Cost effectiveness: Building vs. buying an AR15

[dan0583]

Alright, I know there are a ton of knowledgeable people on here, so I'm hoping to get some help. I'm in the market for my first Ar15. Particular brands are not as important as a quality reliable rifle to me. For the most part, I have considered just outright buying an AR, which after research, I think $1000 is right around what I'm going to spend. Now, I keep hearing how much cheaper it is to build an AR. Here is the issue, all the places I have looked, it basically seems like when I total everything up, I'm really going to be spending about the same amount of money. Is there some "secret" supply shop that I am unaware of that is selling lowers, uppers, barrels, and part kits super cheap or something? I hear people talking about spending as little as $600 for a complete rifle. I don't understand how this is possible. I know there are a few things I'm looking for, for sure, on my rifle: H stamped heavy buffer, F marked front sight, I would like the bolt to be mp tested, 5.56 caliber(not just .223)chrome lined (4150 steel) barrel, mil spec, flip up battle sights, adjustable stock. The rifle I'm considering buying, if I buy vs. build, is the Colt Le6920. Can I really save money building a rifle in this configuration, or should I just buy the Colt? Any help, info, or places that I can get good deals on buying separate parts would really help. Again, I'm new to AR's, so if there is any advise, as far as what I should or shouldn't use, or anything of that nature, I welcome it. Thank you.

 

[max]

I went to a gunshow last weekend and a guy was selling uppers for 850 and the complete gun (Rock River) for 1000. Kind of seemed like a no-brainer to me.

 

[ditrina]

My vote... buy the Colt..

 

[diamonback68]

Buy the AR15. People claim they have a better rifle if they make it from the ground up, really? I would would stick with the Colt.

 

[627 city hunter]

i would suggest the Armalite AR-15T. 1" M.O.A. guaranteed from the factory! Colt won't claim that.

 

[Teagmar]

This is just my opinion. The problem is when you buy, you always end up spending more money changing things out, Handguard, trigger, pistol grip, stock.. the list goes on. If you build you can get a 1/2 MOA barrel, get something with mid or rifle gas instead of carbine and come out about the same price. You can get good upper lower combo's for as low as $269, or you can get a nice billet combo for $438. Rainier Arms is a good place to start if you want to price out building a reliable, VERY accurate AR. Their ultra match barrels are suppose to shoot dime sized groups with match ammo the match series Nickle, and the Select series Quarter.

 

[jaykellogg]

Colt will keep more of its value. Wal Mart is selling them now. If you want to take one more shot at building, look at Palmetto State Armory. There are guns considered as good as Colt, but none are cheaper. I believe if you want a lot of special things (as I did), it may be cheaper to build than to buy a stock gun and remove half the stuff and replace it.

I believe you will get an F sight on any flat top gun. I always like to get a full auto bolt carrier. Not sure why you want the heavy buffer. Plan on buying lots of mags. I have 10 - 30 rounders and 10 - 20 rounders.

If you do build, you may have some trouble getting some parts. BCGs are in short supply and you may end up paying a premium. I just took a quick look at Gunbroker and you will pay $160 up for a BCG that shouldn't cost over $130. I am sorry to tell you that IMO the election has caused vendors to jack up prices.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Buy one of the following and you'll be well armed with a reliable rifle:

Colt
BCM (Bravo Company)
Smith & Wesson

You can get the S&W models for under $700. Colt will run about $1000 or more depending on model.

 

[usm1rifle]

Our local Wallymart is advertising a Sig Sauer AR with MagPul furniture for $867 beginning at 0500 on Black Friday.

 

[Damn Yankee]

For the 17% of us shooters that are left handed is their any other way to go besides Stag?

 

[dan0583]

I don't know what state you guys are in but, here in MI. Walmart does NOT sell guns whatsoever. Thanks for the advice guys, I guess ill just end up buying, seems like the easier way to go.

 

[wundudnee]

I could have written your post. I know diddly squat about ARs, but I wanted one because I can. I asked a lot of questions and finally decided on the Colt LE6920. I wanted an M4 style with adjustable stock and enough rail to install a scope in time. I got this one in Tulsa and it has the Magpul accessories on it. I gave a little more for it, but I'm hoping it will hold it's value.

