AR question

[JimmyHoffa]

Yea dat.  Plus other things like date of assembly and how accessorized. Bayonet lug or carry handle or flash suppressor.

[Special T]

why are some bolt guns worth much more than others?  Revolvers? etc. some is hype some is quality. Kind of a silly question.
Carl

To me, the milspec aspect was the confusing part. I thought that these parts were built to the exact same specs, to the point that I read some AR build 101 guide on the internet that said the receivers are so similar, just buy the one whose brand-stamp you like the best.

Since AR's are modular and universal  price can be very subjective depending on your desire to have one. If i were doing so shopping I would compare new to the used. I would think of AR similar to custom Ruger 10-22 or 1911's  prices vary wildly depending on accessories and the desire ot have them.

[thinkingman]

Names are a $$ getter too. Wilson gets top dollar for anything because of his name. $3500 for a 1911 pistol.

1911s are not a good comparison.
The only valid comparison is that they were both originally designed for military applications.
The metals, finish, hand-fitting and customization of a 1911 can result in a work of art.
I cannot think of ever applying that phrase to an AR.
I will admit, putting the name Colt on any firearm results in a price 40% higher than what it's worth.

[bullfisher]

Price is determined by a company's machining, shipping, demand, name, labor and their individual cost of doing so. Just like everything else.

[CAMPMEAT]

Names are a $$ getter too. Wilson gets top dollar for anything because of his name. $3500 for a 1911 pistol.

1911s are not a good comparison.
The only valid comparison is that they were both originally designed for military applications.
The metals, finish, hand-fitting and customization of a 1911 can result in a work of art.
I cannot think of ever applying that phrase to an AR.
I will admit, putting the name Colt on any firearm results in a price 40% higher than what it's worth.

1911's are a good comparison.

[pianoman9701]

Names are a $$ getter too. Wilson gets top dollar for anything because of his name. $3500 for a 1911 pistol.

1911s are not a good comparison.
The only valid comparison is that they were both originally designed for military applications.
The metals, finish, hand-fitting and customization of a 1911 can result in a work of art.
I cannot think of ever applying that phrase to an AR.
I will admit, putting the name Colt on any firearm results in a price 40% higher than what it's worth.

There are some awesome ARs which are works of art. Go to Biggerhammer's site for Loyal's Guns and you'll see some. I've got one. It's a work of art.

[jay.sharkbait]

I agree, they are very nice.

That said, A quality 1911 build takes 10x the time as an AR build and the parts aren't cheap either.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I think we're getting a bit off track, but I think an AR/1911 build is a pretty good comparison. There are cheaper parts ie; 'drop in barrel' or drop in trigger group, or sight, long/short trigger, bobbed hammer, arched/flat MSH, gas block, different barrel lengths, polimer lower, different rifling twists and such available that are or 'should be' within 'Spec'.  You get what you pay for in a mas production gun or part, ie; Kimber, Dan Wesson, Colt (depending on era/series), Taurus, RIA. Vs A Wilson or reworked Clark version. It is funny that people won't hesitate to shell out $1,200 for an AR of any flavor that scoff at the idea of spending $650 on a Ruger SR1911 let alone $1,500 for a used Wilson 1911. (Wilsons truly are works of art and are more accurate than your above average shooter.) There are MIM, forged and cast parts and CNC frames/internals that will bring a premium price. Hand fit- this that, or the other that costs more too.  There are cheap cast productions of just about anything. But those CNC machined parts from billet aluminum that are at the tight end of spec, -remember a specification on a gun part is just that... There is a large size and a minimum size for just about everything. The tighter the part fit/mechanism movement isn't always best for reliability. But for repeated accuracy a complete gun built to minimum tolerances is often highly sought after. Both in 1911's and AR's. That said, I hear tell... It's cheaper to build a quality AR than it is to buy one of the cheaper mass produced ones.  That really can't be said for building a quality a 1911. I recently waited 7 months for my KART barrel for my Colt Gold Cup!

-Steve

[thinkingman]

I think we're getting a bit off track, but I think an AR/1911 build is a pretty good comparison. There are cheaper parts ie; 'drop in barrel' or drop in trigger group, or sight, long/short trigger, bobbed hammer, arched/flat MSH, gas block, different barrel lengths, polimer lower, different rifling twists and such available that are or 'should be' within 'Spec'.  You get what you pay for in a mas production gun or part, ie; Kimber, Dan Wesson, Colt (depending on era/series), Taurus, RIA. Vs A Wilson or reworked Clark version. It is funny that people won't hesitate to shell out $1,200 for an AR of any flavor that scoff at the idea of spending $650 on a Ruger SR1911 let alone $1,500 for a used Wilson 1911. (Wilsons truly are works of art and are more accurate than your above average shooter.) There are MIM, forged and cast parts and CNC frames/internals that will bring a premium price. Hand fit- this that, or the other that costs more too.  There are cheap cast productions of just about anything. But those CNC machined parts from billet aluminum that are at the tight end of spec, -remember a specification on a gun part is just that... There is a large size and a minimum size for just about everything. The tighter the part fit/mechanism movement isn't always best for reliability. But for repeated accuracy a complete gun built to minimum tolerances is often highly sought after. Both in 1911's and AR's. That said, I hear tell... It's cheaper to build a quality AR than it is to buy one of the cheaper mass produced ones.  That really can't be said for building a quality a 1911. I recently waited 7 months for my KART barrel for my Colt Gold Cup!

-Steve

Exactly.
Ferrari vs Camaro

[JLS]

Mil-spec is one of the most misused terms in the world relative to ARs.  Just because a manufacturer says it is doesn't mean it's true.

[Zardoz]

:)there is a "spec" for everything,military or not. high quality bolt guns cost more than average guns, Wilson 1911's cost more than S&W ruger or Kimber, quality is a funny word that seems to go with reputation, and sometimes performance. There are Cheap AR's that meet minimum specs there are GREAT ARS that far exceed specs. the tighter the spec the moire it costs. This applies to ovens, computers, pliers, hammers, toilet paper and more.
Carl

"diss on"

Where exactly do you get "tighter spec" toilet paper?