AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/31/2015 10:23:15 AM EDT
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Hello all. I've been browsing for a few weeks, and registered this morning. Researching buying an AR is kind of like going to a large grocery store on a mission of buying 'food'. It's a bit overwhelming.
Bio: I enjoy shooting a few times per year, so I am a novice, even though I've been shooting for 10 years or so. I'm also handicapped by being thrifty and DIY (often to a fault) on many things. My primary hobby is playing guitar and building tube guitar amps and effects pedals from scratch. My budget-minded firearms include a 1974 Yugo SKS, Hi-Point 995TS, Taurus PT-111 G2, and a Hi-Point C9. My son has a 410 shotgun, .22 saddle rifle and .22 revolver (all inherited). Our arsenal is pretty light. You can tell by Hi-Point and Taurus names that cost/performance is a factor for me. I wish I could trade guitars for firearms, but haven't found that forum yet  After watching hours of build/disassemble videos I'm interested in building an AR.
Considerations: I've read here (and other forums) that most AR parts from varying manufacturers fit together, with varying degrees of tolerance, but they do fit together, so the buyer doesn't need to worry too much about that. Here's what I want: Reliability with as few malfunctions as possible. I'm not even sure which cartridge to go with. I have a buddy who has taken up deer hunting this year. I may go with him next year. This AR will be my shooter (otherwise the SKS, since his land is less than 100y shots in the woods). To the point: With reliability and budget in mind, here's where I would like help: threads about which brand of uppers, lowers, barrels are 'better'. Clearly everyone has their preferences. The reason I want to build instead of buy an entire gun, is due to cost. Not total cost, but it's easier to spend a hundred or two here and there and over several months put one together. Should I look for particular parts 'on sale'? Thanks for your advice. CHAD |
| It's hard to beat Palmetto State Armory for good quality at a good price. |
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Yes, it appears that way from what I have read. Had I just bought outright without asking any questions, this is probably where I'd go. Quoted:
buy a gun with a warranty then build 4 or 5 frankenrifles when LaRue has a barrel sale, you buy a barrel when Aim has a deal on BCGs you buy a carrier group you should buy a Larue trigger today 
The warranty is appealing - but then I'd have to spend $800 outright. Tough to get that into the budget!! Which trigger specifically? I understand that the barrel and the trigger are really important 'upgrades' that I'd just as soon do right the first time. Although, the 'buy one, upgrade it until you have enough parts to build a 2nd rifle' is also appealing. CHAD |
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the $46 ALG QMS is a good trigger to start with the LaRue is on sale right now for $125 you are also going to need a Lower Parts Kit so the QMS with the LPK is a solid start point |
| I spent years building my 1st AR. Still have it. It just slowly upgrades w/ new injections of parts. It 1st started as a pistol w/ 16" bbl, no gas system, and a rifle buffer tube. Buy parts as you can afford 'em - build it as a pistol w/o a stock 1st, even if it's got a 24" bbl. |
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Quoted:
I spent years building my 1st AR. Still have it. It just slowly upgrades w/ new injections of parts. It 1st started as a pistol w/ 16" bbl, no gas system, and a rifle buffer tube. Buy parts as you can afford 'em - build it as a pistol w/o a stock 1st, even if it's got a 24" bbl. Interesting. So, your pistol was the bare minimum parts - a complete lower, a receiver, bolt carrier, charging handle and barrel? Without gas, it's basically bolt-action. CHAD |
| I built a "budget" AR with patience and a watchful eye for good, decent quality parts on sale. Parts were from PSA, AIM Surplus, ALG Defense, Green Mountain barrels, Magpul and others but it still cost $739 without optics but with iron sights. It was a great experience selecting the parts and building the rifle but it can't match the economies of scale (sometimes) passed along to the buyer from a commercial vendor. YMMV. |
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I would suggest making a plan first. Decide what you want the rifle to be able to do. Put it on paper, and then decide what parts you're going to need to make the rifle accomplish its task. Then just wait for sales or find used parts and start checking things off your list.
If you don't make a build sheet, you're going to spend more money than you intended. |
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I like the following vendors for most of my stuff AIM Surplus - they're just awesome to deal with and I like their website Primary Arms - if I didn't have to pay sales tax, I'd buy there more often. They have sales, often, they ship quickly, and their branded optics have a high bang-for-buck factor Palmetto State Armory - which you've already discovered ETA - buying stuff off the Ar-15.com Equipment Exchange is also awesome. |
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Get the psa premium lower build kit. For $90 it has everything you need to assemble your lower. Upgrade later if you like.
Jse surplus has decent barrels around $100, I've bought 3 with good results What you need to figure out is weather you want an m4 type, or a free float no front sight. I've had both and despite popularity I prefer the way my basic carbine feels and shoots. Keep an eye on your local Facebook gun trading pages. People sell a ton of used accessories, I have had a lot of good luck locally. Skip the fancy comps and charging handles on your first, buy ammo instead. Ar 15's can turn into 100 dollar bill shredders real quick trying to follow flavor of the week accessories. Piece by piece is a great way for a working my family man to get the rifle he really wants over time instead of settling for what he can afford at the time. A word of advice though, might want to go ahead and get some magazines on order. You never know what the future holds for "normal capacity " mags D&h / lebelle for good inexpensive, lancer awms for fancy tits. |
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Right now I shoot maybe 500 rounds per year. Not much at all. This build will probably see only occasional use a few times per year. Some years down the road, if I can afford to shoot more often, then I can probably affor to upgrade a part here or there.
