Help (clueless girlfriend) build AR15 for boyfriend

[AL7345]

Hi All,

My boyfriend is on this site all day long, (I bet you are wondering if it's you, aren't you  ?!?), so I figured it would be a great place to get some help on where to start with an AR15 purchase. I am getting him one for an upcoming birthday. He has talked about wanting to build one for the last few years, and I would really appreciate any guidance you all could provide on building one, OR - would I be better off going with something already built (and if so, where to go/what to look for)?

Here is what I know of his preferences so far:

-Wants for coyote hunting
-Longer barrel
-Collapsible stock

Let me know if there is further info I should try to weasel out of him to make sure I get something he will love that has good value so I don't have to cut back on shoes and handbags for tooooooooooooo long?  Thanks in advance for any and all help!!

[predatorpro]

well if it was me i wouldnt waste time building one, i would just go buy a rock river arms ar15 in .223 caliber, and just a simple nikon 3x9 powered scope all he will ever need to kill all the coyotes he wants....DPMS makes amazing ar-15 too
www.dpmsinc.com
www.rockriverarms.com

[luvtohnt]

There are parts all over the internet, If you want to buy local we have Olympic arms which makes a quality AR right here in our own state. They have some kick ass AR's. A lot of other memebers on here have talked about parts made in Issaquah (I think) that are top of the line as well. Hopefully someone can help with the name of that place. Maybe for his birthday you should take him down to Oly arms in Olympia and let him choose the gun he wants. 

Brandon

[JimmyHoffa]

I'd look at getting the SSAR-15 stock.  Lots o' fun......warning you go through a lot more ammo and don't even realize it.

[Alchase]

This is fantastic of you to care enough to come looking for advice for your boyfriend! You mentioned that "he wants to build his own AR" if this is accurate then buying him a n already built gun will not suffice. Building your own custom AR is similar to building you own car. It is your design, knowone Else's.
If you know what type of upper or lower we wants to start with, I would start there. Then maybe gift certificates or funds for the rest. That way you have given him the opportunity to build exactly what he wants, not what is bought of the shelf.
Good luck, and I think it is great you are considering this.

[D-Rock425]

Hey if it doesn't work out with your boyfriend em ok never mind.   

[bloodhound]

yahh i wish i had a good girl that would buy me a gun!

[marlin]

I got a Mosin Nagant and 440rds of ammo for it from my girlfriend for my birthday! I was pretty happy with that.

For the AR, Probably if he wants to build one let him build one. I decided to go with the OLY K16 already built. I also looked at the DPMS A3 Uppers, their 20" bull barrel with polished stainless looks nice, I think they even have that in 24"

I played with an AEROTECH lower and thought it was kinda crappy, the safety wouldnt even engage, so I chose OLY. My next AR I think will be a Oly Gamestalker in either .243 WSSM or .300 OSSM, that way it would be legal for big game If I so choose. The GameStalker rifles feel like about half the weight of my K16.

Im already trying to talk my girlfriend into getting another gun for Xmas.. I gave her little bro a .22 for his bday, I got the mosin, and I bought her a Winchester 1300 20ga. Lots of guns being passed around. I dont think anyone can afford ARs as gifts around here though 

[CamoDup]

Hey if it doesn't work out with your boyfriend em ok never mind.

  

[h20hunter]

Couple options:

Dump him and convince my wife that I need a harem, then, come join my newly formed harem.

or

Buy a nice rifle, Rock River, Colt, Bushmaster, etc, along with a Leupold Mark AR, and give it to him

or

Head over to his local gun shop with a wad of cash. Give them the cash and let him come in and do the
shopping

I really think you should consider the harem option.

[BurleyDog]

lol

too bad this post doesn't apply to me . I don't have a girlfriend (just a wife) .

I'll probably get some new sweaters for my birthday....

You sound like a good gal. Make sure he treats you good

[03dynasty]

www.M4Carbine.net
www.RainierArms.com

Both great resources.

[6x6in6]

Thanks honey.
Hurry, my birthday's next week. 

[PlateauNDN]

Couple options:

Dump him and convince my wife that I need a harem, then, come join my newly formed harem.

or

Buy a nice rifle, Rock River, Colt, Bushmaster, etc, along with a Leupold Mark AR, and give it to him

or

Head over to his local gun shop with a wad of cash. Give them the cash and let him come in and do the
shopping

I really think you should consider the harem option.

   If we could only be just like elk and have that option.   Well I think option to from above sounds about the best one either way he is lucky to have you.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Right now you can buy a fully built AR cheaper than you can make one.  Besides, AR's are a modular gun, so anything can be changed later.  One warning though, the gun itself is just the start--not the end.  Then comes Scope, Scope mount/rings, ammo, dies,bullets, powder if he reloads, and it's a new caliber to him, accessories--which for an AR are endless.  Shop around.  It aint shoes and handbags, but its SHOPPING! 

