average cost to build a budget AR15

I always urge new prospective AR shooters to start with a factory rifle and learn how to shoot it and, along the way, become familiar with the various idiosyncrasies of the design. Once that's accomplished they'd be in a better position to know exactly what they want/need in an AR, and they give serious thought to a custom build. If you're just looking to build an entry level AR, you'd be crazy to pass on the fantastic deals currently to be had.
 
roadcarver said:
My colt IUR was not really on a budget but it had the components that I wanted in it.

Breakdown of my parts.
Colt lower, stripped $224
Colt IUR upper, $599
LMT BCG, $236
VLTOR charging handle, $69
Magpul MOE+ grip - $29
Spikes tactical buffer tube/spring (mil spec), $119
Magpul CTR, $89
Trigger tech, fully adjustable, flat trigger, $256
Magpul BUS front and rear, $50 (used in EE)
TNA lower parts kit, $61

Total cost was $1731, a little on the high side.
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I wouldn't classify building your Colt AR in the budget category and push it more in the Mid to 3/4 budget range. This is a very nice rifle.
 
My budget AR started as a decent used one from the EE which I applied selective upgrades.
Without optic I'm at $1210 for total cost and with handloads using a Strike Eagle is about 1 1/2 moa, 2-3 moa with the cheapest ammo available. Reliability is now excellent after tweeting the mags.
Rifle $600
Trigger $250
Comp $50
Free float hand guard $100
low pro gas block $70
Ergo grip $40
A2 buttstock $100
Did I get carried away, maybe, but it fits and functions exactly as I require and I think it was a bargain to go this route.
You could easily purchase a quality AR at the same price point.
 
looks like buying an entry level AR is the way to go ... building still appeals to me for the experience of it, gun smithing is something I like to tinker with and building an AR from the ground up sounds like fun but maybe not a good way to save money ... economies of scale and all that... the part that still seems good about building is that I could buy the parts over time without resorting to the old credit card but I get the feeling that as soon as I had a lower in front of me I would feel compelled to finish it and the benefit of spreading it out over time would be lost
 
Someone mentioned buying a used hand built AR and taking it apart and rebuilding it. How about buying the $700 new AR, taking it apart and reassembling it? Best of both worlds.
 
Here is a bit of fun, when I first started with AR's I was in the same boat, than took my thoughts and change the context a little and see if it still makes any sense.

I am new to the FLYING game and am thinking about buying an AIRPLANE to add to my collection. A friend offered to trade me a SET OF PROPELLER as a starting point and I am wondering how much money I should expect to spend on building an AIRPLANE from THE GROUND UP this way. I suspect there isn't really a cost savings in building over buying a complete AIRPLANE but it does appeal to me in that I can spread the cost out over time and build something exactly as I would like it without having to find something similar and modify to suit. What kind of ball park figures have you guys spent on building AIRPLANES? I am not necessarily looking for the highest end parts I am on a tight budget but I want to have a quality AIRPLANE with decent resale value if I end up wanting to sell it. please share your thoughts and experiences.
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I am not necessarily looking for the highest end parts I am on a tight budget but I want to have a quality AR with decent resale value if I end up wanting to sell it.
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You can put a Franken AR together with all the best parts people on CGN will recommends that will end up costing the same as KAC or HK, but in another buyers eyes it is still no KAC or HK, you are better off taking it all apart and sell it in pieces
 
X-man said:
I always urge new prospective AR shooters to start with a factory rifle and learn how to shoot it and, along the way, become familiar with the various idiosyncrasies of the design. Once that's accomplished they'd be in a better position to know exactly what they want/need in an AR, and they give serious thought to a custom build. If you're just looking to build an entry level AR, you'd be crazy to pass on the fantastic deals currently to be had.
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100% this. It all makes sense once you've shot one a bunch and broken it down to clean it a few times. And the deals right now are just insane. Buy one of those. Shoot the hell out of it. Tinker with it.

And as it's been said, you just don't get back what you put into a custom build. Ever. You may decide that you want to do it later for kicks despite the cost, or to meet a specific need for a high end rig or something, but to build an entry level AR it just doesn't make sense.
 
Another thing to consider is that building slowly to spread the cost over time isn't any different from just saving up. You still have something you can't shoot until the end, in either case.
 
I built a budget AR, I calculated parts without shipping, all said and done I came in at 480$ with furniture I had laying around at home. I didn't like my furniture so spent another 160$ on some magpul, so came in at $640 before shipping on parts, my major cost saver was a complete BCG a friend gave me.

Here is the thread I started on it, never updated the thread when I was done, I'll look for a photo of the finished project
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...irst-AR-build-process-D-As-budget-as-possible

Here's how it came out for $640, $680 after the BAD lever, bottom one in the photo.
 
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Here is another just completed $1000 Spikes receiver AR

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