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Author Topic: AR BUILD COST?  (Read 5929 times)

Offline Jingles

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AR BUILD COST?
« on: January 03, 2015, 11:49:57 AM »
OK I Know it will depend on several factors but anyone want to suggest average cost of building an AR? and approximate time it takes?
HMC/USN/RET
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Offline JimmyHoffa

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2015, 12:13:02 PM »
 :chuckle:  An average varmint AR or lightweight/compact?
If you search around you can find clearances and specials on parts or even by used parts and build one in the low $200s.  Maybe some on here know of building for cheaper.  I think the guys I know that do builds usually come in around $500.  Once you have the parts and tools out, you can put it together quickly....hour, less when you get used to it. 
One guy I kind of know does it has parts from all over, different sizes/materials/manufacturers/etc, and can throw them together pretty quickly.  What can get kind of pricey is shipping, so buy on free shipping days/coupons or get parts at gun shows.

Offline Blacklab

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2015, 01:30:56 PM »
It' all on what you want as in plinking or a sub MOA. Midway has a M4 carbine parts gun 556. Right now for $429 minus the lower. So add maybe another $100. Now if you want a shooter that can go $1000 and up. Barrel, trigger, and glass being your major cost.
Hey! I'm not a complete idiot I have parts missing. Though sometimes I wonder.

If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans.

Offline lokidog

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2015, 01:59:38 PM »
I could order parts today, not including lower/stock/forearm for about $255, as I've been researching for a "cheap" build.  PM me if you want my sources.

Offline Pnwrider

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2015, 06:38:45 PM »
If you don't have the tools to assemble the upper I don't see how anyone can piece together a complete ar for low 200s unless you source the parts used and spend lots of time shopping. The cheapest I've built one is 250, but that was with a lot of free parts donated by a buddy trying to get me hooked  (it worked by the way). My quick math without the research lokidog has done would make me think you're looking at about 100-120 on the lower. I don't see how you can build an upper for less than 250 (barrel and bcg alone should run about 200). It really depends on what you're looking to accomplish.

Offline lokidog

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2015, 08:39:12 PM »
If you don't have the tools to assemble the upper I don't see how anyone can piece together a complete ar for low 200s unless you source the parts used and spend lots of time shopping. The cheapest I've built one is 250, but that was with a lot of free parts donated by a buddy trying to get me hooked  (it worked by the way). My quick math without the research lokidog has done would make me think you're looking at about 100-120 on the lower. I don't see how you can build an upper for less than 250 (barrel and bcg alone should run about 200). It really depends on what you're looking to accomplish.

I found a bushmaster stripped upper and bcg for $119,  upper parts w/handle $23, gas tube $15, block $15, and a barrel for $85 = $255  of course there is a bit of shipping and tax.  If I went with an Anderson upper to match my lower (includes tube and handle) $80, PTAC NiBo BCG $90, barrel $85, gas block $15 = $270


Offline Jingles

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2015, 09:03:42 PM »
Thank You to everyone that responded sounds like it would be a lot cheaper, with shopping, to build but not sure I have the knowledge to put it all together especially by myself. and I KNOW I wouldn't know where to start.......
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Offline jay.sharkbait

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2015, 09:11:44 PM »
Thank You to everyone that responded sounds like it would be a lot cheaper, with shopping, to build but not sure I have the knowledge to put it all together especially by myself. and I KNOW I wouldn't know where to start.......

Hell, I'm an idiot and I can do it...... :chuckle:

If you need any of the tools I would be happy to loan them to you for cost of shipping


Offline JimmyHoffa

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2015, 09:19:34 PM »
Thank You to everyone that responded sounds like it would be a lot cheaper, with shopping, to build but not sure I have the knowledge to put it all together especially by myself. and I KNOW I wouldn't know where to start.......
It's not bad Jingles.  One of the really nice things about the AR.  Something you can do that makes it easy is to get one of the exploded diagrams that has all the parts numbered and a parts list.  Then just use a highlighter each time you find a part.  Eventually, nothing left to highlight and time to assemble.  Youtube videos are really good for assembly and disassembly.

Offline runamuk

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2015, 09:26:45 PM »
I built mine from assorted mismatched components I finished scraping together during the black gun crisis so all told mine was around 750+ 

And yes this girl built it on her own someone tried to help but I made him let me do it.  I have roughly 5 years firearms experience. I built and sighted it all myself they are kinda like tinker toys.  or for more modern types legos.

Offline wildweeds

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2015, 09:28:49 PM »
Be forewarned it's kind of "Addictive" Jaysharkbait warned me of this when I began asking him questions a little less than a year ago,Biggerhammer was also consulted and both of these fellers were quite helpful.I've got a navy vet coworker who is a machinest and a gun nut?amateur smith/competive 3 gun shooter,he put mine together and I watched,I could have done it easily(I'm a welder/fabricator).I had a sub MOA gun in mind and spent wisely, going thrifty in the areas that don't make any difference,handgaurd is example here as well as charge handle/forward assist/dustcover,My upper and lower recievers cost a total of 100 bucks.They were Palmetto state armory blems and the blems were in the black anodize,and from what we could tell the blems were on the insides where no one is ever going to see.It was such a good deal I bought 2 sets.......... the other set is going together shortly for another sub MOA shooter with a different look!I had input from 3 different guys and they all said the same thing,Barrell and Bolt carrier group is what makes the difference.I bought a JP barrell and a national match bolt carrier by Young machine and ended up with a sub moa gun that prints 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards with midgrade factory varmint hunting ammo.Build cost for weapon was 1526.89 and the Nightforce SHV scope 975,and the American Defense QD mount 189 bucks.Be careful Jingles you may just catch the bug and have a whole rack of them!Joe bobs outfitters has excellent prices and stellar rating with me as far as shipping and correct orders go.

