Build your own AR class

Local pew pew store is advertising open spots in a "build your own AR" class. We all know we can buy one these days for as low as $500 (obviously quality matters) and he also offers an assembly only course for $200, but the cost of the course is $1k.

Question is, do ya think it's worth paying a grand for something like this?

 

If he provided a parts list then maybe...maybe...

Id rather buy a reputable complete like a JP or Seekins

Or spend 30 minutes on youtube and source your own quality parts

 

He sent me this:

"We use our brand of receivers and parts in the build. The rail systems are typically made by Bootleg Inc. All our parts our through major US only AR parts manufacturers by contract."

 

I just recently assembled 3 of my own AR's solely by watching YouTube videos and enjoyed every minute of learning and doing it myself. All 3 builds are completed with Aero Precision parts which IMO is one of the best out there. I wouldn't pay $1,000 on something that you can learn to DIY.

That's just my opinion

Make it your own

 

To add to that, I got a 12" barrel I can sell ya
I got brand new gas tube and block along with a few extras like grips
Brand new never used

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aero-precision-pro-12-5-5-56-chf-mid-length-barrel.827363/

 

I get that I can always gather the parts on my own, and yes I DIY many things, but I've never seen a course like this where you keep what you build and thought it was a neat idea. I realize he's building in profit for himself but I don't like the $1k price tag if the parts aren't trusted brands.

 

Id say Aero or BCM are probably the minimum id go with so whatever he's selling is questionable at best

 

Awfully non-committal.
I used a couple utube videos and built my first using all quality parts I hand selected into a Mk12-inspired build (took some creative license on some better functioning options for a few things). Maybe had $50 into tooling (that I’ve since used for dozens of builds). My final build price was more than $1k, but it was 100% quality parts, and shoots <1/2 MOA.

No way I’d drop that for someone to “show me” how to build one without knowing full details of the parts I’m getting.

 

Save your money

 

@ a $1000 I'd want to know a full parts break down; barrel manufacturer, upper/lower receiver set, bcg, lpk, furniture, sighs and handguard.

Are they providing headspace gauges?

This might be a good class for the neophyte AR owner/ builder, but there's a lot available these days at or near their price point. Aero Precision as previously mentioned, Palmetto State Armory, Aim Surplus and others.

Check https://gun.deals/ or https://www.wikiarms.com/.

If you don't know what you don't know then this builder's class could be worthwhile.

 

I have taught a half dozen people how to build their own over the years. Don’t charge a dime…

Look at the Aero M4E1 upper and lower receivers. They have some nice little upgrades that don’t add much to the price but you come to appreciate after a few dozen builds.

 

For reference here's a local place, $300 for the class plus the cost of the rifle (and they have options of what parts you want to pick). And the rifle manufacturer (Cobalt Kinetics) is the one teaching it.

 

Yeah, the red flag I'm stopped by is the lack of transparency on the parts list. I'm not completely in the dark as to brands to look at and gun tech isn't completely foreign to me, but I've never built a firearm before and it's a rabbit hole I am tempted to go down. I just don't like how the money can quickly go over the rainbow and subsequently subtract from my scant truck fund.

I have a cool .410 AR I'm interested in doing an upper swap into a 5.56 or maybe .300 blackout and the build class would assist in that endeavor.

 

You can learn all that and get known parts. Like you said, he has profit built in. Take the $1000 and have that be your budget for parts. Pull up videos, or talk to those you trust for guidance on the subject. You'll come out with a better AR in the end. He won't share the exact parts because then you could see how much of the price is not in the rifle.

 

Youtube & brownells

 

Truth!
Between tool acquisition, truck parts and gun stuff it adds up really quick.

Now having paid last months bills in full I'm tempted with this https://palmettostatearmory.com/armalite-308-win-7-62-semi-automatic-ar-10-rifle-ar10tac14.html, a good deal by all accounts. Then glass, then ammo and on and on it goes....

 

I'd pass. I'd have to know the parts list. Assembling ARs is easy. Just watch a few youtube videos and you are good to go with just a few tools.

 

As others above have said, easy to build. Honestly you’re better off buying a quality rifle, even lightly used, and go from there. Where you’re really going to spend money is in optics. Good glass costs $$$.

 

For 150 bucks I can buy a decent lower from PSA and for 5-600 I can get nice uppers in a variety of configurations shipped to me ready to go. The main value in this course seems to be having someone next to you holding your hand and correcting your mistakes along the way. It is not a horrible value to pay a premium for that if that's how you learn. But I would guess it's not how most people who are experienced with shooting and handling ARs and decide to build one for the first time will probably want to do it.

 

Yeah I've been toying with the idea of buying a complete upper for the conversion from .410

 

I have not contemplated building one yet. For that to be worth the time to me It would have to be a 4-500 yard shooter or a really heavy use training rifle I plan to be intimately familiar with. Until then I don't see the value in accumulating parts and shutting myself away from the family doing a build on something that's going to sit in the safe and only come out for a couple hours every few months.

Great, I've put together my special purpose flash dazzle piece with specialized trigger, barrel, space age hand guard. Everything in exotic specially coated materials. I might get out to shoot it in 3 weeks between the end of kid's soccer and start of basketball then maybe another couple months after that. Then After that it might sit for 6 months while other guns get use and attention.

 

440 channel locks and soft jaw tips for pushing in the roll pins

a vice and a $50 wrench for assembling the upper,if you haven’t bought a factory assembled drop in ready unit

wallah….:done

not worth the charge to take a class

 

AR-15's in 2024 are like the Atari 2600 in 1987. They're so cheap you can get one free with a fill-up at Shell. No way I'd pay a grand for one.

 

This. I'm old school.

I did online classes for a time, but hated it so I signed up for direct instruction and preferred that much more.

 

One of the best things about a new build is getting together with a couple buddies, having some beer and knocking out a build or two.

cost of build: $25 beer- sky’s the limit on parts.

 

No thanks, Fed.

 

Mr Jim Beam, Vices and ARs do not go together, but you use Vises to build them

Vice:


Vise:

 

Yesssss. The way I see it, the class will give me a chance to network w/like-minded folks.