I have used Palmetto State Armory for various parts and they are good to deal with. I tried to deal with Botach - it didn't work out well. I would not do any business with them. Your luck may vary. I have used uppers from DPMS as well. They have functioned fine as well.
Build own AR-15
- Thread starter mcmoon03
- Start date
Good luck on the build. Check prices carefully. A good, name brand AR can be found like someone said, in the 600 to 700 range. Prices have come down recently, at least that's true in my neck of the woods. S&W ARs are a prime example. With a build, using good parts, it will be hard to get out for under that price. Then, unless you have all of the parts from a reputable company like, Palmetto, Colt, S&W, etc., you end up with a "mutt". Hard to recoup money on a build, even with the best of parts. You have to find someone very knowledgeable on ARs and it would have to be someone who wants exactly what you built. Otherwise, they'll just buy the parts themselves and build or buy a complete brand name gun. Just food for thought. I ran into this when I built mine. Had to separate the lower and the upper, basically part them out to break even.
gregintenn
Member
I built one, and picked up parts from Bravo Company, Palmetto State Armory, Primary Arms, Geissele Automatics, and a local dealer, as well as the upper and lower receivers and bolt control group in a group buy on another forum.
I got great service from all these companies.
It was an interesting project, but it didn't take very long to assemble once I got all the pieces together. I'll say that you'd be hard pressed to build just one cheaper than you can buy one, unless you can borrow all the tools needed. They add up in price.
I got great service from all these companies.
It was an interesting project, but it didn't take very long to assemble once I got all the pieces together. I'll say that you'd be hard pressed to build just one cheaper than you can buy one, unless you can borrow all the tools needed. They add up in price.
Illini_Glock
US Veteran
After reading this thread I didn't see that anyone mentioned arpartsfiner. It's a pretty good site that has a running inventory for many of the pieces that you'll be looking for. Like others have said, prices have come down so you'll be very hard pressed to build one cheaper than you can by a stock AR, however, the satisfaction and learning curve is what I like when I build a rifle.
quneur
Member
I've never bought from this outfit but prices seem competitive:
Centerfire Systems, Inc. - Your Home For Ammo, Firearms, Magazines, and Gun Accessories
Centerfire Systems, Inc. - Your Home For Ammo, Firearms, Magazines, and Gun Accessories
Brian41
Member
I've built three now because I like to and not really saving money even though prices were up when I built mine. You don't really need the tools for building them but it makes it much easier if you do as I've done it both ways. Brownells is a good source for tools although others have them too.
Building them can be addictive though. I'm waiting for my brother to come up with the money to buy one of mine so I can build another one, probably a varmint variety this time.
I bought lowers with well known names like S&W and DPMS so I'd be able to sell them easier if I decided to. Something to consider too.
Building them can be addictive though. I'm waiting for my brother to come up with the money to buy one of mine so I can build another one, probably a varmint variety this time.
I bought lowers with well known names like S&W and DPMS so I'd be able to sell them easier if I decided to. Something to consider too.
ErnieDeBord
Member
Just like S&W revolvers there Colt ARs, Best deals ever on NEW Colts right now! Lay one away, make payments, never miss the cash that way. Colt are milspec and will hold their value. Regards Ernie
Edmo
US Veteran
I've built several and below are my latest.
I've found you will need a few specialty tools to make assembly easier. For me these include: roll pin punches, a barrel wrench, and some means to clamp the upper into a vice. There are several jigs made for this and they allow you to secure the upper without marring it while you install the barrel.
Building your own allows you to buy the exact components you want. The other option is to end up with a box full of parts you took off a stock rifle as you customized it.
If you want a stock rifle or find one set up like you want, it might be cheaper to just buy it already assembled.
Edmo
I've found you will need a few specialty tools to make assembly easier. For me these include: roll pin punches, a barrel wrench, and some means to clamp the upper into a vice. There are several jigs made for this and they allow you to secure the upper without marring it while you install the barrel.
Building your own allows you to buy the exact components you want. The other option is to end up with a box full of parts you took off a stock rifle as you customized it.
If you want a stock rifle or find one set up like you want, it might be cheaper to just buy it already assembled.
Edmo
Here ya go. May not be what you want, but it's all there. Just add your receiver
Del-Ton Dissipator Carbine Kit AR-15 5.56x45mm NATO 1 9 Twist 16
Del-Ton Dissipator Carbine Kit AR-15 5.56x45mm NATO 1 9 Twist 16
Just got an email from CDNN with 100% Colts for $699-899 new.
