[Guest]

I've been thinking about an AR as my next gun and just curious why some people build vs buy a complete rifle? Is there a money savings or are people just buying parts as the budget permits until it's complete? From what I've seen, most brands of AR's come in just about any configuration you could want, even 9mm or 308. So what's up with the build thing?

 

[Guest]

Money and a better understanding of how it works. In the end, most do it to save a few bucks. Not sure if there is a true savings, when it's all said and done.

OS

 

[Guest]

Money and a better understanding of how it works. In the end, most do it to save a few bucks. Not sure if there is a true savings, when it's all said and done.

OS

Ditto that. Plus, I probably wouldn't do quite as good a job as the factory.

 

[Guest]

I just posted up my two lower reciever builds in the "Non XD, Other Gun" section. To be honest its not hard at all. Just a few tools and some instructions. I've handle the M16A2 but didn't really understand the workings (lower reciever) until I built my own. Here are the instuctions I followed if you plan to build your own.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

Good luck!

 

[Guest]

I built to get a better understanding of how it works. I carried one for nearly 6 years in the Army and learned more about how it functions in a few days of building it up.

I saved maybe $75 bucks doing it myself...but I had tools available to me...if I had to buy punches and stuff, I would have broken even, though I would have had tools!

Building one up is fun and there is a certain pride in knowing you have some sweat equity in it.

 

[Guest]

I'm better at shooting than building or gunsmithing so I bought mine assembled.


As suppo said I couldn't probably do as well as the factory does. Mine is dpms

 

[Guest]

I bought the whole gun from Bushmaster. Aside from the fact that I am never a handyman material, I just don't have the patience to wait; gotta go shoot it asap!

 

[Guest]

Don't let these guys convince you that building your own is cheaper. Where it is true that you can bargain hunt and do it for less in some cases, many actually spend a good deal more in customizing their AR to their wants. It's very easy to spend more doing a home build, and there are already so many stock options on the market.
There is no true advantage of a home built over a stock rifle from a leading company, with the exception of what was mentioned earlier; you will gain an experience and better understanding of its workings.
Most people build simply because THEY want to. It's not a money thing, but more of a pride thing.

 

[Guest]

You'll can save possibly 100 bucks by buying a lower and upper seperate (for quality parts like RRA, Stag or whatever). Building a lower and buying a complete lower has a very small difference in price once you get down to it.

 

[Guest]

its true you can save about 100 bucks if you shop around and do a basic build.

i prefer to build mine you can get better looking parts and not have to spend extra, you can select the parts you want see how they all work together.

tools, a hammer some punches a roll of tape a dish for small parts and a plastic bag to catch foreward pivot pin sping/detent when you launch it the first few times you try to install it.

i buit my first ar for 650 basic 16" car on stag lower, my 2nd cost 550 bushy dissipator upper stag lower, they sell cheap usualy, my third is 24" bull barrel upper about 675 on a dpms lower i built up again.

 

[Guest]

I take it you have some sort of mech. abilities.

I would rather build one. I bought my first "NIB". The one I have now I built myself. After buying the blocks and a wrench at guns shows, and getting the exact parts I wanted, I would have saved around 150 bux. This is AFTER I bought the tools. SO! I got the "perfect Rifle" and some usefull tools and still saved cash. The best part....... I learned ALOT about my rifle.

Sometimes knowlege outweighs money

DO a search under my handle, you'll find my CAR15 forgery.
My last Bushmaster was a 20" SS HBAR match, I could shoot a quarter @100M.
My CAR15 I can shoot same quarter at same distance. Hit steel gongs at 350M. PLUS I can CQB with it .

That is all , carry on.

 

[Guest]

Thanks everyone for the input, guess I've got some researching to do. Not sure if I'll build or not, depends on how I feel after looking at prices on the built guns. I do agree though with those who mentioned having some pride in building something yourself. Now I just have to save up a little $ :shock:

 

[Guest]

I prefer the build option. It was a fun having pieces and putting it together into a rifle. I gained a better understanding of how it works. And in my situation, I saved $'s.

 

[Guest]

Overall, when you custom build an AR, it has
been my experience that I spent a whole lot
more money on the build than if I bought one
fully assembled.

If one is mechanically adapt, and fully enjoys
tinkering and wants to really know how an AR
functions, then I say go for the build. Otherwise,
there are many factory built jobs just waiting to
be carried home by a fun loving 'black gun' owner.

Ed

 

[Guest]

I have been researching and planning my first AR-15 rifle for almost a year now (I got time while saving up the money for it).

Originally, I was all set to build the whole thing myself, for the learning experience, and the bragging rights, and I thought it would be less expensive.

BUT, I've found that, for the setup I want, it's cheaper to buy a complete lower and complete upper and pin them together, than it is to buy separate parts and build it "from scratch" or buy the whole thing NIB. I could do a TON more research to find the cheapest parts around, but I'm not that patient: I want my AR sooner rather than later.

I've been compiling a "book" on my thoughts and experiences on researching and deciding on what exactly I want. It has helped me organize my wants/needs and thoughts tremendously. Also, check out arfcom at www.AR15.com under the "build it yourself" section. Look to see what others have done. Also, check out www.rockriverarms.com for their setups and prices.

My research has shown me that, for MY setup that I want:
LOWER: Receiver (Forged), Trigger Group (NM), Grip (Standard), Butt stock (Stnd A2)
UPPER: Forged A4 flattop Upper Receiver, Bolt Carrier Group, 20” Barrel (ChMo 1:9), Hand Guard (A2), Muzzle Device (A2)

it's:
$769 to buy the complete rifle ready to go
$760 to buy all the parts and build it myself
$714 to buy a complete lower and a complete upper and pin them together

Not a significant savings, but it showed me that building vs. buying isn't really a cost savings at all.

Building it yourself is all about the learning experience, pride in building it yourself, bragging rights, getting exactly the setup you want, and a better understanding about the intricasies of your AR-15.

If you just want to get it ASAP and go shooting, then buy a more "standard" setup outright.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Guest]

I was going to build, but then I found a good deal on an AR that I couldn't pass up. It had several things extra on it that I would put on it anyway and it was all for the price of what a basic equipped AR runs anyways. I may decide to build another though, who knows.. it definitely is something I think I would enjoy doing.