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12/7/2005 11:28:35 AM EDT
i have an armalite that i love. never any problems and the accuaracy is perfect. i want another ar and was thinking about building one. my question is, is it going to be cheaper to build one or just buy it. i can get a bushmaster for under 700.00.  when i start to price the parts kits and receiver it seems like i would be spending more.  is there a cheap place to buy the parts that i have not run across. thanx
12/7/2005 11:35:54 AM EDT
[#1]
Where can you get a bushy at that price.
12/7/2005 11:46:00 AM EDT
[#2]
Why Build..........................Because you Can.
12/7/2005 11:55:02 AM EDT
[#3]
I built mine instead of buying it because I am a picky bastard.  I wanted certain parts on my rifle and I couldn't find the perfect gun for me that was already assembled.  Therefore I built one.  The other reason is because it is fun to build them.
12/7/2005 12:08:33 PM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
Where can you get a bushy at that price.



I am curious too.
12/7/2005 12:12:17 PM EDT
[#5]
If you can buy a new Bushmaster in the configuration that you want for under $700, then go buy it.


If you are looking at a different configuration, then you wil simply spend more money to replace what you didn't want.

As far as price, there are plenty of us who have built VERY cheap weapons, but still kept a high quality weapon.  I've built good AR15s for less than half the price of your Bushmaster, but it doesn't change that those deals don't come along all that often.
12/7/2005 3:26:57 PM EDT
[#6]
I built for the experience of building, and to get what I wanted.  My build is in 6X45mm, so the only choice was to go custom.  Assembling everything myself was a great learning experience.  You can probably buy an off the shelf rifle for pretty much the same price as building, unless you want to add a lot of options.  I wanted brown furniture, free float railed hand guard, non-standard chambering and barrel length, etc.  Building gave me exactly what I wanted.  I'd say build!  You may or may not save money, but you'll have a lot of fun.
12/7/2005 4:51:28 PM EDT
[#7]
"This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my rifle and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of my enemy, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen."    

Your rifle should be your best  friend treat her to all the good stuff!! Reflects personal taste on a built or modded Rifle plus personal satisfaction!
12/7/2005 5:18:58 PM EDT
[#8]
okay i get the picture. i will build for self satisfaction and to get what i want. have to warn you, i will need lots of advice. i am also cheap, so like stickman said. lets build one cheap but good. now someone tell me a good lower and upper to start with....thanks
12/7/2005 5:23:18 PM EDT
[#9]
I went with CMMG  mathced upper and lower because they would Duracoat it for me! Wanted mine custom finish!  Do you want a stock finish?

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cart=222899&cat=1&
12/7/2005 5:46:30 PM EDT
[#10]
i want a stock finish. i want this one to be at the front with me if i need it. i want a weapon that i can shoot and depend on. i have a friend that has about every gun ever made. most are for show. i want mine for action...
12/7/2005 6:05:13 PM EDT
[#11]
What kind of barrel do you want?  length? sights? stock handgaurds?or rail system? Stock? Handgrip?
You will need to decide all these factors prior to building then build as you buy parts thats what i did
get your self a parts list also look in the EE section you can find good deals there!

like for example i purchased a MIAD handgrip already had my stripped lower and MAGPUL Stock so i went to Bushmaster for all the little parts.  I did not see any sence in buying a lower parts kit that came with a pistol grip or Standard AR stock when i already had those parts!  If you want any more help pm me!
12/7/2005 6:08:30 PM EDT
[#12]
I get the exact features I want, built to the specs and with quality  I want, and usually at a significantly lower price when its all over with.  And, as a bonus, depending on how much work I do, I get more familiar with my weapon, how it works, and how to fix it.
12/7/2005 6:32:15 PM EDT
[#13]
I'm building right now - waiting for my Kristi Tool&Ordnance KT-15B lower as we speak.
Building is for satisfaction and to get what you want-exactly - as menioned before.
Good source for uppers would be something like Rock River Arms A2 upper form Legal Transfers - see http://www.ar15sales.com/rraparts.htm#parts
Depending on how customer you want your lower, you could go to a number of folks. If you are not snobbish about having a Bushy lower or such, and would rather have a REALLY customer lower, go to http://www.ktordnance.com/kto/ - they have some nice lowers - only problem is that they are all 80% units. You have to do a load of work to get them going, but it will really stand out in a crowd.
The rest - hang around auction sites and look for a good deal!
12/7/2005 7:39:12 PM EDT
[#14]
Are the mag wells cut out on those? I thought of doing that route for my next build!
12/7/2005 7:39:42 PM EDT
[#15]
Just wondering? Which price is it the  200FRN or 25USD i dont know the differance?
12/8/2005 8:10:01 AM EDT
[#16]
I recommend looking through the AR pictures thread and finding a few that you like.  Then we can help you build one similar for as cheap as possible.  Model 1 Sales  is also a good place to start.  You can check out the different types of uppers they offer.
12/8/2005 5:40:29 PM EDT
[#17]

