Building the cheapest "good" AR15
- Thread starter Claven2
- Start date
@tikkaboy: You should absolutely do it if you want to get into ARs. You will learn more by building one than by buying one - I guarantee it. It's not a hard project. I've built many AR's over the years and it's always a sorta fun break from the custom sporting rifles I usually build.
As for progress, I got the end cap today. I REALLY like hte look of the YHM handguard with the YHM end cap installed - it really gives it a clean look. I also recommend using their lock screws (available at fabsports) for the threaded holes at the front of the tube - it really finishes things off. And yes, there is clearance all away around the barrel and it's still a free float after install. The end cap was 13.85. If you have an M4 profile barrel you need the one with a 1,1/16" ID. Part number YHM9484B. The cap screws can be had at Fabsports for 11.95, part number YHM9437K.
So now it's fully assembled. I have a decent Elcan en-route that ultimately sit on this rifle for general range use. I'll post another pic of that when it gets here.
As for progress, I got the end cap today. I REALLY like hte look of the YHM handguard with the YHM end cap installed - it really gives it a clean look. I also recommend using their lock screws (available at fabsports) for the threaded holes at the front of the tube - it really finishes things off. And yes, there is clearance all away around the barrel and it's still a free float after install. The end cap was 13.85. If you have an M4 profile barrel you need the one with a 1,1/16" ID. Part number YHM9484B. The cap screws can be had at Fabsports for 11.95, part number YHM9437K.
So now it's fully assembled. I have a decent Elcan en-route that ultimately sit on this rifle for general range use. I'll post another pic of that when it gets here.
- Location
- 54°52'56"N 112°10'7"W Alpha Bravo
Nice M4gery, it looks good. So, final price as it sits now???
Pretty reasonably priced. How many hours of labor do you estimate it took you?
- Location
- 54°52'56"N 112°10'7"W Alpha Bravo
Amazing price for what you built. You could sure as hell cut the cost even more if you ditched the rail and magpul stuff, I bet prolly closer to 1000 eh? Well done sir, well done.
Yes, without the ambi selector, rail stuff, magpul parts, etc. I think I could have shaved maybe $300 or more off the price.
The barrel assembly came with the nut and cap, delta assemblies are under $20 and handguards are dirt-cheap. GI grip is a $5 item and the 6-pos butts can be had cheaply all over the place.
The barrel assembly came with the nut and cap, delta assemblies are under $20 and handguards are dirt-cheap. GI grip is a $5 item and the 6-pos butts can be had cheaply all over the place.
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polskadude
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- London Ontario
Nice build, and great price, best of both worlds!
Not sure we follow - huh????
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
I guess the point you're trying to make is this.
If you want a budget railed, magpul'd, customized M4gery give 'er. [Given you have the tools and expertise to assemble]
If all you really need is just a stock M4, two Norc M4's could be had for the same price or buy a Stag for almost the same cash., no tools needed.
How much better will your custom M4 shoot better than stock Norc M4? I don't want to go through all that trouble of collecting parts, shipping, taxes only to find it's marginally more accurate/reliable than a Norc M4.
If you want a budget railed, magpul'd, customized M4gery give 'er. [Given you have the tools and expertise to assemble]
If all you really need is just a stock M4, two Norc M4's could be had for the same price or buy a Stag for almost the same cash., no tools needed.
How much better will your custom M4 shoot better than stock Norc M4? I don't want to go through all that trouble of collecting parts, shipping, taxes only to find it's marginally more accurate/reliable than a Norc M4.
I tend to agree with you. Personally I would sooner buy a Stag and get to the range rather than go through the process of collecting the bits and building the rifle. However, I believe that this thread was intended to be more of an educational appeal than any sort of argument. The build that was outlined in this thread just goes to show that a quality AR can be had using all North American parts on the cheap if you don't mind investing time/cost of tools into it. For a lot of nutz that just makes it all the more appealing eh!
Great job Claven.
I think that what I've shown is that if you want to replicate the Norinco (14.5" standard semi-auto M4-type) you can do so for around $1000 plus taxes and shipping.
If you want to spend the same money a Stag 16" M4 type costs, you can build a 14.5" american parts M4-gery but with magpul furniture AND a free float rail and still be slightly ahead, but you won't have the Armseast warranty (not an issue for me but it might be for you). the upper and lower receiver are from the same manufacturer, but some people on the resale market might turn their noses up at the build since it's a "parts gun" (something I think is ludicrous if the build is done properly).
Adding magpul stuff and a FF rail to a Stag would cost about another $300. In my case, I can devote that $300 to ammo
To conclude:
- if you want a bone-standard M4 on the cheap: Norinco
- if you want a standard C8A3-like carbine from a brand name: S&W or Stag seem to be the best buys at present in Canada
- if you want an M4 type but you want some go-fast accessories like Magpul stuff or forearm upgrades: Better off building.
One thing I would point out to lejarettnoir:
The gun I built WILL outshoot any stock Norinco and any stock Stag M4 copy, for that matter. The free-float rail is an accuracy improvement that takes the pressure points off the barrel and in virtually every case will shrink groups to one degree or another.
This comes at a cost though. A decent (i.e. not chinese) free float rail will set you back about $150 plus tax and ship or more. In some cases a lot more. that being said, my personal belief is the newer YHM stuff is sufficiently nice - I can't believe what people will spend on a DD or Larue free-float rail, for example.
If you want to spend the same money a Stag 16" M4 type costs, you can build a 14.5" american parts M4-gery but with magpul furniture AND a free float rail and still be slightly ahead, but you won't have the Armseast warranty (not an issue for me but it might be for you). the upper and lower receiver are from the same manufacturer, but some people on the resale market might turn their noses up at the build since it's a "parts gun" (something I think is ludicrous if the build is done properly).
Adding magpul stuff and a FF rail to a Stag would cost about another $300. In my case, I can devote that $300 to ammo
To conclude:
- if you want a bone-standard M4 on the cheap: Norinco
- if you want a standard C8A3-like carbine from a brand name: S&W or Stag seem to be the best buys at present in Canada
- if you want an M4 type but you want some go-fast accessories like Magpul stuff or forearm upgrades: Better off building.
One thing I would point out to lejarettnoir:
The gun I built WILL outshoot any stock Norinco and any stock Stag M4 copy, for that matter. The free-float rail is an accuracy improvement that takes the pressure points off the barrel and in virtually every case will shrink groups to one degree or another.
This comes at a cost though. A decent (i.e. not chinese) free float rail will set you back about $150 plus tax and ship or more. In some cases a lot more. that being said, my personal belief is the newer YHM stuff is sufficiently nice - I can't believe what people will spend on a DD or Larue free-float rail, for example.
In my case, however, I have as much fun building guns as I do shooting them
But I'm weird like that 
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
This is what I want to see. A comparison of a stock Norc and a totally custom build like yours. Same loads and 5 shot group testing.
I could build a gun like yours because I do have the ability/tools and shop to do it in. In fact, I'd rather make my own custom match barrel in stainless to really put some accuracy in it. I've owned several AR's in the past that shot really well without mods.
Hey, not knocking down what you built, I like it and you'll have other guys that will want to do the same. Not everyone likes the Chinese clones. Hope you don't sell it on the EE in a few months.
