First AR15, buy or build?

Well I guess I'll need to just go without and AR then

 

How bout an Ak 47?

 

Dammit. You’re very determined.

 

Here is a deal..... Hell I might buy one. https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/212070

Ruger AR-556 MPR 5.56mm Semi-Automatic Multi-Purpose Rifle with Vortex Strikefire Red for $719.00 shipped. Rifle and optic.

 

ARs are cheap, I picked up a new Colt for $575 cash ... deals are out there.

 

I've been looking at armslist a lot

 

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/200025 for $550.00 OR>>>>>>>>>>>

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/204606 for $900.00 Love the Saint. Shoots well, very balanced, clean trigger.

 

First, I'd ask what experience you have with guns, specifically ARs. Also, what is your use intent? Sport shooting, home def...

If your unfamiliar with the platform, I'd would first get with someone that can show/teach the components and functions, certainly before jumping into a build.
While certainly all learnable and fun, there's a ton of performance-effecting variables to consider when building: Barrel lining/twist, barrel length/gas set ups, bcg's (and their coatings), buffers (weights, springs [flat/braided]), trigger (single vs two stage), and of course troubleshooting, etc....

Also, you may already know, but before jumping into the build world, know the laws....especially given the states you listed.

With building: the question of 80% comes down to registering.
80% that you mill, you don't have to register. If you ever want to sell or will it however, you have to register it.
***side note...look into setting up a gun-trust, especially if you have any future plans to own FFL lic items or plans to will them to family members/others.

Buying a finished rifle or finished lower (for building) both have to be registered and go through a licensed FFL dealer/person.

All said tho, without question, you can build a high-end rifle cheaper than you can buy one. Think cold-hammer forged barrels, i.e., Daniel Defense, Noveske.
I've got a few DD rifles I've bought complete, but I've also built some, along with a Noveske and some AR10 platforms (with Ballistic Advantage barrels...which are great too, btw!)

For the price range you noted however, you could just as easily buy a completed rifle, ready to go....think Colt, M4A1, or M4A2. Solid, battle-proven platform.

Good luck however you choose to go!

 

Does anyone have any experience with the ATI milsport as an entry level?

 

All of the parts that you mentioned are foreign to me. I've shot an ar 15 but I've never torn one down. I dont mind the idea of buying one that's lower on cost but reliable to learn with then start building my next one.

 

PSA is a builders wet dream, they have tons of stuff.


Piston guns are an option but are $$$, modified version of an AR designed with an AK style piston gas system. Was born from out military's desert conflicts, direct impingement systems like the AR run dirty as you are operating the bolt directly with spent gas, this plus dry and dusty environment you can have issues if you DON'T properly maintain your gun. Build a standard platform first and maybe a piston gun for fun later...or buy an AK and it double as a beating stick and will still work no matter how you abuse it.

 

Hi buddy, I know everyone is throwing lingo at you that you don’t understand. I know, cause I was there once too. We all started somewhere and then got hooked and moved on to more expensive builds. Being a former Californian, the gun laws there can be very difficult to navigate and most people from other states don’t even know what you can or cannot have.

First of all, there is a bit of instant satisfaction to just buying one complete. And honestly, I would suggest that route since some rifles and parts are not allowed. My suggestion to you is to go to your local gun shops, not just one, all of them. That will give you a starting point on what each one charges. Then decide what rifle you want and make sure it’s one that they stock regularly.

I would avoid Anderson manufacturing, not because they are crap, but because you’ll regret it once you get into building your own rifles. I, myself, have an Anderson. It was my first AR and now that I have built a bunch of ARs I regret having bought it. But I don’t regret buying a rifle first. It’ll give you the ability to field strip it, strip the bolt apart for cleaning and learning the workings of the rifle. You can then watch videos on YouTube or other sites and you can have hands on experience. Then once you feel confident, you can start building your own rifle.

 

For a truck forum, I didnt k ow I would get this wealthy of a response. Thank you everyone.

Basically an AR is an AR California or not. In Ca I have to either have a Mag lock or go featureless( no flash block, pistol grip, vertical grip, or an adjustable stock).
I could go out and buy one today and then work on learning every inch of it. (I can buy it, but wont receive it for 10 more days.....) or take my time and buy parts slowly. A little at a time as I learn, ask questions, and learn some more.

