Ar build

zkovach · 01-29-2011, 06:24 PM

I am heading to a gun show this week and was wonddering if there is any advatages or disadvantages to buying upper and lower ar pieces vs. Buying a new one in the store? Is it cheaper to piece them together?

Tony22-250 · 01-30-2011, 04:01 PM

Depends on what parts you buy.

zkovach · 01-30-2011, 04:13 PM

Can u explain a bit more.

jlloyd73 · 02-02-2011, 08:33 AM

I built mine with a Rock River stripped lower $130 and a Del Ton complete upper kit that had M4 feed ramps, chrome lined barrel, and a chrome bolt $600. So all together $730.... when I was looking at complete guns with those options they were typically close to $1000 or some crappy brand. I would always suggest building your own.

CampingJosh · 02-03-2011, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlloyd73

I built mine with a Rock River stripped lower $130 and a Del Ton complete upper kit that had M4 feed ramps, chrome lined barrel, and a chrome bolt $600. So all together $730.... when I was looking at complete guns with those options they were typically close to $1000 or some crappy brand. I would always suggest building your own.

Pre-built Del-ton rifles are available for $750 from here http://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Rifles_16_s/198.htm. Your total of $730 was for a stripped lower plus an upper. You still had to add the rest of the lower, which I doubt you got for under $20. Bad example

In general, it's possible to build a better rifle for the price than you can buy. Del-ton (and probably others) offer rifle "kits" where you just add your own stripped lower and build it. You're essentially saving the cost of labor. You can also save the cost of buying replacement parts by buying exactly what you want the first time.

jlloyd73 · 02-03-2011, 02:03 PM

My invoice:

TL1015 Spanner Wrench
1 $3.95 $3.95
RKT104 16" Mid-Length Rifle Kit
[16 Rifle Kit - ML Barrel

TI 16" 1x7 Mid-Length Chrome Lined Heavy Barrel]
[16 Rifle Kit / Rifle -ML Handguards:Mid-Length Handguard with Heat Shields]
[Rifle Kit / Rifle -BC:Chrome Bolt & Carrier]
[Rifle Kit / Rifle -Buttstock:M4 Buttstock - Black]
[Rifle Kit / Rifle -Grips:A2 Grip - Black]
[Rifle Kit / Rifle-Carrying Handle:None]
[Rifle Kit / Rifle-Flash Hiders:A2 Flash Hider]
[Rifle Kit / Rifle-Gas Blocks:Standard A2 Front Sight]
[Rifle Kit / Rifle-Lower Parts:Standard Lower Parts]
[Rifle Kit / Rifle-T Handle:Standard Charging Handle]
[Rifle Kit / Rifle-Uppers:Flat Top Upper with M4 Feed Ramps] 1 $590.00 $590.00

Subtotal: $593.95

Like I said.......$730 for everything (lower parts and all). You just need to shop around to get what you want...not what they want you to have. No offense CampingJosh, but I wouldn't quote a price that wasn't correct and I know enough to include all the parts into my pricing. So, I would say that is a GREAT example of smart buying.

CampingJosh · 02-03-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlloyd73

Like I said.......$730 for everything (lower parts and all). You just need to shop around to get what you want...not what they want you to have. No offense CampingJosh, but I wouldn't quote a price that wasn't correct and I know enough to include all the parts into my pricing. So, I would say that is a GREAT example of smart buying.

I'm glad to hear you got it all for $730. That really is a good deal. (I still would point out that in your first post you said "stripped lower" + "complete upper.")

