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Posted: 4/13/2008 1:39:42 AM EDT
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Alright, I have decided to build my own upper from parts. I'll probably get a barrel from Ko-Tonics. I am looking for everything else for the best prices. I know that Denny's has good uppers for $100 so I'll go there for that. Do you think I'll be able to save some money doing it this way? I'd like the lite 16" barrel, would I need a barrel extension? Any advice for a newbie builder would be greatly appreciated. |
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No you don't need a barrel extension they are installed when a barrel is chambered. Denny will have about the best prices you are going to get. He is a great guy and builds very good rifles. Don't know how much money you will save. The main reason for building your own is to use the parts you want. I would give Tim Hicks the owner of Ko-tonics a call and discuss what you want. You can also purchase all the parts you want used have them shipped to him and for a small fee he will put it all together and make sure everything is proper. Unless you have previously built and upper already and have all the tools you need to properly build it you will spend more money doing it yourself. Unless you are going custom, can do a higher quality job, or just want the satisfaction of doing it yourself, IMHO its not worth it. But one of the reason is certainly not becasue its to technically difficult. Tim ETA: 68forums.com should be done with upgrades and be back up and functioning properly by Friday. You will get some great info over there. Some of the most knowledgeable 6.8 guys post exclusively over there. |
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If you are going to build your own, I would suggest buying a barrel and bolt combo. This way you should have a combo with the proper headspace and will not have the need to buy the headspace gauges, hence save some money. In all actuality, if you do not plan on doing a lot of re-configuration/building or service multiple AR15s, buying the right tools (receiver block, barrel vise, barrel wrench(es), torque wrench, headspace gauges, punch set) is not a $25 venture. More like $225 that is tough to justify unless you are fortunate enough to have money laying around. |
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Nope, I don't have a whole bunch of money laying around. If I gather all of these parts and have my local gunsmith put it all together, I think I still might be able to save a buck. I just checked out the young nm bolt carrier. It appears that it does not come with a carrier key...or does it? (PK) |
I'll bet your gunsmith's hourly rate is going to cost alot more than having a manufacturer put it together. Either do it yourself or order a complete upper and a complete lower - you'll still save some, but you won't have to put it together (and you get the benefit of warrenties). |
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I think the best price you are going to get if you want to use a KT barrel and bolt is to have them build you the rifle. If there is a particular part you want used they don't carry order it and have it sent to Tim. He is very flexible and will build what you want. I agree with Forest completely, unless you are friends and he doing you a favor its most likely going to cost you more to go thru a local smith. Now if you live near one of the AR builders like ones on this site then maybe but custom builds tend to cost more regardless. With what you are talking about doing you are buying parts that are each marked up. That has to be factored into what the builder is making. If he has supplied the parts he is making money off of those but if not he is going to charge you a hourly rate to assemble it as he is not making anything off the parts. If this is really about cost savings then get a c factory built rifle. If this is about getting different parts not carried they will do that as well and you will still be better off then getting all your parts at retail costs then pay a local smith to assemble or buy all the tools necessary to do it your self. Unless you plan to do multiple builds or lots of work on them. If you don;t have the funds right now to get it you may have to save a bit longer which always sucks but is generally what is needed. |
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