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Building an AR-15

XLpitman
What is an average cost to build and AR-15? (M4 carbine - A3 type) I know that this can vary greatly, just comparing building one or buying a complete rifle. Thanks
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13 comments

Date Votes
  • wolfdog45
    I spent about $450-$500 on my wifes build.
    Had some of the parts already and looked around and bought the rest.
    If you look around in the right places you can find name brand parts cheap.
    She loves it, and it works great. Only had one bad shell that the primer was no good.
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  • idsman75
    I just bought 2 new DPMS stripped receivers for $100/each shipped.

    It all depends on what you want to do. Don't jump to the auctions if you haven't checked out the factory websites. Most of your re-sellers will charge quite a premium for their goods that are available direct from the manufacturer at the manufacturer's website. There are some kits on Gunbroker that provide everything you need to build except for the stripped lower receiver for around $425.00. This seems like a good deal considering the good deal I got on my stripped lower receiver. The barrels are made by Wilson which is a good name. They just don't mention who manufactured the other parts. It makes me suspicious.

    I bought a lower parts kit and spanner wrench for the collapsable buttstock I want to install for the same price as what the lower parts kit would have costed from a re-seller (and that's including shipping).

    If you want an inexpensive carbine, check out the bargain bin at:

    http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cart=972613&cat=33&

    I've talked with people that bought them and they're top-quality. There's nothing wrong with them and the alleged "cosmetic blemishes" are difficult to find. Just like new for the most part.

    If you're willing to stick with the basics (i.e. no picatinny rails, bells or whistles) then you can build one quite a bit cheaper than what you'd pay for the whole rifle. However, the beauty of the whole process is your ability to build the EXACT rifle you want instead of having to get a make/model that comes CLOSE to what you want. For me, that meant saving money in some areas of my build in order to have the money to splurge in other areas. Make sure you get stuff made by reputable manufacturers (DPMS, Rock River Arms, etc.). You won't have any fun if you have to spend more fixing low-grade junk in the long-run.

    If you buy a stripped lower there are places online where you can get detailed instructions for their assembly ( www.ar15.com ). I'm still looking for a step-by-step video online. You'd think that some You-Tuber would have done it already. I'm thinking about getting another lower parts kit after I learn through trial-and-error on the first lower receiver just so I can make that step-by-step video because I can't find one anywhere.
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  • 0341USMC
    The price all depends on how tricked out you want an AR15.
    You can do it for $700.00to $800.00.But you can also go as high as you want $3.000.00 To $5000.00.
    Scott
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  • XLpitman
    quote:Originally posted by idsman75
    I just bought 2 new DPMS stripped receivers for $100/each shipped.

    It all depends on what you want to do. Don't jump to the auctions if you haven't checked out the factory websites. Most of your re-sellers will charge quite a premium for their goods that are available direct from the manufacturer at the manufacturer's website. There are some kits on Gunbroker that provide everything you need to build except for the stripped lower receiver for around $425.00. This seems like a good deal considering the good deal I got on my stripped lower receiver. The barrels are made by Wilson which is a good name. They just don't mention who manufactured the other parts. It makes me suspicious.

    I bought a lower parts kit and spanner wrench for the collapsable buttstock I want to install for the same price as what the lower parts kit would have costed from a re-seller (and that's including shipping).

    If you want an inexpensive carbine, check out the bargain bin at:

    http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cart=972613&cat=33&

    I've talked with people that bought them and they're top-quality. There's nothing wrong with them and the alleged "cosmetic blemishes" are difficult to find. Just like new for the most part.

    If you're willing to stick with the basics (i.e. no picatinny rails, bells or whistles) then you can build one quite a bit cheaper than what you'd pay for the whole rifle. However, the beauty of the whole process is your ability to build the EXACT rifle you want instead of having to get a make/model that comes CLOSE to what you want. For me, that meant saving money in some areas of my build in order to have the money to splurge in other areas. Make sure you get stuff made by reputable manufacturers (DPMS, Rock River Arms, etc.). You won't have any fun if you have to spend more fixing low-grade junk in the long-run.

    If you buy a stripped lower there are places online where you can get detailed instructions for their assembly ( www.ar15.com ). I'm still looking for a step-by-step video online. You'd think that some You-Tuber would have done it already. I'm thinking about getting another lower parts kit after I learn through trial-and-error on the first lower receiver just so I can make that step-by-step video because I can't find one anywhere.




    Thanks idsman75. That was very helpful.

