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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - The Money Pit (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 12/30/2013 9:14:16 PM EDT
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Ok, so I figured that building my own AR would not really be the economical way to do it, but given that the rifle I wanted was going to cost about $1500 the only way to really get there was to save for ever, or simply buy it as a can afford to do so. However each time I reach a new quasi milestone, it seems that I expose a new cost. I've acquired all the parts to make a functional rifle, and now I'm on to Optics. HOLY CRAP! Optics are freaking expensive! And if that wasn't enough, then the freaking scope mounts are another $100-$200. What a Money Pit! And, if that wasn't enough once I get all that I'm going to need to stock up and hold about 1000 round of Ammo or so... another cash cow.
So,. for anyone like me who is new to the game. Thinking of getting into this sport / hobby. Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. All this crap is freaking expensive! |
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Haha, you think it's bad now. Wait until you move to your second and third rifle, optics, etc...  Exactly!! It's fun as he'll to build these things. I think it's an addiction, and ar15.com is the support group. I think I'm going in the direction of building multiple rifles, each with its own purpose such as medium range precision shooting, to close quarters setup. Then it's not a question of rapidly switching optics as much as it is a questions of which tool for the job. Shorter vs longer barrel, scope vs reflex sight. And then you get to do it in 5.56 and .308 or whatever. I'm going to need a bigger safe. |
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Yeah, I was tracking the cost and lost sight of the end cost. I think I even lost sight of my project as during the build and subsequent research I've changed my mind and upgraded here or there. It's hard to design a concept up front and stick with that all the way through the end. Parts come and go, are aubject to availability and then there are those sales that make some parts more attractive and move you off the original build list. I just hope it all works well in the end. Sorry if I'm in the wrong thread for this, I'm new to the sport as well as the board. You're fine. I get where you are coming from. I used to restore cars for a hobby. After dumping $20k in a Fairlane and getting $12,500 when I sold it guns look like ARE bargains. |
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Haha, you think it's bad now. Wait until you move to your second and third rifle, optics, etc... Exactly!! It's fun as he'll to build these things. I think it's an addiction, and ar15.com is the support group. I think I'm going in the direction of building multiple rifles, each with its own purpose such as medium range precision shooting, to close quarters setup. Then it's not a question of rapidly switching optics as much as it is a questions of which tool for the job. Shorter vs longer barrel, scope vs reflex sight. And then you get to do it in 5.56 and .308 or whatever. I'm going to need a bigger safe. AR15 is NOT a support group. ARFCOM is the enabling parent who loans you $35 for "food" so you can swing by the crackhouse later |
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Ok, so I figured that building my own AR would not really be the economical way to do it, but given that the rifle I wanted was going to cost about $1500 the only way to really get there was to save for ever, or simply buy it as a can afford to do so. However each time I reach a new quasi milestone, it seems that I expose a new cost. I've acquired all the parts to make a functional rifle, and now I'm on to Optics. HOLY CRAP! Optics are freaking expensive! And if that wasn't enough, then the freaking scope mounts are another $100-$200. What a Money Pit! And, if that wasn't enough once I get all that I'm going to need to stock up and hold about 1000 round of Ammo or so... another cash cow. So,. for anyone like me who is new to the game. Thinking of getting into this sport / hobby. Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. All this crap is freaking expensive! LOL my hobbies are boats, race cars, and guns - guns is the least expensive. I am sub $900 on my first AR. |
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Yeah, I was tracking the cost and lost sight of the end cost. I think I even lost sight of my project as during the build and subsequent research I've changed my mind and upgraded here or there. It's hard to design a concept up front and stick with that all the way through the end. Parts come and go, are aubject to availability and then there are those sales that make some parts more attractive and move you off the original build list. I just hope it all works well in the end.
