AR-15 build question

C

camnorth

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Brampton Ontario
Hi all,
Question about a first AR build. If the budget is tight would it be more prudent to spend more $ on a stripped receiver or focus more on internals and barrel? Also can anyone advise on the price/quality scale of parts ( NEA, Dominion arms, Colt etc...).
I am looking to build a more traditional style AR with at least a 16" barrel.

Thoughts and opinions welcomed,
Cameron
 
I like DPMS lower parts kits and they are reasonably priced, the last one I put in the trigger ended up having the nicest lightest pull I've ever felt on a mil spec style trigger. I was looking for Dominion Arms parts because I wanted the ambi controls but they don't come up very often. Unless you want to buy the whole lower. If your building a traditional style are you going to run a carry handle sight? They can be found cheap. As for barrels no reason to go crazy, buy whatever is a good deal as long as it's not shot out. Keep an Eye on the EE good deals do pop up, my second last build I did for $680 with some nice magpul furniture, also check out aero precision uppers and lowers, great quality at good prices
 
First AR? Buy a pre built budget model. 600-700$

Once you are used to it and know what works for you and what you would like to change build to suit your needs with better quality components.

CanAm sells dominion 20 incher with 500rounds for 700$.
 
Craig0ry said:
I like DPMS lower parts kits and they are reasonably priced, the last one I put in the trigger ended up having the nicest lightest pull I've ever felt on a mil spec style trigger. I was looking for Dominion Arms parts because I wanted the ambi controls but they don't come up very often. Unless you want to buy the whole lower. If your building a traditional style are you going to run a carry handle sight? They can be found cheap. As for barrels no reason to go crazy, buy whatever is a good deal as long as it's not shot out. Keep an Eye on the EE good deals do pop up, my second last build I did for $680 with some nice magpul furniture, also check out aero precision uppers and lowers, great quality at good prices
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Thanks, that's exactly the info I was looking for. My reason for doing a build is basically budget restrictions and I really enjoy working on firearms, so as funds become available I can buy&build as I go. I'll definitely check out Aero Precision, I've heard the name dropped multiple times now with good comments.
 
If your looking for standard style furniture too let me know, I have lots of a2 pistols grips and a few stocks kicking around and maybe some more stuff
 
As I say to all, if you insist on building, spend your money where it matters. Barrel, optic and trigger. Receivers and LPK's are all largely the same. I personally don't prefer to buy LPK's with triggers as it's a total crap shoot. I'd rather spend the extra 100 bucks on an ALG ACT trigger and know I'm getting something I'll be happy with.
 
As above. Barrel, optic and trigger are where to put your funds. Personally I would stay away from the NEA stuff, lots of other options out there at a similar price point.
 
If you're building for the first time, you'll probably spend more. There are pros and cons for either. If you buy factory built, you get a warranty and quality rifle if you stick with a brand name, not saying there aren't any duds out of the box but it's slim.

If you're picky, you probably won't like all the stock furntiure and cheap factory trigger and spend $$ upgrading. Then you might end up having to buy specialty tools to do your mods. You can try sell the old furniture to recoup some money or keep it for a future build, now that you got all or most of the necessary tools.

If you build your own, chances are you won't find all the specialty parts you want in your gun at any one location so you end up spending a lot of $$ in shipping. Nice parts aren't cheap to begin with so you'll end up spending almost double the cost of a factory rifle.

That said, you can build a rifle for cheap if you frequent the EE for deals which could turn into a 4-8+ month waiting game but it won't be much (if at all) cheaper than a $700 S&W M&P 15 Sport etc.
 
Trinimon said:
If you're building for the first time, you'll probably spend more. There are pros and cons for either. If you buy factory built, you get a warranty and quality rifle if you stick with a brand name, not saying there aren't any duds out of the box but it's slim.

If you're picky, you probably won't like all the stock furntiure and cheap factory trigger and spend $$ upgrading. Then you might end up having to buy specialty tools to do your mods. You can try sell the old furniture to recoup some money or keep it for a future build, now that you got all or most of the necessary tools.

If you build your own, chances are you won't find all the specialty parts you want in your gun at any one location so you end up spending a lot of $$ in shipping. Nice parts aren't cheap to begin with so you'll end up spending almost double the cost of a factory rifle.

That said, you can build a rifle for cheap if you frequent the EE for deals which could turn into a 4-8+ month waiting game but it won't be much (if at all) cheaper than a $700 S&W M&P 15 Sport etc.
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That's a really good point about spending more $$ on shipping costs in multiple locations. Those s&w's are really good deals and I'm very tempted to Crack open my wallet, however I do enjoy a hobby and think even if it costs slightly more in the long run I'd get more enjoyment out of building my own.
 
Lots of guys here would recommend buy factory for your first rifle and take your time acquiring parts to build your second. But be warned, it's fracking addictive once you start building 'em.
 
Like you, I've been around factory rifles and am on my first build. Most of the budget for me was barrel. I grabbed a DD 11.5 from Wolverine Supplies. I figured that one component was the most valuable piece. I'm now researching LPK's and triggers. I read people talk about mil-spec triggers, 2 stage triggers and adjustable triggers, problem is they are so expensive to "experiment" with how do you really get a good feel for one without ending up with a drawer full of parts? What works for some doesn't work for all.
 
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