Cost Breakdown of My AR Build

[CK1]

I was able to gain a lot of info here when I 1st started my build.

Opinions on what's cool, what works, what feels good... everything.

So in an attempt to give back, below is the cost breakdown of what I spent.
Hopefully it will help someone else just getting into the game.

Link to my build & pic's - http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=247650

Cost Breakdown;
-From Riflegear-:
VLTOR - MUR 1A Upper -$219.
CMMG Bolt Carrier & Charge Handle -$140.
Badger Gen 2 Tactical Latch -$ 45.
Daniel Defense 12.0 Lite Rail -$332.
Midwest Industries Low Pro Gas Block -$ 40.
Smith Vortex Flash Hider (incl. Install) -$ 76.
Gas Tube, Misc. Labor & Headspace Check -$ 35.
10/30 P-Mag -$ 25.
Noveske QD End Plate for Sling -$ 20.
-From T&A Armory-
Mega Lower w/ Magpul MOE & Grip (incl. fees) -$435.
-From Bravo CompanyUSA.com-
BCM 18" Chrome-Lined Barrel w/ 1/8 Twist -$299.
-From Primary Arms.com-
PAM3M Multi-Reticle Red Dot Sight -$109.
-From Midwest Industries-
10/20 P-Mag -$ 20.
-From Calguns Member & C.M. Gun Show-
Aimpoint Clone 3x Magnifier -$110.
Single-Point Tango-Down (I think) Sling -$ 40.

Subtotal = $ 1,945.00
Approx. Tax = $ 170.00

Grand Total = $ 2,115.00

Holy Schizel!
Now that it's tallied up in writing, I definitely could have just gone down to RifleGear and bought one of their complete rifles for approx. $400 less.

Some of these items you would have to buy no matter what, but RifleGear and some other guys have some complete rifles in the $1400 -to- $1700 range.

There should always be a lesson learned in everything we do, no?

So would I do the build myself again or just buy a rifle?
I could have. I should have. So NO, I would NOT build again.
I would buy a complete one.

But hey that's just me.

I hope this post helps someone else out there.

[Swatguy10_15]

Yea one can get a stag or S&W MP for around 1100 around here..aye yi yi!

[cleanguy46]

I was able to gain a lot of info here when I 1st started my build.

Opinions on what's cool, what works, what feels good... everything.

So in an attempt to give back, below is the cost breakdown of what I spent.
Hopefully it will help someone else just getting into the game.

Link to my build & pic's - http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=247650

Cost Breakdown;
-From Riflegear-:
VLTOR - MUR 1A Upper -$219.
CMMG Bolt Carrier & Charge Handle -$140.
Badger Gen 2 Tactical Latch -$ 45.
Daniel Defense 12.0 Lite Rail -$332.
Midwest Industries Low Pro Gas Block -$ 40.
Smith Vortex Flash Hider (incl. Install) -$ 76.
Gas Tube, Misc. Labor & Headspace Check -$ 35.
10/30 P-Mag -$ 25.
Noveske QD End Plate for Sling -$ 20.
-From T&A Armory-
Mega Lower w/ Magpul MOE & Grip (incl. fees) -$435.
-From Bravo CompanyUSA.com-
BCM 18" Chrome-Lined Barrel w/ 1/8 Twist -$299.
-From Primary Arms.com-
PAM3M Multi-Reticle Red Dot Sight -$109.
-From Midwest Industries-
10/20 P-Mag -$ 20.
-From Calguns Member & C.M. Gun Show-
Aimpoint Clone 3x Magnifier -$110.
Single-Point Tango-Down (I think) Sling -$ 40.

Subtotal = $ 1,945.00
Approx. Tax = $ 170.00

Grand Total = $ 2,115.00

Holy Schizel!
Now that it's tallied up in writing, I definitely could have just gone down to RifleGear and bought one of their complete rifles for approx. $400 less.

Some of these items you would have to buy no matter what, but RifleGear and some other guys have some complete rifles in the $1400 -to- $1700 range.

There should always be a lesson learned in everything we do, no?

So would I do the build myself again or just buy a rifle?
I could have. I should have. So NO, I would NOT build again.
I would buy a complete one.

But hey that's just me.

I hope this post helps someone else out there.

I'm assuming that the Mega lower was a complete lower including LPK? What kind of LPK was installed? Judging by the installation of the flash hider you had help building your rifle which cost you a bit more cash. Next time if you have the wherewithal do it yourself on the build you can save money. With a little homework these rifles are pretty straight foward to build. Nice start!