I did buy this lower rather quickly just in case regulations beome cumbersome in coming months. My plan of attack is to be patient and find great deals on quality components. But it helps to know what I am looking for. Since I need everything, I may let the deals decide how the build progresses. So far, I understand the barrel and trigger assembly are probably most important. A light-ish barrel would be nice, staying at 16" length. I would like a low profile gas system instead of one built into the front sight, with a rail for holo/red dot sight. I will start looking for more parts whenever some expendable money comes along. Thanks for your patience. CHAD |
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I would say that you're not going to find your answers in this discussion. But you probably will find it in a lot of other discussions.
You're doing the same thing that a large majority has, you lurk, you learn, you make your own decisions... and you learn some more. welcome to the fold |
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I'm in the same boat as the OP. Grabbed an Aero Precision lower on sale a few weeks ago just in case the world implodes on itself, as it tends to do every few months and around an election.
I'm in zero rush for this first build, so right now I'm just focused on getting a few tools needed to build out the lower and a good parts kit. Scored a nice Grace USA roll punch holder set for $25 shipped to match the set of their punches I already have. A wise, cheap investment in some quality tools for the long term, IMO. Was at a gun show today and grabbed a nice solid Tapco stock wrench for $9, seems like it'll be perfect for what I need it to do as often as I expect to have to do it. Next up, waiting on an email from PSA that their MOE ACT or QMS kit is back in stock. Has the magpul furniture I want and at the price they have their kits priced it, the actual kit is basically free when you factor in that the magpul grip and ALG trigger alone would cost the same. And I'm keeping an eye out for a nice high quality buffer kit. I figure that will put me all in about $125-150 and a nice project to assemble the complete lower. Once that's done I'll keep lurking, reading, learning and scour for deals on my upper and related parts. |
| Just a piece of advice, both out of political expedience and due to the fact I used to be from California, make sure to purchase a good number of 20 and 30 round magazines if you go the 5.56/.223 route, which I would think would be the best place to start for building an AR-15 since that's what the AR-style rifle was originally designed to accept and is also the most prevalent/inexpensive round available (I usually buy 100 or 150 boxes of ammo at Walmart for $45 or $65 respectively) |
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Quoted:
ETA - buying stuff off the Ar-15.com Equipment Exchange is also awesome. This. The EE can be a real fun place to shop and good deals can be had often. The Mods here do a great job of keeping place running smooth; I've not yet had a deal go bad. Also you mentioned trading guitars for ARs. There is a place on the EE for that as well. Lots of guitar enthusiasts here as well. There's even a musicians forum if you want to discuss amps instead of ammo. Welcome aboard! |
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Ha-HA! Finally found that sneaky Equipment Exchange button on top, right. I'd been looking for a couple of days. Will be doing business here for sure because of much success in buy/sell/trade area of many other hobby forums. Always a great resource. Thanks!
CHAD |
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If you can be patient enough, you can likely catch most of what you need from PSA as things come back into stock...just about everything I was going to recommend is out of stock at the moment due to holiday sales.
My advice... -stay away from gimmicky parts and trendy accessories, keep it simple. -PSA bolts, barrels and parts kits are generally very good if you stay with their premium line, especially the Defender kit with their enhanced trigger. -plan ahead for your sights and optics, decide what you want and need before you start buying. -you may want a rail for its looks, but will it be needed for your use? I wouldn't think so, so you can save some coin on an assembled upper with a standard front sight. -if a rail is a must, look at ALG for their value and quality, it comes with its own barrel nut wrench too. Above all else, have fun with your build! |
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Quoted:
I would say that you're not going to find your answers in this discussion. But you probably will find it in a lot of other discussions. You're doing the same thing that a large majority has, you lurk, you learn, you make your own decisions... and you learn some more. welcome to the fold This. Read. Read. Then, read some more. I read so much before building a gun that I change my mind several times before even purchasing single parts. When I'm finished, I know that I have exactly what I want. Plus, slowing down your build "timeline" allows you to take advantage of sales and special offers, saving you $$$. My builds take months, but when they're finished, I don't lament this or that about my rifle. |
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Welcome. Take your time, research to determine what you want that is of good quality, the more you research and read about various preferences of others, you will start to see a theme. That theme will inform you on what people are seeing that have worked over and over for them.
Make a complete list and start looking for sales. If you are patient, you can do well, get quality and save money. |
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Quoted:
This. The EE can be a real fun place to shop and good deals can be had often. The Mods here do a great job of keeping place running smooth; I've not yet had a deal go bad. Also you mentioned trading guitars for ARs. There is a place on the EE for that as well. Lots of guitar enthusiasts here as well. There's even a musicians forum if you want to discuss amps instead of ammo. Welcome aboard! Quoted:
Quoted:
ETA - buying stuff off the Ar-15.com Equipment Exchange is also awesome. This. The EE can be a real fun place to shop and good deals can be had often. The Mods here do a great job of keeping place running smooth; I've not yet had a deal go bad. Also you mentioned trading guitars for ARs. There is a place on the EE for that as well. Lots of guitar enthusiasts here as well. There's even a musicians forum if you want to discuss amps instead of ammo. Welcome aboard! I've dealt with a bunch of great people via the EE. The feedback system gives me peace of mind when I send my money orders off in the mail. This is a great community. Good luck with your build! |
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I picked up a PSA stripped lower from the FFL a couple of days ago. Ordered a $25 LPK minus trigger from joebob's.
As I'm researching parts, it seems like the most expensive (yet basic) parts are $150 Barrel $120 Upper Receiver $100 BCG $100 bolt $60 trigger (something nicer than standard mil-spec) These prices are rough estimates. Complete uppers in the $200 range seem to be a pretty good deal from PSA and the like. It will be a while before I'm ready to jump into a $200 purchase. For now it's $40 at a time in parts here or there. Thanks for all the helpful info. I am reading as much as I can. CHAD |
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