Hey guys, I'm a college student and I'm hoping to build an AR-15 in the next few months here.  How much did your first builds cost you?  Are gun shows better places to get parts, or is online a better idea?

Online, gun shows will ocasionally have some good deals, for the most part you can buy online for a lot less money.  I think I had around $600 in my first build, just a standard 20" A2 rifle back in '96 or so.

$2500 with everthing (NV, NV compatable EOTECH, other scopes, surefire, all the other toys)
$750 to have a shootable gun. DPMS flattop carbine

You can get some good deals on things at gun shows BUT know what you want before you go to buy and what it costs at other places.

Gunshows are ok if you are intimately familiar with what you're looking for.  Too many disreputable dealers will try to pass off no name chinese or airsoft crap as quality name brand stuff.  Just be cautious and good deals can be found.

There are a lot of good dealers in the industry section and on the equipment exchange forums.  They sell known quality and won't rip you off.

Check out Eagle Firearms, Del-ton, RB precision for good service and prices.

$600-$650 should get you built with good, brand new components.  I did a Rock River/Mega build for about this price.  Picked up the Mega lower at a gun show and the rest online.  Turned out to be a beautiful shooter.

check out the EE lots of good deals to be had in there

Quoted: check out the EE lots of good deals to be had in there

+ 87  The EE is a wonderful place, but it can also be a very dangerous place. It has a way of sucking money from your wallet very easily.. I have saved lots of money by shopping the EE.

Good luck and welcome to the site.


Gene

I've had great luck on www.gunbroker.com and if you read through all the material in the build it yourself section you'll know just what you'll need.  My first build was around 750 to 800 and my second was around 1000.  That was with tools I bought which are ar specific and all the details I wanted on my guns.  Good luck.

Thanks! I appreciate it!