[bloodhound]

 ohh by the way if you buy a pre assembled one, you can pay for it but he has to buy it or its against the law. you cant buy a gun for another person and bring it home to him. but you can say hey lets go get something to eat ill drive and then swing into the gun shop and say here we are i hope your hungry!

[h20hunter]

Thats a good point. You can check in with his gun shop and know what type of cash to have on hand. Take him out for dinner first. Then, after his belly is full, take his hand, look deep into his eyes, and say, "Honey, I've got something in mind that you've always wanted but never had". The let him pick out a new gun. Perfect.

[h20hunter]

By the way. Don't get offended that he is actually extremely happy when he finds out that "something special" is a gun, not something else.

[Heredoggydoggy]

ohh by the way if you buy a pre assembled one, you can pay for it but he has to buy it or its against the law. you cant buy a gun for another person and bring it home to him. but you can say hey lets go get something to eat ill drive and then swing into the gun shop and say here we are i hope your hungry!

That's not entirely true--according to law, you can buy a gun as a gift for a family member, a boyfriend or girlfriend without the ATF regarding it as a "Straw Purchase".  This was asked at an ATF seminar recently.  I always thought it had to be strictly a family member, but no.

[micdude]

ohh by the way if you buy a pre assembled one, you can pay for it but he has to buy it or its against the law. you cant buy a gun for another person and bring it home to him. but you can say hey lets go get something to eat ill drive and then swing into the gun shop and say here we are i hope your hungry!

That's not entirely true--according to law, you can buy a gun as a gift for a family member, a boyfriend or girlfriend without the ATF regarding it as a "Straw Purchase".  This was asked at an ATF seminar recently.  I always thought it had to be strictly a family member, but no.

Yeah you can buy your lucky boyfriend a gun    :'(But a gun shop will also tell you the same thing.
If I was my wife/ girlfriend I would get me this  http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2578

Or you can put together an upper and lower yourself very easily but I would recommend an 18 inch barrel for a good varmint rifle with a good scope. You could also give rainier arms a call they would help you out they specialize ar’s ,but stay away from Olympic arms they don’t have the greatest rep.

[FALFire]

I would suggest this option.

Go to Model One Sales >>> http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=79

Select a Complete KIT which will give him everything he needs to build a rifle excluding the "STRIPPED LOWER". He can purchase any of the stripped lowers from any of the hundreds of suppliers around the country or choose one from a local dealer in WA.

This way, you get to purchase a large part of the gift and either of you can choose to purchase for the lower.

I would however, pick his brain and get in detail the options he prefers so he will be one happy man. Keep in mind you can use the pull down windows and select detailed items such as triggers, hand guards aka, float tubes, stocks, chambers in 223 or 5.56mm (slight differences) etc.

Here is how I would build one just for an idea.

First I would start off looking at the Complete Varmint Kit page.
Kit:         Base price   $560.00                               
Chamber:             223
Bolt Carrier:         Standard
Charging handle:  Standard
Carry Handle:       None selected
Butt stock:           M4 6 Position  +$25.00
Barrel:                 20" Stainless Steel barrel, 8 twist, fluted. + $50.00
Trigger:                Rock River Arms Match 2 stage trigger.   + $105.00
Gas block             Low Pro gas block  + $25.00
Hand guard:         Aluminum, free floated, fluted, swivel stud  + $20.00
Pistol Grip:           Ergo Tactical Standard grip  + $35.00
Total cost plus shipping = $820.00

The cost of a stripped lower will be anywhere from about $80 to $250 or so making your investment about $1000 +/- a few bucks.


Doing it this way allows him to partially build the rifle of his dreams which would be the lower and not have to buy the needed tools to assemble the upper. Think of it as a Cake and Eat it too.....There will be a cake ....Right?

[Heredoggydoggy]

ohh by the way if you buy a pre assembled one, you can pay for it but he has to buy it or its against the law. you cant buy a gun for another person and bring it home to him. but you can say hey lets go get something to eat ill drive and then swing into the gun shop and say here we are i hope your hungry!

That's not entirely true--according to law, you can buy a gun as a gift for a family member, a boyfriend or girlfriend without the ATF regarding it as a "Straw Purchase".  This was asked at an ATF seminar recently.  I always thought it had to be strictly a family member, but no.

