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Centerfire Rifles - Semiautomatic or Gas Operated Centerfire rifles, carbines and other gas operated rifles.

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  #1  
Old 03-09-2013, 7:16 PM
ColdZero916 ColdZero916 is offline
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Default How much is everyone spending on average to build an AR15 nowadays?

Looking at building vs buying complete and i wanted to see how much everyone was spending on average to complete their AR build..
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  #2  
Old 03-09-2013, 7:23 PM
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I completed my build in Feb for right around 1k. I bought all the parts except the lower post Sandy Hook, so I paid more than I should have, but I did ok.
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  #3  
Old 03-09-2013, 7:31 PM
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Talked to a guy this morning at gun store who just put his together. He paid 650 for a lower and paid 750 for complete upper at last Glendale show. Total of 1400 without any sights or optics.

Can't believe 650 for a lower!!!! 750 for a complete upper including BCG isn't horrible deal.
Prices of things are blowing me away, crazy
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  #4  
Old 03-09-2013, 7:39 PM
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Originally Posted by dtjester View Post
I completed my build in Feb for right around 1k. I bought all the parts except the lower post Sandy Hook, so I paid more than I should have, but I did ok.
not bad at all. i was in a shop today and they wanted ~$1400 out the door for a brand new one (forgot which one it was exactly).. i was tempted to get it.

i'm just wondering if i can also build one for around $1k if i start with a stripped lower for $180.
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  #5  
Old 03-09-2013, 7:49 PM
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Theres deals out there you need to find em,

Bought a new complete stag lower with rockriver LPK for $200 back in feb
Bought new milspec FDE ACS stock and FDE Miad PG for $100

all from a fellow gunner
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  #6  
Old 03-09-2013, 7:52 PM
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I just built my first lower today. I'm into it for around $400 (without tax and shipping). I got everything other than the lower ($169) online. I'm hoping to be under a grand when it's all said and done. Don't forget about the blocks and tools needed, they add up too.
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  #7  
Old 03-09-2013, 7:53 PM
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I recently paid $400 for a spikes tactical lower (their lead time is about a year out - super bummer) and about $900 for a complete upper by rock river arms. A pretty high end solution for the same cost of entry level rifles considering todays prices.

I'm making an assumption that prohibitive legislation will be a no go.
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  #8  
Old 03-09-2013, 8:01 PM
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I just finished my build for about $1400.00
Not cheap but not the run of the mill build either.
Bushmaster Varmit 24" upper, Pre Craziness Ammo brothers stripped lower $100.00
DPMS lowwer parts kit a Timney Trigger assembly
Rifle lenght buffer tube a hydraulic buffer, Magpul PRS stock, magpul enhanced trigger guard and Ergo grip, Millet scope with Burris tactical rings.
I think I did real well, but I had to do my due diligance shopping. Like an adult scavenger hunt with a credit card.
Next year if it is feasable and legal to do I will build an AR 10.
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  #9  
Old 03-09-2013, 8:02 PM
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Post panic I paid $550 for a complete lower. Upper I pieced together via Calguns for a little over $800. I could had done it for cheaper but I was picky with the parts for the upper. I assembled everything myself so add about another $100 for tools. I am happier having picked the parts myself and assembling it rather than buying a prebuilt that I wouldnt have liked. I just wish I started this 10 years ago...
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  #10  
Old 03-09-2013, 8:05 PM
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You'd be a certified shopping ninja if you could build one under 1000 and it fired real bullets. I think it may be possible but doubtful.

If you build with individual parts it will cost more as every individual part is inflated in price at the moment. Plus certain components are scarce like BCG, barrels, even stripped uppers. So it may be a long wait just to get what you need.

Buying complete seems like the best option right now unless you're halfway to 3/4 already. I built an AR for 1,000 in 2011, pretty basic mil spec parts. By the time I upgraded the trigger, hand guard, etc I could have spent 1500 on a complete.
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  #11  
Old 03-09-2013, 8:10 PM
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I'm currently at 750. That's with only a NFA lw-15 complete lower and a 16" BCM standard upper. Includes FFL transfer fees, DROS, tax and shipping. Not including ammo and mags.


