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Posted: 8/12/2014 8:00:42 AM EDT
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New member here. New to AR's in the since I've never built my own from scratch. That being said, I'm using the search feature plenty, though I'm sure I might slip and ask the odd stupid question. A friend / co-worker challenged me with assembling a budget 5.56/223 AR, after a long discussion spurred after a trip to the range. I know that personal preferences and opinions are what they are. That being said - This will be a piece by piece build as finances and time allow. No time frame on the challenge. I'm hoping that will help me run across some deals and sale. Only stipulation is that all my components must be new and not acquired from individuals, so that theoretically, anyone could duplicate my build if they so desired. After a good bit of digging around, I've decided I'm going to leave Polymer lowers off the table for now. I have a feeling this won't be my last AR build - but for now I'm going "standard" and basic as it were. I'm not taking complete lowers off the table either, it's all about the bottom line. FYI: If I can build a complete rifle for under $500 - shipping included - and shoot a group of a certain size at the local range, Half of the build cost will be reimbursed to me directly. MY man hours of labor are at stake. If I lose the bet, I'm trading him out some specialized work. Starting with the lower: Stripped Lowers: PSA Blem lower $72 shipped Anderson lower $68 shipped Complete Lower: PSA Complete Lower (Blackhawk grip and stock) $146.99 shipped The PSA complete is looking like the winner right now. Any other hot leads on a cheap complete or stripped lower? The $200 PSA complete uppers are looking mighty attractive (for what I want to accomplish) as well. Wish me luck. |
| First find a gun show in your area I picked up a new Anderson for 60 buck out the door in Raleigh a few weeks ago the rest I would say buy a psa rifle kit or separate upper and complete lower kit. You should be able to do it. But I'm still trying to decide on what lpk to put in my first ar so I am no expert. |
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Quoted: 50 shipped is good on a lower. But remember unless you got a connection a mail order lower is going to cost you a transfer fee as well. Around here its 25 to 45 dollars is the range FFLs charge for this Have a buddy with a FFL and his charge usually involves beer and / or him shooting whatever I'm buying. Now that I think about it- I'm probably getting ripped off LOL
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Quoted: What size? Quoted: Quoted: FYI: If I can build a complete rifle for under $500 - shipping included - and shoot a group of a certain size at the local range, Half of the build cost will be reimbursed to me directly. What size? |
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Are you buying a barreled upper, or installing the barrel on your own? If you decide to go free float, the smooth free float tubes had be had for around $40. Link
Edit to add: Standard hand guards may be cheaper, but a FF tube will save you from ordering the hardware needed for standard handguards. Are sights included as part of the price, or will there be sights similar to that of the "control group" rifle provided? Another edit: Originally posted before the OP posted. |
| Keep an eye on mas defense too. I've not used them personally yet, but their pricing looks good. I put together everything I needed to assemble 300 no pistol build except upper and lower receiver for around 430. You could drop some of those parts and get cheaper ones. Personally, I think adding the ffl fee to the build is a bad idea. It isn't part of the rifle that could affect usability. |
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http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt103-m.htm complete kit for $450 just get a sub $50 lower and there you have it under $500... BTW I have this kit and it shoots nice groups. fatboy tactical . com has Anderson blems for $39.. that might save you some cash. |
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Great challenge, I'll be following it closely. Cheapest kit I've found is the ATI kit from AIM for $400 including free shipping. Doesn't have the lower receiver, front sight, or a trigger guard.
If you went with a cheap scope or red dot you could get by with no sights. PSA currently has their lowers for $60. |
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Appreciate all the input. Like I said, I'm in no super hurry on this thing. I'll be doing some more research from a chair with a drink in my hand by tomorrow - heading to beach for a mini-vacation. My teenage son saw me browsing AR parts and rifles and asked me if I was going to buy one. When I told him what was going on, he just grinned and asked if he could shoot it. LOL. My wife just shook her head. In all honesty, I figure winning the bet will be no biggie unless I go on a drunken online shopping spree. With my winnings I plan on upgrading the rifle - maybe optics and a nice case etc. LOL
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Quoted:
fatboy tactical . com has Anderson blems for $39.. that might save you some cash. +1 I got a blem Anderson lower and upper, $39 each w/free shipping, from Fat Boy. The blems are flawless. Side note - there is another thread I started somewhere on this topic. Building a sub-$500 rifle is going to be a breeze. Many quality ones were built in that thread for $450~ or less. You'll be fine, we're in a buyers market for AR's. |
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