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Posted: 4/9/2012 7:09:43 PM EDT
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Hello guys, after much discussion, research, and even trying to ask help from the local Shop (or lack there of), I feel like I'd get a better response from some of the good ol internet folks who have experience here.
So my question is, having a budget would I be saving a few bucks or a few hundred bucks from building a basic AR vs. buying a complete rifle out of the box, there seems to be alot of parts, lowers, uppers that are back ordered from most sites/manufacturers (PSA/RRA/etc), which puts me in a position where buying a complete rifle is the only way to go now unless I wait... which might be when elections get around. The only addon's I plan on buying would be an Optics (aimpoint or EOTech) ebay/local pre owned, and front grip from the local Cabelas... Also I'm assuming if I buy the lower only, send it to my FFL Shop I have to pay the tax on that piece only, where as the other parts I can get shipped home w/o paying tax. If the complete rifle gets shipped to my FFL I obviously would have to pay for taxes on top of the total price or no? (Maine tax is 5%) |
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i dont remember the exact percentage, but buying a complete rifle, there's an extra charge, i think from the ATF, that the stores have to charge. some websites will post a warning or notice, that you should not order a complete parts kit plus a stripped lower in the same order b/c you'll be charged extra as it would be considered buying a complete rifle.
the cost savings kinda depend on what kind of parts you want in your rifle. if you just want a basic rifle, then you can order a complete kit, and a separate stipped lower. or you can buy a complete lower and a complete upper (different orders). or you can buy a complete upper, then a lower kit and a stripped lower. for me, i didnt have all the tools needed to assemble an upper, so i ordered a complete upper, a lower parts kit and a stripped lower. the lower is fairly easy to put together. |
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the cost associated with building your own ar15 can be higher than a basic store bought due to having to buy tooling. you will save money if there is a specific build you have in mind that is not found a dealer. that said, the cost of complete uppers is very hard to compete with but lowers can save you approximately $100-$150 by building them yourself. the learing curve and tools required to build a lower is very low and i recommend doing this part yourself. for uppers checkout www.jsesurplus.com and www.palmettostatearmory.com
my $.002 fatkid |
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Thanks guys, so just to make it clear, to make a basic AR15
I would need 1.Lower Parks Kit aka LPK (trigger/springs/nuts/bolts/etc) to go with a stripped Lower Receiver 2.Stripped Lower (which includes the grip/stock?/magazine loading compartment/Safety) which attatches to the upper which is the bolt/bcg/handguard 3.Complete Upper (Barrel/BCG/Bolt/Gas Block) Done. So to make sure I have this right.... I could go with Option 1 Option 1 1. RRA 16'' Complete Upper (http://tinyurl.com/7ekh6h9) 2. PSA Complete Lower (http://tinyurl.com/82vpk6u) or Option 2 (which I'm leaning towards more): Complete Upper First Choice: PSA 16'' Hammer Forged Midlength Light Weight upper (http://tinyurl.com/82jffvx) Second Choice: RRA 16'' Complete Upper (http://tinyurl.com/7ekh6h9) 2.PSA LPK (http://tinyurl.com/7su6row) 3. PSA Lower Receiver (http://tinyurl.com/chpqwxa) 4. PSA MOE Stock Kit (http://tinyurl.com/7247vpe) Is there anything missing in either equation or do I have it pretty much dead on? http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7066615751_44c44d3411_b.jpg |
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yeah, that LPK price is wrong Palmetto State Armory Gen 2 MOE LPK is $59.95 Moe LPK
or get everything to complete the lower for Premium Lower build kit $224.99 Premium or get everything to complete the lower with a Gieselle SSA trigger for $369.99 Ultimate Lower Build Kit Crap - the LPK you listed includes the SSA trigger, that is why it is higher, and is a better deal to get the stock kit and LPK seperate. |
| My only other comment, is to not get the lower at the same place or time. You will pay an additional 11% tax when you do that. I tried using one of their rifle kits with all of the components you want, but they were not available in the drop down menues. That tells me that they might be out of stock. I would call and price it out using the rifle kit and adding the MOE and SSA that you want, my rough math has you coming out at around $889 that route. |
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Quoted:
yeah, that LPK price is wrong Palmetto State Armory Gen 2 MOE LPK is $59.95 Moe LPK or get everything to complete the lower for Premium Lower build kit $224.99 Premium or get everything to complete the lower with a Gieselle SSA trigger for $369.99 Ultimate Lower Build Kit Crap - the LPK you listed includes the SSA trigger, that is why it is higher, and is a better deal to get the stock kit and LPK seperate. I appreciate all the help guys, just to clarify (Will also be building it around FDE Colors), To complete everything, for the Lower: 1.The Ultimate lower Build Kit Gieselle SSA trigger/Stock/Buffer $369.99 Ultimate Lower Build Kit 2.Palmetto State Armory Gadsden Lower Receiver $89.99 PSA Gadsden Lower Receiver And for the Upper: 3. PSA 16'' Hammer Forged Midlength Light Weight upper $517.90 (with BCG/Charging Handle/Handguard PSA Light Upper Those 3 parts essentially will allow me to build and shoot right out of the box correct? as the above poster mentioned, the build would be in the $880's but I don't see the Lower Receiver in the math unless I missed something and comes with a Complete Lower Build? http://tinyurl.com/886vjku However as the above post mentioned I still find it cheaper to buy the Stock Kit / LPK with Trigger separately, I will remember to buy the lower and upper in different orders, thanks for that savings info!, so in theory my first order for $927 would be ready to build and shoot out of the box, anyone able to confirm or no? |
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