Buying parts to build an AR.

Discussion of rifles, shotguns, and muzzleloaders

Buying parts to build an AR.

Postby Lil' Dog on Wed Mar 30, 2016 5:56 pm

I just bought an AR about a month ago. My friend did the same. We don't even have 200 rounds through them yet. He has decided to build one. Three long questions: Where does everybody buy their components from? Is it mostly from the internet, or are there a bunch of local places?

#2 Where is the cost savings when you build your own? He is going cheap, then cheaper. I think he trying to build a turd. From what I have found you can build a lower pretty cheap, but if you want to buy an upper of decent quality, you are still going to be paying for it. He is in the $550.00 dollar range. That is total. I am finding that I would be at least $800.00 after I bought a decent upper and a good trigger.

#3 If you buy a name brand upper, and build your own lower, is it going to be a better gun than if you just bought it complete? Let fun begin. :D
Lil' Dog
 
Posts: 76 [View]
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:26 pm
Location: West of Twin Cities.

Re: Buying parts to build an AR.

Postby 2in2out on Wed Mar 30, 2016 8:30 pm

My cousin Vito knows a guy whose brother in law sells AR parts out of an unmarked warehouse down by the river.....
:lol:
Seriously, I find most large sporting goods stores to be disappointing; either their prices aren't competitive, or they don't have what I'm looking for. MidwayUSA and Brownell's generally get my order for things like you're describing.

Brick and mortar stores in the western-ish metro that I'd go to would be Southwest Arms, Arnzen Arms and Atomic Tactical. Great people.
"...the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the ballot-box, the jury-box, and the cartridge-box; that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country..." ---Frederick Douglass
User avatar
2in2out
 
Posts: 1014 [View]
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:19 am
Location: SE MN

Re: Buying parts to build an AR.

Postby BC98 on Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:53 pm

I usually buy online. My usual retailers are Bravo Company, Rainier Arms, Brownells and a few others.

With respect to building an upper, there's no excuse to cheap out when there's good low cost options on the market right now.
Example:
BCM blem upper (complete): $75
PSA Premium BCG: $100
Ballistic Advantage 16" midlength barrel (w/ gas block & tube): $220
ALG Defense 13" EMR V3 rail: $155

Total: $550

Just add muzzle device of choice (A2 flash hiders are cheap) and sights and/or optic and you're ready to go with good parts.
BC98
 
Posts: 160 [View]
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:12 am
Location: North Metro

Re: Buying parts to build an AR.

Postby saizou on Thu Mar 31, 2016 1:36 am

Everywhere online. Parts are stupid vast and everyone is getting in on selling them but they're always sold out.

I recently tossed my ruger AR and started buying parts for a new build, I expect it in the $800 range. But the best part is I get everything I want in an AR.

SAA stripped lower - $120
Toms Tactical Magpul complete lower kit - $180
CBC 16" Hera Upper - $300
Magpul BUS - $70
Aim NiB BCG - $100
Raptor charging handle - $70
Last and most critical piece, laser engraved biohazard dust cover - $20.

Don't forget get the tools too. Get a AR wrench and punch set. I also opted for a vise holder.
saizou
 
Posts: 10 [View]
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2015 1:50 pm

Re: Buying parts to build an AR.

Postby photogpat on Thu Mar 31, 2016 5:53 am

http://www.palmettostatearmory.com

Watch the "Daily Deal" for parts. Their prices are generally the lowest for decent quality items.
Nothing to see here. Continue swimming.
User avatar
photogpat
 
Posts: 3702 [View]
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 1:01 pm
Location: Securely barricaded

Re: Buying parts to build an AR.

Postby Ghost on Thu Mar 31, 2016 6:00 am

Get Palmetto state armory blem or anderson upper and lower.
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/lower-receivers/ar-15-stripped-lower-receiver-prod75094.aspx $49.99
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Anderson_Manufacturing_AR15_Stripped_Upper_Receive_p/ander-upper.htm $49.95

Buy a lower build kit
http://palmettostatearmory.com/moe-lower-build-kit-black.html $129.99

Buy a upper build kit
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/parts-kits/upper-parts-kits/ar-15-upper-parts-kit-sku100019269-84515-179871.aspx $17.99

Buy a BCG
http://www.wcarmory.com/toolcraft-inc/toolcraft-bcg-223-5-56-bolt-carrier-group-black-c-158-mpi-complete.htm $90.23

So $338.15 before barrel and hand handguard.

Buy a good quality barrel in whatever length you like
Buy whatever hand guard you like
Buy a gas block and gas tube, if you think about suppression then buy an adjustable gas block
Buy a flash hider or suppressor mount that you like, if barrel is threaded for it

Assemble

In my opinion the barrel and the trigger are the most important parts of the build so buy reputable and expect to pay more.

Eventually order yourself a LaRue trigger for $125 Note: you won't be charged until it ships and they are 3 months behind on orders now.
http://www.larue.com/larue-tactical-mbt-2s-trigger
User avatar
Ghost
 
Posts: 8246 [View]
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:49 pm

Re: Buying parts to build an AR.

Postby Bearcatrp on Fri Apr 01, 2016 4:23 pm

https://www.kakindustry.com/
Kurt is a great guy to do business with. One of the best customer service in the industry as far as I am concerned. I purchased a complete upper from them. When I saw a longer barrel on sale, I paid for the barrel, kurt installed it for free. Prices are good too. If you have a question on something your not quite sure when doing your build, call kurt, he will help. Fantastic company.
Bearcatrp
 
Posts: 3087 [View]
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:57 pm

Re: Buying parts to build an AR.

Postby UnaStamus on Sat Apr 02, 2016 10:09 pm

http://www.rainierarms.com
Otherwise I buy direct from BCM, LMT, Noveske or DD's websites.
Learning Firearms - Training and Firearms Industry Video Production
http://www.learningfirearms.com
User avatar
UnaStamus
 
Posts: 882 [View]
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:33 am


Return to Long Guns

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests

cron