on my design ideas.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 12:58:44 PM EDT
[#38]
The cheaper alternative you seek is build an A2 then get a flashlight mount that either attaches to the bottom holes in the handguard or the clamp-on block type that attach to the FSB.
You don't need a cheese-hand-grater quad rail to mount a light. With a little ingenuety and a drill press you can mount a light for almost free. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2012 12:59:31 PM EDT
[#39]
It just does.
|
|
|
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.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