 

Imo. I have built many for friends and they get what exactly they want, from trigger group, grips, barrel and bolt carrier group. Then you get into 5.56 vs 223 and yes there is a difference. Personally my barrell is chambered in .223 wylde.

 

Welcome then! Don’t worry about bringing an AR if you move here, the majority of our sheriffs won’t enforce or hassle you over the mags or the gun. That is, unless you move to Boulder or one of the freedom hating parts of Denver...

 

I forgot to mention, if you decide to build one, link up with someone that has experience to help you. A lot of gun people tend to be biased on a brand or caliber and everything in-between, so keep that in mind. Gun shop sales people are the worst about that as well. So take their infomation and knowledge, then look it up for yourself to see what you come up with.

 

I have a couple of friends who are trying to guide me. As you mentioned they all clearly have a brand in mind.

 

I bought my first few then started assembling a few. For $800 you could get a colt ready to shoot or buy it without furniture and add that yourself.

Buying the tools to assemble it yourself would run around $200 for good stuff. I like the magpul wrench and the giessle reaction rod, both are worth the money. I also use the giessle punch kit.

 

I think it's cheaper to just buy but building it will let you give it a personal touch and you'll have more respect for it. I've purchased one and built one and I don't regret building one because it was exactly what I wanted.

 

Senario #1 you're headed home from the range, a taillight is out, you're pulled over. They inspect your AR-15, it's an 80% meaning it's not registered anywhere! No serial #'s That fact puts you in prison with a felony record because some idiots on the internet told you it was fun. Unless you're licensed by the FFL to manufacture a weapon and have it registered with a background check. The ATF has records of every swinging dick who bought an 80% lower from Midway, and all these other websites. And local gun shops.

Get a 500$ Fully assembled Bushmaster or DPMS flattop 16" Zombie killer and go learn what it's all about. Then later build one with knoledge of what you want it for.

 

Rock River has great prices for the quality if you are in a hurry

 

My first ar was complete when I purchased. Since then I've built my own and enjoyed it greatly. Once you have an exact vision in mind, it's quite nice building one to complete that look. Patience is key.

 

I think right now I'm sitting on 3-4 potential builds but am in no rush. With all the youtube videos and guides it becomes super easy/fun to do.

 

I'm with Sam. If you CAN find some of the Colt 6920s right now, they are being sold off w/o furniture at around $800 IIRC. Get yourself a Holosun solar red dot optic w a hi-rise mount and shoot the shit out of it. You'll have to get a butt stock and fore arm for the 6920, but it's a starting point for sourcing your parts building in the future. 2nd avenue is to find your local FFL who does transfers, (Use GunBroker mapping app); the Blk Friday/Cyber Monday BS is coming, and you should find a 'net source for the AeroPrecision Gen 2 lowers, and wait for the pricing to drop panties at say Primary Arms dot com or even the AP site itself has deals on Blems..Shop/buy complete uppers; they are built buy someone who knows what their are doing (hopefully): CDNN or CBC dot com. has upper kits, no FFL transfer stuff required, direct to your door. 3rd; Go to Palmetto State State Armory and get a GF3 forged AK @ $639, don't look back until you return there to buy a 2nd and 3rd, as the 2020 election will put them into the $1K range. Have fun.
https://www.cbcindustries.com/produ...n-compensator-9-hera-arms-irs-handguard-rail/

 

Most new in the box Colts that I see listed today are asking around $1,000

 

Yup, they're selling out FAST since Colt announced they're going to LE/MIL sales only for long guns.

 

Well I bought a complete upper and an Areo lower. Took a couple of hours but really wast that bad. I actually just did this yesterday. I can't wait to throw some rounds down range.

 

For the money you can't beat these. $87.00 Get rid of the crunchy mil triggers that are part of most kits

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-tactical-mbt-2s-trigger/

 

Build it. You'll learn the inner workings. It's stupid easy too. Once you know how to do it and have all the parts, you can disassemble the whole thing and put it back together in about 10 minutes while drinking your coffee and watching tv.