just need some info

[rstbkt69]

I have been useing firearms for sport and fun for many years. I always think I have bought my last gun until i have it in the safe and then I dcide that I need another one and this one will be it. I have tried the search function but my search criteria brings up too many posts. So without further adieu I will present my question.
The new gun I want now is in the style of the Semi auto black gun . Please forgive me if I mix my terms up i really am just starting my research for this new toy. I have read about people building up a rifle and then there are the ones that just buy what they see in the rack at the gun store. Other than being able to put a rifle together exactly how you want with the parts that you specifiaclly want, what is the advantage of building over buying.
I'm looking for a weapon that I can swap uppers on. I want a smaller round to shoot for plinking .223 I guess. Maybe a 22LR. but I want to be able to step up from the smaller size to a more lethal round should I want to. So are off the rack guns more expensive or badly built? The other rifles in the safe are .308 and 30-06, bolt and semi auto. I under stand the concept of buying the best of every part and having the ultimate weapon for a while till something new comes out but is the effort worth it? I usually go out and blow holes in some paper or shoot the shotguns with my kids, I might invite someone from work to come out and shoot something. I'm not really interested in the 1 ragged hole target. I'm happy with the groupings I get with the M1 and those vary in size day by day. .

[M47_Dragon]

Other than being able to put a rifle together exactly how you want with the parts that you specifiaclly want, what is the advantage of building over buying.

Well, I think you listed the main advantage right there - the ability to build a rifle to one's exacting standards. Also, I think a lot of gun people are tinkerers... having the resources to build your own is an exciting prospect for those who like to know the ins and outs of their tools/machines.

Some may say building is cheaper than buying ready-made, but I think if you do the cheapest build possible, when it's all said and done, you will be pretty close to the price of the cheapest ready-made.

[Carbon23]

I've been lurking and wondering the same thing. Thanks for raising the question, and thanks to M47_Dragon for answering.

Until I have more time and money I'd rather just buy off the rack. Nice to know that I won't be losing out too much as long as I do some research.

[rstbkt69]

Yep I love to tinker, that's why I reload, much more than just saving on the cost of a round. I've been going back and forth on this just for that reason. Build one and then say O heck why didn't I spend 20 more bucks on this part. Or buy one and wish I had built it. I'll figure it out. just wanted to hear why others may have done it. The problem is i don't know enough about these rifles and I need to spend a while researching the parts. Or buy one . or build it, or buy it. For now I think I'll head to the range with my pistol.

[pennys dad]

Other than being able to put a rifle together exactly how you want with the parts that you specifiaclly want, what is the advantage of building over buying.

I become more familiar with the workings of the rifle, so i could execute repairs quicker. I felt no other benefit. I did get to pick and chose parts but in the end all my parts are manufacturer matches, so there was no gain there for me.

I'm looking for a weapon that I can swap uppers on. I want a smaller round to shoot for plinking .223 I guess. Maybe a 22LR. but I want to be able to step up from the smaller size to a more lethal round should I want to. So are off the rack guns more expensive or badly built?

I started to go the upper switch out concept for a .223 to 22lr, but i found the cost of the 22lr upper would be the cost of an S&W 15-22, plus I didnt like the idea of having to deal with a bullet button everytime i switched uppers. In any case, I am happy with my choices.

Oh and are custom vs off rack builds better or worse? I read an article recently from an avid competition shooter he described 3 recent months worth of pistol usage. In 1 case he used a well worn S&W .38 to win a match, another he used a customized glock to win a match, in another he used an out of the box glock to win a match and i believe there was a 4th match. In any case his conclusion was the gun will do what its supposed to do its up to the shooter to do the same.

[M47_Dragon]

I become more familiar with the workings of the rifle, so i could execute repairs quicker.

Excellent point!

...read an article recently from an avid competition shooter he described 3 recent months worth of pistol usage. In 1 case he used a well worn S&W .38 to win a match, another he used a customized glock to win a match, in another he used an out of the box glock to win a match and i believe there was a 4th match. In any case his conclusion was the gun will do what its supposed to do its up to the shooter to do the same.

That was Massad Ayoob in a recent FMG publication.