Post by: Cab on August 29, 2018, 03:56:07 PM
To build or not to build an AR15 is a question I have had for a few years now. Let me give you my wants/needs/thoughts and then I would love to hear everyones opinion.
Wants/Needs/Thoughts:
-The rifles job would be for home defense and range toy.
-Price I would like it to be around $700-$800(under $700 would be ideal but might not be realistic)
-Milspec is not important to me at all. I don't need dust covers, forward assist and chrome lined barrels. I want it to be reliable and to shoot when I pull the trigger. If it has a 2MOA I'm fine with that .
-This would be my first AR and I may get more down the road.
I have been looking at the SW M&P Sport as it has good reviews and is a great price but then part of me thinks I should build one so that it's more personal. I know I could buy one and then customize it but then I almost feel like I should just build one.
Post by: jasnt on August 29, 2018, 05:24:05 PM
My vote is build and upgrade as needed
Post by: Fl0und3rz on August 29, 2018, 05:26:48 PM
:chuckle:
Build a lower, buy an upper. Lower is doable without any or many special tools other than armorer's wrench and a punch set, which you could likely borrow.
Post by: h20hunter on August 29, 2018, 05:49:19 PM
Post by: bullfisher on August 29, 2018, 09:55:52 PM
Once you build what you want, you'll wonder why anyone would buy a completed AR.
It's like Legos for big kids, building is half the fun!
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 29, 2018, 10:44:36 PM
Post by: hunter399 on August 30, 2018, 05:40:54 AM
"I may get more down the road."I can build a lower with a pair of channel lock plyers wraped in electrical tape. :chuckle:
:chuckle:
Build a lower, buy an upper. Lower is doable without any or many special tools other than armorer's wrench and a punch set, which you could likely borrow.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on August 30, 2018, 07:37:15 AM
Post by: Cab on August 30, 2018, 08:36:08 AM
Built mine for <$500. I can shoot moa and often less. It’s nothing special and not a free float.
My vote is build and upgrade as needed
would love to know your build, that's amazing!
Post by: Cab on August 30, 2018, 08:36:55 AM
Post by: 762Armo on August 30, 2018, 09:39:09 AM
I've shot of theirs, and it was a nice rifle, being cheap and all.
Post by: jasnt on August 30, 2018, 12:33:31 PM
its mostly palmetto state armory. That price dosent include scope. Also it will only shoot moa with my hand loads, only seams to like the nosler 77gr ncc’s best factory loads have been 1.5 moa- Norma 77gr hpbtBuilt mine for <$500. I can shoot moa and often less. It’s nothing special and not a free float.
My vote is build and upgrade as needed
would love to know your build, that's amazing!
16” 1:7 in .556
I also polished the sear. Other than that is rock stock psa parts
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 30, 2018, 12:37:06 PM
Post by: lee on August 31, 2018, 10:56:00 AM
Post by: lamrith on August 31, 2018, 11:00:53 AM
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0742RDT3S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
FYI - Using smile.amazon you can make donations to a charity of your choice. Mine is NRA Foundation, and every purchase I make they get a donation.
Whatever you decide, you'd better get that lower and the mags before November.Or is it Nov +90? I thought laws go into effect 90days after signed? Barring any appeals by NRA. Nice to see them in the fight up front this time! :tup:
Post by: hunter399 on August 31, 2018, 11:39:40 AM
Build one. Tough I recommend getting the new long punch set that is available. Makes the Bolt catch pin a breeze.Bolt catch pin or any roll pin , Just put pin in cordless drill ,put the very end of pin on some sand paper and put a taper on the pin ,makes getting roll pins so much better to get started.squeeze that pin home with some channel locks done.ask me how I know. :dunno: :chuckle:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0742RDT3S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
FYI - Using smile.amazon you can make donations to a charity of your choice. Mine is NRA Foundation, and every purchase I make they get a donation.Whatever you decide, you'd better get that lower and the mags before November.Or is it Nov +90? I thought laws go into effect 90days after signed? Barring any appeals by NRA. Nice to see them in the fight up front this time! :tup:
Post by: lamrith on August 31, 2018, 01:06:57 PM
Yup, been there, done that a few times, always end up with some sort of scuff on the ear regardless of how much tape there is force placed in a fine edge on the coating distorting it. Many, maybe most will not notice it, but some do.Build one. Tough I recommend getting the new long punch set that is available. Makes the Bolt catch pin a breeze.Bolt catch pin or any roll pin , Just put pin in cordless drill ,put the very end of pin on some sand paper and put a taper on the pin ,makes getting roll pins so much better to get started.squeeze that pin home with some channel locks done.ask me how I know. :dunno: :chuckle:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0742RDT3S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
FYI - Using smile.amazon you can make donations to a charity of your choice. Mine is NRA Foundation, and every purchase I make they get a donation.Whatever you decide, you'd better get that lower and the mags before November.Or is it Nov +90? I thought laws go into effect 90days after signed? Barring any appeals by NRA. Nice to see them in the fight up front this time! :tup:
I just wanted to share that the the right tool is $9, and then you always have it for any future builds (There are always future builds once someone finds the AR lego world). I fought it and always went cheapest possible myself, then I bought the long set I linked above and shook my head at how much easier it was and no risk or having to tape anything up. I can also use it to pop the pin out, like when I found out that PSA uses a proprietary BHO catch assembly in their PA10 lower and had to remove the stock one and install the PA one.
