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Started By
Message
Build vs. Buy AR-15
Posted on 11/22/12 at 6:13 pm
Posted on 11/22/12 at 6:13 pm
I am pulling the trigger so to speak on my first rifle purchase tomorrow. Core 15 is having a black friday sale and everything i have heard from gun dealers is that they are top notch. My question is this.
I am in the computer field so the whole notion of building something from scratch with pieces that you want in a modular form is very comfortable for me. Granted I have no clue how things work inside a gun, but I figure this could be a great way for me to learn about my rifle while also maybe saving some money on not purchasing pieces that I don't want or need.
As a first time gun buyer, would you suggest I go the build route or pay $900 for a basic M4 style and then customize from there?
I am in the computer field so the whole notion of building something from scratch with pieces that you want in a modular form is very comfortable for me. Granted I have no clue how things work inside a gun, but I figure this could be a great way for me to learn about my rifle while also maybe saving some money on not purchasing pieces that I don't want or need.
As a first time gun buyer, would you suggest I go the build route or pay $900 for a basic M4 style and then customize from there?
5
Posted on 11/22/12 at 6:18 pm to flyAU
It all depends on what you want to put into it. If you are going to spend $900 and immediately yank off the hand guards and stock and put Magpul or some such stuff on it could definitely be cheaper to build. AR's have such a wide price range, from $500 to 2 Grand easily. There is a link or two in the 1st stickied thread about building an AR, would be a good place to check. Also a few people around who build them that would have a lot more in-depth answer than what I have.
This post was edited on 11/22/12 at 6:25 pm
Posted on 11/22/12 at 6:20 pm to flyAU
Build the lower buy the upper.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 6:27 pm to wickowick
Just found this BF deal. That Core 15 MOE is very attractive.
LINK
Would I be smart to just go that route?
One other question. Core 15 has complete upper .22's. If I had been looking at getting a target gun that would be cheap ammo wise, are these good as far as being able to use the same lower but just change out the upper? Or is it better to go straight up 10/22 or something?
Is that Colt really worth spending more for?
LINK
Would I be smart to just go that route?
One other question. Core 15 has complete upper .22's. If I had been looking at getting a target gun that would be cheap ammo wise, are these good as far as being able to use the same lower but just change out the upper? Or is it better to go straight up 10/22 or something?
Is that Colt really worth spending more for?
This post was edited on 11/22/12 at 6:35 pm
Posted on 11/22/12 at 6:45 pm to flyAU
quote:
Would I be smart to just go that route?
Like Hash said, you could always buy a complete rifle, but if you plan on taking everything off and upgrading, it's better to build it that way from the start.
If you want to, I would suggest building the lower and buying an assembled upper as Wick suggested. That's what I planned to do until I found an assembled lower with the trigger I wanted already installed.
I think a trigger is the main reason to build a lower. Besides that, it's personal preference.
quote:
Is that Colt really worth spending more for?
Colt is the bee's knees but if you only want a rifle for fun and don't plan to go to battle with it, anything will work. Just keep a supply of GOOD magazines around - ditch the metal ones and buy Magpul Pmags or Troy Battlemags.
A Bushmaster is also a fine rifle. I have a DPMS upper on a Rock River lower and as much shite as people talk about DPMS, my rifle is unbelievably accurate. Granted, it's a 20" upper and not a 16", it will outshoot just about anything. Don't listen to the trash people talk about certain brands if they haven't given them a chance.
quote:
One other question. Core 15 has complete upper .22's.
You can buy a .22 conversion for your AR15 for about $150-200. You simply pop out your bolt and put this bolt in. And you have to use the .22 magazines.
It won't be as accurate as a dedicated .22lr since the twist rate is not optimal, but for general plinking, it's tons of fun.
Hopefully I gave you some good information.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 7:27 pm to flyAU
quote:
Is that Colt really worth spending more for?
Colt is the best mass-produced AR. It can't hold the designer brands' jock straps though. Colt's are a bit overpriced in my experience.