Yeah you can buy your lucky boyfriend a gun    :'(But a gun shop will also tell you the same thing.
If I was my wife/ girlfriend I would get me this  http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2578

Or you can put together an upper and lower yourself very easily but I would recommend an 18 inch barrel for a good varmint rifle with a good scope. You could also give rainier arms a call they would help you out they specialize ar’s ,but stay away from Olympic arms they don’t have the greatest rep.

Agree on all counts here.  The main qualifier on the gift rule is that the person you give the gun to can legally buy or own one himself.  No matter who you give the gun to, if he can't legally posses it, you could be looking at jail time.

[AL7345]

ohh by the way if you buy a pre assembled one, you can pay for it but he has to buy it or its against the law. you cant buy a gun for another person and bring it home to him. but you can say hey lets go get something to eat ill drive and then swing into the gun shop and say here we are i hope your hungry!

That's not entirely true--according to law, you can buy a gun as a gift for a family member, a boyfriend or girlfriend without the ATF regarding it as a "Straw Purchase".  This was asked at an ATF seminar recently.  I always thought it had to be strictly a family member, but no.

Yeah you can buy your lucky boyfriend a gun    :'(But a gun shop will also tell you the same thing.
If I was my wife/ girlfriend I would get me this  http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2578

Or you can put together an upper and lower yourself very easily but I would recommend an 18 inch barrel for a good varmint rifle with a good scope. You could also give rainier arms a call they would help you out they specialize ar’s ,but stay away from Olympic arms they don’t have the greatest rep.

Agree on all counts here.  The main qualifier on the gift rule is that the person you give the gun to can legally buy or own one himself.  No matter who you give the gun to, if he can't legally posses it, you could be looking at jail time.

Thanks all for your clarification here! He has a valid concealed weapons permit, so it will definitely be a legal gifting.

[h20hunter]

Um...I don't mean to make this a big deal but my wife still hasn't gotten a call about the harem. She is wondering why I keep asking if anyone called. This isn't going to happen on its own you know, you are going to have to put a little effort into this. Sheesh.

[runamuk]

Um...I don't mean to make this a big deal but my wife still hasn't gotten a call about the harem. She is wondering why I keep asking if anyone called. This isn't going to happen on its own you know, you are going to have to put a little effort into this. Sheesh.

Omg 

and when she calls exactly how are you explaining it to the wife  ??  we want video of that 

sounds like you have all the info to make an educated decision.....I'd say if he wants to build it himself then the gift certificates or lets go shopping alternatives are best.....if you can get him to tell you exactly what he wants then by all means go get it for him .....

[AL7345]

This is fantastic of you to care enough to come looking for advice for your boyfriend! You mentioned that "he wants to build his own AR" if this is accurate then buying him a n already built gun will not suffice. Building your own custom AR is similar to building you own car. It is your design, knowone Else's.
If you know what type of upper or lower we wants to start with, I would start there. Then maybe gift certificates or funds for the rest. That way you have given him the opportunity to build exactly what he wants, not what is bought of the shelf.
Good luck, and I think it is great you are considering this.

I like this idea. Is there somewhere within an hour or so of Seattle where I can actually go and look at these parts? Is Olympic Arms somewhere that I can do that? I saw someone else here mentioned they don't have the greatest reputation, but another person recommended them.... I checked out their website and see that they back their product with a 60 day return/exchange policy which might come in handy and sounds great - just want to make sure it's as breezy of a process as it seemed like on the site.

[AL7345]

Um...I don't mean to make this a big deal but my wife still hasn't gotten a call about the harem. She is wondering why I keep asking if anyone called. This isn't going to happen on its own you know, you are going to have to put a little effort into this. Sheesh.

LOL! I appreciate the enthusiasm over my gift idea - even though it's no help at all in deciding what to get him!!  I have a feeling he will love being able to post that he's the lucky guy just as much as he will love the gift itself! Nice work calling it a harem though... sound much sexier than telling me to call and ask if I can be her "sister wife" haha

[BlackRidge]

This is fantastic of you to care enough to come looking for advice for your boyfriend! You mentioned that "he wants to build his own AR" if this is accurate then buying him a n already built gun will not suffice. Building your own custom AR is similar to building you own car. It is your design, knowone Else's.
If you know what type of upper or lower we wants to start with, I would start there. Then maybe gift certificates or funds for the rest. That way you have given him the opportunity to build exactly what he wants, not what is bought of the shelf.
Good luck, and I think it is great you are considering this.

I like this idea. Is there somewhere within an hour or so of Seattle where I can actually go and look at these parts? Is Olympic Arms somewhere that I can do that? I saw someone else here mentioned they don't have the greatest reputation, but another person recommended them.... I checked out their website and see that they back their product with a 60 day return/exchange policy which might come in handy and sounds great - just want to make sure it's as breezy of a process as it seemed like on the site.

