I would love to build my own AR, but in the meantime I just bought a M&P15. Hard to beat $700 for a brand new one delivered to my door. While I gather parts and expertise, I’ll shoot the factory one and have fun with it. Probably learn a few things I want for the one I build.
If buying a pre-built AR, am I being lazy?
- Thread starter Big Bad
- Start date
rockport guy
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Riverview NB
Its what I did... 2 of them... I want to build one some day... but don't have the time right! But BUY... the more the Better! Even if its just a lower.
I've also seen factory rifles run like #### a rifle built with proper parts and properly assembled will work just as well as a factory rifle. There's isn't magic or voodoo involved with assembling an ar15 it isn't a 1911.
I think you hit on the two important factors. Parts and assembly. If it's your first time assembling there is plenty of room for error on both accounts. Less risk/chance of that when you buy a properly built milspec gun from a reputable manufacturer.
These are the 2 I’m working on, just pieced them together quickly for pics. Have pretty much all the parts kicking around. Just need the time and patience to finish them up. The ODG is 7.62x39
My first build went pretty smoothe and runs like a top!
My first build went pretty smoothe and runs like a top!
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Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
I know you were rushed but the X39 AFG is backwards.
r34skyline
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Keyword there is properly assembled.
And yes I have seen out of spec junk fail. Odds of a cc or a bcm ####ting the bed is phenomenally low. Substantially less so than homebuilts.
Yes. You build your own top shelf gun using top shelf parts, and you don't screw up it will work as well as a top shelf pre built. It may not be cheaper. Will definitely take longer to source parts and put together.
Unless you are 100% particular about exactly which component must be in your gun or you want the project for fun a home built isn't worth it.
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Diamondback Six
CGN frequent flyer
Each option has its advantages in different situations. My first I only built the lower, second is pure from-parts, but I knew at the beginning that I eventually wanted to ramp up to "from raw forging." If all you want is a shooter, buy. If you need a bang-every-time you can bet your life on, buy a good one. If you're a technician/craftsman and enjoy a challenge or have particular special needs, and don't mind sinking a fair amount of cash into tools, then MAYBE building MIGHT be for you. It does have a way of becoming an addiction, though...
It's like everything else in life, there are those who like factory, those that like to customize the product just a little and those who like to build things from scratch. Take houses, motorcycles and cars for example. The AR platform is a modular platform which lends itself to customization more so than your average rifle.
I'm guessing you ment a prebuilt is worth it or a build isn't worth it. I agree
I generally don't find builds to be worth it other then ####s and giggles especially with your first one. I don't think I've ever seen someone's first ar15 stay in the same configuration they first got it in for long besides maybe if your doing a Vietnam style build. My point wasn't on whether a build is worth it but that a properly built rifle will work just as well as a properly built factory rifle.
I've bought a prebuilt AR and I built one - I like both options. My SIG ran flawlessly and was very tight, I sold it to my nephew when I built my own. The one I built was fun as I got everything that I wanted, but it was expensive compared to a factory build and it took a lot of reading to figure it out properly. I will never sell my custom, but I sure miss that SIG.
Not lazy...but curiosity and challenge got me. Watching the utube vids made it look so simple...with the right tools...and it was. Built one and disassembled it and built it again lol. This helped me understand the inner workings...some concepts are transferable such as when I replaced the RPR barrel.
Maritimer67
Member
- Location
- SW Ontario
For those who have built their ARs, are there any brands of uppers you'd suggest? Or pretty much any reputable one will do? I am building an AR15, the lower is done, now looking for compete upper as I don't want to tinker with assembly of barrel at this stage. thanks!
It's fun to research all the parts, decide on what you want, order and then put it all together. But...
It's generally more expensive. The most cost effective way is to buy as close to what you want out of the box already. Ultimately if you can get away with only changing a pistol grip then you are much further ahead.
It's generally more expensive. The most cost effective way is to buy as close to what you want out of the box already. Ultimately if you can get away with only changing a pistol grip then you are much further ahead.