Offline jay.sharkbait

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2015, 09:35:00 PM »
Be forewarned it's kind of "Addictive" Jaysharkbait warned me of this when I began asking him questions a little less than a year ago,Biggerhammer was also consulted and both of these fellers were quite helpful.I've got a navy vet coworker who is a machinest and a gun nut?amateur smith/competive 3 gun shooter,he put mine together and I watched,I could have done it easily(I'm a welder/fabricator).I had a sub MOA gun in mind and spent wisely, going thrifty in the areas that don't make any difference,handgaurd is example here as well as charge handle/forward assist/dustcover,My upper and lower recievers cost a total of 100 bucks.They were Palmetto state armory blems and the blems were in the black anodize,and from what we could tell the blems were on the insides where no one is ever going to see.It was such a good deal I bought 2 sets.......... the other set is going together shortly for another sub MOA shooter with a different look!I had input from 3 different guys and they all said the same thing,Barrell and Bolt carrier group is what makes the difference.I bought a JP barrell and a national match bolt carrier by Young machine and ended up with a sub moa gun that prints 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards with midgrade factory varmint hunting ammo.Build cost for weapon was 1526.89 and the Nightforce SHV scope 975,and the American Defense QD mount 189 bucks.Be careful Jingles you may just catch the bug and have a whole rack of them!Joe bobs outfitters has excellent prices and stellar rating with me as far as shipping and correct orders go.

Busted

Offline yorketransport

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2015, 10:16:54 PM »
Here's a break down of the costs associated with the last AR I had:

-used, complete lower $200
-used complete upper $200

Total $400

Net cost: $1000 after I gave up on the AR and it's small calibers, sold it for the $400 I had invested into it and added another $600 to built a bolt action pistol in 338/375 Ruger. :chuckle: ARs are expensive! ;)

Andrew

Offline wildweeds

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #13 on: January 03, 2015, 11:38:21 PM »
Ya got me Jay,first one ain't been together but about 6 months And Iv'e got parts in the waiting for another... :chuckle:
Be forewarned it's kind of "Addictive" Jaysharkbait warned me of this when I began asking him questions a little less than a year ago,Biggerhammer was also consulted and both of these fellers were quite helpful.I've got a navy vet coworker who is a machinest and a gun nut?amateur smith/competive 3 gun shooter,he put mine together and I watched,I could have done it easily(I'm a welder/fabricator).I had a sub MOA gun in mind and spent wisely, going thrifty in the areas that don't make any difference,handgaurd is example here as well as charge handle/forward assist/dustcover,My upper and lower recievers cost a total of 100 bucks.They were Palmetto state armory blems and the blems were in the black anodize,and from what we could tell the blems were on the insides where no one is ever going to see.It was such a good deal I bought 2 sets.......... the other set is going together shortly for another sub MOA shooter with a different look!I had input from 3 different guys and they all said the same thing,Barrell and Bolt carrier group is what makes the difference.I bought a JP barrell and a national match bolt carrier by Young machine and ended up with a sub moa gun that prints 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards with midgrade factory varmint hunting ammo.Build cost for weapon was 1526.89 and the Nightforce SHV scope 975,and the American Defense QD mount 189 bucks.Be careful Jingles you may just catch the bug and have a whole rack of them!Joe bobs outfitters has excellent prices and stellar rating with me as far as shipping and correct orders go.

Busted

Offline Blacklab

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2015, 09:14:02 AM »
Thank You to everyone that responded sounds like it would be a lot cheaper, with shopping, to build but not sure I have the knowledge to put it all together especially by myself. and I KNOW I wouldn't know where to start.......

Youtube is your friend  :tup:

That's how I learn to build mine. One the video's I watched was easy to follow by Surgical Percision. At the end of one of his video's. He say's, see how easy that is any monkey can do it. That's when it all started the so called addiction  ;) It's really not hard at all  :twocents:
Hey! I'm not a complete idiot I have parts missing. Though sometimes I wonder.

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Offline lokidog

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #15 on: January 04, 2015, 09:20:58 AM »
I think it was Midway that I saw had a whole series of AR building videos as well, maybe it was Brownell's.

Offline Bofire

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #16 on: January 04, 2015, 09:31:55 AM »
There are tons of how to books also. personally I hate videos, avoid them like a plague. Books I like.
Carl
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Offline Craig

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Re: AR BUILD COST?
« Reply #17 on: January 04, 2015, 09:39:02 AM »
The sky is the limit when it comes to building ARs. I have a plinking AR that was about 500-700 and I nice varmint AR that was about 2500-3000 by the time I eas done.

I don't know very many people that only have stopped at  1 AR. So build away.

 


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