[bombadillo]

And where are the pics of this build???

[PaperPuncher]

Can't put a price tag on the knowledge you gain by building a rifle rather than picking one up off the shelf.

Either way, nice rifle, keep shooting and thanks for the breakdown. This should really help some new guys know what they might be getting into if they are exposed to the BRD.

[CK1]

I'm assuming that the Mega lower was a complete lower including LPK? What kind of LPK was installed? Judging by the installation of the flash hider you had help building your rifle which cost you a bit more cash. Next time if you have the wherewithal do it yourself on the build you can save money. With a little homework these rifles are pretty straight foward to build. Nice start!

Yeah, the Mega lower was complete with the LPK, stock and grip.

What LPK? Couldn't tell ya. That's the one bit of paperwork I left in my rifle bag because it has the registration paperwork with it.

T&A had the complete Mega lower ready to go and I thought the $375 + tax + DROS was reasonable.

As far as the install labor costs... Riflegear charged $35 to assemble the barrel, gas tube, DD rail and upper along with the head-space check.

On another day, Riflegear charges me $15 to install the sling end-plate and the flash hider.

$50 total labor? That's like 30 minutes of pay for me. Plus I have a 3 year old little girl and a 16 year old boy. Feel me?

[CK1]

And where are the pics of this build???

You again, with the jabs about the pic's.

I knew you'd be coming around pingin me about the pic's so I linked this post to my original post from a few days ago that has the pic's.

Sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to make the pic's come up without doing the link.

So here are links again, just for you;

[zman]

The important part in building it your own (besides the knowledge gained) is that you can put the pieces you really like on the rifle. Throw a 2-stage trigger here, throw a FDE CTR there, and so on. In the end, it's something that IS you

I went on a similar route as you did on my 1st build. I am deep on my 2nd one now (4th EBR).

[WeekendWarrior]

WWRTW

[CK1]

The important part in building it your own (besides the knowledge gained) is that you can put the pieces you really like on the rifle. Throw a 2-stage trigger here, throw a FDE CTR there, and so on. In the end, it's something that IS you

I went on a similar route as you did on my 1st build. I am deep on my 2nd one now (4th EBR).

Yeah, I feel ya there and I definitely agree. Because you're right, I hand picked each item individually, and based each purchase decision on my own research, opinions on what looks cool, help from others here, market availability and etc..

Probably one of THE biggest reasons I would do it again this way...
I was able to spread the $2K I spent out over about 4-5 months, pulling from approx. 8-10 paychecks, and spreading some purchases out across a few credit cards as well. Hell, it's almost like I didn't even spend the money at all, you know what I mean?

When I 1st started looking at buying another rifle after not having one for like 15 years, I was looking at the Howa Axiom. It was like $900. I didn't do it cuz it was too much all at once. So there's definitely no way I would have dropped $2K all at once.

Plus I kinda flew under the radar at home with the money going out the door.
I KNOW some-a-yall feel there!

[DB2]

You have alot of stuff on there. Don't feel bad about the price.

When one starts putting out money for correct retro builds, you spend more for less. I just paid 160 for just a buffer.

[SuperSet]

Wait till you start banging bullets and then your initial $2K will look like a down payment

[fonionrings]

Usually for AR builds, the "saving money" part comes from a lot of patience and waiting for good deals or sales, while being able to put exactly what you like together. A lot of people with custom AR's take half a year collecting the parts to put it together, but end up saving hundreds.

[FlipR1dah]

Very nice...I'm thinking of going the same route as you.

Especially about spreading the cost (yes I feel ya! )

How are the folks at T and A armory? I'm considering using the billet Mega Upper/Lower.

[xxINKxx]

I dont think you could have gotten a prebuilt AR with all the goodies on there for $1400... Look, you spent 2k, but you got a dream rifle that will make everyone at the range salivate over. Don't regret it, as this rifle will always be your first, and you clearly started it out right! Now is the time you need to be worried about the cost of rifle #2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and so on.

+ 1...

Buying a pre built off the wall gun at a shop wont get you all the options and upgraded parts he got.

You wont get optics, sling, extra mags either which caused the price to go up.

If you woulda bought one of those rifles you speak of pre-built for $1700, add tax and all the price of the extra goodies you got on top of it. It would be at the same price as your custom built one anyways.