AR-15 Build or Buy?
- Thread starter seamus
- Start date
I'm most used to the Military's C7's and C8's, and after handling a Norc AR-15 I have to say there's no way I could go that route. My price range is definitley 2000 or below and preferably under 1500 to save me money for an EOTECH or Aimpoint. I was leaning towards Sig because I really like the lower receivers they have on them and I'm also a fan of the Magpul furniture that comes on it. I do however prefer the full length look on a 16" barrel with a rail system of some sort, and also without the fixed front sight on the gas block. I nearly bought an Aero Precision stripped lower last night as building an AR actually looks like it's pretty easy.
Why not get a C7 or C8 you could even use your military discount.
Cost mostly. If I was going to spend the 2000 the diemeco would cost I would rather go with the Sig 516 which has a rail and better furniture, plus the piston system. For almost 800 less I could get a Sig M400 enhanced with thr Magpul furniture I like and then have money left over for a quality optic.
notsorichguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- The city that rhymes with fun
Seems to me you've answered your own question......
Schecter 81
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton Area
I built mine, it turned out much more expensive than buying built. With the new Daniel Defense lineup that is available, it would be shocking if you can't find a configuration that meets your needs and only needs a trigger upgrade. Plus, a DD will shoot lights out and is top notch build quality. To do it again, I would likely have just bought. When I did it though, we didnt have the options we do now. It is a buyers market for sure.
Indeed. The most disturbing part of it is that I can never tell if they are serious. No offense to anyone but building an AR in your basement with a mess of assorted parts, for me, is sketchy at best. Unless you're qualified to do it, of course.
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
But then you have tools. Tools are always worth the money.
But then you'll likely buy more spare parts and end up building more than one AR. Domino effect.
What do you use for the barrel nut, a pipe wrench?
Just to ballpark some prices...
Stripped upper/lower $250-$400
Parts kits to complete $100
BCG $180
Barrel $175-$400
Buffer tube/buffer/spring and stock $100-$150
Gas tube and gas block $75
FF tube $100-$300
Grip and FH $25-$200
That's about $950 on the cheap with no sights, with decent parts... ie no NEA or Chinese crap. $1500 easy with some fancy name brand #### and rails....
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mebiuspower
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Morontario
Funny video but if I were to go build the rifle from scratch in the current configuration I have now then I wouldn't know what I'm missing. It's like buying a Ferrari as your first car.
Oh and it's called a hobby.
Lol I don't have any qualifications, but with basic mechanical skills I was able to do a full-on build.. It's a great learning process.
Lower:
-NEA stripped
-Generic parts kit
-Geissele s3g trigger
-Hogue beavertail
-Ace skeleton
-Just followed the instructions from ar15.com, easy-peezy
The upper [waiting for all the parts lol]
-CMMG 22lr
-Troy 15" tube
Current upper that I'll be leaving behind:
-NEA
-Core15 barrel/BCG
-Some generic low profile block
-Miculek comp (going on the 22lr build for the looks/fun factor, to be replaced with the standard A2 hider)
-DPMS 12" tube "customized" for better cooling with an angle grinder (was getting too hot to handle even with gloves)
Definitely a fun project, but then again, I like tinkering.
The suggestion to get a stock AR and then do a build is also a nice one... Good to have a comparison between a "standard" AR and something built to your tastes. Mine's no beauty but she was built for shooting and that's how she's being used
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Anyone can assemble the parts and build an AR (insert norinco here). Nobody is saying otherwise. The trick is to find the right combination of parts and manufacturing proceses. I am aware that things like long term reliability don't matter for most hobbyists. Some people prefer professional grade equipment and a higher standard. Amateur builds are just that, amateur.
Similar problem with 1911's nowadays. Everyone and their dog seems to be building one but you can count the manufactureres that build them right on a single hand.
Similar problem with 1911's nowadays. Everyone and their dog seems to be building one but you can count the manufactureres that build them right on a single hand.
Partly, I agree with you.. My build has one goal in mind: maximum speed and only needs to be reliable up to 150rds between cleanings. If I wanted a bush rifle to head to the hills with, I'd just get a bone-stock V11 and run with it. With that being said, what I currently got has been run hard (typically about 300rds fired in a short period of time for my regular range sessions) and held up well. I only had to change the rings (which is normal for the platform) and one extractor spring in about 6500rds. While my lower is relatively untested, I still put about 1200rds through it with it going bang every time even with the 3lb spring. If I needed to head for the hills, I'd swap out the trigger (this one would be too twitchy for anything but action shooting) and slap on a quality upper.