You can probably go even cheaper if you're willing to be an early adopter of the polymer AR lowers. A complete lower can be shipped to your FFL for $119 by Upstate Armory Group. They also sell complete Del-ton uppers for $399 including shipping, so you could "assemble" it yourself for under $550 including transfer. Not a bad deal at all on that one.

jlloyd73 · 02-03-2011, 03:21 PM

LOL.....just to make everything very clear. I said a stripped lower and a complete upper "kit"....most complete kits come with everything except the lower receiver, but I understand where you were going. I did a lot of research and narrowed my choices of lowers down to CMMG, RRA, DPMS, and Stag. They seemed to be the ones with the best reputation. $130 was a good price on the RRA lower, so I ran with that (I actually got 2, still waiting to buy parts for second gun, might do a complete build this time). The Del Ton upper was a no brainer for me, great reviews and very quick turnaround....only took a week for mine to be delivered. RRA had a wait of about 3-6 months at the time.......that is crazy.

Zkovach, the main point is that there are really good prices out there if you take the time to look and do research. There are loads of guys that will only stick with Colt or something like a Bushmaster....but there are just as many that stick to these other less know brands. The main this I suggest is not to just jump on something without doing the research. If you have a cell phone with internet access....take it in the gunshow and don't be afraid to look and compare right there on the spot because I have been finding that there aren't as many good deals at the gunshows like there used to be.

zkovach · 02-03-2011, 03:54 PM

I agree on the deals not being there anymore. I appreciate your input guys you helped shed a lot of light on this!

Bobitis · 02-03-2011, 06:49 PM

I'm in jlloyds camp. This one is all Del-Ton (except the RRA trigger). I would strongly recommend building the lower. No special tools are required, but beware the pesky springs in some stages of building. They can launch like a rocket.

Best to be in confined quarters.

20" chrome heavy free floated barrel
RRA two stage match trigger (HIGHLY recommended)
Burris P.E.P.R. mount
Symmons White tail Classic scope (6.5-20x50 AO)
Harris swivel bi-pod with leg notches
Two 20 round, and two 30 round Pmags
About a grand, give or take.

I've no idea how many lower manufactureres there are out there, but I have a hard time believing that every offerer has it's own plant. I'm more inclined to think that there may be a few that will 'stamp yer brand' as you wish.

I've also read the Colt lowers have different diameter pins than most. Buyer beware.

Anywho, here's a $1000 dollar Del-Ton AR.

CampingJosh · 02-04-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlloyd73

I said a stripped lower and a complete upper "kit"....most complete kits come with everything except the lower receiver, but I understand where you were going.

Got it. Yeah, I've never dealt with one of the kits, so I didn't know. Thanks for explaining for those of us who are sometimes slow.

zkovach · 02-06-2011, 08:36 PM

Well thanks guys I was at the gun shows this weekend and I found a brand new dpms in 308 for 1000 so I bought it. It's pretty nice!

CampingJosh · 02-06-2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zkovach

Well thanks guys I was at the gun shows this weekend and I found a brand new dpms in 308 for 1000 so I bought it. It's pretty nice!

Picture time!

(It's OK if you want to do it in a new thread, but you'd better show that thing off.)

01-29-2011, 06:24 PM	#1
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Ar build I am heading to a gun show this week and was wonddering if there is any advatages or disadvantages to buying upper and lower ar pieces vs. Buying a new one in the store? Is it cheaper to piece them together? __________________ Liberalism: Poverty for ALL!! -->

01-30-2011, 04:01 PM	#2
Tony22-250 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 1,146	Re: Ar build Depends on what parts you buy. __________________ Bullets change governments far surer than votes. The most powerful weapon you can buy isn't a .50 caliber. It's a Senate Seat.... "When injustice becomes law, then resistance becomes duty." Thomas Jefferson

01-30-2011, 04:13 PM	#3
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Re: Ar build Can u explain a bit more. __________________ Liberalism: Poverty for ALL!!

02-02-2011, 08:33 AM	#4
jlloyd73 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Contributor Posts: 1,931	Re: Ar build I built mine with a Rock River stripped lower $130 and a Del Ton complete upper kit that had M4 feed ramps, chrome lined barrel, and a chrome bolt $600. So all together $730.... when I was looking at complete guns with those options they were typically close to $1000 or some crappy brand. I would always suggest building your own.

