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Posted: 9/11/2006 7:35:20 PM EDT
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...that is the question. Forgive me if I'm posting this in the wrong place or if the information is already posted somewhere. Being new here, I'm still learning my way around. Do most of you build your AR's or do you buy them from the gunshop "as is"? Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of each? Thanks in advance. 
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| I just completed my first assembly of a RRA lower and was amazed at how easy it was. Previously, I was spending time building AK parts kits, but now am hooked on assembling some more AR lowers. One of the major advantage, that I see, is the cost. By putting $100 down on a receiver and $70 for the lower parts kit, I now have a completed lower for under $200...had I purchased it already completed, it would have been more. Anyways, just my $.02 |
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My vote is build. I'm brand new to the AR, too, and I just built my first lower. I started a thread trying to help give a first-timer's perspective on the process, if it's any help. The lower is very easy to build, doesn't take much time, and I think it's an excellent way to see how everything works and fits together. As someone else on that thread mentioned, you're in much better shape to deal with problems when you know how everything works. I think everyone should build at least one. I guess it's cheaper, but I built mine more because I like putting stuff together and because of the satisfaction and understanding of doing it myself. If you're nervous, don't be. It's easy and this board is an awesome and fast resource. I had two questions as I was doing it and both got perfect answers in minutes. Good luck and don't forget to post pictures. |
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Definately build! It's not only rewarding, but cheaper and alot easier to get exactly what you want from the outset. The only advantage I can see to buying pre-built is the warranty of a completed rifle....but I've built seven guns and haven't had a problem yet. Select decent parts, and you will be golden. Building is very easy, btw. My 9 year old daughter with minimal assistance put a lower parts kit into a stripped lower, a .22 kit into an upper, and went shooting that day. If she can do it, you can too! If you should have a question, well, you found this place didn't ya!?!? 
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Hey GWG! IMO, since you are just new to the addiction, buy a complete rifle first. Then you can familiarize yourself with how the whole contraption works. Plus, you can hone up on your proficiency immediately without worrying about any glitches on your weapon. Once you have a working knowledge on handling the weapon and how it works, you can now go to the next level and build your own. No, you will not be spending "more" in that manner because as everybody on this board will attest - you will end up with more than one rifle anyway! That is why they call it a black rifle disease (BRD)!  To answer your question, the bottom line is - buying a complete rifle is less "hassel" than building. BUT building one MAY be less expensive and you can slap on all the thingamajigs you prefer when building it up. As for what brands - remember the basic ABCs + RS (member preference): Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt + Rock River Arms and Stag. You will not go wrong with them ...  Best of luck and remember .... POST PICS when you get one! |
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you save a couple bucks by assembling a rifle from parts (groups). do a lot of research - mostly on product quality - by reading all the threads on this site you can stomach. decide on what kind of ar you want to have. a basic rifle or carbine can be simple. the custom jobs with free-float rails and custom gas blocks can get complicated requiring special tools and skills. you can buy a kit which just needs a stripped lower receiver. order the receiver separate to avoid the fed. excise tax (11%). if you choose this method find a kit that offers options - especially when it comes to barrels - and upgrade. i recommend going with a quality chrome lined barrel. or you can buy an assembled lower and assembled upper, slide in the pins and go. you need to order the the upper and lower separately to avoid the fed tax. same barrel recommendation or you can buy a stripped lower receiver, lower parts kit, fully assembled upper and a stock kit. i find this the most cost effective method and i can mix & match components offered by different manufacturers based on quality and price. for example, i'm particular about collapseable stocks and order parts from 2 different sources to complete the system. the tools needed for my method of assembly are: small hammer, pin punch set, needle nose pliers (my leatherman), long allen wrench for grip screw, bottle of break free clp lube and a couple rags. Price of my most recent Rock River Arms build was about $750 to complete with every component i wanted, ready to shoot (including shipping & transfer fee). RRA website order cost: $920 not including shipping, fee or rear sight. then i'd have to spend $185 just to add the stock i like to use. Almost all my purchases came from vendors here on arfcom. It's the best place to shop. |
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For the first ten years in the 80's I bought complete rifles. And as I learend more I started to build them myself. Not just AR's but others too. FAL's .45 etc. At this point I like the fact that I can start from near scratch and build up the rifle I want, without buying the things I dont. Handgards then changeing to FF rails. The type of stock etc. Plus it has allowed me to learn a lot more about the verious firearms in my colection. Kind like the Diferance between just driveing a car and being able to rebuild the engine.
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Walk into a shop and you have to have X amount for a complete gun. Walk into a shop once a month or every two weeks to buy a part...and eventually you will have a complete rifle without the "damn I just dropped $1k" feeling. Building an AR is easy if you are willing to buy a few tools and follow instructions. Click: ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 |
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Without a doubt theres boocoo info on here coverin purt near all aspects of AR type rifles....possibly bordering on info overload. I started building ARs before I got on this site. I found the Bushmaster DVD extremely helpful on my first lower assembly and again the 1st upper I completely assembled. No I dont work for BM either. Being able to pause and rewind certain parts was great. I liked the video better than going by 2D diagrams and still pictures. Its also nice to be able to go back to the DVD if I have a braincramp during a build. |
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Another vote for "build." I decided to build instead of buy for the following reasons (more or less in order): 1) I wanted to learn about how ARs work, and I figured that building one would give me the opportunity to do that. 2) I can get exactly what I want. Getting exactly the AR that I want is not necessarily easy, primarily because I change my mind about 3 times a week. ht" 4) Building things is fun. 5) BRD. I have it. You contract it primarily from hanging around here. I don't even have my first build complete, and I have parts for my second in hand. I also have plans for several more builds that are currently under discussion between all of the voices in my head... |
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Thanks again for continuing to leave such great information for me. Keep it coming! GoBlue... Thank you -- you're awesome!! I think you said once or twice before that you'd help; does that offer still stand? Would be cool to have someone showing the way the first time around. |
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Build it!!! It's cheaper, and you can pick the parts that you want. And by building it you know how it works, so if something goes wrong you know how to take it appart and put in a new one. BUT how often does an AR break. Mine is still going strong! Spend the extra money on good parts/parts that make it better for what you need. |
Depends.... On how sore a loser you are. Come home brown jug, come home.... |
| okay here's my take....i've just almost completed modifying my first rifle, a colt, which is hard to beat straight outta the box. however i am definately building from here on out. another reason i'll be building is because it would make you sick of how many deals i have struck on the EE. granted buying off the EE means I won't be able to get every part right when i want it but if it takes a year so be it and if it takes two months woo hoo. so i say build it if this is not your first rifle and if it is, then i say go w/ a reputable brand |
I learned everything from ar-15.com I thank everyone on this site for being so helpful Here is a pic of my first, once again thanks everyone! 
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if you have the know how the break down of an AR is, tools, parts, time, and a little technical knowhow and patience, then building would be my choice esp if you intend on having more than one AR i have bought 1 ar--stock Bushmaster; i'm in the process of building a few more... pros of building: --you can add on the parts whenever funds and time alot --you can pick the accessoies/upgrades you want --its fun --the more ARs, the cheaper in the long run cons: --no warrenty --might have some teething probs that you will have to troubleshoot |
| I say pick your parts and have it built. I had Denny of Global Tactical aka Denny's Guns build me rifle and it looked better than the opne I built myself. You will inevtiably scrath up your AR and loose smallparts doing a self build. Most companies dont offer what I want factory assembled. |
Keep it up, buddy, and I'll sell your ticket.  Err... wait. You already paid for it. Uhh... I'll sell it and then refund your money! HA!! That would teach ya. Thanks for the information, everyone! Keep it coming; I read this every day! |
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Welcome! Life isn't complete until you've launched a few springs across the room and spend 2 hours looking for them! If you dig around the tech part of this site, there is a wealth of information and the build process isn't difficult if you have the right tools. Research, decide what you want, and all of the site sponsors are good folks to deal with/help you with questions. Not to mention, the "tech forums" on this site are full of good folks if you have a problem (the staff won't put up with the bs that goes on in the General Discussion Forum). Good luck and you'll never stop with one, or two, or...! B2 (BTW, your "intro" thread was classic!) |
+1 to buy the first one complete, then build one, or two, or three....you get the idea. Edited to add, if you do build your first go with one companies kit instead of mixing and matching. My first build I got a RRA lower locally and ordered a RRA lower parts kit with match trigger. The only thing not RRA on that one is the collapsible stock as I at the time wanted a GI spec tube for possible sopmod stock upgrade later. The upper I just ordered a complete one as I couldn't save much building the upper unless I frankensteined it. SoS |
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I bought my first AR and the result was a box of random parts I didn't want. I replaced so much that it would have made much more sense to just build my first. It's all quite simple, but having somebody who has done it before with you would be a great help. One of the best parts about building is that you'll actually understand how everything works. The only way I'd buy a factory AR is if it were exactly what I wanted. If I have to change parts out, I'd rather start from scratch. You'll have a lot more fun and be much happier if you build it
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Sorry to bring this thread back from so long ago, but wanted to let ya'll know that we did end up purchasing the upper already assembled and building the lower with the help of GoBlue. Looks really good!!! Either Jeff or I will post pictures real soon! Hockey has taken over our lives in full force (it's that time of year again!) so we've been really busy and MIA here. Pics soon to come though! =) |
I'm very suspicious... Jeff has to shoot it first. If he makes it through, I'll give 'er a try. I think we're going to the range today.And good sport?! OMG! You were a good sport only because your team won. Had my team won you would have been crying like a school-girl. Thanks, WIGunnut! |
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