Sorry if I'm in the wrong thread for this, I'm new to the sport as well as the board. |
It's bad aint it.......... Try building out 4 at one time now that will drive you bat shit crazy! Oh and don't forget the 1K in mags you'll end up buying and slings, chest rigs, etc...etc....etc.... Hell if ya really look at it though porn can just as expensive  
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This thread is dumb and meant for GD. OP no one needs 1K rounds on hand. Some may want them, and after a while the neck beards convince themselves...But the only people who need 1K rounds are in terminator movies. The mil sends Soldiers on combat patrols with 210 rounds (7 mags) typically. Sometimes we carry less, sometimes a little more. More than 10 mags starts to get cery difficult to carry in a manner that you can get to. So unless you've pissed off a cartel, I wouldn't worry about it. A few mags, and some practice ammo is all you need. As far as optics go, if you are new to shooting, get MBUIS and spend the first 10 trips to the range getting good with them, while you wait for an aimpoint or EOTech deal. You do need a 1k rounds on hand if you plan on a day or so of shooting (at the range, not cartel)
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This thread is dumb and meant for GD. OP no one needs 1K rounds on hand. Some may want them, and after a while the neck beards convince themselves...But the only people who need 1K rounds are in terminator movies. The mil sends Soldiers on combat patrols with 210 rounds (7 mags) typically. Sometimes we carry less, sometimes a little more. More than 10 mags starts to get cery difficult to carry in a manner that you can get to. So unless you've pissed off a cartel, I wouldn't worry about it. A few mags, and some practice ammo is all you need. As far as optics go, if you are new to shooting, get MBUIS and spend the first 10 trips to the range getting good with them, while you wait for an aimpoint or EOTech deal. Strongly disagree with you sir. It's not about what you are saying it's about. Everybody needs to stockpile as much ammo as possible to circumvent future shortages, blockades, legislation. The PTB intend to eliminate things the way they are. Can they succeed? Who knows. Stack it deep or do without in the future. Without is what they want. |
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This thread is dumb and meant for GD. OP no one needs 1K rounds on hand. Some may want them, and after a while the neck beards convince themselves...But the only people who need 1K rounds are in terminator movies. The mil sends Soldiers on combat patrols with 210 rounds (7 mags) typically. Sometimes we carry less, sometimes a little more. More than 10 mags starts to get cery difficult to carry in a manner that you can get to. So unless you've pissed off a cartel, I wouldn't worry about it. A few mags, and some practice ammo is all you need. As far as optics go, if you are new to shooting, get MBUIS and spend the first 10 trips to the range getting good with them, while you wait for an aimpoint or EOTech deal. Strongly disagree with you sir. It's not about what you are saying it's about. Everybody needs to stockpile as much ammo as possible to circumvent future shortages, blockades, legislation. The PTB intend to eliminate things the way they are. Can they succeed? Who knows. Stack it deep or do without in the future. Without is what they want. I really don't understand this logic. I could live the rest of my life with 300 rds of 5.56. Soldiers and Marines are initially trained using less than 500 rounds. And most people don't have to go to the range twice a month to maintain proficiency, once they have developed marksmanship fundamentals. I know a lot of guys who rarely shoot, and are still a good shot. The OP expressed a current and existing money issue. They aren't going to outlaw ammo. For those that really think it is in the works, a $10 donation to the NRA makes more sense than $100 spent on ammo. The only thing that buying up a metric ton of ammo to put in your basement does is: 1. Keep ammo companies in business. 2. Makes it really hard for the rest of us to find ammo to take to the range. The 1k comment was a bit tongue in cheek, but shooting is a perishable skill for everyone I know. After a month I would definitely notice a big difference. But I think the same can be said for golf or anything involving hand/eye. |
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This thread is dumb and meant for GD. OP no one needs 1K rounds on hand. Some may want them, and after a while the neck beards convince themselves...But the only people who need 1K rounds are in terminator movies. The mil sends Soldiers on combat patrols with 210 rounds (7 mags) typically. Sometimes we carry less, sometimes a little more. More than 10 mags starts to get cery difficult to carry in a manner that you can get to. So unless you've pissed off a cartel, I wouldn't worry about it. A few mags, and some practice ammo is all you need. As far as optics go, if you are new to shooting, get MBUIS and spend the first 10 trips to the range getting good with them, while you wait for an aimpoint or EOTech deal. Strongly disagree with you sir. It's not about what you are saying it's about. Everybody needs to stockpile as much ammo as possible to circumvent future shortages, blockades, legislation. The PTB intend to eliminate things the way they are. Can they succeed? Who knows. Stack it deep or do without in the future. Without is what they want. I really don't understand this logic. I could live the rest of my life with 300 rds of 5.56. Soldiers and Marines are initially trained using less than 500 rounds. And most people don't have to go to the range twice a month to maintain proficiency, once they have developed marksmanship fundamentals. I know a lot of guys who rarely shoot, and are still a good shot. The OP expressed a current and existing money issue. They aren't going to outlaw ammo. For those that really think it is in the works, a $10 donation to the NRA makes more sense than $100 spent on ammo. The only thing that buying up a metric ton of ammo to put in your basement does is: 1. Keep ammo companies in business. 2. Makes it really hard for the rest of us to find ammo to take to the range. |
| You should try restoring/modifying cars some time. I am on car number 15 right now, about 25k into it and haven't even touched the interior or paint yet. And I'm a mechanic so that's just parts cost with myself doing all the labor. Every hobby will come with a hefty price tag if you really get into it. Anyone who shoots a lot knows the cost of the consumables alone can rack up quite the bill. |
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The nice thing about building AR's is the ability to upgrade later on. You don't have to spend $3500-4000 on your first rifle. Buy what you need and have the bank for initially and upgrade as you go.