Still need a BCG, hand guard, ch and rear sight. If I get cheap parts I could probably be around $1000. But my plans are around 1200
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  #12  
Old 03-09-2013, 8:12 PM
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You're gonna be hard pressed to find a bcg for under 200. I think 1200 is more likely for your finished price.
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  #13  
Old 03-09-2013, 8:14 PM
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Aero Lower 200, PSA LPK 140, BB 20, still working on finding a decent upper + BCG, or piece together a barrel system.

I'll probably be looking at 950 without sights or a mag, probably 1K+ completed.
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  #14  
Old 03-09-2013, 8:18 PM
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Around $1212 no optics not counting mags.
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  #15  
Old 03-09-2013, 8:25 PM
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Windham weaponry has barrel kits. Everything forward of the reciever. Quality stuff. In stock is another question
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  #16  
Old 03-09-2013, 10:00 PM
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I swore I would not buy anything during the panic, but I walked into Rifle Gear in early January to pick up one of my AKMs, which was having some minor gunsmithing done, and they were selling lowers, 2 left. I broke down and picked up one. So, as anyone knows who has ever bought a lower, you have to build!

Completed/Assembled Lower $450

Rifle Gear Aggressor Lower - $186 (Walk In)
QMS ALG trigger - $50 (Shipped ar15sport.com)
CMMG LPK (Triggerless) - $35 (traded for m193 556 at prepanic prices with fellow Calgunner)
Magpul STR with buffer tube kit - $125 (Shipped DSG)
Magpul MIAD Grip - $32 (Walk In Quantico)
BB - $20 (FTF)

In Progress/Unassembled Upper $842

Fluted 14.5" YHM CHF 1/7 Barrel with pinned FH - $300 (Shipped GB)
DPMS Barrel Nut + Vltor BCM Gunfighter - $56 (Shipped Midway)
Samson Evolution Series 7-EX 7" - $160 (Shipped Midway)
YHM Folding Front Sight Gas Block Combo - $100 (Shipped eBay)
Aero A4 Upper - $101 (Shipped Aero)
YHM Gas Tube + DPMS FA Assembly + DPMS Port Cover Assembly - $40 (Shipped Midway)
Troy Rear Folding BUIS (pre panic purchase) - $85 (Shipped Primary)

Just need a phosphate finished M16 BCG from a reputable company. Will patiently wait for a decent deal.

I'm at $1,292 the most I've ever spent on a firearm and I do not want my wife to ever see this post, ha! Just glad I had a lot of ammo purchased prior to the hysteria.
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  #17  
Old 03-09-2013, 11:09 PM
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I'm almost done, just waiting for my RGUNS bcg, if it will ever come!
Lower is a PSA blem, came to 110$ after transfer/dros, bought 3 at the time (pre-panic)
Lower parts are a dpms lpk, no name mil-spec buffer, magpul acs, and a BB, this ran me 202$ flat (Day 0 of panic)
Upper is PSA carbine premium or something ran me 400$ without bcg/ch, with a core15 ch for 18$
RGUNS bcg was 120$ whenever it comes so grand total:
920$

Last edited by moneymike; 03-09-2013 at 11:11 PM..
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  #18  
Old 03-09-2013, 11:18 PM
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lower from JD - 150
PSA parts kit with Geiselle SSA-E - 240
a2 stock - -60
RRA NM 20" upper - 700
troy buis - 100
JP brake - 60
larue mount - 150 i think
scope - 900
mags and random other little things - maybe 200 for a grip, 6 mags, solar tactical grip, etc etc etc

I'm well over 2k and counting, but it is a nicer than average build and not meant as a run and gun type of rifle. Without the scope the price doesn't seem too far from the average. This particular rifle was ALL built after the rush started, but by careful research and a little bit of waiting, I didn't over pay for anything. I lucked out on the parts kit being in stock and the receiver took about two months, and Larue had the scope mount ship the next day.
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  #19  
Old 03-09-2013, 11:26 PM
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I'm building a modernized A3 clone. I was able to get all of the following post Jan 2013:

JD Machine Lower - 140
PSA QMS LPK - 85
PSA A2 Stock - 55
PSA Rifle Buffer Tube - 20
BCM BCG (auto) - 225 (included NRA donation)
Rifle Buffer and spring - 20
BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle - 45
BCM 20" Upper Group - 460
BCM Carry Handle / rear iron sights - 110

I may also need to buy a handguard, not sure what all comes with the BCM upper group until I actually get the shipment but so far my total is $1,160 which I think is pretty reasonable considering it should be a pretty high quality build
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  #20  
Old 03-09-2013, 11:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rolex87 View Post
lower from JD - 150
PSA parts kit with Geiselle SSA-E - 240
a2 stock - -60
RRA NM 20" upper - 700
troy buis - 100
JP brake - 60
larue mount - 150 i think
scope - 900
mags and random other little things - maybe 200 for a grip, 6 mags, solar tactical grip, etc etc etc
wait what
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  #21  
Old 03-10-2013, 12:22 AM
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Colfax Lower - $110
Engraving $25
Milling $50
RRA 2 Stage LPK w/ Hogue grip $160
Magpul CTR stock kit Mil spec $160
Colt 6940 Monolithic upper w/ BCG $979
Eotech 512.A65 $455
Tango Down vertical foregrip $95
Surefire 951 Scout w/ pressure switch $150
Magpul 1 or 2 point sling $40
Pmags and other mags $100 or so

Last April prices.

Last edited by Zamble; 03-10-2013 at 12:24 AM..
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  #22  
Old 03-10-2013, 12:28 AM
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I just put together an early retro ar15 for one friend
Found a complete nodak lower $350
Colt m16 full auto BCG $300
M16 upper with charging handle , bipod , cleaning kit and adapter bushing for $600
So finished rifle $1250

Found all of it here on calguns


Last edited by weekend_plinker; 03-10-2013 at 1:39 AM..
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  #23  
Old 03-10-2013, 12:53 AM
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Helped another friend piece together the parts for His rifle
Lower He bought $250 with droes and tax
A2 butt-stock and buffer assembly , with lower parts kit and bullet button $160 Used in great shape
New Cmmg M4 upper receiver I had laying around $150
Brand new M4 16" Daniel Defense carbine barrel assembly with A post sight and hand guards $390
A2 flash hider $14
Rock river arms full auto BCG $250
Used charging handle $10
used mag I had FREE
unknown carry handle he found at a gun show $30
total $1224

His should look like this when where done with it.

Last edited by weekend_plinker; 03-10-2013 at 1:39 AM..
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  #24  
Old 03-10-2013, 7:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Mad Mule View Post
wait what
It's a viper vortex pst 6-24 x 50

As a photographer clear glass with good optics is important to me. Most budget optics just don't put the optical quality on par with my camera equipment, plus it's more than well made for what I want to do
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  #25  
Old 03-10-2013, 7:42 AM
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Finally just finished mine with parts from yesterday's gun show and I'm in it for about 1200. It still will get some athstetic changes over time but its fully functional and very simple where its at.
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Old 03-10-2013, 8:43 AM
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Should have made this a panic-price lowers thread only! People in here with lowers for $110 otd, pfffffttttt, come on, ha! That was actually a good price pre panic.
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Old 03-10-2013, 8:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rolex87 View Post
It's a viper vortex pst 6-24 x 50

As a photographer clear glass with good optics is important to me. Most budget optics just don't put the optical quality on par with my camera equipment, plus it's more than well made for what I want to do
Exactly, good glass makes all the difference. Sure, plink with a POS red dot, but save up for good glass. Wish I had some dough for a Trijicon TA11F....
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  #28  
Old 03-10-2013, 9:08 AM
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Originally Posted by RobGR View Post
Should have made this a panic-price lowers thread only! People in here with lowers for $110 otd, pfffffttttt, come on, ha! That was actually a good price pre panic.
When I was worried about the ban being rammed through I did find a kaiser defense lower for about 200, which wasn't all that terrible considering they were more than normal when they came out and they aren't made any longer. Now that my 20" is done I can build something else at my leisure.
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  #29  
Old 03-10-2013, 9:43 AM
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Pof lower with jp trigger and magpul asc stock jp buffer 650.00$
Larue stealth upper with Rainer break and 6 mags 950.00
Swfa 1-4 on adm recon mount with throw lever 750.00 nib

2350.00 total all done between January and February..

