Rookie's Road Map to First AR Build & Costs

[jaykellogg]

PSA has the Aimpoint PRO on sale for $400 right now and you get a free BUIS (back up iron sight). I have the PRO on my BCM carbine.

 

[forresth]

If you buy a complete upper you should get everything except the BCG, charging handle and rear sight. I think the OOW M16 uppers are also missing the forward assist.

I bought the parts all apart. I had to have a gunsmith install the front sight base and put the barrel into the upper. That cost pushed my build a little higher than I liked. I also didn't care for the way Sarco machined the bolt carrier, so I bought a new M16 bolt carrier.

Today you can buy a 1903 Springfield or an M1 Garand, but you cannot buy a Mil Surplus M16. You can buy M16s, but they cost a lot and they are not really military. All you can do is build a parts rifle. That is what i have. Some folks buy 80% finished lowers and have them engraved just like an '80s M16.

That's what I'd like to do someday; build one with a Vietnam era parts kit. Maybe go with wood furniture.

 

[lamorinda]

...

"You are getting into the AR mania LATE my friend. Way back these things really were cheap to build yourself. Especially if you had someone with an "In" with Uncle Sam...."


Well, now that hind sight is 20/20, I guess I didn't get into the AR mania TOO late. I bought my 3 lowers for $69 for two and $115 for the Spikes that I build out. I sold two of them for $350 each, which almost paid for my entire build...almost!!

It's never too late to get the AR15 mania!

 

[wbraswell]

In your state, it may be getting pretty late now. Nice project.

 

[jaykellogg]

If you try and do a build now you will either get stuck without some critical part or you will pay through the nose for the same part.

I see Sportsman's guide has M16A1 kits with the triangular handguard.

I sold the AR-15A2 I posted pictures of above. I was able to sell all of my "spare" parts from my upgrading my BCM and the A2 build I did due to the recent craziness.