I have had anywhere up to 4 AR's at one time. My most expensive build has only been around $1800-1850. My current budget build at $900 runs just as flawless. My wife was happy when I told her what things cost. She couldn't believe how "cheap" everything was! LOL Brad |
It is expensive, you have to pay to play. But also consider it a very slow depreciating investment if at all. First, you have something that can save your life and second, you can sell off your parts later when you're done with it and cash out after you're bored. Most of the used parts people trying to dump is only few dollars off from what it would cost to buy brand new. Thats at least what i've seen when building my AR on the equipment exchange so i just ended up buying everything new. 
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Try taking your hobby and using it in a sport.
The cost of a weapon pales in comparison to the cost of ammo to feed it. And if you're thinking of saving money by reloading... there's the sticker shock of the initial purchase of equipment. Oh, and reloading doesn't save you money. You just shoot more. 
ARs are the Harleys of the rifle world. Welcome to your newest costly hobby/addiction/therapy. |
| There are no cheap hobbies. Cars, guns, motorcycles, guitars, stereos, etc. It all costs money. You have to decide how dedicated and involved you want to get. Look at your finances and figure out what you CAN commit and look at how much you WANT to commit. If there's a large disparity between these two numbers, it's time to reevaluate things. |
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This thread is dumb and meant for GD.
OP no one needs 1K rounds on hand. Some may want them, and after a while the neck beards convince themselves...But the only people who need 1K rounds are in terminator movies. The mil sends Soldiers on combat patrols with 210 rounds (7 mags) typically. Sometimes we carry less, sometimes a little more. More than 10 mags starts to get cery difficult to carry in a manner that you can get to. So unless you've pissed off a cartel, I wouldn't worry about it. A few mags, and some practice ammo is all you need. As far as optics go, if you are new to shooting, get MBUIS and spend the first 10 trips to the range getting good with them, while you wait for an aimpoint or EOTech deal. |
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This thread is dumb and meant for GD. OP no one needs 1K rounds on hand. Some may want them, and after a while the neck beards convince themselves...But the only people who need 1K rounds are in terminator movies. The mil sends Soldiers on combat patrols with 210 rounds (7 mags) typically. Sometimes we carry less, sometimes a little more. More than 10 mags starts to get cery difficult to carry in a manner that you can get to. So unless you've pissed off a cartel, I wouldn't worry about it. A few mags, and some practice ammo is all you need. As far as optics go, if you are new to shooting, get MBUIS and spend the first 10 trips to the range getting good with them, while you wait for an aimpoint or EOTech deal. I'm not going to go all GD on you son. 100 rounds per range trip, 10 trips to the range sounds like 1k. |
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OP should get into reloading ....to save money. And who in the F said he could "live the rest of his life with 300 rds" in this thread? Need vs want... There is a difference. You don't need to buy 1,000 rds up front for ten trips to the range. You may want to, or choose to, but there is no need. If money is tight because you just bought a rifle, then you can get by with less. My point is that you dont need a huge neck beard stash of FMJ or training ammo. You aren't going to use 1,000 rounds for hunting/HD in the states... If you are that horrible of a shot, maybe you should take up golf or something. The what about the possible ban that could come, or what about the fictional zombie arguments are impractical and stupid. Worst case is you have to wait a while to find ammo for a range trip because of a run on ammo. If anything, ammo is likely to get cheaper soon. |
