Sub $1000 AR Build

pvtc

pvtc

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Eastern Ontario
With the Canadian retail cost of most AR-15 variants is in the $1200+ range (excluding the “Made in China” variety), I decided to try building a quality AR for under $1K.

My main criteria were:
- All North American components (Canadian-made if possible)
- 14.5” to 16.5” barrel, with 1:9 twist to stabilize 55 to 64 grain bullets
- M4-style flattop receiver to mount optics
- A heavy-profile barrel without M4-type feed ramps (M4 ramps have a steeper feed angle that can detract from accuracy by nudging bullets out of alignment upon chambering. Despite the hype, they are only required for full-auto military weapons firing heavy tracer rounds)
- Chambered in either .223 Wylde or 5.56x45mm NATO (both will safety allow the firing of 5.56x45 MILSPEC and .223 Rem ammo; the Wylde being the more potentially accurate of the two)

My completed build, shown below, comprises the following components:
- “Made in Canada” Blue Line BL-15LE1 lower receiver – $159.00 (on sale)
- DPMS lower receiver parts kit from Brownells – $75.00 (incl shipping)
- Double Star six-position M4 Buttstock from Brownells – $75.00 (incl shipping)
- J.P. Enterprises reduced power trigger spring kit from Brownells – $10 (incl shipping)
- Tactical Innovations M4 upper with 14.5", 1:9 twist, chrome lined, heavy profile barrel – $600.00 (lightly used - from CGN EE)
- Grip Pod forend grip – free with upper ($25-35 value)
- Aluminum Picatinny rail for handguard – free with upper ($20-30 value)
- HIVIS AR-15 Fiber Optic Front Sight – free with upper ($9-10 value)
- Grand Total – $919.00

I fitted the finished carbine, at no extra cost, with a set of 30mm rings and a Bushnell red/green dot sight that I had kicking around. I eventually plan to put on a higher quality optic, but this will certainly do for now. Upon initial test firing, I managed 4" groups at 100m using Winchester white box ammo with this non-magnified sight. I could probably shrink it to 2" or less with a higher quality maganifed optic like the Vortex Viper PST 1-4x scope (which is at the top of my short list).

AR1.jpg


AR2.jpg


AR3.jpg


I decided to upgrade to MAGPUL MOE furnature (MOE trigger guard, pistol grip, handguard and stock were ordered as a set from Brownells for $120, including shipping). I much prefer the hand filling MOE pistol grip to the original AR-15A2 grip. The trigger guard is larger to allow for a gloved hand, and both the handguard and stock are more comforatable than the M4-style parts. The MOE stock comes with a built-in rubber recoil pad and a wider/more comfortable cheek rest than the MILSPEC version. I have a Troy BUIS on order from One Shot Tactical Supply. With that, I will be pretty much set. Here is how it looks now:

AR4.jpg


AR5.jpg


AR6.jpg


All in all, this was a fun project that proved it is possible to assemble a quality AR for under a $1000. :)
 
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That's a great build for under 1 k and I've been interested in building my own AR as well (I've been battling myself into not buying a Norc). My questions are what tools did you need to do this and at what point do you have to contact the CFC for it being a firearm.

Once again great build man!
 
great build i was going to buy a norinco but figured i just save up and spen the 12-15 but now this has got me thinking!
 
I like to know too.. Thanks

snipe(+)show said:
That's a great build for under 1 k and I've been interested in building my own AR as well (I've been battling myself into not buying a Norc). My questions are what tools did you need to do this and at what point do you have to contact the CFC for it being a firearm.

Once again great build man!
Click to expand...
 
nice :)

its better to see ones that people build from the ground up,
having done it myself i feel a deeper respect for them and the people that build them
 
Tried it myself too. U.S. Armalite lower and Armalite 14.5" upper, All for under $1000. So, with the savings, i added a fixed rear (off the EE), and a CTR Magpul stock from Questar, that put me 200+ over.
Armalite (Wolverine) $159 + tax = $209 shipped)
Parts Daniel Defence from One Shot ($109 shipped)
Upper: 600 shipped off the EE.
total= $918 (you can stop here with your optics)

extras:

adding magpul CTR stock and LMT milspec buffer tube Questar. (havent seen bill yet, but about $270)
i would have done Brownells if i known they shipped.
adding fixed rear site for dedicated CQB. $100 off the EE.



Question on registration. It becomes a firearm when you attach a barrel. I think there is 30 days to report the bbl. length.

**edit for taxes. there are no taxes on the EE :D
 
Stevo said:
No, it is always a firearm. You have to report a change from "receiver only" to "complete firearm."
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X2. When i built my first one it took a five minute phone call to CFC to change its status. i got a lot of bad advice from gun experts that i had to have it verified and fill out a mountain of paperwork etc. it was a lot of bad advice from people that claimed they knew what to do.
 
Stevo said:
No, it is always a firearm. You have to report a change from "receiver only" to "complete firearm."
Click to expand...

This is correct. Sorry if it was misleading. There is a reg cert for the frame only, legally a firearm by definition, and after you call in your modifications to the CFO, they will issue you a new cert, that is one digit different.
 
I would like to make an AR build a little project of mine so I was wondering. If I started the upper from parts only, then lower later because it seems to be the easier of the two. Do I have to call the CFC letting them know what I'm doing and register every little part I get? Do I call them when the complete upper is done?

If anybody knows a link where with some frequently asked Q&A it would be much appreciated because i have a lot of questions. THANKS
 
snipe(+)show said:
That's a great build for under 1 k and I've been interested in building my own AR as well (I've been battling myself into not buying a Norc). My questions are what tools did you need to do this and at what point do you have to contact the CFC for it being a firearm.
Click to expand...

I assembled this largely with regular hand tools found on the average gun bench. I did have to slightly modify a hinge pin to fit the Blue Line lower, which was made easier since I have a small metal lathe. However, I could have done this with a hand file too (slower and less precise, but still workable). Bottom-line: no special tools or gauges required unless you’re planning to fit the barrel and bolt to the upper receiver yourself. My upper came pre-assembled.

Once you mate the barreled upper receiver with the lower receiver (the controlled part), you have 30 days to notify the CFC and have the lower re-registered as a rifle. Done in 5 minutes over the phone.
 
snipe(+)show said:
I would like to make an AR build a little project of mine so I was wondering. If I started the upper from parts only, then lower later because it seems to be the easier of the two. Do I have to call the CFC letting them know what I'm doing and register every little part I get? Do I call them when the complete upper is done?

If anybody knows a link where with some frequently asked Q&A it would be much appreciated because i have a lot of questions. THANKS
Click to expand...

The only part the CFC needs to know about when you buy it is the lower receiver (registered as a "receiver only" when you purchase it).

Once you finish the assembly and go to register it a a complete firearm, the CFC will also want to know the barrel length and calibre.

See above post for more details
 
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