Rifle Build-Where's the Savings?

[williamcm]

I've been on the hunt for parts to build another AR as I am confident of my build skill, want to save the money, and get stay "intimate" with my machines. So far, getting individual parts will not be any cheaper than say buying a complete quality $300 upper, and sometimes just a whole rifle; factor shipping and everything.

Am I blind to deals or going about it wrong?

I work with performance bikes and get the question often about buying a frame and components being cheaper. I reply that only works if you are doing ALL the work, get huge discounts, and fitting yourself too. Otherwise, just buy the bike as is.

I mean, when you see quality uppers for $300, what's the point unless you are looking for something really specific? Does the price increase only when the upper and lower come together?

Forgive my newness, but every other hobby that involves machines is cheaper if you do the work yourself.

[Mitch]

With high quality, low price platforms like the S&W M&P 15 out there, I don't think there is a lot of scope for savings. I'm not sure people build rifles to save money anyway. I know I don't.

[krwada]

It depends

The primary reason why I do scratch builds is because I can get every single component and tricked out ... whatever ... that I want. I used to do this with bicycles ... then computers ... then ... firearms!

As you are well aware, you can get very good package deals, (cycles), at your local dealer. They will also generally throw in some goodies if you are purchasing one of the high-end packages too.

I see firearms much the same way.

However, if you wish to just purchase a decent mid-range package ... I can say that it will probably be more cost effective to purchase the entire thing as a fully assembled firearm. All the major players have very reasonably priced firearms out there.

Ruger
Remington
Browning
Beretta
Colt
Savage
Smith and Wesson
H&K
Winchester

Then there are the high end ... 'boutique style' ... by no means a comprehensive list...
Hill Country
Nemesis
Nosler ... Yep ... the reloading company sells really good rifles too.
Rainier Arms
Daniel Defense




To name a few

[desertjosh]

I dont build mine to be "cheaper". I build them for future insurance

[triplestack3]

Not really a savings, but you can build it the way you want the first time instead of getting a bunch of stuff that you don't want in a complete and then buying all the stuff you wanted anyways.

[mabilis_matulis]

Building for fun and satisfaction..

[glock_this]

I only build my AR's from scratch. I can pick and choose this way exactly what I want for every single little piece. I would never advise this way was cheaper per se, in fact, often more costly and more time needed to find what you want, buy, ship, wait, build, etc. as compared to any old off the shelf - I don't do off the shelf - model which is often more times cheaper and more immediate. But also, often less quality parts.

So, on a middle to higher end custom build to middle to higher end off the shelf build, I can often be at the same price - or even slightly cheaper - and get the exact parts I want. So, you might go find an AR similar in price and similar in grade BUT I got the exact custom parts I wanted while you got what they gave you. So, we paid similar and I technically got something with better parts or at least custom parts the way I want them. That to me is the key angle to consider.

I watched this happen on a buddies build this winter. Off the shelf he got a nice AR for $1800 which equals a mix of high, low, middle parts. I spent $1700 at the same time and did a 100% custom part build.

[cdtx2001]

Not really a savings, but you can build it the way you want the first time instead of getting a bunch of stuff that you don't want in a complete and then buying all the stuff you wanted anyways.

^^^^^ This

Do it right, do it once, build it yourself.

[williamcm]

Without taking up quote space, I get all the replies. It seems that unless you are looking to do a complete custom build, with a keen eye, parting saves you the time of having to replace any low/mid level parts you will upgrade anyway.

Me, I will always try to build as much of my projects as possible. Unless that bad***** $300 upper is still there next payday. That thing is sweet for my pistol build!

[williamcm]

^^^^^ This

Do it right, do it once, build it yourself.

...and this reason.

[jaymz]

$300 upper is not what most people would consider quality. A good plinker maybe.

[bohoki]

saved on government fees

[klewan]

I wanted an M16 replica. 20" barrel, triangular handguards, 3 prong flash hider, A2 stock, aluminum mags, carry handle sights. They were over $1000, if you could find one. I pieced together one for about $800.

[Intimid8tor]

Without taking up quote space, I get all the replies. It seems that unless you are looking to do a complete custom build, with a keen eye, parting saves you the time of having to replace any low/mid level parts you will upgrade anyway.

Me, I will always try to build as much of my projects as possible. Unless that bad***** $300 upper is still there next payday. That thing is sweet for my pistol build!

There is no reason to build your own $300 upper. It's also not what I would call a top quality upper. When uppers ran in the 500-600 range then there were ways to build a plinker for 3-400. There's no point now. If you want something that is better or more specific, then building can be the way to go. Just remember there are some tools required so you have to factor that into the cost as well.

[FML1982]

You can still build your own fairly cheap, just takes a lot of time to browse site after site after site comparing prices with shipping to see what you can get as cheap as possible using promos. Just got to be patient.