Can't afford an EBR. What parts should I buy?

1875 Views 27 Replies 0 Participants Last post by wombat13, Mar 8, 2007

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Discussion Starter · Mar 6, 2007

I know very little about eerie black rifles, but HR1022 has me thinking that maybe I should invest now (I'm assuming that any ban would include a grandfather clause). My understanding is that a quality rifle would cost at least $1,000 or thereabouts. If so, I can't afford a rifle right now, but I could buy a few key components that would be included in a ban. So with that background, I have several questions:

1. Would focusing on the AR-15 platform offer me the most options when it comes time to complete my rifle.

2. I think my first purchases should be a lower and high cap mags. Is that correct?

3. What exactly is meant by the term "lower?"

4. I'm left handed. Is the lower the portion of the rifle that would have key left-handed features?

5. I've seen Stag Arms ads for left-handed rifles. Are they a high quality manufacturer?

6. Since I live in New York, I can only legally possess high cap mags that were manufactured prior to October 1994. Anyone know of a good source?

7. What are good sources for EBR parts in general?

8. Since I know so little, I might not even be asking the right questions. What other issues should I be considering?

Thanks in advance for any help.

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Discussion Starter · #2 · Mar 6, 2007

wombat13 said:
I know very little about eerie black rifles, but HR1022 has me thinking that maybe I should invest now (I'm assuming that any ban would include a grandfather clause). My understanding is that a quality rifle would cost at least $1,000 or thereabouts. If so, I can't afford a rifle right now, but I could buy a few key components that would be included in a ban. So with that background, I have several questions:

1. Would focusing on the AR-15 platform offer me the most options when it comes time to complete my rifle.

2. I think my first purchases should be a lower and high cap mags. Is that correct?

3. What exactly is meant by the term "lower?"

4. I'm left handed. Is the lower the portion of the rifle that would have key left-handed features?

5. I've seen Stag Arms ads for left-handed rifles. Are they a high quality manufacturer?

6. Since I live in New York, I can only legally possess high cap mags that were manufactured prior to October 1994. Anyone know of a good source?

7. What are good sources for EBR parts in general?

8. Since I know so little, I might not even be asking the right questions. What other issues should I be considering?

1. Yes.
2. Sounds great.
3. The lower portion of a weapon, ie the trigger group etc
4. No. You can put a ambidextrous saftey selector switch later ($20.00)
5. Yes.
6. No.
7. AR15.com and their sponsors
8. Sounds good to me; know your laws and limitations, and use AR15.com / us to your advantage.

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Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 6, 2007

This is a lower with a trigger assembly and a buttstock; you can receive one like this or with it stripped without the trigger group, buttstock and even grip.

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Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 6, 2007

Note that the lower is the controlled item per ATF. But also note that the upper is potentially a banned item as well secondary to the bayonet lug, and barrel length.

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Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 6, 2007

i'm a lefty, and was skeptical about buying a "right-handed" ar. after buying one, and shooting it a bunch, i'd say that the lefty ar is not important, and could perhaps hurt you, depending on what parts you need after a (possible) ban...i'm assuming the BCG operates in the opposite direction for a lefty upper...

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Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 6, 2007

You can get a Stag upper for 495.00; the lowers are significantly lower in price.

You can get a complete for about 895.00. I would build one personally, and not get a Left handed model because they run about 100 more. Plus, you should shoot ambi with rifle anyways.

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Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 6, 2007

Thanks for the info hellagerms. It's my understanding that the receiver is the key component that would be banned in HR1022. Is the receiver part of the upper?

Sorry for the basic questions. I appreciate your time spent answering my questions.

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Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 6, 2007

wombat13 said:
Thanks for the info hellagerms. It's my understanding that the receiver is the key component that would be banned in HR1022. Is the receiver part of the upper?

Sorry for the basic questions. I appreciate your time spent answering my questions.

Yes the upper is part of the receiver; it's my pleasure to help you.

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Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 6, 2007

My Bushmaster was only $799. It's quality. And you could buy a receiiver now ($100), and hold on to it until you have the money to build.

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Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 6, 2007

The lower being the other part of the receiver. The lower is controlled by the ATF and requires the FFL transfer. But during Clintons ban, it didnt effect the lower but only the upper. But with this proposal it can jeopardize both.

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Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 6, 2007

I too have a Bushmaster, actually two. But for building I think Stag is the way to go. Look around AR15.com also, there is an equipment exchange there that vendors and members sell things new and used.