Olympic Arms is down around Olympia...so probably not too close.  They do have an outstanding reputation though, some people are just highly biased against anything that isn't one of the big name-brand companies (colt, bushmaster, rock river/etc). I own several Oly AR's and theyre fit/finish/performance is better than my other non-Oly AR's...  just my 2 pennies

Rainier Arms is down in Auburn and specializes in AR15 rifles, I dont believe they sell anything but them. Great guys too.  Theres also West Coast Armory out in Issaquah (meh..), and Surplus Ammo & Arms out in Lacey (J&S gun parts too).... Amazing deals at both places, for kits, individual peices, or complete rifles in varying calibers.

Just a thought though, with the caliber restrictions here in WA, you arent permitted to go after any big game with the standard AR15 (in .223)... If you think your boyfriend may want to use it for Deer/Bear/etc... I'd consider the 6.8spc. (.277)  Its a newer caliber for the AR15, meets the WA caliber requirement, and will ultimately be the same cost as any other AR15 rifle you're looking at.  I've built 2 so-far and may never go back to the ol' .223

[jackmaster]

my wife bought me my deer rifle she had heard me talking about it with my dad and bigger than life i un wrap a ruger box and inside was a brand new 30-06 ruger#1 singleshot with a leo 3x9 scope with a safari sling and an ammo sock for the stock, i just about fell the hell out so i gotta believe that even getn your guy a basic  AR15 that he can start building on with some gift certificates he is gonna be as happy as a pig in you know what... . your a hell of a girlfriend he is probably gonna be so happy that he pops the question cause if he dont it sounds like some others on here will...

[dirty24d]

You definitely gotta make sure you post who this lucky fella is lets start a witchhunt and start taking guesses at who it is!!!  but that might ruin the surprise of a lifetime 

whoever it is he's certainly doing something right!!!   

[TheHunt]

When buying parts...  BUY ONLY military spec parts.  Anything else you are gambling if it will fit or not. 

[Caseyd]

So todays the day....my 30th. 

I saw this thread last week and was thinking it could be my GF since every holiday/birthday etc when asked what I want i say a gun  Well this year when asked she paid a little more attenion and I thought something might be up.......

Well it was me 

Thanks for helping her out guys, I hope to be ordering up some parts in the next couple of weeks.



Casey

[jackmaster]

congrats to ya, did ya pop the question when you found out, any women that wants to buy you guns has to be worth marrying 

[h20hunter]

I mean this in a clean and respectful manner:

When this is all said and done I think we all would like to see a picture of your lovely future wife showing the purchase. Maybe the two of you and the new toy would make a nice Christmas card?

[Caseyd]

congrats to ya, did ya pop the question when you found out, any women that wants to buy you guns has to be worth marrying 

I made the other biggest choice instead........put an offer in on a house this morning

I mean this in a clean and respectful manner:

When this is all said and done I think we all would like to see a picture of your lovely future wife showing the purchase. Maybe the two of you and the new toy would make a nice Christmas card?

Might just have to do that

[h20hunter]

Yep, that would be cool. I always like see pics of new guns, dead critters, stuffed critters, fish, kids with any of the mentioned. Heck, I even like the pics of folks grilling their bounty.

[jackmaster]

well good luck with the house then, they definatly are a hell of a comitment

[dirty24d]

So todays the day....my 30th. 

I saw this thread last week and was thinking it could be my GF since every holiday/birthday etc when asked what I want i say a gun  Well this year when asked she paid a little more attenion and I thought something might be up.......

Well it was me 

Thanks for helping her out guys, I hope to be ordering up some parts in the next couple of weeks.



Casey

YOU LUCKY DOG!!!

Cant wait to see the end product !! congrats man thats awesome!!! Oh and coming from a guy that just bought his first house now is the time to buy but enjoy that toy cuz you aint getting anything thats not house related for a long time unless the house your buying is small er than the one your in which wasnt my case!! i gots some upgrading and  furnishing to do for the next year...      But its a great problem to have.

[bankwalker]

take his hand, look deep into his eyes, and say, "Honey, I've got something in mind that you've always wanted but never had".

oh yea, thats a great idea 

he'll be in the dog house after be brings up that other girl he has had his eye on to join in some late night fun 

[addicted]

del-ton.com

upper half with parts/barrel for 465$ good reputation. Just gotta find a lower then. $80

[Miles]

take his hand, look deep into his eyes, and say, "Honey, I've got something in mind that you've always wanted but never had".

oh yea, thats a great idea 

he'll be in the dog house after be brings up that other girl he has had his eye on to join in some late night fun