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1/6/2014 4:59:26 PM EDT
So after much convincing on my part my wife has alloted me $1000 to buy an ar, mags and ammo.  So would I be better off buying a premade rifle or buying the parts and putting it together myself? I am wanting a carbine length.  Plinker/home defense uses.  I have knowledge of how to put them together(was the armorer at one of my units for over 2 years) but not all the tools needed.  Either 5.56 or 300 BLK is preferred.  Any help is appreciated.
1/6/2014 5:09:43 PM EDT
[#1]
The build your own has the appeal of getting you very familiar with the rifle…I find there is always something to be learned when assembling a firearm from scratch
1/6/2014 5:17:03 PM EDT
[#2]
Depends of part of the fun is the build. For me I pay more so I can tinker and hand pick. $700-800 for a fully built rifle. Same for a complete upper and lower to combine. Prolly looking at $800-900 for complete build from scratch, if you stick to lower end but decent products, such as Palmetto State.
1/6/2014 6:48:56 PM EDT
[#3]
Hurry up and buy this rifle and you'll actually have enough for some mags and ammo.  It's a base line no frills M4 style but it's solid and reliable.........http://grabagun.com/palmetto-state-armory-m4-orc-16-556-mil-spec.html
1/6/2014 7:35:16 PM EDT
[#4]
build it so that you can save money then spend the remaining money on ammo and mags



you can build a pretty solid ar for about 550-600 if you search/buy when there are sales



the time to buy mags is NOW - they are cheaper than ever and plentiful



ammo has gotten better over the past year as well





happy building!
1/6/2014 8:39:27 PM EDT
[#5]
SO much more fun to build it yourself, and it can be cheaper too (especially if you buy blemished receivers etc)you learn your rifle inside and out. And for troubleshooting that is priceless.
1/7/2014 6:43:26 AM EDT
[#6]
If your budget is only $1000 don't build a 300black out. That ammo is more expensive and harder to find ( im assuming da wife doesn't like expensive ammo).
Find a buddy or a local guy who has all the right tools.

Its really very easy, and 100% build it.

1/7/2014 8:55:52 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:
Hurry up and buy this rifle and you'll actually have enough for some mags and ammo.  It's a base line no frills M4 style but it's solid and reliable.........http://grabagun.com/palmetto-state-armory-m4-orc-16-556-mil-spec.html
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Hurry up and buy this rifle and you'll actually have enough for some mags and ammo.  It's a base line no frills M4 style but it's solid and reliable.........http://grabagun.com/palmetto-state-armory-m4-orc-16-556-mil-spec.html



This guy has it right. I have this same gun except I built the lower. If you buy this you can get a GOOD optic and a mag or two with your remaining cash


Quoted:
If your budget is only $1000 don't build a 300black out. That ammo is more expensive and harder to find


This is also a great piece of advice. I've never even seen 300 blackout ammo
1/8/2014 1:27:02 PM EDT
[#8]
BUILD!!!  Why buy something complete you'll be upgrading anyway?  I built so that all my "upgrades" were included in the original price, no waste and no having to take things apart only to put them back together.  Got everything I wanted the first time, and would change nothing now, it's just like I wanted it.  Besides it gives you that using Old Spice and drinking Dr Pepper 10 manly feeling to put it together and drop the hammer on it the first time.  It impresses women and children too <just let me have my damned fantasy, ok?>.
1/8/2014 2:29:05 PM EDT
[#9]
The sht you can build you will never find on the wall of a gun store. 100% unique. All your buddies will be jealous.

You will also become one of the elite and obsessed ar15.comers and be able to appreciate better what other members have built in the past and see why.

Who knows, you might do something that no one else has done before!

Build!
1/8/2014 2:32:31 PM EDT
[#10]
Build Build Build... i was in your shoes a few months ago.  Went with the build option it has been a blast reading and learning about everything.  As stated you really get to know your rifle.  Build it.  DO IT
1/8/2014 2:35:48 PM EDT
[#11]
I had never owned an AR before jumping right into the "build" pool, and it's so definitely worth it.  I won't ever buy a factory built one, at this point, unless it is simply a miracle of a deal.

Besides, if you're anything like the rest of us, you'll immediately want to switch out parts, which will only add to the cost of the factory rifle and leave you with a pile of furniture.  This typically isn't a problem, until you get full-on BRD, when those piles of parts start to reproduce and have babies.
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