AR Question?

[GunFan]

I am a complete AR noob. All I know is I like the way they look. I have seen the discussions regarding build vs buy and have the following questions:

a) Resale: Is the resale value higher, lower, or the same on an AR build vs from a Mfg?

b) If I did not want to go through the process of a build and where looking for a the following:
1) An AR that is proven and is a good value for the buck
2) Easy to sell if I suddenly need CA$H.
3) A side from the best components and a "personalized" AR are there any advantages to build vs buy?

c) If you where in my shoes would you buy a used AR from someone that built it and what are the risks or would you by one produced from the a Mfg?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lucky7]

What do you want to use it for? And where do you live so we can recommend somewhere to check some out. But I would say buying complete would have better resale value but you can usally get one for less if you build it yourself that is what I did.
I would check out this rifle if I were you it is great quality at a pretty good price

http://www.riflegear.com/p-585-daniel-defense-xv-rifle-556mm.aspx

or this one

http://www.riflegear.com/p-632-daniel-defense-m4v2-carbine-556mm.aspx

[GunFan]

I own a couple of handguns in 9MM for carry and a shotgun set-up for HD. I'd like an AR to add some muscle to my collection in a situation like the LA riots and I needed to protect my property or business.

[GunFan]

Oh I live in the San Francisco Bay Area

[pacrimguru]

purpose matters a lot when choosing an AR build or complete rifle. i'm going to assume that you are not going to get all crazy and shoot thousands upon thousands of rounds every few months in tactical classes with this AR. it's more a casual thing just to have around and shoot a few hundered rounds a year. if that's the case, here are my answers. (these are just my opinions)

a) Resale: Is the resale value higher, lower, or the same on an AR build vs from a Mfg?

> it all depends on parts that are used. no matter what, you will lose a bit when reselling no matter if it a quality build or not. some will loose more value than others depending on the brand of the rifle/components.


b) If I did not want to go through the process of a build and where looking for a the following:
1) An AR that is proven and is a good value for the buck
2) Easy to sell if I suddenly need CA$H.
3) A side from the best components and a "personalized" AR are there any advantages to build vs buy?

> 1) everyone pushes BCM and Daniel Defense which are both excellent choices. i would look at smith and wesson's MP15 series of AR's as well as Stag too. personally i'd go with an LMT or BCM.
> 2) BCM's and DD's will keep a higher resale from what i observed. but cheaper items sell quicker so something like a Stag will fetch less money but will sell faster.
> 3) personalization is the biggest reason for building vs. buying. most everyone who buys a complete rifle will inevitably end up personalizing it and end up spending more than if they were to build one in the first place.


c) If you where in my shoes would you buy a used AR from someone that built it and what are the risks or would you by one produced from the a Mfg?

> if you have a friend that knows something about AR's and can check it out for you, i would go with a used one. most people don't run their guns hard or sometimes at all and you can really end up getting a killer deal on one. there are plenty of used AR's for sale that were produced from mfg's as well.

[--->RUDY<---]

im pretty new aswell and i was actually gonna buy my buddies off him he is in the military but after i saw how easy my other buddy built his i am just gonna go ahead build mine i think its better becuase you get the satisfaction of building your own...

but like pacrimguru said aswell find out if anyone you know has some good knowledge of them and they will guide you....

[aplinker]

I would say, $ for $, resale value is a wash. A custom built rifle with identical parts may sell for some less than a factory rifle, but the original price difference moots the difference. Just who built it can drastically affect the cost, as well.

In your situation, I would suggest a BCM mid-length complete upper and complete lower 1/2 from G&R tactical.