Hi guys, newbie here. I will soon be getting into the AR platform. Would you recommend buying a complete rifle for a first, or doing a build? Can you save a decent amount of money build one for yourself? Where are good places to buy parts/accessories? Thanks! Jon

Hey Jon to the Armory

With the overstock most vendors have now with the AR I would just purchase one myself.

Now there are good and bad with both.

Building you will learn your weapon better

Buying you will have one already passed through the Quality Assurance which is best in my opinion.

You can save money building yourself, BUT... if this is your FIRST AR, MY recommendation would be, buy a good quality weapon (You can even find Colt's under $1,400 NEW now) - new or used - probably in a 16" bbl'd configuration, shoot it a bit, tinker with it as you see fit (maybe upgrade the internals as need be, etc.), and just get familiar with the breed. Then you'll see what they're made of, and what you'd LIKE to do/accomplish with a build (varminting, target shooting, plinking, defense carbine, etc.).

Buy factory AR first, build later AR's from there on out.

I just went through the same situation. I purchased a complete lower with the stock I wanted and had it FFL-ed to a local dealer. Then as funds allowed
I ordered a complete upper, (choices here also). The uppers are test fired and ready to go. Put the upper and lower together and it will shoot.
I saved a fair amount of money compared to complete riffles in stores around here and got what I wanted. I plan to do another this way.
Check out http://www.rguns.net/, there are plenty of others.

This post has been edited by Metalman: November 9th 2009 12:19 PM

JTAC has some good deals on lowers. Check them out here.



TS


to the Armory!

to the Armory IMHO just starting out...buy a factory fresh AR Check your local fun shops. The prices are beginning to come down quite a bit. Once you have some time with your new AR you will feel better building your own. Enjoy the BRD

i am going to just buy my first one and mod it a little.

It really depends on the type of person you are. If you like to build your own PCs and piece together best of breed component home theater systems then building an AR may a good way to go. Like any project, research is crucial. If you're careful you do get more for your money. Also, as far as building and choosing parts, there's a lot of good info here and great people to help out.

I'm not sorry I built my first (and only) AR, it turned out as good as I hoped and no leftover parts. I couldn't have bought something off the rack this nice for the money. The main worry was I'd screw it up and have no factory warranty, so the first time at the range I crossed my fingers. All was well and after hundreds of rounds now not having a warranty doesn't bother me much. I felt confident because the components were good but you can't help but worry the first time you try it out.

Good points above that the price of new rifles is down now, so you don't save as much building today as a few months ago.

to the Armory Clugnut!

If I were in your position I would either buy a new AR or get a complete lower/complete upper.

I'm also new to this and had the same question. But I've got some help if I want to build. Either way, I hope I just make up my mind and get it done.

Obviously just my opinion here. First of all, you have to define build. If by build, you meen slap a finished upper on a complete lower, then besides the warranty, it's a wash.
If you mean assemble a bare lower, or both upper and lower, that's a different matter. If you are looking for a bargain rifle, say less than $1000 and it's your first AR, you would be better off buying one. At that end of the spectrum, you just can't save enough on parts prices to make it worthwhile, once you purchase the special tools you need to properly assemble an AR.
Now, if you are going for something more high end, with premium parts, then you will probably save enough on parts and the Federal Excise Tax to make it worthwhile. Also, at this level, you can pick and choose between all those fun, cool accessories, and incorporate them into your build from the start, rather than adding them on later.

Someone mentioned BRD (black rifle disease). Well, I bought an AR a few years ago. I figured I'd get one. Just one, kinda'in the spirit of the 2nd Amendment and all. Really thought that would be the only one I'd ever own. Now, I'm a pretty disciplined guy, not really given to impulsive actions.

Well, one turned into three plus a custom AK and a complete LPK (lower parts kit) sitting in a gun safe (also a relatively new acquisition). Optics, extra mags....

So, what I'm saying is, "Watch out!" These people here are bad influences. They will gleefully lead you astray.

And don't get me started about knives and Gmountain.

(Yeah, I did have to throw you under the bus, G.)

Thanks for the responses guys. Well, I made up my mind last night. I'm now holding my first AR, a never fired Bushmaster XM15-E2s. I purchased it at a gun auction in my area. The price seemed really good, so I just jumped in. Best part is my wife didn't kill me!

I'm still in the "only one" mode. Trying hard to keep it that way but this BRD is a tough bug!

As long as you do some training and buy ammo and mags...



TS

Roger that!