Pros and cons of each in my opinion
Pre-built
Pros
Warranty
Higher resale value
All parts from the same manufacturer and assembled by the manufacturer
Usually cheaper
Gas system typically balanced well with the recoil system
Cons
Usually not exactly what you wanted so you spend some more changing out parts then having a box of parts you don't want or having to sell those parts.
Typically mid grade barrels that are not properly heat treated and stress relieved so you get stringing as it warms up.
Piece together
Pros
Everything you want from day one
High quality parts where you want them and economy parts where it matters less.
Higher quality barrel (if you choose to spend more money)
Experience putting it together which helps in troubleshooting if needed
Cons
Usually costs more because you have to talk yourself out of buying a $500 barrel and the latest greatest super duper lightweight parts.
No warranty
If you're not overly experienced you could end up with gas system/recoil system balance issues leading to harsh cycling or failures
Have to purchase some extra tools if you want to do it right.
Lower resale and harder to sell a FrankenAR
I'm sure I could come up with more for all of the above but that's what comes to kind right now.
I love building AR's but I don't do it to save money.
If you're buying US made forged receivers then any will do, they're all built by three different forges then sent out to the manufacturers for finishing and branding.
Stay away from NEA/BCL and Norinco and you should have no issues.
I've never heard of anyone having a problem with AERO from Saskatoon Gunworks and their prices are good but there are many others that are just as good.
Good luck
Pre-built
Pros
Warranty
Higher resale value
All parts from the same manufacturer and assembled by the manufacturer
Usually cheaper
Gas system typically balanced well with the recoil system
Cons
Usually not exactly what you wanted so you spend some more changing out parts then having a box of parts you don't want or having to sell those parts.
Typically mid grade barrels that are not properly heat treated and stress relieved so you get stringing as it warms up.
Piece together
Pros
Everything you want from day one
High quality parts where you want them and economy parts where it matters less.
Higher quality barrel (if you choose to spend more money)
Experience putting it together which helps in troubleshooting if needed
Cons
Usually costs more because you have to talk yourself out of buying a $500 barrel and the latest greatest super duper lightweight parts.
No warranty
If you're not overly experienced you could end up with gas system/recoil system balance issues leading to harsh cycling or failures
Have to purchase some extra tools if you want to do it right.
Lower resale and harder to sell a FrankenAR
I'm sure I could come up with more for all of the above but that's what comes to kind right now.
I love building AR's but I don't do it to save money.
If you're buying US made forged receivers then any will do, they're all built by three different forges then sent out to the manufacturers for finishing and branding.
Stay away from NEA/BCL and Norinco and you should have no issues.
I've never heard of anyone having a problem with AERO from Saskatoon Gunworks and their prices are good but there are many others that are just as good.
Good luck
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TRDYamahauler
Member
- Location
- Kootenays, BC
A couple thoughts... if it’s your first AR and you haven’t really used one how do you know that sweet custom build you spec’d out that’s exactly the setup you want is actually the setup you want? You don’t know what you don’t know.
If budget is a concern with a custom build I’m thinking it’s probably going to be more expensive because of the shipping of various parts and the snowball effect that causes you to upgrade each and every part, also factor in the cost of the specialty tools if you can’t borrow them from a buddy.
For me I’d probably go for a good prebuilt one for my first, you could do swap some furniture to customize it a little or whatever or get one like that naked colt and have a sorta semi-custom with no worries about whether or not it’ll work properly. If your first one doesn’t end up being what you want it’s be easier to sell too if it’s a factory gun.
If budget is a concern with a custom build I’m thinking it’s probably going to be more expensive because of the shipping of various parts and the snowball effect that causes you to upgrade each and every part, also factor in the cost of the specialty tools if you can’t borrow them from a buddy.
For me I’d probably go for a good prebuilt one for my first, you could do swap some furniture to customize it a little or whatever or get one like that naked colt and have a sorta semi-custom with no worries about whether or not it’ll work properly. If your first one doesn’t end up being what you want it’s be easier to sell too if it’s a factory gun.
