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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - $500 Build/Buy Possible? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 7/9/2010 7:25:47 PM EDT
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Hey guys, first post, and this is mainly why I signed up. Is it possible to put together an AR for about $500 total, or even buy one and get it OTD for that price? I've got about every legal gun type there is except for a high-capacity semi-auto rifle. Also, I'd like it chambered in 5.56 (which can shoot either 5.56 or .223 correct?).
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Good morning and welcome aaron_c.
Here's a complete breakdown in a spreadsheet of my new (third build for AR-15s) lightweight build. I'm sure it'll turn off the current trendies around here. It's not chrome-lined, my personal favorite twist rate of 1-9 and my third Model 1 Sales barrel all supremely accurate and reliable, and I didn't have to take out a second mortgage on the house to buy it. Some parts are in transit but they're all paid for and I'm looking forward to the build. It's just a reference so take what you will. None of it will get you a seat at the cool kids table. But you will able to hit what you aim at and it will go bang every time you pull the trigger and ruin the day of anything in front of it. 
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Where do you get the $50 blem lower? Shop around at gun shows, friends, gun shops, etc. Look around for deals. Right now AIM Surplus is selling a lower for $59, so add about $10 shipping (high guess) and a $20 FFL fee, and you're into a lower for only $90 - I've seen them going for twice that. Cheap lowers are some of your best savings. Same with the complete kits; I can't find a way to do it cheaper than that, even by buying barrels and uppers separate, or getting stripped uppers - none of it beats the price. I'm a build-it-yourself kind of guy, but these prices teeter very close to the $800 out-the-door rifle from Spike's (the carry handle is a $75 value right there). Something to think about. |
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Is the Del-Ton complete upper (http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt103.htm) and a cheap stripped lower really all I need? That's way more do-able than I thought, considering the cheap ones at Academy are like 899.00. How difficult is it to put the Del-Ton kit and the stripped lower together? All I've ever built from a parts list before is a computer and a home-theater PC, so I'm not sure where this compares on the difficulty scale there.
Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it. |
| It can be done by constant searches and planning. I wish the W.I.B bolt carrier group was still 80 bucks, I'd definitely pick up a few. Mine cost me just above 500$, it took awhile to gather all the parts, but I did it. I got the bolt carrier group and upper receiver coming this week to finish it off. I spent more than I wanted to on the bolt carrier group only because I was a bit too anxious and couldnt wait. |
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Is the Del-Ton complete upper (http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt103.htm) and a cheap stripped lower really all I need? That's way more do-able than I thought, considering the cheap ones at Academy are like 899.00. How difficult is it to put the Del-Ton kit and the stripped lower together? All I've ever built from a parts list before is a computer and a home-theater PC, so I'm not sure where this compares on the difficulty scale there. Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it. Its real easy to do. The upper you dont have to mess with except to add the bolt carrier group and charging handle, it should come to you already assembled. Putting the Lower together is a bit more time consuming but easy to do. Alot of good details on this site to help you with it. Read it a few times to get an understanding and the necessary tools needed. Once you have the lower assembled with buttstock in place, slap the upper on the lower......slam, bam, thank you mam! Make sure she's lubed, and take her out for a day of fun! |
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How difficult is it to put the Del-Ton kit and the stripped lower together? All I've ever built from a parts list before is a computer and a home-theater PC, so I'm not sure where this compares on the difficulty scale there. Honestly, installing the front pivot pin is about the most frustrating part. Find yourself a large clear plastic bag to assemble that part inside (so you don't launch the detent across the room). The rest is easy... AR-15 assembly guide |
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What's the least expensive complete AR I can buy in 5.56, new? I'll have to do some comparisons based on the fact that I'll have to buy a tool or two as well. It doesn't seem like it's going to end up being much cheaper than a new, assembled AR. Least expensive, brand new, complete AR I've ever seen is sold by "Plum Crazy Fire Arms Distributing" out of Arizona. $599.00 +$20.00 shipping to your FFL. Seen many threads praising these polymer lower receivers and the fire control group is mostly polymer as well. Practically everybody who's bought or built one is very impressed with the trigger and the overall quality. Myself...hhmmm, polymer? Not quite that adventurous. CMMG is said to have great deals on seconds from time to time. Complete rifles for around $600.00. Stay safe and happy shopping––eventually happy shooting. |
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What kind of tools are you thinking about? Maybe we can shed some light on things. If you purchase an upper half pre-assembled, you really don't need anything you (probably) don't already have.