    Does anybody know where to buy used complete AR's?
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  • LOKO383
    quote:Originally posted by XLpitman
    quote:Originally posted by idsman75
    I just bought 2 new DPMS stripped receivers for $100/each shipped.

    It all depends on what you want to do. Don't jump to the auctions if you haven't checked out the factory websites. Most of your re-sellers will charge quite a premium for their goods that are available direct from the manufacturer at the manufacturer's website. There are some kits on Gunbroker that provide everything you need to build except for the stripped lower receiver for around $425.00. This seems like a good deal considering the good deal I got on my stripped lower receiver. The barrels are made by Wilson which is a good name. They just don't mention who manufactured the other parts. It makes me suspicious.

    I bought a lower parts kit and spanner wrench for the collapsable buttstock I want to install for the same price as what the lower parts kit would have costed from a re-seller (and that's including shipping).

    If you want an inexpensive carbine, check out the bargain bin at:

    http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cart=972613&cat=33&

    I've talked with people that bought them and they're top-quality. There's nothing wrong with them and the alleged "cosmetic blemishes" are difficult to find. Just like new for the most part.

    If you're willing to stick with the basics (i.e. no picatinny rails, bells or whistles) then you can build one quite a bit cheaper than what you'd pay for the whole rifle. However, the beauty of the whole process is your ability to build the EXACT rifle you want instead of having to get a make/model that comes CLOSE to what you want. For me, that meant saving money in some areas of my build in order to have the money to splurge in other areas. Make sure you get stuff made by reputable manufacturers (DPMS, Rock River Arms, etc.). You won't have any fun if you have to spend more fixing low-grade junk in the long-run.

    If you buy a stripped lower there are places online where you can get detailed instructions for their assembly ( www.ar15.com ). I'm still looking for a step-by-step video online. You'd think that some You-Tuber would have done it already. I'm thinking about getting another lower parts kit after I learn through trial-and-error on the first lower receiver just so I can make that step-by-step video because I can't find one anywhere.




    Thanks idsman75. That was very helpful.

    Does anybody know where to buy used complete AR's?
    you can't be serious?.....

    WWW.GUNBROKER.COM

    just type in AR15 on the search engine 3-5 pages of used and new ones along with uppers and lowers..complete or stripped..good luck..[;)]..Loko
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  • l3to
    Used? In all likelihood a used one will run you about the same as a new one, not a lot of depreciation on these things. You should be looking at a low end of about 600-700$ for an AR used or not. But as mentioned above, they can get as costly as you like. Definitely look into the bargain bin at CMMG though.
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  • buschmaster
    I was just going to say, it's always cheaper to buy a whole used rifle than buying parts seperately (just like anything else) you're paying extra to get exactly what you want, but that site that idsman75 mentioned turns that around! which is most definitely valuable. you'd be crazy not to take advantage of that.

    as far as putting them together, if you completely disassemble/reassemble an AR a few times you should be able to put one together from scratch no problem, do it like 8 times and you should be able to assemble one from a bucket of parts/bolts/springs/etc. there's nothing to it, just know what goes where. the only thing that requires some skill is indexing the barrel on the upper, and knowing what torque to put on the barrel nut, and you probably won't have to do that with your parts kit. simple-o. idsman75 is pretty smart, I don't see why he needs any kind of instruction to do it, let alone a video.
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  • Captplaid
    http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cart=972613&cat=33&

    Those are some economically priced rifles.

    They are a tempting replacement what I have now.
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  • XLpitman
    I am completely new to AR-15's. I've hunted all my life with walnut and blued guns. I don't have much knowledge on the black rifles. Just figured I better go ahead and get one before our new president says otherwise.

    Would it be wiser to get the rifle for 650 rather than the one for 570? Is a chrome lined barrel the only difference between those two? What are the advantages of the rifle for 650 over the other?

    Those seem like great prices. Thanks for the advice!
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  • l3to
    I'd go with the 570$ and spend the extra 80$ on the rear iron site you need to complete the rifle and call it good
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  • XLpitman
    quote:Originally posted by l3to
    I'd go with the 570$ and spend the extra 80$ on the rear iron site you need to complete the rifle and call it good


    Pre-shate it!![;)]
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  • remingtonoaks
    have you ever considered an ar-7 same as an ar-15 but in .308 cal. and can get .223 upper and a .243 and 22.250 were as a ar-15 you can't?
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  • givette
    Idsman and XL: givette here. Here's an AR build tutorial, starting with lower, then upper assembly. There's assembly videos inside the link. Best, Joe

    http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782
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