AR-15 : Buy or build??

RockerGuy

RockerGuy

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Hi folks,
I have been researching on buying an AR. I was going to go with the Smith&Wesson MP15, but that A2 front sight is permanent & want something to barbie up.
I have been thinking about the diamondback:
https://www.gotenda.com/shop/firearms/restricted-rifles/diamondback-db15-m4-223-rem5-56-nato-10-free-float-rail/

but also thought about building my own. My budget is under $1000.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks
 
I’m in the process of building one now, I think it’s gonna be hard to do for under a grand.
There’s a Stag Arms complete Lower, on the EE for $300.
I’m sure sure you can find a complete upper on there for $500.


Or you can cut the FSP off the M&P:)
 
If this is your first AR I would suggest buying rather than building.

My suggestion is learn the platform first - THEN you can start building from the ground up.

Of course, if this isn't your first AR or you have gunsmithing experience, then by all means build your own.
 
The smith sport 2 front site can be removed and I have watched YouTube videos on guys grounding off the site post
 
There's nothing permanent about an A2 front sight. I've removed them with a half assed block and a few punches. Very simple actually.
 
If you're working on a budget, then price it out both ways. I prefer to build mine because it's more enjoyable. The cost of the tools isn't much, but I recommend investing in a quality set. You'll just end up breaking and replacing the cheaper ones.

I bought my first rifle to learn how it all worked. I've since built dozens of them.

You can get the front sight off an M&P15. Just make sure you use a block, and drive the taper pins out the right way. Lol
 
Don't build to save money because you won't. If you're building it you probably won't be satisfied spending money on the cheapest parts you can find and you'll end up building what you actually want which will cost way more. If you buy a complete rifle you can enjoy it for what it is right now and slowly change things as the money becomes available and as you figure out what you like and don't like.
Building is more fun though of course so I'm not trying to discourage you but it is not a cheaper way to go unless you don't mind NEA/BCL or Norinco parts which I would avoid at all costs.

FSB is easy to remove unless it's welded and I've never heard of one being welded.

Good luck and be sure to post some pics of what you get :)
 
I highly recommend the M&P . It's a good rifle and can be modified as you figure out what you want. The first thing I did was remove and chop the front sight and added a full float handguard. Not hard to do, and I did this to another as well. Pretty hard to beat the bang for the buck.
 
As a first AR it's probably cheaper to buy a complete unit, than to build. Just like a car - the sum of the parts is often more than the complete product. Also, until you've run one for a while you don't always know what you will like and what you won't. I started with a complete Norc at about $600. Ran a couple 3 gun matches with it. Changed out a couple things I didn't like. Added a couple things I did like. Took it all apart and tinkered with it. Built my second AR, but by then I had a little more cash available, knew what I wanted, and what I didn't. Knew what I was willing to spend a little more on, and what I wasn't willing to waste extra money on.
 
I guess I should get the Diamond back. The problem with the M&P 15 is that I will replace the handguards eventually.
I'm a Machinist by trade so just putting puzzles together shouldn't be a problem.
Now what about the Non Restricted AR? I recently heard of that. Call me crazy but I prefer the government not know what I have.
 
RockerGuy said:
I guess I should get the Diamond back. The problem with the M&P 15 is that I will replace the handguards eventually.
I'm a Machinist by trade so just putting puzzles together shouldn't be a problem.
Now what about the Non Restricted AR? I recently heard of that. Call me crazy but I prefer the government not know what I have.
Click to expand...

No such thing as a non restricted AR-15 but there are rifles that look the part and are non restricted.
Modern Varmint or Modern Hunter (expensive but worth it)
Maccabee Defense SLR receiver set is $1000 then you add your AR parts with 18.6+ inch barrel.
BCL-102 if you want 308 class rifle but they still sound like they are having QC issues so I would not recommend.

There are a few more available and some more coming that look the part and are cheaper.
Some new ones coming that are not really AR looking but still a non restricted semi auto.

Lots of options but they all cost more than an AR other than the WK180C and FX-9.
 
I bought an Aero stripped lower, a lower parts kit and a buffer tube assembly (already had a butt stock) for about $350-$400 total.
I watched an iraqveteran8888 video on how to put it all together. It was a cool experience.
I bought a Stag Arms complete upper (BCG and CH included) for about $450 total and slapped it on.
I bought some UTG scope rings and put on a scope that I had.
Works amazing, no issues at all so far.
Keep an eye out for sales and piece it together. If you're handy at all, it's pretty easy to do. I had never done anything like that before.
 
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