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Need vs want... There is a difference. You don't need to buy 1,000 rds up front for ten trips to the range. You may want to, or choose to, but there is no need. If money is tight because you just bought a rifle, then you can get by with less. My point is that you dont need a huge neck beard stash of FMJ or training ammo. You aren't going to use 1,000 rounds for hunting/HD in the states... If you are that horrible of a shot, maybe you should take up golf or something. The what about the possible ban that could come, or what about the fictional zombie arguments are impractical and stupid. Worst case is you have to wait a while to find ammo for a range trip because of a run on ammo. If anything, ammo is likely to get cheaper soon. Quoted:
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OP should get into reloading ....to save money. And who in the F said he could "live the rest of his life with 300 rds" in this thread? Need vs want... There is a difference. You don't need to buy 1,000 rds up front for ten trips to the range. You may want to, or choose to, but there is no need. If money is tight because you just bought a rifle, then you can get by with less. My point is that you dont need a huge neck beard stash of FMJ or training ammo. You aren't going to use 1,000 rounds for hunting/HD in the states... If you are that horrible of a shot, maybe you should take up golf or something. The what about the possible ban that could come, or what about the fictional zombie arguments are impractical and stupid. Worst case is you have to wait a while to find ammo for a range trip because of a run on ammo. If anything, ammo is likely to get cheaper soon. Yea, cause like ammo is getting cheaper every day, right? Sheesh. |
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Been helping a friend assembly an AR, he sent me a pic of what he wanted it to look like and I gave him this spread sheet.
I have given him several parts like, my old barrel that was replaced when I SBR'd it, and the buffer and buffer plate. He could have saved a few more here and there but over all this AR is much cheaper than my first AR and is going to be pretty bad ass looking. Optics will come later. 
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Yea, cause like ammo is getting cheaper every day, right? Sheesh. Quoted:
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OP should get into reloading ....to save money. And who in the F said he could "live the rest of his life with 300 rds" in this thread? Need vs want... There is a difference. You don't need to buy 1,000 rds up front for ten trips to the range. You may want to, or choose to, but there is no need. If money is tight because you just bought a rifle, then you can get by with less. My point is that you dont need a huge neck beard stash of FMJ or training ammo. You aren't going to use 1,000 rounds for hunting/HD in the states... If you are that horrible of a shot, maybe you should take up golf or something. The what about the possible ban that could come, or what about the fictional zombie arguments are impractical and stupid. Worst case is you have to wait a while to find ammo for a range trip because of a run on ammo. If anything, ammo is likely to get cheaper soon. Yea, cause like ammo is getting cheaper every day, right? Sheesh. You are right, inflated prices due to panick buying/bubble will never return to normal after demand decreases, or supply increases. The laws of economics don't apply to ammo. 