The last lower half build I completed only required an allen wrench to install the grip, and a screwdriver to install the buttstock. Oh yeah, and my plastic bag for that dang pivot pin detent 
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Check on here in the hometown forum under your state. Some guys get together to help newer guys assemble AR15.( borrow tools and knowledge)
Last straight M4 build I did ran me a $540 including transfers and shipping. Used DSA barrel and blem lower, they are not on their website, but if you call they run $62. Got all of the rest of the parts here in the Equipment Exchange. |
| I'm thinking I want the bare bones AR anyway, I really love that classic look of it. While the tactical gear looks awesome and I may move into that at a later date, for now, I'll likely stick with the most basic possible. Oh, and I can only see posts within the past 30 days for some reason, so would I just need to start a thread over there to see who is in my area? |
| i know if you search the interweb you can still find colt m16 a1 and a2 parts kits for between $450 and $499, then add in a lower (check the gun shows, internet, the equipment exchange on here, etc) and you'll be close. thats for a 20" standard rifle though. i built one of those from a century arms kit and it was awesome. i spent another $30 buying a used stock/buffer tube/etc from a friend, and then cut the barrel down to 16", redrilled the gas hole, and boom; dissipator carbine. never should have sold that gun. |
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Quoted: Thanks AA2000- for $540, do you think your build would outperform, say, a $599 off-the-shelf AR? Or have more features? Doubt it, they're probably about the same. Compromises will need to be made at that price point in metal material, treating, features (twist rate, chrome lining, etc). Just depends on where those compromises are made and what features you're looking for. For instance, if you're looking at the $599 S&WOR CDNN has, it comes with no sights front or rear, so you're going to have to get some driving your cost up, but the S&W does have some of the other features that a del-ton kit may not like for instance, I think, but am not sure, that the smith is chrome lined. |
| I know you guys are going to be biased on this question, but would it be any cheaper to get an AK-74 in 5.45 that's good quality? I'm not quite done with college yet and it would be cool to some day have an AK and an AR anyway. Can the -74 shoot relatively accurately? I know it will never shoot like an AR but I bet they are still great fun. |
| Don't know if this will help. DSArms has lowers with lower parts kit and M4 stock for $200 shipped. At least that's what my cousin got it for. He has an ffl and I get the family transfer rate. Any how $200 is still the cheapest I've seen. You might be able to get this lower and find upper parts at the right price. I've seen some good prices at global tactical on upper parts. |
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I think AIM has assembled lowers for a good price.
I deleted the email or I would post the link. This picture is not completely accurate as a fair share of parts swapping/selling has gone on. I was selling trading to get the parts for the middy w/ Aimpoint I posted earlier. 
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Thanks AA2000- for $540, do you think your build would outperform, say, a $599 off-the-shelf AR? Or have more features? Doubt it, they're probably about the same. Compromises will need to be made at that price point in metal material, treating, features (twist rate, chrome lining, etc). Just depends on where those compromises are made and what features you're looking for. For instance, if you're looking at the $599 S&WOR CDNN has, it comes with no sights front or rear, so you're going to have to get some driving your cost up, but the S&W does have some of the other features that a del-ton kit may not like for instance, I think, but am not sure, that the smith is chrome lined. I would agree. I would say my KISS build would match a kit or CMMG bargin bin rifle. Lower with shipping and fee was $82, DSA blem LPK was DPMS off EE for $50 M4 stock was $40 off EE Upper was $50 with fixed carry handle off Craigslist key hole marked Bolt Carrier Group was RRA $105 shipped off the EE. Barrel was DSA at $197 IIRC, no it was not chrome lined handguards were $20 off EE Just be patient and stalk EE. If you know what you want, when the deals come up, jump on them. Bravo Company has upper receiver kits (Dust cover, forward assist) scratch and dents for $62. I bought two, and I will be damned if I can see anything wrong with them. |
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Bravo Company has upper receiver kits (Dust cover, forward assist) scratch and dents for $62. I bought two, and I will be damned if I can see anything wrong with them. I saw those..... 
I am tempted to buy a couple and put them on KISS carbines and use removable carry handles or YHM BUIS. But, I don't usually sell my parts, so then I would have spare A2 uppers and I'll be damned the things don't seem to sprout into complete rifles....... 