Quoted:
Are the mag wells cut out on those? I thought of doing that route for my next build!



Yup, Mag Wells are cut. Confirm with Richard though - he'll tell you what the next batch will include.
Total price, out the door is $150 USD
12/8/2005 7:02:33 PM EDT
[#18]
ok i am going to build. can any one tell me if there is anything i really need to watch out for as far as being careful when i assemble. any measurments i need to get exact, or maybe a good book to advise me..
12/8/2005 7:07:31 PM EDT
[#19]
You dont have to do any thing like that,check out the sticky at the top of this forum,it gives detailed pics and instructions.
12/8/2005 8:00:35 PM EDT
[#20]
I built my M4 over a 5yr
Gun show parts, help from friends who know AR.........
Cost just under $400
12/8/2005 10:25:03 PM EDT
[#21]
Not a true build at all, but from pricing it seems that I can put together a lower and upper for less than just buying a complete rifle.  The lower I'm looking at is a RRA with the match trigger for a bit under $400, and uppers seem to go for about that right?  I'm thinking a Bushy M4 type.  It'll be more than a true build, but still about a hundred less than just getting a complete rifle.
12/9/2005 1:56:31 AM EDT
[#22]
where are you finding busmaster factory rifles for under $700?
12/9/2005 9:58:10 AM EDT
[#23]

Quoted:
where are you finding busmaster factory rifles for under $700?



no help till you spill the beans
12/9/2005 7:23:12 PM EDT
[#24]
sorry, i should have said that the was an leo price i could get. didnt mean to confuse all of you...
12/9/2005 7:24:50 PM EDT
[#25]
building is Fundamental
12/9/2005 7:48:18 PM EDT
[#26]

Quoted:

Quoted:
where are you finding busmaster factory rifles for under $700?



no help till you spill the beans



Unless it is used, I can't believe he is.  That is below dealer cost on just about any Bushmaster model I've seen.  Cheapest Bushmaster I can find in places like Shotgun News is $739 + shipping + FFL transfer fee.  The only assembled AR I can find under $700 dealer cost is DPMS.
12/9/2005 10:07:57 PM EDT
[#27]
i was thinking about it today, and that can't be right.  i think i'm $100 off... but now i can't remember and i'm going to have to call the guy to figure it out, lol.

that's what i get for being tired.
12/10/2005 6:04:01 AM EDT
[#28]

Quoted:
The only assembled AR I can find under $700 dealer cost is DPMS.




A recent gun show had OA A1 upper, heavy barrel carbines with older style adjustable stock for $550.  These were not cast receivers, they were forged, and the weapons looked very nice.
12/10/2005 8:51:37 AM EDT
[#29]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The only assembled AR I can find under $700 dealer cost is DPMS.




A recent gun show had OA A1 upper, heavy barrel carbines with older style adjustable stock for $550.  These were not cast receivers, they were forged, and the weapons looked very nice.



I guess I won't say it isn't possible, I'm just saying its lower than what I'm seeing in dealer publications like Shotgun News...  Which would mean its a very good deal...
12/10/2005 9:14:19 AM EDT
[#30]

Quoted:
I recommend looking through the AR pictures thread and finding a few that you like.  Then we can help you build one similar for as cheap as possible.  Model 1 Sales  is also a good place to start.  You can check out the different types of uppers they offer.




Stay away from Model 1 Sales.This is from personal experience, the rifle i built from them turned into an absolute nightmare.
12/12/2005 7:07:16 AM EDT
[#31]
was thinking of a stag upper and lower. your thoughts on stag...
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