02-03-2011, 02:03 PM	#6
jlloyd73 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Contributor Posts: 1,931	Re: Ar build My invoice: TL1015 Spanner Wrench 1 $3.95 $3.95 RKT104 16" Mid-Length Rifle Kit [16 Rifle Kit - ML BarrelTI 16" 1x7 Mid-Length Chrome Lined Heavy Barrel] [16 Rifle Kit / Rifle -ML Handguards:Mid-Length Handguard with Heat Shields] [Rifle Kit / Rifle -BC:Chrome Bolt & Carrier] [Rifle Kit / Rifle -Buttstock:M4 Buttstock - Black] [Rifle Kit / Rifle -Grips:A2 Grip - Black] [Rifle Kit / Rifle-Carrying Handle:None] [Rifle Kit / Rifle-Flash Hiders:A2 Flash Hider] [Rifle Kit / Rifle-Gas Blocks:Standard A2 Front Sight] [Rifle Kit / Rifle-Lower Parts:Standard Lower Parts] [Rifle Kit / Rifle-T Handle:Standard Charging Handle] [Rifle Kit / Rifle-Uppers:Flat Top Upper with M4 Feed Ramps] 1 $590.00 $590.00 Subtotal: $593.95 Like I said.......$730 for everything (lower parts and all). You just need to shop around to get what you want...not what they want you to have. No offense CampingJosh, but I wouldn't quote a price that wasn't correct and I know enough to include all the parts into my pricing. So, I would say that is a GREAT example of smart buying.

02-03-2011, 03:21 PM	#8
jlloyd73 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Contributor Posts: 1,931	Re: Ar build LOL.....just to make everything very clear. I said a stripped lower and a complete upper "kit"....most complete kits come with everything except the lower receiver, but I understand where you were going. I did a lot of research and narrowed my choices of lowers down to CMMG, RRA, DPMS, and Stag. They seemed to be the ones with the best reputation. $130 was a good price on the RRA lower, so I ran with that (I actually got 2, still waiting to buy parts for second gun, might do a complete build this time). The Del Ton upper was a no brainer for me, great reviews and very quick turnaround....only took a week for mine to be delivered. RRA had a wait of about 3-6 months at the time.......that is crazy. Zkovach, the main point is that there are really good prices out there if you take the time to look and do research. There are loads of guys that will only stick with Colt or something like a Bushmaster....but there are just as many that stick to these other less know brands. The main this I suggest is not to just jump on something without doing the research. If you have a cell phone with internet access....take it in the gunshow and don't be afraid to look and compare right there on the spot because I have been finding that there aren't as many good deals at the gunshows like there used to be.

02-03-2011, 03:54 PM	#9
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Re: Ar build I agree on the deals not being there anymore. I appreciate your input guys you helped shed a lot of light on this! __________________ Liberalism: Poverty for ALL!!

02-03-2011, 06:49 PM	#10
Bobitis Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6,612	Re: Ar build I'm in jlloyds camp. This one is all Del-Ton (except the RRA trigger). I would strongly recommend building the lower. No special tools are required, but beware the pesky springs in some stages of building. They can launch like a rocket. Best to be in confined quarters. 20" chrome heavy free floated barrel RRA two stage match trigger (HIGHLY recommended) Burris P.E.P.R. mount Symmons White tail Classic scope (6.5-20x50 AO) Harris swivel bi-pod with leg notches Two 20 round, and two 30 round Pmags About a grand, give or take. I've no idea how many lower manufactureres there are out there, but I have a hard time believing that every offerer has it's own plant. I'm more inclined to think that there may be a few that will 'stamp yer brand' as you wish. I've also read the Colt lowers have different diameter pins than most. Buyer beware. Anywho, here's a $1000 dollar Del-Ton AR. Attached Images __________________ ^.^ A point in every direction is the same as having no point at all

02-06-2011, 08:36 PM	#12
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Re: Ar build Well thanks guys I was at the gun shows this weekend and I found a brand new dpms in 308 for 1000 so I bought it. It's pretty nice! __________________ Liberalism: Poverty for ALL!!