 

[jimNeb]

Most people that build their own know exactly what equipment they want. Hand guards, sights, stock and anything else you can think of.

You would need some tools that I assume that you don't currently own and as already mentioned prices and availability of certain parts at the present time make buying a complete rifle a better choice.

 

[Farmer17]

I have owned a Colt, Olympic Arms, and Del-ton, and I really couldn't tell any quality difference between them and the Colt was probably the least accurate however it was an old one with the triangular handguards. Currently I wanted an optics ready gun with no sights to get in the way, so I ordered the upper Del-ton off of their website exactly the way I wanted it for not much money. The lower I just wanted to be like an M-16/M-4 so it was easy to find and I had about $600 total invested in the whole gun and am quite happy with it.

 

[Prof_Fate]

I'm probably getting one next year and have many of the same thoughts as the OP.

When it comes to building a computer it used to be cheaper..now it's often cheaper just to buy one premade and modify/add to it. And you get a warranty and you know what it is and how it works.

With a factory AR you also have something you can one day sell - a colt or SW or bravo, etc.

A harley is a harley no matter how much you change it. A frame, an engine, the other parts you find from 10 different companies is a a collection of parts assembled to look like a harley. When you go to sell it it's not a harley.

 

[johngalt]

If you really want an AR15, then get one. My little story...

I bought mine in 1993 right before the gun ban. Thought I should get one before they all went away. I even shot it some.

But these days, I just don't like it much. I would much rather shoot my Winchester M70. It's more accurate, better trigger, doesn't have that stupid mag that is always in the way, handles better, easier to clean afterwards, much prettier, and is much more fun to shoot. A new one is also much less expensive than an AR-15.

 

[gdnagle]

I don't know what state you guys are in but, here in MI. Walmart does NOT sell guns whatsoever. Thanks for the advice guys, I guess ill just end up buying, seems like the easier way to go.

Not all Wal-Marts sell gun and not all the ones that do have the same guns. But they have them in their Black Friday Ads.

Now for th OP if you build you can have what you want cheaper probaly not because you will add your extras. Build your own no warrenty factory built most have lifetime. Just be sure if you build your own you get a 5.56 barrel so no ammo issues.

 

[msinc]

This is just my opinion. The problem is when you buy, you always end up spending more money changing things out, Handguard, trigger, pistol grip, stock.. the list goes on. If you build you can get a 1/2 MOA barrel, get something with mid or rifle gas instead of carbine and come out about the same price. You can get good upper lower combo's for as low as $269, or you can get a nice billet combo for $438. Rainier Arms is a good place to start if you want to price out building a reliable, VERY accurate AR. Their ultra match barrels are suppose to shoot dime sized groups with match ammo the match series Nickle, and the Select series Quarter.

Pretty much fact, not opinion based on what I see. I build 6 to 7 AR's a year for guys. They get exactly what they want the first time. It is cost effect for these guys because they want certain special things not easily available on factory rifles. If all you want is a good reliable AR and you can find the configuration you want in a factory gun then it is cost effective to buy that.

 

[DWalt]

You see guys at gun shows that sell all the components needed to put one together yourself, without the Pittman-Robertson federal tax, as parts are not subject to that. Ones I see are about $700, but I can't tell you who makes the parts, but I am pretty sure they are not Colts. Some guys have a hobby of seeing how little they can spend to build up an AR-15 from components. Am sure the auction sites and Shotgun News are full of components. Frankly, for most shooters, I doubt it makes too much difference whose parts are used, as at this stage of the manufacturing game, I imagine there is not a great deal of difference among them. From what I understand, Armalite and Colt are the best bets in factory guns for more serious users. But the cost is somewhat higher than DitY.

 

[WR Moore]

The problem with building a Frankengun is that you have no QC verifying that the parts you're buying meet specifications. Nor will you be using gauges to verify the headspace and other close tolerance fits. The guys who sell the guns built to a price point have the same issue. While it may not matter to the hobbiyist, it may come back to bite you in the end.

And, as noted, the resale value .........