AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/25/2008 10:05:26 PM EDT
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Why is it cheaper to get a rifle kit pre-assembled w/ lower parts kit than getting everything individually and building it from scratch?
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I recall, two years ago when I built my first AR, i compared complete kits and individual parts at Del-Ton and it was the same situation...Cheaper for the kit...I'm building another and just priced it out again. $545 vs. $485...Shoot, with the kit I can upgrade to a chrome lined 1 in 7 twist barrel for an extra $45 and still come out cheaper.
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| kits are cheaper unless you want custom options and the kits don't have them. Say you want a particular aftermarket stock and ff that the kit won't come with. Then its cheaper to buy other parts seperate than buy a kit with stuff you don't need and extra stuff on top of it. |
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Mine was definitely cheaper. So far I've spent about 400 dollars (if you don't include mags) and I've got top of the line stuff. I just need to finish the bolt carrier group (btw, if anyones got a spare complete bolt and a firing pin w/ retaining pin, I'll buy it from you), get some iron sights, and I'm good to go.
So I'd definitely build one. Its my first gun, I built it myself, I know it inside and out. And I haven't even fired it yet. Even if it costs more than buying prebuilt for YOU, because of the buys you made, I'd STILL build one yourself because by the time you finish you'll be a lot more confident in your ability to use it and maintain it. The money, if you're stupid enough to spend more than you could have, is insignificant compared to the learning experience. Period. |
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I'm in the process of aquiring parts for a varmit/target rig and so far kits vs. parts are about the same. I'm looking at complete uppers from JP Rifles and Noveske vs. high end parts. So far it's a wash, plus or minus a hundred bucks. Problem is with current supply I'm sourcing 4 different suppliers to put it together, which will increase shipping by a huge margin.
As to the poster above me, either you and I have different ideas of what "top of the line" means or I need some tips from you on shopping for parts. Last I looked a high end stock is a couple of hundred bucks alone. $400 is about right for the barrel. Hell, even my trigger group was close to $200, and that's because I didn't think I could afford a Geissele. Seriously, if you've got some info I'm missing do please share. I'm never opposed to spending less if I can get the same. |
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Quoted:
Mine was definitely cheaper. So far I've spent about 400 dollars (if you don't include mags) and I've got top of the line stuff. What vendors did you use? I'm feel confident w/ building my own. I've installed a LPK in two lowers so far and have also swapped a couple of barrels. |
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Quoted:
Mine was definitely cheaper. So far I've spent about 400 dollars (if you don't include mags) and I've got top of the line stuff. I just need to finish the bolt carrier group (btw, if anyones got a spare complete bolt and a firing pin w/ retaining pin, I'll buy it from you), get some iron sights, and I'm good to go. So I'd definitely build one. Its my first gun, I built it myself, I know it inside and out. And I haven't even fired it yet. Even if it costs more than buying prebuilt for YOU, because of the buys you made, I'd STILL build one yourself because by the time you finish you'll be a lot more confident in your ability to use it and maintain it. The money, if you're stupid enough to spend more than you could have, is insignificant compared to the learning experience. Period. 
I'm going to have to agree with gimpypaw, 400 dollars for "top of the line" is a bit unrealistic. Also, once you include "top of the line" irons and BCG, you're well over 600 dollars. If this guy is just trying to build a shootable AR on the cheap, a stripped lower ~$135 and a rifle kit ~$465 is hard to beat. |
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It's cheaper because the people selling you parts are selling you a bunch of parts and making some profit on the whole deal.
When you buy just 1 single part at a time, the seller usually charges a bit more mark-up because that may be the only item you buy and they need to make a profit on that. Same reason that buying the "Value meals" at fast food stores are cheaper than buying the individual items. |
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Quoted:
It's cheaper because the people selling you parts are selling you a bunch of parts and making some profit on the whole deal. When you buy just 1 single part at a time, the seller usually charges a bit more mark-up because that may be the only item you buy and they need to make a profit on that. Same reason that buying the "Value meals" at fast food stores are cheaper than buying the individual items. This makes sense. Quoted:
One reason is you are suppling the labor which is about 10% of the cost of manufacturing. This doesn't. This is the opposite of what I'm talking about. Pre assembled kits are cheaper, not the other way around. |
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This has always been my analogy. Go down to the Ford, GMC, Dodge, or Toyota Dealership and price out all the parts to build a new truck at the Parts Dept. Counter.  One piece at a time. |
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This has always been my analogy. Go down to the Ford, GMC, Dodge, or Toyota Dealership and price out all the parts to build a new truck at the Parts Dept. Counter. One piece at a time. He got that car one piece at a time but he didn't pay for any of them.
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AR Sponsor