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Old 03-10-2013, 10:41 AM
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complete lmt defender lower-400
complete aim surplus upper w/dd middy chf barrel lwrc rail and nib bcg-1000
td vfg-50
primary 30mm reddot-70
magpul rail ladders-25
str stock-85
troy flip buis-75
So im in for 1700 all bought since January but its definitely not a stock build, the only thing I overpaid on that coincidently was the only part not bought from calguns was the upper which were about 750 from the factory, but with saving money on the rest Im almost even. I think in 6 months there will be a lot of stuff for sale cheap on here because people will be hurting. shooting is no longer a cheap sport and when people see there guns just sitting in a safe for months they will end end up selling them for a loss, sad.
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  #31  
Old 03-10-2013, 11:22 AM
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I did my first homebuild AR for $500, but that took some serious deal hunting. The one i'm building now will be $1k but it's an SPR, you can still do a basic build for around $800 or so.
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  #32  
Old 03-10-2013, 12:19 PM
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Quite a bit uggh, but I did go with premium to semi premium components...



All prices include tax/shipping/whatever

Dark Soul billet lower + shop time - $240
Type III Hard Ano - $50
Laser Engraving - $40
Bullet Button - $20
PSA LPK w. Geissele SSA-E - $272
Battle Arms Safety - $54
Spikes ST-T2 Buffer & Spring - $42
Magpul UBR - $240
Magpul MIAD - $27
Magpul AFG2 - $35
Magpul XTMs - $32
Accu Wedge - $8

Bravo Co CHF upper w. C4 rail - $867
BCM Ambi CH handle - $70
BCM BCG - $238
Troy Battlesights - $230

Total - $2465

Last edited by peacedivision; 03-10-2013 at 12:25 PM.. Reason: Forgot the BB.
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  #33  
Old 03-10-2013, 12:26 PM
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Including all 3 optics, $6,520, not including taxes and shipping or magazines.

Thats over a 3 year period of time too.
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Old 03-10-2013, 12:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ColdZero916 View Post
Looking at building vs buying complete and i wanted to see how much everyone was spending on average to complete their AR build..
The answer is a lot more...

Right now my feeling is you can buy a complete rifle for a better price than you can build one for (depending on the relative quality of course).

The really difficult and more important piece is the bolt/carrier group and quality BCGs (Auto Mil-spec, shot peened, HP tested, MPI) are in very very short supply. The grey market prices are around $400-$450.

Barrels are not quite as bad, uppers are around, lowers are in skimpy supply (but a lower is pretty much a lower). The problem is you kinda have to settle for what's available parts wize.

So if you can find a complete rifle you might be better off.

I had all the parts I needed for my last two builds except one BCG and one forearm. Ended up paying $439 for a BCM BCG grey market, and got lucky on the forearm $329 (below MSRP) for a Daniel Defence Lite 12.0 rail at SKD Tactical.
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  #35  
Old 03-10-2013, 12:55 PM
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I bought mine already complete, $1700. With optics I'm in it for about $2300. You guys have me wishing I would have built it up but I didn't want to hunt down the parts.
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  #36  
Old 03-10-2013, 1:01 PM
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Default $1,450 to $1,900

I pay little attention to cost when I am assembling an AR. I don't hunt for sales, but I don't pay retail for anything. Everything comes at a discounted price that would be available any time. Most of the components I've bought were purchased pre-Sandy Hook, but they are mostly still available at the pre-SH prices, when they are available. I have not paid any gouger prices, and I don't anticipate it should be necessary for the rifles I'm currently working on. I have to be very patient, and I am not sure what I will have to pay when quality bolt carrier groups start becoming available again, but there are plenty of vendors who have not increased their prices. You just have to wait longer.

I have finished three AR's to date, and they have cost from about $1,450 to $1,900 with no optics. This includes shipping, sales tax on a few local purchases, but no tools.

I am a lefty, so I have to buy ambidextrous charging handles and safeties, adding about $100-125.

