I'm wanting a 16" barrel semi-auto AR carbine similar in appearance and quality to a military issue M-4 and I'm wanting to build it myself to keep costs down. Several guys tell me the Palmetto State Armory premium products are pretty decent stuff at a great price. I plan on buying an assembled upper receiver and barrel but does anyone know if building a GOOD quality AR is any cheaper than just buying one? I think Colt's are pretty cheap right now and if I could build a good rifle similar to Colt quality for less money I would probably attempt it.
Build an AR15 similar to a USGI M-4 carbine?
- Thread starter Farmer17
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I have an M&P 15 and it's a great rifle. Truth is the US military M4 is manufactured by the lowest bidder, so pretty much any carbine you pick up will be equal in quality. If you want the best though you are going to have to part with some serious coin. Palmetto State is good, Rainier Arms is outstanding,and of course there are the big name guys......oh, and you might think about posting here......
http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/
http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/
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gregintenn
Member
You can watch the daily sales at Palmetto State Armory, and build as good an AR for around $500 as you can get anywhere in my opinion.
cowart
US Veteran
Bud's sells that configuration of Bushmaster 90280 LE for $705, including shipping. How much less than that can you build one for?
Coldshooter
Member
The original founders of Bushmaster are at it again, saw one of their's at Sportsman's Warehouse and it looked very nice. Windham Arms I think is the name.
m1gunner
US Veteran
A USGI M4 has a 14.5 inch barrel, not a 16". You can get a 14.5 barrel and have a 1.5" flash hider permanently attached if you want to be as accurat as you legally can without going the SBR route.
Colt and FN supply the barrels and most of the parts for the GI guns, and these are available, but carry a premium over after market parts.
PSA is fine, just a notch below Colt and FN, but the same as all the other aftermarket folks. There are boutique names that have their own fan following, but their parts come from the same place as everyone else. ALL the parts are contracted out by everybody.
Try handling and shooting some different brands and see what you like best.
The S&W is a nice gun and are available for around $500 if you look around.
Colt and FN supply the barrels and most of the parts for the GI guns, and these are available, but carry a premium over after market parts.
PSA is fine, just a notch below Colt and FN, but the same as all the other aftermarket folks. There are boutique names that have their own fan following, but their parts come from the same place as everyone else. ALL the parts are contracted out by everybody.
Try handling and shooting some different brands and see what you like best.
The S&W is a nice gun and are available for around $500 if you look around.
Skeptic 9c
Member
I've seen the S&W M&P 15 Sport for $539.99 S&W Factory Sale in Jacksonville a few months back.
Geoff
Who bought one at a somewhat higher price point.
Geoff
Who bought one at a somewhat higher price point.
gregintenn
Member
I understand that FN makes barrels for PSA.
Arik
Member
The problem you're going to have is... quality AND keeping costs down.
The military rifles follow a set of guidelines for least acceptable quality. Barrels must be made of specific steel, same for receivers, proper staking...etc...etc. everything from how and where it's finished.
If you want military quality a Colt 6920 is around $900
The military rifles follow a set of guidelines for least acceptable quality. Barrels must be made of specific steel, same for receivers, proper staking...etc...etc. everything from how and where it's finished.
If you want military quality a Colt 6920 is around $900
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m1gunner
US Veteran
They make some of the barrels, not all of them. Read the full description of the barrel, and if FN was the source, they so state that. Their cheapie barrels are from another source.
A very fine aftermarket barrel is Green Mountain Barrels. Some even have Sig barrel extensions (their OTB enhanced part) which are not used on any other US barrel maker I have seen.
Glockman9mm
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I have PSA upper on a lower I put together, it's ran great so far. Not a huge round count yet as I enjoy shooting other stuff I own more. I'm not an AR guru but it seems very solid for the money.
It all comes down to what you want and how much you're willing to spend.
It all comes down to what you want and how much you're willing to spend.
Where the differences will be apparent are if you compete or take carbine courses where large amounts of ammo is shot In short periods of time.
Do your research, buy quality and buy once. That's my opinion based upon experience. This is the golden age of the ar. So many manufacturers and options to choose from.
Do your research, buy quality and buy once. That's my opinion based upon experience. This is the golden age of the ar. So many manufacturers and options to choose from.
da gimp
Member
I've always been told that the Palmettos are/were spotty on quality control over the years......... and that keeping track of which is good & not so good isn't worth the effort.......... Rock River uppers & lowers are of the best quality.............Colt ,FN, Smith & Wesson, Armalite, Rem. are all dern good too...... but to pick up an off brand is chancy if you ever have to sell it in the future.......... the Colt/FN/Rem/ Armalite /S&W Rock River will sell very easily........ the off brands and parts guns will be harder to turn.........beware of the "flavor of the month club" on AR's........... with print in magazines/ TV media/ and now on computer advertising too....... recommending those who buy advertising............it's just like when they try & sell razors or cars................who buys the space gets the recommendation............. that can be the sole criteria for most evaluators .
Every once in a while I do the math on "build or buy". Right now there's no doubt: Colts are right down where the bargain guns used to be; about $800 for a 6720. (and now they sell a "minus wood", minus sights version for even less!) Ruger's AR-556 is OTD at $580.
Even owning the tools and with the modest skills involved, I can't beat those. Not to mention the warranty!
Everybody should have a few around.
Even owning the tools and with the modest skills involved, I can't beat those. Not to mention the warranty!
Everybody should have a few around.
With a few differences for the civilian market -- e.g., no select fire, 16" rather than 14.5" barrel -- if you buy a Colt 6920 you are buying a military issue M4.
If that's truly what you seek, buy it, don't try to parts-build it. There's a glut of ARs on the shelves now and it's a buyer's market.
If that's truly what you seek, buy it, don't try to parts-build it. There's a glut of ARs on the shelves now and it's a buyer's market.
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