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| For under $500.00 buy a Spike's complete upper. Then buy and assemble your lower as funds permit. You'll be much happier in the long run. I've built very nice lowers for $250.00... Spike's stripped lower, DD LPK, Magpul MOE furniture kit with buffer tube from DSG. |
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http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/5842/phpasfkcspm.jpg
Did that one for $535... The EE is your friend! All DPMS - Fluted Bull Barrel, Free Floating Quad Rail. Upper was brand new, lower was stated as used, but you couldn't tell! |
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Quoted: http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/5842/phpasfkcspm.jpg Did that one for $535... The EE is your friend! All DPMS - Fluted Bull Barrel, Free Floating Quad Rail. Upper was brand new, lower was stated as used, but you couldn't tell! ok im gonna ask it for future reference... what the hell is EE? |
| I'll be honest with you guys, I cheated on you a bit with the idea of getting a Saiga and converting it to a traditional AK style weapon. Would have been cheaper I think but unfortunately, I made the mistake of going to Academy and holding an AR, and now I'm in love with the weapon. It's so menacingly beautiful, light weight, and ergonomic. I'm going to get that DPMS Sportical kit from someone for Christmas and then buy a stripped lower receiver myself- will that be ALL I need, other than some good instructions on putting it together? |
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I'm going to get that DPMS Sportical kit Do some more reading through this site. There is a ton of great info. Spend a little more and get a lot more rifle for your money. I've got plenty of time to do that so I'll continue reading. My main concern with not going with either a kit + stripped lower or a complete upper + complete lower is that I may forget/leave out some parts and have trouble with it when the build starts. |
| If you get a cheap lower/blem lower, you can knock everything else out with a DPMS Complete Kit for $499 at Midway. I know its not $500 total out the door, but its close and no need to wait around forever looking for a super deal that may never materialize. |
| I've seen that I'll have to bump that $500 up a bit and like I said, this will be a Christmas gift (most of it) so I can buy a part or two myself and have my dad get me the kit if I go that route. I could also have my dad get me a complete upper and someone else get me a lower parts kit and me buy the stripped lower. I'll be looking into it when I get home from work and over the next few weeks to see which way will be best for me to go. |
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So what are some companies that make complete uppers for around the $500 mark, that I can begin research on? I'm still leaning a bit towards the Del-Ton kit and upgrading later as I get money, and because it would take the guess work out of making sure I have every part.
Other than that, I'd need: complete upper, stripped lower, lower receiver parts kit, and (unsure of the terminology here) stock/buffer tube kit, correct? |
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What's the least expensive complete AR I can buy in 5.56, new? I'll have to do some comparisons based on the fact that I'll have to buy a tool or two as well. It doesn't seem like it's going to end up being much cheaper than a new, assembled AR. cmmg has "bargain bin" complete ARs for $600. you don't get to choose the manufacturer though. people here have said that they are good guns, however. |
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Yeah I looked at the CMMG bargain bin guns but I've pretty much decided that as long as I can get the parts for a similar price I'm going to do that, just because I'd rather put something together myself than have one assembled in a factory and handed to me. I'm the same way with computers and other things like that. The DPMS kit + stripped lower is what I'm going with so far.
On the lower receiver note, would it be a 'straw purchase' for one of my parents to buy me the lower receiver, or illegal in any way? |
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I know you guys are going to be biased on this question, but would it be any cheaper to get an AK-74 in 5.45 that's good quality? I'm not quite done with college yet and it would be cool to some day have an AK and an AR anyway. Can the -74 shoot relatively accurately? I know it will never shoot like an AR but I bet they are still great fun. You can pick up and AK-74 for around $400, and 5.45x39 is about half the cost of 5.56, so yes, it would be cheaper. Of course, you could also get/build an AR in 5.45 and enjoy the benefits of low ammo costs and the superior platform of the AR. |
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Yeah I looked at the CMMG bargain bin guns but I've pretty much decided that as long as I can get the parts for a similar price I'm going to do that, just because I'd rather put something together myself than have one assembled in a factory and handed to me. I'm the same way with computers and other things like that. The DPMS kit + stripped lower is what I'm going with so far. On the lower receiver note, would it be a 'straw purchase' for one of my parents to buy me the lower receiver, or illegal in any way? i don't blame you and am thinking of going the build route myself, just to gain the knowledge. since it sounds like it'll be a while before you buy the kit and start the build. do some searching and reading on arfcom about the sportical. there are lots of kits out there for the price range you are looking at. grab a copy of shotgun news and you'll see there are tons of kits that you just add the lower to. some of the kits have better parts than the sportical. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - $500 Build/Buy Possible? (Page 1 of 2)
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