Post by: hunter399 on August 31, 2018, 01:58:23 PM
No hard feelings there,thanks for the link. :tup:Yup, been there, done that a few times, always end up with some sort of scuff on the ear regardless of how much tape there is force placed in a fine edge on the coating distorting it. Many, maybe most will not notice it, but some do.Build one. Tough I recommend getting the new long punch set that is available. Makes the Bolt catch pin a breeze.Bolt catch pin or any roll pin , Just put pin in cordless drill ,put the very end of pin on some sand paper and put a taper on the pin ,makes getting roll pins so much better to get started.squeeze that pin home with some channel locks done.ask me how I know. :dunno: :chuckle:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0742RDT3S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
FYI - Using smile.amazon you can make donations to a charity of your choice. Mine is NRA Foundation, and every purchase I make they get a donation.Whatever you decide, you'd better get that lower and the mags before November.Or is it Nov +90? I thought laws go into effect 90days after signed? Barring any appeals by NRA. Nice to see them in the fight up front this time! :tup:
I just wanted to share that the the right tool is $9, and then you always have it for any future builds (There are always future builds once someone finds the AR lego world). I fought it and always went cheapest possible myself, then I bought the long set I linked above and shook my head at how much easier it was and no risk or having to tape anything up. I can also use it to pop the pin out, like when I found out that PSA uses a proprietary BHO catch assembly in their PA10 lower and had to remove the stock one and install the PA one.
Post by: biggfish on August 31, 2018, 02:56:50 PM
Sent from my LG-US701 using Tapatalk
Post by: jasnt on August 31, 2018, 07:16:37 PM
Post by: Biggerhammer on September 01, 2018, 06:30:34 AM
I built my .223 wilde for $450 and my 6.8 spc for $780. If you build an upper you'll need access to a vice it will make so much easier; did it with a set of c-clamps but it was a pain. Don't buy an lower parts kit from ebay, I did and broke the tip of the sear off and it only functioned in full auto. If I build another it will be an 80%. I've found that most people that buy end up customizing to the point that they paid for two basic rifles, its cheaper to just build what you want the first time.
Sent from my LG-US701 using Tapatalk
Ha! I had the same thing happen with a 6.5-SPC. Anything I loaded in the Mag went full auto. At the pressures the 6.5-SPC runs at. I could dump a Mag increadably quick. Once the new part showed up I switched it out. Things went back to normal . I believe I have the old sear laying around somewhere.😊
Post by: dontgetcrabs on September 01, 2018, 06:22:45 PM
Ha! I had the same thing happen with a 6.5-SPC. Anything I loaded in the Mag went full auto. At the pressures the 6.5-SPC runs at. I could dump a Mag increadably quick.
That's some serious elk medicine at 600 plus yards. :chuckle:
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 01, 2018, 06:59:15 PM
I bought the lower and upper, separate, from Palmetto in the AR 10 6.5 Creedmoor for I think, $695 delivered to my FFL. It was cheaper buying it, than building it I do believe.
I guess you have to weigh the differences.
I also bought a complete upper Sanders Armory 22 inch in 224 Valkyrie side charger for $620 to my door. I bought a complete Palmetto AR 15 lower for $129.00 to my door.
Post by: Buzz2401 on September 08, 2018, 08:56:31 PM
Post by: Mongo Hunter on September 19, 2018, 06:57:11 AM
As for the M&P sport, I've had experience with a couple of them, always been reliable guns. They are over gassed and pretty basic but for $500 +/- you have a pretty good working AR. for HD and plinking I don't see you having any issues.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on September 19, 2018, 09:41:12 AM
I always say if you can only have one AR (for now), buy a quality one off the rack. There's no fiddling you should have to do with it and you get a warranty if something does go wrong. Now if you can have 2 ARs buy the first one and build the second, you should always have one up and running.
That's what I did. Colt 6920 for the first. Then build lower, purchased upper. Next step is building uppers.
Post by: Mongo Hunter on September 19, 2018, 11:12:56 AM
I always say if you can only have one AR (for now), buy a quality one off the rack. There's no fiddling you should have to do with it and you get a warranty if something does go wrong. Now if you can have 2 ARs buy the first one and build the second, you should always have one up and running.
That's what I did. Colt 6920 for the first. Then build lower, purchased upper. Next step is building uppers.
Yup same. I've built 3 from nothing but a pile of parts and 1 I built the lower and redid the upper. I like knowing the inner workings but now that I do I still have the same advice.
Post by: bullfisher on September 19, 2018, 11:48:23 AM
If you're unhappy with an off the rack gas block, hand guard, stock, trigger, barrel or all of the above, you'd be money ahead to build anyway.. :twocents: