AR Sponsor
Posted: 9/29/2008 9:11:16 AM EDT
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yes, I'm a FNG. ok, I see a lot of people building their own A2s, M4s, 15,16 etc... ok, so why build your own?? Why not buy one already done?? I think someone stated they saved $180 bucks, but it seems it would be a pain in the butt to find all the parts, then put it all together. So whats the big benifit??? IF, I decide to build my own, what would be a good first timer build?? I really like the A2, M4s... Give me some feedback!! THX. |
| What more could a person need. I would understand a trigger job if your in comp., but what else would be needed? And why parts, they break that often?? I would like to think Bushmaster type weapons are accurate and reliable, are they not?? I am not being a smart a$$, I really don't know... |
Well for one you could add a quad rail handuard to mount lights, vertical front grips, etc and you could add optics (ie. red dot sights and scopes for various applications). All of it depends on the user and the intended purpose of the gun. You can also put various stocks, barrel lengths, sights, upper styles (A1, A2,etc.) on your rifle. Just look around at some of the pics on the forum and you'll get all kinds of ideas. You can even go further and build in a different caliber if you want. Basically, if you want to swap out parts on your rifle, you waste a lot of money by going to a store and buying a factory gun just to remove half the things and replace them anyway. Also, you learn ALOT about your gun in the process of building, which is fantastic knowledge to have. It can help you down the road if you need to diagnose problems or fix/replace parts on your gun. Basically, you can go and buy a stock, factory Bushmaster for like $900-1000 or you could build a custom rifle with everything you need for nearly the same price. So while you may not save money, you can get a higher quality rifle in the end. |
"Need" isn't really relevant here. Almost no one here outside of the military has an AR-15 because they "need" one. They have (or are building) one (or many) because they like them, and or just flat think they're cool. That extends to any/all goodies one might bolt onto one.
What about hunting? Or just plain enjoy shooting really, really small groups?
See my first comment. The sky's the limit.
Often extra parts are leftover from a kit build in which some things have been upgraded. Sometimes extra parts are kept on hand *just in case*, not because breakage is common. Some people build so many of these things that ending up with extra parts is inevitable.
You should probably do some more reading in these forums then...especially the "Post pics of yoru builds" sticky threads. Everything will make more sense to you after a while. |
Because no one, not one single manufacturer makes AR's in the configuration of my two AR's. Because I know who built them, I know that they'll run. And I know who to blame if they don't. And last, It's fun. |
I agree. You should buy your AR already assembeled. |
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I bought my first two, but am building one now. I have the lower completed, well, except for the trigger guard. It's fun, and you can configure it any way you want. Pic |
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I really had no idea how the AR worked until I bought parts to build my first one, then everything clicked (granted, i would have figured it out from a purchased one). It was fun, something to do over a few weekends, something to to take to the range and if people ask I can say "It is made by ME!" Guns are a hobby. So I guess building an AR goes along with it! |
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I live in Denver. In the winter, the sun goes down about 4pm here. I don't have a basement, but I need something to keep me busy or I'll go nuts. Last year, it was fishing lures - jigging spoons specifically. After realizing that melting lead over the stove probably isn't that good for you, and after two days of being hoarse from the lure paint fumes (and wondering how I didn't blow myself up), I decided my winter project this year will be to build 3 lowers. My ideas have evolved quite a bit since I first started in August. I started with one stripped lower - I bought two more after a doctor's appointment (gun store is on the way). I've decided on a 16" CQB type weapon, an 18" designated marksman type weapon, and a 20" National Match type rifle. I have two lowers complete. I have a complete upper and a 16" barrel on order. No hand guards yet but the first rifle - CQB will be done soon (sans optics). I still need a BCG for that gun. I ordered another upper today as well as two charging handles. Fall came last week....maybe I'm moving along too quickly. All I know is I'm building EXACTLY what I want on my terms. That's why I'm doing it 
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+1 I am new to ARs so it was a great way to learn for me. |
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this is why heBushmaster varminter upper Timney 3.5 # drop in trigger KNS pins DPMS lower RRA lpk PRS stock DPMS grip Harris bipod Accu monopod Mueller 8.5x25 scope I spent about $1200 and a new gun off the shelf would likley cost the same but I have far better parts plus i built it myself and it shoots holes through pennies all day. This was my 1st build after about 3 months of reading on the forums and research , took me about 2 hours to put together and it was cake to do. I got exaclty what I wanted within the budget I had planned. I was thinking of building a .308 but now I'm just going to get a 6.5 grendel upper with the same scope for the extra long reach if needed. 3 weeks later after I built this i bought 4 more lowers for future builds and replacement parts ( before Elections!) now I need more ammo and mags ! http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3258/1000577ob6.jpg |
Load in paint, Image, sketch/skew: 50%/50%. |
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"why build?" it is fun and you learn how your rifle works and how all the parts work together. I've built 5 so far and I love it. too bad it takes about 45 min to build a rifle from a pile of parts to completion. ETA: top cost me $750 to build Middle cost me $700 and bottom cost me $660. All of them are with quality parts bought from vendors on this site. shop around and you get deals. 
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Because they don't make it the way i want  Honestly if you don't know much about the weapon system then yes it is much easier to just buy a complete weapon and call it a day. However for people who are more particular about thier weapon, then it is much better to build it yourself.
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The damn things are like the old Snap-tite models I had as a kid. I've built a lot of other things in my life, why not a rifle or two too? The AR15 to me is like an adult erector set that shoots bullets! God knows I spent hours on end building crap with my erector set as a kid. It's evolution I guess. |
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For a career infantry soldier like me (13 yrs in November and still going), the AR platform is almost like second nature to me. It's been a dream of mine since I was in high school to own an AR, and once I was trained on engaging targets with one, I KNEW I had to get one. Of course, I've seen the military weaponry evolve from the M16A2, to the -A4, finally to the M4. I miss the accuracy of the 20" -A2s and -A4s, but you can't beat the versatility of the M4. I've used mine with an Eotech and an Aimpoint CompM2 (M68 for us) to clear rooms and do some CQB in downtown Baghdad for a few months, then swap those out for an ACOG and knock down "targets" at distance in the surrounding farmlands southwest of Baghdad International Airport. So why build, you ask? Because I can. has |
Why build? Because I can't pic up a catalog and order one of these..... I still gotta get the correct lower for it, then of course I have to build another rifle on the A1 lower it is currently attached to. This is my first AR and definately won't be my last build! I'm into the retros, but am thinking of doing a 6.8 build for deer hunting. 
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 There's a certain amount of personal satisfaction knowing that I'll probably never run into an AR like this one. |
It's fun  (even if you just build something you could buy off the shelf like a straight A2 or M4gery). If you want something different, you can build EXACTLY what you want. You also learn more about the platform by building--especially if you take the time to learn to do it right.
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Best answer yet, and worth reading twice. Emphasis on fun!
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+1 
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I guess it's kinda like a person changing their own oil, or doing vehicle maintenance themselves....can be because of money, sense of pride, the knowledge gained, or just because you want to. :) If you care to take a gander at it, I just recently put some info on my first 3 builds up on my website www.cardboardkiller.com/blackrifle/blackrifle.htm. I have two more builds laying on my kitchen counter right now that I'm hoping to complete tomorrow....waiting on gas blocks to get here. Once they are done, I'll probably add them to my web page too. |
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I am building my own so I know how it works, so I can have it MY way, and also because it is easier to sneak $100 or so by the wife than it is to sneak $1000. Of course the $525 for the CMMG upper did get some attention. h, |
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