AR Sponsor
Posted: 1/12/2012 6:33:39 PM EDT
|
New member here, patiently waiting to start my first build. I did try and search prior to posting but kept getting "no search results found."
I'm considering overall cost effectiveness. Would it be better to order a complete rifle kit, similar to the ones PSA sells; or order each piece individually? I already have a moe stock and grip, so what comes with the rifle kit would be useless to me. Considering stripped lower from AIM, and a DD LPK or PSA. Thoughts and opinions appreciated. |
| It's not so much of a budget issue, more of cost effectiveness. Bcg, charging handle, and stripped upper seem to be the significant difference in ordering kit vs individually. I'm just looking for what direction to go on this build, guess its easy to get overwhelmed on 1st build. |
|
I know the Del-Ton kits come complete with the upper per-assembled and head space checked, basically you just put the lower together. It comes with everything except the stripped lower. You could just pick the option to get the cheapest butt stock and just keep it aside for "just in case". I do know that their 16" flat top kits was cheaper than buying all the parts separate, and you know they will all work together.
|
|
If you want a 'standard' option rifle it's usually cheaper to buy a kit. The reason being parts+shipping from a few places to get the loest price is usually the same or more then a kit + only 1 shipping charge. Shipping from 4-5 places will add up fast.
The only time I would buy parts over a kit is if I had a specific set of options in mind and was gonna scrap half of a kit and replace the parts anyways. Being your first build it's also easier from a planning standpoint to just get a kit and be done with it as long as you find one with the look you like. |
| Thanks. I really want to assemble both the upper and lower, I enjoy wrenching on things. I'm leaning towards spikes stripped upper and BCG from AIM. Really looking forward to getting started with this project. I've had the stock and grip for about a week and just trying to find the right items to "add to cart." |
|
You can build it cost effectively. Just don't be like me and forget a couple of critical pins in the order (stupid gas tube pin!)! It's actually pretty fun to put it together yourself.
My first "build" was a stripped lower and a PSA rifle kit. It was a good way to learn and very cost effective. My second build was a 6.8. 80% lower and complete SAA upper. My third (in progress) is a scratch built 14.5" Carbine with an 80% lower. Each is more fun than the last edit: Next build is a DPMS pattern AR-10 from an 80% lower and all scratch built! Then I'll take a break 'cause I'm gettting broke... |
BUT It depends, my guess is to take your time and calculate everything. If you order a kit, it'll be full of regular AR pieces. If you order individually, it'll be more expensive BUT you can customize, for an example like a match/2-STAGE trigger. Just got with your gut on this one, my advice for you is to know what exactly you are building your AR for, what job you want it to complete, what you want the finished product to look like. And build it correctly right off the bat. Good Luck my friend! 
|
|
Quoted:
If you want a 'standard' option rifle it's usually cheaper to buy a kit. The reason being parts+shipping from a few places to get the loest price is usually the same or more then a kit + only 1 shipping charge. Shipping from 4-5 places will add up fast. The only time I would buy parts over a kit is if I had a specific set of options in mind and was gonna scrap half of a kit and replace the parts anyways. Being your first build it's also easier from a planning standpoint to just get a kit and be done with it as long as you find one with the look you like. +1 |
|
seems like most places like psa sell an already assembled upper with there kits see some on jse surplus that have the option of buying unassembled but its
probably always going to be more cost effective with a kit or complete upper than buying all the individual parts unless you happen to find some really great deals. but if budget really isnt an issue spending more to build it yourself may be worth it to you. |
|
IMO cost effective can vary by definition. An example:
You already have a grip. You already have a stock. Let's say: You want a BCM gunfighter CH. You want a NiB BCG. You want a Spike's Battle trigger or geiselle trigger. You want a certain rail, sights, trigger guard, safety, and various other items. Your best bet is to find a stripped lower that you like and buy the parts you want. That way you are not left with extra parts that you didn't want anyway. Same goes with the upper as far as the CH, BCG, handguards ect..... Some people also buy in stages to make the cost easier to swallow and to avoid the Fedral tax that comes with a complete rifle. I bought a Stag upper awhile back and then bought everything else online for it except the receiver. I then bought a lower local to me that was stag and then assembled the rifle with all STAG parts. Does it have the complete rifle STAG warranty....maybe not, but then again all the parts are STAG and they stand behind their products so in a round about way it kinda does. |
AR Sponsor