Build VS Buy

[johnzhang456]

This is a follow-up post to my 1st AR build thread. So after looking around, I notice F-1 Firearms have exactly what I want in my dream rifle. I am in a dilemma or buy or build again. If my build is not missing any part, it should cost me 3429.97 base on USD converted manufacturer price aka the idealistic price excluding tax. The F1 custom base on website quote without the polishing would be 3370.22. Would you say it is better to go for the custom F1 or the personal build?
- No experience or tools in building AR = more expenses on tools and possibly screw something up. (Possibly nullified if I get confirmation that my gunsmith friends could help me assemble it.)
- Personal build seems to have more value for the gold trigger and proof research barrel while maintaining the same awesome look
- Personal build can avoid registration due to splitting the rifle while not in use? (Can someone confirm and clarify how this works? Something about it not being a completed rifle but just a lower?)

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ALL OPINIONS!!!

Build 1
Lower Receiver:
Stripped Lower Receiver: F-1 Firearms UDR-15-3G Billet Matched Receiver Set
Buttstock (Collapsible): Strike Industries Viper Mod 1 Black/Red 50.95 USD or 65.54 CAD
Buffer Tube Kits: BCM Milspec Carbine Stock Hardware Mounting Kit (Includes Castle Nut) 57.95 USD or 74.75 CAD
Trigger: AR Gold Adjustable Trigger (Flat) 279 USD or 356.44 CAD
Trigger Guard: Included in Lower Parts Kit
Grip: F-1 Firearms Skeletonized Grip With Finger Grooves + Parachord 100 USD or 127.65 CAD
Lower Parts Kit: Geissele Automatics AR15 Mil-Spec Lower Parts Kit (Less Trigger, Less Grip, Included Trigger Guard) 49 USD or 63.11 CAD

Upper Receiver:
Stripped Upper Receiver: F-1 Firearms UDR-15-3G Billet Matched Receiver Set 550 USD or 709.27 CAD
Barrel: Proof Research Carbon Fiber AR-15 Barrel 223 Wylde 16" Mid Length Gas System Medium Contour 1:8 Twist 940 USD or 1200.81 CAD
Free-float Handguard: Midwest Industries MI G3 SSM-Series One Piece Free Float Handguard, M-Lok Black 15" 189.95 USD or 244.25 CAD
Muzzle Device: SJC Titan Compensator 90 USD or 114.92
Bolt Carrier Group: F-1 Firearms Durabolt Gold (TIN) 300 USD or 385.77 CAD
Charging Handle: Radian Weapons Raptor Ambidextrous Charging Handle 79.95 USD or 102.84 CAD
Gas Tube: Any
Gas Block: Geissele Super Gas Block Nitride 69 USD or 88.13 CAD

Cost Estimation Base on US Price and Current Conversion
Sub Total:

2755.8 USD or 3518.74 CAD

F1 Firearms UDR - 15 - 3G Style 2 Skeletonized Complete Rifle
- M7M Miculek 15" Handguard
- Geissele SSA-E
- Red Safety Selector
- .223 Wylde - 16" Med Contour 1:8 Twist Match Black Nitride Barrel
- Spiral Fluting
- F1 Durabolt Gold BCG
- Raptor Ambi Charging Handle
- Magpul CTR Buttstock Black
- F1 GRP-ST2 Skeletonized Grip With Finger Grooves and Black Parachord
- 5.56 F1 Dragon Slay AR Brake
- Black
- Polished (300 USD)
- Tactical Case F1 Logo

2940 USD or 3806.79 CAD

 

[new210/22]

I won’t speak to whether or not
You should build your rifle except to say that assembling everything from acre arch is pretty straightforward. I do however want to comment on what you said about avoiding registration. The lower receiver, before a single part gets attached to it is registered. I believe what you may have heard mentioned is a lower being registered as a lower vs as a complete rifle. Either can be done but however you go about it it will be registered. Have fun with your build.

 

[johnzhang456]

So about the only registered as a lower part, what is considered just a lower and not a rifle? Is there like a certain point at which it has to be considered rifle? Would you be able to separate them and not have them as a rifle?

 

[Evanguy]

The lower will be regestered either way. And has to be stored the same way you would store any restricted. So complete gun or stripped lower, Is the same thing in the eyes of the law. And your upper is uncontroled so i guess if you didnt want the upper locked up you could split the rifle, lock up the lower and put the upper on a shelf

 

[Shin_Gunto]

100% buy complete.

You have no experience in building an AR, no appropriate tools, and are wanting to jump into this at the upper end.

It makes no sense to build in this scenario, when a complete rig that fits your criteria exists, is cheaper, and well built.

It's like hiring a Liberal arts major to build a Ferrari, just cuz #money #dreams