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Posted: 4/1/2004 7:45:18 AM EDT
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I looked around at some of the post here and didn't see anything on what the cost would be. Probably missed a post about it, so please don't flame me. I was wondering if building is cost effective or should I just buy one outright? I have the skills and tools to do a build. I'm building AMD 63 kit for AK's. I will be getting a FAL kit soon and I thought an AR would be nice to round out my kit building in the future. I could go with a 16" or 20" barrel AR as it doesn't matter either way, but I might lean towards 20" for a varmit type rifle. Might even go with an 80% receiver too. Thoughts? I'm completly new to AR stuff. Shot my first one on Sunday that a friend owns. Been around firearms for 34 years and owned AK's for 12, but I had never shot an AR or FAL until the other day. I knew the FAL was something I wanted and it was great. The AR really surprised me at how much I liked it. BTW: I'm budget kind of guy too, so no exoctic stuff. |
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Somewhere around $500 to $600 to put one together, example: Stag Arms lower $79 [url]http://www.eaglefirearms.net/stag_arms.htm[/url] Model 1 kit $415 [url]http://www.model1sales.com/[/url] You will need to add shipping and a magazine or two to go with that. Here's some sources you can check out: [url]http://www.ar15.com/content/docs/assembly/lower/[/url] [url]http://www.ar15.com/content/legal/preORpost.html[/url] [url]http://www.eaglefirearms.net/[/url] [url]http://www.m-aparts.com/[/url] [url]http://www.jtdistributing.com/[/url] [url]http://www.model1sales.com/[/url] [url]http://www.adcofirearms.com/[/url] Equipment Exchange [url]http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=7[/url] Industry Board [url]http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=2[/url] |
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if your building an AK now, then the AR should be a cake walk. the FAL is only slightly more difficult than the AR. ive built 2 fal's and one ar. havent ventured into the AK's yet but i will im sure. its just the natural progression.... anyway, as far as i know, model1 is the cheapest around and ive heard very few complaints about their products. J&T is slightly more expensive but ive heard even less negative remarks about them. my first AR build had a J&T lower parts kit and rra upper. i would use them again. i had zero problems. let us know what you go with. happy shooting! |
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If you want to put something new together, Model1 kits are pretty good and about the cheapest. If you really want to customize your AR more than the few options the kits offer, watch the ee board and aution sites, and you'll find some thing slightly used for cheap. My cheapest AR (prices include shipping): Bushy V-Match flattop upper with 20" fluted chrome-lined barrel w/ carbon fiber free float HG - $390 2nd Grade DPMS complete lower less stock (milled and restamped mag well) - $110 FFL transfer fee - $15 Complete A2 Stock - $35 DPMS Panther Tactical Grip -$24 Colt 20-Round aluminum mag - $18 Tasco 3-9x40 scope with rings - $20 Harris light bipod $45 Makes a soda can dance at 50 yards. Will benchmark at 100 yards next week. |
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No offense but that's a silly question! How much does it cost to assemble an AR? You just can't think in those terms. The best advice I can give is... the more you spend now, the more you save later. Spend more now on what you REALLY want, do not compromise. I can promise if you buy cheap now, you will upgrade parts in the future and have extra parts laying around. Then you will rationalize building more ARs with the spare parts... then upgrading those. Then you're hooked and the vicious cycle begins. Scot |
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ORFShooter, the real advice is to figure out what you want now...in terms of float tubes, barrel config, gas blocks, etc...then set your budget. Plan out the rifle before you start buying the pieces, so that you know exactly what you want....that's the easiest way to do it to know your true costs before you buy. But, having said that, the ability to change stuff on your rifle is pretty cool...especially when you get more than one. None of my guns are safe, I'll swap uppers and lower around from time to time just because I can lol. My only advice is to get a flat top: your choice for optics will be unlimited. Even for a varmint gun, a 16" barrel will be fine...you don't lose any accuracy with a shorter barrel, but you will lose a littel muzzle velocity. Depending on the range you think you'll be shooting, this *might* be an issue; but if you think you're gonna be inside 300 yards, don't even sweat it...get the 16". A bull barrel is an option, but once again, you don't really gain anything per se just because you have a bull barrel. If you're building completely from scratch, Compass Lake can sell you a Douglass stainless barrel for $280 that will be as accurate as anything you can buy this side of a Kreiger barrel. Buy a matching bolt for another $50, and you've probably done more for your accuracy than anything else you could do. As you've probably guessed, the possibilities are endless...and it can be a little mind boggling if you don't decide before hand what you want to do. Good Luck! |
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Did someone say mind boogling? I started with the links above and other things. Man! There is a zillion parts for the AR. Model looks like a good place to start. I really want to go basic for now with a flatop being the most likely. Now I have to decide how to scheme the money and what to sell? |
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