Thanks I do have a few questions. If you were goin to start another build where would you start for an upper? The problem I have run into is even the manufacturers are out of parts. I found through an on line retailer that some parts are still available. Anyway what do you suggest? Also if you buy the complete rifle do you have to pay the tax or is it just on the parts?
Lower:
PSA AR15 Lower - Lower Receivers - Lower Parts - AR-15
Upper:
16'' Hammer Forged Mid-Length Light Profile Rifle Kit - Rifle Kits - AR-15
Everything you need. You can build a 16" Hammer Forged, 1:7, Chrome Lined, Full Auto Bolt Carrier, etc...
~$80 + Shipping + Whatever FFL fee for the lower.
~$600 + Shipping for the rifle kit.
Ok I'm listening. I see that Cabelas has them for 699 plus tax of course that would be 736 plus the check for I would guess 10 bucks or so. So about 750 for the sport.
Build the PSA or Buy a 15-Sport, and you'll spend the same money. There are some pro's and con's to both. The good parts IMO...
PSA: Mid Length, Full Auto Bolt Carrier, FA & Dust Cover to complete the "look", double chrome lined, hammer forged barrel w/ "machine gun steel"(?).
15-Sport:
The Barrel. 1:8 5R progressive gain rifling. Melonite treated (salt bath nitriding) for hardness & corrosion resistance. I get to shoot a bunch of different weight ammo, just as long as I don't go to extremes.
The Lifetime Warranty. Anything breaks or is defective, send it back on S&W's dime and they'll fix it.
Here's where you have to make a choice.
There are a bunch of us who own 15-Sports and love them. I'm one of the satisfied 15-Sport owners. The omission of a forward assist & dust cover didn't make a difference to me. The barrel & lifetime warranty did. I got more than I expected for my money. Of course, I paid $614.99 OTD for mine.
The PSA components I linked to have impressive specs. These specs are what you'll see the mil-spec oriented crowd drool over. You'll get the currently en-vogue mid-length gas system. A slightly more robust full auto bolt carrier. Traditional 1:7 rifling. Hammer forged, machine gun steel (I assume 4150 CMV), and double chrome lining.
Basically, there are differences in construction details that will cause heated discussion on internet forums. Some get too focused on the little details. IMO, either way you'll get an equally good rifle at an equally good price.
There's a certain security in getting a complete rifle, manufactured and assembled by a major firearms manufacturer, and backed by a lifetime warranty that actually means something. Clean, lube, and you're ready to shoot.
There's a certain sense of pride and accomplishment in assembling a lower & topping it off with a complete upper. There's more pride in ownership because you can say, "I put that together". You do without the safety blanket of a lifetime warranty.
For me, my first was the 15-Sport because of the safety net the S&W lifetime warranty provided. Then within a month, I assembled a lower & topped it off with a complete upper.