Entry-level AR, buy or build?

[robcoe]

I would build it, that way you get a feel for how everything goes together and you will have an easier time maintaining it.

For an upper, depends on what you want. For a basic upper buying a finished one is a bit cheaper since you don't need any tools. First AR I did I bought a premade upper, since then I have gotten the tools(not much, just a barrel nut wrench that matches the barrel nut I used(YHM for me, I like their handguards) and a vise block that will hold the upper in place while tightening things down.

[cc426]

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-ar-15-complete-blem-lower-magpul-moe-edition-od-green-no-magazine.html

Plus

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/psa-ss12g2-chf-16-5-56mm-1-7-mid-length-a2-profile.html

Palmettostatearmory is your friend. High end AR for entry level prices

[russ69]

I'm a big proponent of purchasing a complete rifle as a first...

I agree. You will learn that the AR15 is a sweet and totally reliable machine.

[gorenut]

Nowadays I say just buying a complete is better for a first AR especially since you're not 100% sure if everything on it is what you'll want to keep once you have more experience. As others have expressed.. you don't even save that much building your own nowadays. The benefit of buying a complete is that it'll be easier to trade/sell later down the line if you feel you want something completely different. Otherwise, you can always just buy/trade parts.

[bender152]

PSA is having a good deal on a rifle kit right now. $500

All you need is a stripped lower and a rear sight.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/16-m4-cmv-chrome-lined-premium-rifle-kit-2632.html

[ChrisBrooklyn]

Psa is your friend. Complete lowers for 200. Complete uppers for 400 (look for the sales and blems)

[onethumb]

My first AR was an M&P sport. Two of them actually, one for me and one for the wife. Great gun--easy to maintain and eats any ammo I can find without a flaw. Accurate enough for small groups at 100yd.

Now, we're in the process of buying lowers and building more. I'd agree with the sentiment above when they suggest that the first AR should be purchased. Put a few thousand rounds though it, take some classes, etc. That way you can get to understand what you like and don't like before you spend the money building. Then buy a handful of lowers before the end of the year and build at your leisure.

The other advantage to this is that having multiple rifles ensures you will not be left without one in future years just in case an overzealous LEO confiscates one on the way to the range, and they discover that it has been 'misplaced' when you try to get it back.

[roguedogue]

I followed the same route of buying a complete rifle first, SW MP15 sport. When all is said and done, I wanted to make sure that I had at least 1 working rifle. After getting familiar with it, I started my first build. Had some issues with springs and small parts flying all over the place and losing them. But it was pretty simple to put together. You can end up putting together a few lowers in an afternoon. I went with a completed upper cuz I didnt have a torque wrench nor the vise blocks

[Dirte]

Its a daunting dilemma.

I purchased my 1st stripped lower just a few days ago thinking I had decided to build instead of buy, but I still can't completely decide. I have seen a few really great deals out there on the S&W mp15 in particular.
Considering the build option, although I have ideas about some of what I want for upgrades, its all just from stuff I have read, my only actual trigger time with an AR consists of putting about 50 rounds through a friend's rifle. So I keep wavering between just building a quality one right from the start, or cheaping out to some extent now knowing that I will end up spending more money in the long run to replace the cheaper components. I have yet to buy any additional components other than the lower because I am paralyzed by indecision.

Thanks for the link to DSA site though. Hadn't come across that one yet, and those are by far the cheapest upper assemblies have seen so far.

[KLF]

I've gone through this---I recommend that you build your Lower, and buy a premade Upper. You'll get Lots of technical knowledge and the more difficult task of Upper Assembly will be left to the pros.

[Dirte]

I've gone through this---I recommend that you build your Lower, and buy a premade Upper. You'll get Lots of technical knowledge and the more difficult task of Upper Assembly will be left to the pros.

Thanks for the advice. After some more searching last night. I think that is exactly what I have decided to do. Now I just have to decide between the $300 one that logically, I know is probably totally acceptable for my needs, or the $500 awesome one that is what I really want. Hopefully the decision will come to me in a dream or something...

[glock7]

Thanks for the advice. After some more searching last night. I think that is exactly what I have decided to do. Now I just have to decide between the $300 one that logically, I know is probably totally acceptable for my needs, or the $500 awesome one that is what I really want. Hopefully the decision will come to me in a dream or something...

You're over thinking it. Figure out your budget, research, think about what you want to use it for, then order it and build it. Then shoot it. Enjoy! The biggest aspect to it is how much you want to spend. The rest is easy.