To build or not to build.
- Thread starter M.Orange
- Start date
Built it!! I had more fun looking for parts then buying a complete rifle. You'll learn a lot on every parts by reading reviews. But if you like me you it might end up costing more then buying a complete rifle but you'll have a rifle the way you want it. The AR15 is a Lego for grow up man so have fun!! Like DILLIGAF said you can have the tools for 150-200$. I don't know where in Quebec you are but maybe you can borrow mine.
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
If you take your time and price out parts you can build and save money. That being said you can buy an AR for around 650 right now from forum sponsors and not be stuck with a Norc either.
That being said, I enjoy my own builds more than anything I've bought outright. Something about shooting a gun you made yourself is more satisfying. That and the build itself is more fun than just opening a box with a pre made gun.
However, you may find you spend on upgrades more than you originally planned haha.
That being said, I enjoy my own builds more than anything I've bought outright. Something about shooting a gun you made yourself is more satisfying. That and the build itself is more fun than just opening a box with a pre made gun.
However, you may find you spend on upgrades more than you originally planned haha.
I have "built" mine, including machining the barrels from blanks, because I do a lot of gunsmithing.
Because ARs are modular, it is not particularly difficult to assemble one from parts. Great learning experience.
Having said that, I have seen a number of brand name factory rifles that were reasonably priced, and were configured exactly as I would prefer.
Because ARs are modular, it is not particularly difficult to assemble one from parts. Great learning experience.
Having said that, I have seen a number of brand name factory rifles that were reasonably priced, and were configured exactly as I would prefer.
If it's your first AR I'd say buy rather than build. A darn good one can be had from IRunGuns for pretty cheap (and it isn't a Norc or NEA). Found here: http://www.irunguns.ca/store/rifles-for-sale-canada/ PALMETTO STATE ARMORY. For the money you couldn't build it that cheap and they're great quality...
Assemble is probably more accurate a word 
Very easy and fun, but short-lived as it is quick.
Definitely do it. Everyone should put together at least one AR if for nothing else but to experience the joy of truly modular components.
My only suggestion is to have at least 3 barrel nuts at the ready (if not going with a custom forend), that way you will get the best fitting nut and an effortless assembly; from the few I've put together this is always the crappy part when you are either to loose or insanely tight when indexing that one-notch.
Very easy and fun, but short-lived as it is quick.
Definitely do it. Everyone should put together at least one AR if for nothing else but to experience the joy of truly modular components.
My only suggestion is to have at least 3 barrel nuts at the ready (if not going with a custom forend), that way you will get the best fitting nut and an effortless assembly; from the few I've put together this is always the crappy part when you are either to loose or insanely tight when indexing that one-notch.
if you have the money and don't mind spending it than go for it.
if you are building it to save yourself some money than don't do it.
There are more than a few sub $1k AR options out there for your first AR, you will be hard press to beat that price with a Franken AR build.
if you are building it to save yourself some money than don't do it.
There are more than a few sub $1k AR options out there for your first AR, you will be hard press to beat that price with a Franken AR build.
Depends on your experience I suppose. If you're brand new to AR's, but have good technical experience (ie. light gunsmithing or something similar), then it might be worth it to build. Same goes for if you're experienced with the AR platform, but never owned one (ie. CF, or just played a lot with a friend's AR), then building might be a good choice.
But, if you're brand new to ARs with little technical skill and experience then you're definitely better off buying.
In general, I would advocate buying your first AR so you can experience how a well put together rifle should perform, if you buy a reputable and reliable company. There's also the security of a good warranty, depending on who you buy from. If you just go straight into the build, you might have some weird performance issues from either one or a combination of mistakes. Of course, if you manage to isolate and fix those mistakes then you'll definitely learn more from it.
But, if you're brand new to ARs with little technical skill and experience then you're definitely better off buying.
In general, I would advocate buying your first AR so you can experience how a well put together rifle should perform, if you buy a reputable and reliable company. There's also the security of a good warranty, depending on who you buy from. If you just go straight into the build, you might have some weird performance issues from either one or a combination of mistakes. Of course, if you manage to isolate and fix those mistakes then you'll definitely learn more from it.
Sourcing parts for an AR is a dangerous addiction....it's how I ended up with 5....and two (?) "spare" buffer tubes, "spare" iron sights and a "spare" BCG. Damn my bank account hates this site...
Importation of a "firearm" (meaning: an AR15 lower, stripped or not) requires some paperwork and some fees. For just a lower it is certainly not worth it. Many other firearms parts can be exported from the US with no such paperwork or fees. Just shop on brownells and they'll ship what they're allowed to ship.
Stuff I've bought stateside:
Buffer tube
Castle nuts
End plates
Sling adapters
Slings
Stocks
AR15 roll pins (still "gun parts")
Barrel nuts
Gas tubes
Buffers
Recoil springs
Crush washers
Holsters
Grips
Snap caps
Cheek risers
The catch is that even if the part in question is legal for export, if it is a "gun part" the manufacturer has to be registered to export. Identical parts might be exportable from one manufacturer but not from the other due to one seeing the value in the export license and the other not.
Importation of a "firearm" (meaning: an AR15 lower, stripped or not) requires some paperwork and some fees. For just a lower it is certainly not worth it. Many other firearms parts can be exported from the US with no such paperwork or fees. Just shop on brownells and they'll ship what they're allowed to ship.
Stuff I've bought stateside:
Buffer tube
Castle nuts
End plates
Sling adapters
Slings
Stocks
AR15 roll pins (still "gun parts")
Barrel nuts
Gas tubes
Buffers
Recoil springs
Crush washers
Holsters
Grips
Snap caps
Cheek risers
The catch is that even if the part in question is legal for export, if it is a "gun part" the manufacturer has to be registered to export. Identical parts might be exportable from one manufacturer but not from the other due to one seeing the value in the export license and the other not.
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You will NOT save money building your own.
You will get the Rifle you want though.
But that usually means you just buy better parts, brand name parts, boutique parts......and the $1200 AR you could buy, ends up costing $2200. But it looks totally kool and has lots of DD, BCM and a LaRue part on it.
You will get the Rifle you want though.
But that usually means you just buy better parts, brand name parts, boutique parts......and the $1200 AR you could buy, ends up costing $2200. But it looks totally kool and has lots of DD, BCM and a LaRue part on it.
Weird I built the riffle I wanted for 1200 including sights, Matched upper and lower and all the goodies...
So Dont say its not possible when it is....
As for a 800$ AR ( + tax ) that you buy . It has the stupid handgaurd and Cheap furniture. By the time you upgrade all that crap you end up spending more money....