1morethan8
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
My son came over to show me the new upper & lower receiver he just bought. It is made by CMT/Cross Machine Tool. I've seen many other brands.. this one is "top dog"! It's machined from billet aluminum, not cast. It has thicker material than some cheaper models... if you're going to build, you need to look this over!
Custom AR 15 Rifles, AR 15 Lowers, and AR 15 Uppers - CMT Tactical
Custom AR 15 Rifles, AR 15 Lowers, and AR 15 Uppers - CMT Tactical
I buy most of my AR-15 parts new and used on AR15.com. You
set up an account, and click on "Equipment Exchange" to look
for new and used AR-15 lower and upper parts, & accessories.
They do have rules for buying and selling on the EE, so read
them first before proceeding. Any questions, PM me.
set up an account, and click on "Equipment Exchange" to look
for new and used AR-15 lower and upper parts, & accessories.
They do have rules for buying and selling on the EE, so read
them first before proceeding. Any questions, PM me.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
I'll second your advice about Botach. At best, they are liars and thieves. If you google "Botach sucks", and after reading the horror stories you still want to do business with them, well, there's no hope for you.
Regards,
Dave
OP
mcmoon03
US Veteran
I have been doing a lot of research on parts and prices as well as assembly. Already ordered an armorers wrench and will purchase an upper receiver vice block down the road. I like the idea of building because I can make it custom from the start and I pretty much have an idea of what I want, especially as far as the barrel is concerned. Found a Spikes 16", cold hammer forged, 5.56 with 1:7 twist nickel lined at dsgarms,com for $239. Yes it is overkill but I am very particular about my firearms, especially when it comes to longevity and the barrel being an expensive component.
I bought a complete kit from TWS, the kit was complete including a barrel nut wrench. The only thing I had to buy was a rear sight. Figured for a first build, buy everything from one company, all the parts have had some effort into making sure they fit together so any 'issues' I'd run into I could have less reasons to blame problems on, it's just me! Paid $699 for it, went together perfectly, shoots better than me.
cyphertext
US Veteran
Barrels are wear items and standard barrels are not that expensive. With the price of ammo, I doubt you will shoot one out. Most on here have spent more in ammo costs than they did on their rifle.
Ibmikey
Member
Stay away from CTD (which certainly is not), if you build with parts because of cheap prices your end result will disappoint you when the shooting starts. Never skimp on barrels, BCG and FCG. Like others have recommended you can find quality complete rifles cheaper than you can build it...check out a S&W Sport...all the AR the average person will need.
MrG5122
Member
Good luck on your build! I've done it both ways. I have bought an off-the-shelf carbine and swapped out parts to 'better' ones, and have also built two from scratch.
If you want a standard 16" carbine by all means get one off the shelf at today's prices. If you want extra niceties like match barrels matched with a bolt/bolt carrier group, light crisp triggers, lightweight handguards, and quality buttstocks, I believe building from scratch is the way to go.
By the time I changed out the trigger, barrel, butt stock, hand guard, and pistol grip on the OTS rifle I had almost $2000 invested, before optics.
The two 'scratch' builds ran about $1200-1300 each. The majority of that cost was the trigger, barrel, and bolt carrier group. I spared little expense in those areas.
The only OTS rifle I've seen that I didn't think I could build for less is the Stag 3G. It is alot of rifle for the $1400-1500 range. 18" SS match barrel, Geissle S3G trigger, and a nice 15" handguard.
If you want a standard 16" carbine by all means get one off the shelf at today's prices. If you want extra niceties like match barrels matched with a bolt/bolt carrier group, light crisp triggers, lightweight handguards, and quality buttstocks, I believe building from scratch is the way to go.
By the time I changed out the trigger, barrel, butt stock, hand guard, and pistol grip on the OTS rifle I had almost $2000 invested, before optics.
The two 'scratch' builds ran about $1200-1300 each. The majority of that cost was the trigger, barrel, and bolt carrier group. I spared little expense in those areas.
The only OTS rifle I've seen that I didn't think I could build for less is the Stag 3G. It is alot of rifle for the $1400-1500 range. 18" SS match barrel, Geissle S3G trigger, and a nice 15" handguard.
agreed^^^ They pulled some shady stuff, and the negative feedback around the forums is alarming!
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