As jnclment stated, you can get a lower for really cheap. Get a trigger kit for about 50.00, a buttstock for 40.00 etc.

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Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 6, 2007

The LOWER receiver is the registered part, it can be purchased anywhere from $80 to $300 depending on what you really want. It is the only part that must be received through FFL

Seen in this thread: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=21&t=418535

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Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 6, 2007

I'd buy a stripped lower (or two) and a nice stash of 20-30rd mags. Lowers are relatively inexpensive, and that will be the hard part to get if HR1022 should happen to pass. Although I don't think we can count on anything being grand-fathered in at this point.

I saw forged (stripped) lowers at Sarco (I think) for $90. I paid $100 for my last (Stag, forged) stripped lower receiver at a gun show. I think I'll pick-up a few more at the next local show, though... HR1022 and all... I'm thinking of giving ARs as gifts to everyone I know this Christmas!

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Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 6, 2007

I'd get a couple of lowers right now. They are becoming more scarce as people are stocking up on lowers. Most of the stripped lowers right now are around 100 or so. I plan on picking up a couple more just in case. Probably order a POF and a Magpul lower once it becomes availible.

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Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 6, 2007

Anybody notice that ALL that assault rifle stuff is going up, even though there is no ban yet? Even the prices of ratty Romanain AKs at gunshows are way up.

I am trying to resist the panic buying...if this thing takes a dive, we'll all be sorry we frantically ran out and bought at higher prices. The gun retailers are secretly loving this, you know.

- Brickboy240

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Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 6, 2007

Get a stripped lower for an AR and a stripped receiver for an AKM. And buy 12 AR mags and 12 AK mags.

I would rate the odds of the new ban passing as pretty low as things stand right now, but all it would take is another bad school shooting or another N. Hollywood shootout to tip the scales.

Buy what you can to hedge your bets, but most important, WRITE YOUR CONGRESSCRITTERS and STOP THIS BAN! And pin down every gun owner you know to write also. If this does pass it will be because we didn't speak up loudly enough!
.

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Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 6, 2007

Brickboy240 said:
Anybody notice that ALL that assault rifle stuff is going up, even though there is no ban yet? Even the prices of ratty Romanain AKs at gunshows are way up.

I am trying to resist the panic buying...if this thing takes a dive, we'll all be sorry we frantically ran out and bought at higher prices. The gun retailers are secretly loving this, you know.

Yes. I knew it would happen, which is why I started buying as soon as the craps won the last election. Partly because of the possibility of another ban, but mostly because I knew the prices would shoot up.
.

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Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 6, 2007

I don't know that the gun dealers are loving this. I am sure they would rather make $30 profit on a thousand rifles over the next twenty years than make $90 off of $100 right now with no future ability to sell them.

It is a question of supply and demand. With the scarcity problem particularly acute right now, the market discipline that leads to an efficient allocation of scarce resources drives up the price. That is the way the world works. It is all question of risk and reward. Do you want to avoid the already inflated price on the risk of not being able to buy the rifle at all in the future (or havng to buy pre-ban models after the ban, should it pass, at the even more inflated prices). It is all about risk allocation.

To the Original Question, I would go with the lower, as to my current understanding, for several reasons. One is that you may want a telescoping buttstock, which you could buy with the lower and have that ready in case of a ban, another is that, if the administrative judges decide the same, pre-ban parts will be allowed to be installed after the instating of a ban on pre-ban lowers.

Finally, don't just try to buy the rifle. Fight the ban with all you have got to keep it from happening in the first place.

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Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 6, 2007

If we fail to foil the plot of the ban, all parts of the AR would most likely be driven to extinction eventually. The anti's would make sure nothing can be grand fathered and supplies for the replacement parts die out. I have no doubt in my mind that's their "grand scheme."

So I would try to at least get all the parts that are enough to build a complete rifle first; if you are unable to afford a complete rifle now. After that I would stock up for wear and tear items such as mags, barrels, bolt carrier groups, and trigger assembly.

Of course, spend some time and financial resources on things such as writing to your congressmen and supporting NRA may prevent all these from happening.

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Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 6, 2007

You can build a quality AR from Stag parts for under $700 if you shop around for the best prices, and don't need the fancy stuff (like Magpul stuff, free float gas tubes w/ railed handguards, and an Eotech).

you can ALWAYS add fancy stuff later. just get the barrel length and basic confuration you're after in a stock build, and then move forward in the future.

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