I'd drop $1000 and try and get a used rifle from Bravo Company Machinery. Best rifle for the money.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 7:59 pm to Carson123987
My LE6940 works like a champ.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 8:01 pm to MoreOrLes
Good rifle.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 8:23 pm to flyAU
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/20/21 at 8:00 pm
Posted on 11/22/12 at 9:13 pm to lsutiger2010
quote:
under $500
Link? I think you must be forgetting the bcg and charging handle.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 9:14 pm to lsutiger2010
If you are going to buy an 'AR' outright,
think A-B-C:
A=Armalite
B=Bushmaster
C=Colt
Notice I used 'AR' because a true AR(mil-spec) is not available to the public.
Just to muddy up the water a little
, check into a Mini-14. Ruger has improved them immensely over the last couple of years. Probably as good a SHTF rifle as they come.
Plus you are not going to raise the eyebrows of law enforment agencys as with an AK or 'AR'.
think A-B-C:
A=Armalite
B=Bushmaster
C=Colt
Notice I used 'AR' because a true AR(mil-spec) is not available to the public.
Just to muddy up the water a little
, check into a Mini-14. Ruger has improved them immensely over the last couple of years. Probably as good a SHTF rifle as they come. Plus you are not going to raise the eyebrows of law enforment agencys as with an AK or 'AR'.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 9:25 pm to Reubaltaich
quote:
If you are going to buy an 'AR' outright, think A-B-C: A=Armalite B=Bushmaster C=Colt
Hadn't heard that before. That's cute.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 9:35 pm to Reubaltaich
I actually did look at the mini-14. Seems like a really solid rifle. Been looking at this one in particular LINK
I get conflicting information in regards to the other AR makers. On one hand I have people say that the bushmaster etc mass produce and their quality is not top notch and that the "boutique" makers are superior in quality. On the other hand I hear that the mass production ones are the way to go. So confused.
I really am looking for a quality rifle that I can have fun with and that would be good for those SHTF possibilities.
I get conflicting information in regards to the other AR makers. On one hand I have people say that the bushmaster etc mass produce and their quality is not top notch and that the "boutique" makers are superior in quality. On the other hand I hear that the mass production ones are the way to go. So confused.
I really am looking for a quality rifle that I can have fun with and that would be good for those SHTF possibilities.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 9:52 pm to bapple
quote:
bapple
Very good info. Thanks!
Posted on 11/22/12 at 9:53 pm to Carson123987
quote:
Carson123987
How do you see the cost of their guns? haha looks like a good company, but Their product pages for rifles just goes over the benefits. No costs.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 10:03 pm to olgoi khorkhoi
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/20/21 at 8:00 pm
Posted on 11/22/12 at 10:13 pm to Reubaltaich
quote:
If you are going to buy an 'AR' outright,
think A-B-C:
A=Armalite
B=Bushmaster
C=Colt
You could also add
D=DPMS (Remington makes most of their parts, though)
quote:
Notice I used 'AR' because a true AR(mil-spec) is not available to the public.
If you're talking about a select-fire M4/M16, then yes for the most part. But if you get a Mil-spec AR15, the parts will be interchangeable, minus a full-auto or burst-fire sear.
"AR" actually stands for Armalite, which was the first company to team up with Eugene Stoner and design the rifle.
Also, the original was the AR10, chambered in .308 Winchester or 7.62 Nato or 7.62x51. It was rechambered in .223 Remington so that troops could carry more ammo into Vietnam. A loadout of 300 rounds of .308 is MUCH heavier than 300 rounds of .223.
quote:
flyAU
No problem!
Posted on 11/22/12 at 10:17 pm to bapple
Would any of these be a good buy for a build? Trying to save money with this whole black friday thing. What is more crucial, the upper or lower? I know that the lower is the firearm in the governments eyes.
EDIT: This would help LINK
EDIT: This would help LINK
This post was edited on 11/22/12 at 10:18 pm
Posted on 11/22/12 at 10:23 pm to flyAU
All of them look pretty good except the dedicated .22 or the 6.8. 6.8 is a great round but it's not popular enough yet to be cheap.
The only really important part in a lower is the trigger in my eyes. Everything else serves pretty minimal purposes.
Snag yourself one of those and build yourself a lower with a good trigger.
The only really important part in a lower is the trigger in my eyes. Everything else serves pretty minimal purposes.
Snag yourself one of those and build yourself a lower with a good trigger.
Posted on 11/22/12 at 10:30 pm to flyAU
There is a federal excise tax of 11% added to all completed firearms. Building yourself will save that 11%...
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