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Posted: 2/28/2006 12:02:09 AM EDT
| how much cheaper is it to build an ar than to buy one for the same rifle. I want to spend around 600 and havent seen any complete guns around that price, so i think ill have to build it. |
| oh yea im looking for a good beginner set up. Im not expecting a 300 yard tack driver, but it would be nice. Prolly a 16 inch barrel, or maybe a 14.5 incher. I dont want a varminter either. What are some good websites to see my options. I really dont know shit about these guns but im looking to step up from an ak to a better gun, so im all ears, and balls. |
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Just did a cheap new build. (flame suite on) I used a Model 1 16" lightweight car kit and a $75. blem finish Superior Arms Lower. Lower came from Robert at www.rbprecision.com Total price with shipping...$520. Now Model1 has a bad rap about out of spec parts, I didn't have any issues. But the mag release button was plastichadIf you hit the shows you can find stock plinkers for under $600. Then you have a base to change uppers........ Good luckhe Happy spending |
To be honest, it all depends on what you are looking for. If you don't mind a few used parts, you should be able to come up with something in that pric erange without much trouble. A used upper is often pretty cheap, but make sure you know what you are getting. A 14.5" barrel isn't legal, but a 14.5 w/FS perm attached is legal because it brings it out to 16". Do a lot of looking before you buy, and you will get a better idea of what you want, and how much it should cost you. AR15s are modular weapons, so you can buy parts a little at a time if money is tight. There are plenty of people who buy a stripped lower first for roughly $100, the lower parts kit (LPK) for another $50-70, and then a stock for another $50-75. That gets them all new parts on the bottom half. Then they check the EE boards and gun shows, and wait until they see a price and upper they like. Just make sure that when you look at uppers that you check and see if the bolt carrier group comes with it. If not, a new one is roughly $100. |
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The upper is your important part, I wouldnt skimp there if you can avoid it. Cry once. I did a midlength build for a buddy at work and he's in about 800 total but it's top tier rifle and 100% new. Quality isnt cheap and you'll never regret having a good rifle. I have about $350 total in my lowest cost build, all used parts from the EE and the upper is all Colt. It took several months to get together and alot of EE watching. ( it's an early slickside M16 clone) |
| I've built several from kits and lowers from OlyArms. Latest was a 16" free float tube, flat top with carry handle, 6 position stock A2 flash sup. Total just over $600.00 including lower I've had for several years and shipping. I've always bought the kits directly from Oly Arms, stripped lower through local gun dealer. I have never had a problem with their products and the rifles have been of very good quality. If you are LE let them know. I have 21 years active duty experience with M16 and Oly Arms weapons have been as good if not better than what i carried. |
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The $800 build I just did gave a chrome lined 16" midlength with ARMS40 BUIS. I'm confident it will have zero reliability issues and will be an accurate gun. ( I have the same setup myself) Find someone with a configuration you like and dont skimp. If it's your first build it's not the time to play around with unknown variables. Build a top quality rig and you'll learn what works and have confidence in your rifle. From the components used I would have no reservations about grabbing this rifle I built and defending myself with it. I wouldnt say that with an Oly plinker or M1S rifle without having ALOT of trigger time with it first. I feel the rfile built for $800 was a bargain for what it delivers. The bottom line is feeling like you did well for the $. If you want a dirt cheap plinker and dont care about how reliable it is you can probably build one for under $500ish without too much trouble. |
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