I buy higher mid-range to lower premium parts, like Krieger barrels, Samson hand guards, and J P Enterprises adjustable gas blocks. The triggers on two of the guns are Timney and CMC, adding $177 to $200. No standard brands, just the good stuff, although not necessarily the most pricey stuff either.

A lot of "builders" will call me stupid for saying this, but I believe that you can't save any material amount of money by assembling a rifle comparable to the entry level, DPMS level guns. The only time building an AR makes sense from a purely cost standpoint is if you are getting into an upgraded and/or customized rifle, buying something that is not commercially available off the shelf. Guys who live in front of the computer hunting for sales, or guys buying used or from private parties may be able to get the cost down, but my time is worth something, and I can't see doing that at this point in my life.

Let's be honest. A rookie can assemble an AR in two, no more than three hours. I can't even bring myself to call this "building" anything! More like assembling. No offense intended!
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  #37  
Old 03-10-2013, 1:50 PM
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hattles hattles is offline
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Location: Fresno
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Default $1110 - complete

$1040 + $70 FFL/DROS
***RGUN upper should be delivered 30-60 days
***RGUN lowers expected 60-90 days
***ordered 2/14/13

1 - 133.00 shipped
RGUNS lower - TRR15 Stripped Forged Lower Receiver, Type III
Hard Coat Anodized - matte sand

1- 633.00 shipped
RGUNS complete upper - TRR15A3 20 Inch Flat Top Upper with Superbull Fluted Barrel, Free Float Handguard and High Rail QuadRail Gas Block
Handguard Color: Matte Sand
Receiver Color: Matte Sand
Rifling Twist Rate: 1:9
1 - Grip, MagPul, MOE, Dark Earth
1 - AR Trigger Guard, Enhanced,Polymer, Dark Earth, MagPul
1 - RGUNS AR-15 Lower Parts Kit-Black Parkerized Carbon Steel
Trigger Group

1- 70.00 shipped - A2 standard butt stock
+ 40.00 refinish DuraCoat MagPul dark earth

1- 13.00 bullet button
1- 70.00 ProMag flip front sight
1- 53.00 ProMag rear flip sight
3- 28.00 Thermold 10 rd mags(bought in 2010 from CDNN)

Last edited by hattles; 03-10-2013 at 1:57 PM.. Reason: add-on
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  #38  
Old 03-10-2013, 2:40 PM
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negolien negolien is offline
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I think mine ran around $1,000-$1,300 also sans optics of course. My SD3G and the upper were the major expense the rest was a couple hundred here couple hundred there. Don't forget most people have complete lowers hence the $200-$300 price point most cheap tapco stock kits, run around $200 alone.
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Last edited by negolien; 03-10-2013 at 2:42 PM..
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  #39  
Old 03-10-2013, 4:46 PM
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l3asturd l3asturd is offline
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Bravo Company Complete Lower without stock(with Prince BB) $420 shipped (Rainier Arms)
BCM BFH 16" barrel $350 (Calgunner)
Tactical Intent A2 Flash Hider $20 (Amazon)
UTG Pro Rifle Length Free Floating Quad Rail $90 (OpticsPlanet)
Daniel Defense LP Gas Block $40 (Calgunner)
Unmarked upper receiver $140, Gas Tube $13. (Calgunner)
Blank Ejection Port Cover kit $14 (Midway)
Stag Arms stock $20 (Calgunner)
Magpul ASAP $25, BCM Forward Assist $15, BCM CH Free (Calgunner)
2 10RD SS Magazines $40 (44mag)

$1174 so far. Did I overpay? Of course. I was actually in my local gun store when the news broke about the school shooting. Had I been experienced enough to know how that would effect prices and availability, I would have purchased everything immediately. Still need a NiBo BCG, forward grip, optics, flip-ups, and of course ammo.

Reusable expenses: $40 TAPCO Armorers Tool, $10 punch set, $30 Torque Wrench, I'll add more if I remember.
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Last edited by l3asturd; 03-10-2013 at 4:49 PM..
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  #40  
Old 03-10-2013, 4:52 PM
Just Dave Just Dave is offline
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I put my lower together for around 300.00 including tax and fees.
Right now I'm waiting for the price of uppers to drop.
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