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I really don't understand this logic. I could live the rest of my life with 300 rds of 5.56. Soldiers and Marines are initially trained using less than 500 rounds. And most people don't have to go to the range twice a month to maintain proficiency, once they have developed marksmanship fundamentals. I know a lot of guys who rarely shoot, and are still a good shot. The OP expressed a current and existing money issue. They aren't going to outlaw ammo. For those that really think it is in the works, a $10 donation to the NRA makes more sense than $100 spent on ammo. The only thing that buying up a metric ton of ammo to put in your basement does is: 1. Keep ammo companies in business. 2. Makes it really hard for the rest of us to find ammo to take to the range. Quoted:
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This thread is dumb and meant for GD. OP no one needs 1K rounds on hand. Some may want them, and after a while the neck beards convince themselves...But the only people who need 1K rounds are in terminator movies. The mil sends Soldiers on combat patrols with 210 rounds (7 mags) typically. Sometimes we carry less, sometimes a little more. More than 10 mags starts to get cery difficult to carry in a manner that you can get to. So unless you've pissed off a cartel, I wouldn't worry about it. A few mags, and some practice ammo is all you need. As far as optics go, if you are new to shooting, get MBUIS and spend the first 10 trips to the range getting good with them, while you wait for an aimpoint or EOTech deal. Strongly disagree with you sir. It's not about what you are saying it's about. Everybody needs to stockpile as much ammo as possible to circumvent future shortages, blockades, legislation. The PTB intend to eliminate things the way they are. Can they succeed? Who knows. Stack it deep or do without in the future. Without is what they want. I really don't understand this logic. I could live the rest of my life with 300 rds of 5.56. Soldiers and Marines are initially trained using less than 500 rounds. And most people don't have to go to the range twice a month to maintain proficiency, once they have developed marksmanship fundamentals. I know a lot of guys who rarely shoot, and are still a good shot. The OP expressed a current and existing money issue. They aren't going to outlaw ammo. For those that really think it is in the works, a $10 donation to the NRA makes more sense than $100 spent on ammo. The only thing that buying up a metric ton of ammo to put in your basement does is: 1. Keep ammo companies in business. 2. Makes it really hard for the rest of us to find ammo to take to the range. THIS |
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I think as far as the 1000 rounds goes, for my own needs I'm new to shooting an AR. I figure the best price on Ammo is to buy in bulk and I'll wan to shoot my new Rifle a bunch to get it broken in, get comfortable with it and maybe even sight in the optics. Then I'm sure I'll take a few friends to the range to show her off and after that you need to have some ammunition in storage for whatever purposes I deem necessary. The whole point of my build was to have fun, and the big payoff is that I get to shoot! Many do fear shortages, new taxes, special permits to buy ammo, or other regulatory hassles in the future. However, if you have what you need in storage then maybe you don't have to jump through so many hoops, or end up looking like a crazy person to whoever is going to sit in judgement on such things when you want to buy a few hundred rounds of ammo. Is it crazy to have a serviceable inventory of ammunition on hand? I know people with thousands of rounds of .22LR, and 9mm, hundreds of rounds to 12 gauge buckshot and the list goes on. Who am I to say what they need, and who are they to say what I need? How many magazines do you need? How many rounds / magazine do you need? Some of you guys probably have 20 magazines for your AR because they get old, they break and you're afraid you wont be able to buy them in the future. Magpul stuff was just as hard to find as Ammo a few months ago, remember?
Get what you're comfortable with, what you can afford and leave some for the next guy. Honestly if I had 2 to 5000 rounds of 9mm on hand I would have sold that stuff at a Gun show this year and laughed all the way to the bank. And if stored properly this stuff doesn't really expire. |
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I have a Remington PSS in .300 WinMag that is a money pit. Badger mount and rings, Timney trigger, Leupold VX4 Tactical scope, dies and reloading equipment, etc., etc,
Frankly, it doesn't really shoot any better than my Savage M110 in .308Win with the Accutrigger and the cheap scope that came with it. |
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This is, by far, the stupidest thing I've ever read. You should be ashamed of yourself for posting that. Quoted:
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If anything, ammo is likely to get cheaper soon. This is, by far, the stupidest thing I've ever read. You should be ashamed of yourself for posting that. Another person who failed high school Econ 101. |
| If you have most of the tools already then building a rifle is cheaper in almost every case, right up until you say, well I might as well upgrade this, and that, and cerakote, and............Then it just gets out of hand and whatever budget you had is blown out of the water. |
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Ok, so I figured that building my own AR would not really be the economical way to do it, but given that the rifle I wanted was going to cost about $1500 the only way to really get there was to save for ever, or simply buy it as a can afford to do so. However each time I reach a new quasi milestone, it seems that I expose a new cost. I've acquired all the parts to make a functional rifle, and now I'm on to Optics. HOLY CRAP! Optics are freaking expensive! And if that wasn't enough, then the freaking scope mounts are another $100-$200. What a Money Pit! And, if that wasn't enough once I get all that I'm going to need to stock up and hold about 1000 round of Ammo or so... another cash cow. So,. for anyone like me who is new to the game. Thinking of getting into this sport / hobby. Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. All this crap is freaking expensive!  welcome to BRD!!!!
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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - The Money Pit (Page 1 of 2)
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