Building an AR

Inventry
Tennessee Deer Sporting & Deer Hunting Community Forum

Help Support TNDeer | Tennessee Deer:

RUGER

RUGER

Well-Known Member
Gold Supporter
Joined
Nov 19, 1999
Messages
4,145,978
City & State/Province
TN
I remember seeing a thread about uppers, lowers etc.
With the ability (for now) to buy them for $600 is it fesible to "build" one, or just keep buying stock ones ?
 
I think if you shop around you can put together a little better quality AR for $600 than you can buy a turn key one for at that price. But, that's my opinion, and because I like to tinker and can do my own polishing and tuning as the job goes along. But you can get a decent entry level AR for that price also. The good thing about building them, is after you do several builds that you customize a little, pretty soon you've acquired enough spare parts to build one for pennies. :D
 
Palmetto State Armory has got a bunch of stuff on sale for good prices that will allow you to build.
 
Theoretically, you could build one cheaper,but not by much,plus with a stock one you have a warranty in case something wasn't right,where as if you pieced one together and something wasn't right with whichever part, you have no one to make it right. But that's just my opinion. I've built several and by the time I was done putting "quality" parts or used the parts that I wanted in them,I was nowhere near what you can by one of the stock ones for,but it was cheaper than buying the similar Knights Armament or Noveske for.
 
The problem is finding a stock one that is set up how you like for $600. Once you get into them you will find you like certain handguards, barrel lengths and profiles, stocks, gas blocks.... Etc. times 10. For example, If I'm putting a scope on it, I want a free float handguard with low pro gas block concealed in the handguard. If you buy a stock one, you are "buying" the parts on it with the intent of throwing them away, in essence, buying them twice. Same with a trigger. Buying a stock gun and then an upgraded trigger is still buying two triggers, one of which you intend on not using


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
And I'll add... I put together a cheap m4 clone for $470 with flip up rear sight to stash in the closet. It is all cheap parts, but for some reason I would grab it before I would any stock $600-$700 off the shelf gun in a shtf moment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Perlick Faucet - Flow Control - Model 650SS
See price on Amazon
Perlick Faucet - Flow Control - Model 650SS
Fermentation Lids, Fermentation Kit for Wide Mouth Jars, 6 Set Plastic Fermenting Lids with 6 Airlocks, 6 Silicone Grommets, 6 Silicone Rings(Jars Not Included)
See price on Amazon
Fermentation Lids, Fermentation Kit for Wide Mouth Jars, 6 Set Plastic Fermenting Lids with 6 Airlocks, 6 Silicone Grommets, 6 Silicone Rings(Jars Not Included)
Husqvarna X-Cut SP33G 20 Inch Chainsaw Chain, .325" Pitch, .050" Gauge, 80 Drive Links, Pre-Stretched Chainsaw Blade Replacement with Superior Lubrication and Low Kickback, 581643680
See price on Amazon
Husqvarna X-Cut SP33G 20 Inch Chainsaw Chain, .325" Pitch, .050" Gauge, 80 Drive Links, Pre-Stretched Chainsaw Blade Replacement with Superior Lubrication and Low Kickback, 581643680
Amazon Basics 8-Piece Wood Chisel Set for Woodworking, with Honing Guide, Sharpening Stone and Storage Case, 1/4" - 1-1/2"
See price on Amazon
Amazon Basics 8-Piece Wood Chisel Set for Woodworking, with Honing Guide, Sharpening Stone and Storage Case, 1/4" - 1-1/2"
Original Patented Airlock Fermentation Lids for Wide Mouth Mason Jars, Fermenter Caps, Fermentation Kit for Sauerkraut & Pickle Kit, One Way Waterless Airlock Valve - BPA-Free (Jar Not Included)
See price on Amazon
Original Patented Airlock Fermentation Lids for Wide Mouth Mason Jars, Fermenter Caps, Fermentation Kit for Sauerkraut & Pickle Kit, One Way Waterless Airlock Valve - BPA-Free (Jar Not Included)
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Chain Saw Cordless Chainsaw, 10-Inch Battery Chainsaw, Tool Only, for Wood Cutting and Tree Pruning, Includes Guide Bar Scabbard (LCS1020B)
See price on Amazon
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Chain Saw Cordless Chainsaw, 10-Inch Battery Chainsaw, Tool Only, for Wood Cutting and Tree Pruning, Includes Guide Bar Scabbard (LCS1020B)
GREBSTK 4-Piece Ultra-Sharp Wood Chisel Set, CR-V Steel Beveled Blades with Guards, Comfortable & Durable Handle, for Carving, DIY & Woodworking (1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1")
See price on Amazon
GREBSTK 4-Piece Ultra-Sharp Wood Chisel Set, CR-V Steel Beveled Blades with Guards, Comfortable & Durable Handle, for Carving, DIY & Woodworking (1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1")
Husqvarna 585550084 24" C83 X-Cut 24" Chain 3/8" .050" 84 DL 3 Pack
See price on Amazon
Husqvarna 585550084 24" C83 X-Cut 24" Chain 3/8" .050" 84 DL 3 Pack
WEN Electric Log Splitter, 6.5-Ton Capacity with Portable Stand (56208)
See price on Amazon
WEN Electric Log Splitter, 6.5-Ton Capacity with Portable Stand (56208)
Briess 2-Row Caramel Malt 90L - 1 lb
See price on Amazon
Briess 2-Row Caramel Malt 90L - 1 lb
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
The home built ones have a name-they are called frankenstein guns and it isn't necessarily an insult.

If you buy a trigger, and a better upper, and a lighter stronger bolt carrier group for your factory stock AR, you just did the Franken thing.

Think of all the furniture options folks buy and add.

Why not start from scratch and not have leftovers.
 
Buying the parts is cheap and seems like a good deal, but by the time you buy all of the tools to properly assemble one, you've easily exceeded the cost of a factory gun.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from building their own rifle, but make sure you're including everything when forming your budget.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yesterday I ordered a complete upper with bcg and charging handle and a complete lower for 465 shipped to my ffl. He charges 20 for transfer and 10 for back ground check. All it is missing are takedown pins.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 
Daniel n":15h5ynlv said:
Yesterday I ordered a complete upper with bcg and charging handle and a complete lower for 465 shipped to my ffl. He charges 20 for transfer and 10 for back ground check. All it is missing are takedown pins.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
But... a complete lower comes with takedown pins.
 
I did not know that. I read all over the listing on palmetto and it did not say it came with them. It's my first time buying anything other than a complete gun.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 
Daniel n":1zxs1o25 said:
I did not know that. I read all over the listing on palmetto and it did not say it came with them. It's my first time buying anything other than a complete gun.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
All you need is sights.
 
infoman jr.":2d2xhm6y said:
Buying the parts is cheap and seems like a good deal, but by the time you buy all of the tools to properly assemble one, you've easily exceeded the cost of a factory gun.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from building their own rifle, but make sure you're including everything when forming your budget.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

An AR multi-wrench is $20. The rest of the tools needed can be found in your tool box at home most likely. Not arguing, just saying you don't need to be a gunsmith to put together an AR.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Just finished my first partial build and it was really simple. My next one will be a full build of upper and lower. This one was a complete upper and I built the lower. The upper and the lower build kit were a PSA black Friday deal for $399 and the stripped lower was a PSA special as well, $49 shipped.
 
The PTAC series that PSA sells doesn't have the best reputation. Their premium uppers, however, are known to be ok.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Latest posts

Back
Top