Why build your own upper?

[gsc3zny]

Ive seen them complete with BCG from $300 on up complete. Aside from enjoying the fact that you built it, why build your own? I have priced out the components, and the cheapest I can find is around $500. Unless I am missing something, for the average user,why build your own? Yes, you can pick and choose your own components doing it yourself, and yes I know the $300 units are probably not of the highest quality, but I am asking for the average user

[glock_this]

I love ability to pick exactly what I want from barrel to gas block and from upper to muzzle device & every piece in between down to my gas tube. Plus, then you get to own more tools & I love tools. Plus then you get an intimate working knowledge of this aspect of an AR.

But if you are looking at a $300 upper none of this likely matters as it's clearly a price thing then. Not hating, but yeah you'll save time, money, effort buying prebuilt.

[rvicta]

I love ability to pick exactly what I want from barrel to gas block and from upper to muzzle device & every piece in between down to my gas tube. Plus, then you get to own more tools & I love tools. Plus then you get an intimate working knowledge of this aspect of an AR.

But if you are looking at a $300 upper none of this likely matters as it's clearly a price thing then. Not hating, but yeah you'll save time, money, effort buying prebuilt.

For this reason. I am working on my 3rd AR and have yet to buy a complete upper and I don't plan on it either. I have 2 more ARs to build and the uppers for both will be pieced together. May take a little longer to get things done, but it will get done with the parts that I want.

[spyde12]

Ive seen them complete with BCG from $300 on up complete. Aside from enjoying the fact that you built it, why build your own? I have priced out the components, and the cheapest I can find is around $500. Unless I am missing something, for the average user,why build your own? Yes, you can pick and choose your own components doing it yourself, and yes I know the $300 units are probably not of the highest quality, but I am asking for the average user

It's like for those that reload. You are in control over which brand of components are installed and the quality of work that was performed.

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[762x39]

... you can pick and choose your own components doing it yourself, and yes I know the $300 units are probably not of the highest quality,...

I think you've answered your own question. At least you've hit on the main reasons why I do.

[cbright1]

I love ability to pick exactly what I want from barrel to gas block and from upper to muzzle device & every piece in between down to my gas tube. Plus, then you get to own more tools & I love tools. Plus then you get an intimate working knowledge of this aspect of an AR.

But if you are looking at a $300 upper none of this likely matters as it's clearly a price thing then. Not hating, but yeah you'll save time, money, effort buying prebuilt.

I don't think he will save time and money. After buying a $300 upper, you will want to upgrade the plastic hand guard for sure. Then you will want to add a nice set of BUIS. If your upgrade is a free float mid or rifle length hand guard, you will need to replace the gas block. After just these 3 upgrades, you will have spent just as much money, and the additional time of taking the upper apart before adding the upgrades instead of just going right to the assembly. If you go through all of that, you may end up replacing the barrel. Then for sure you have past the point of buying complete making any sense.

[glock_this]

I don't think he will save time and money. After buying a $300 upper, you will want to upgrade....

I might want, you might want, he might not care as he just wants a firable weapon no frills - hence the question. The "average user" may not care about upgrades.

IF I were to buy a complete upper, and I have in the past, I would be a high dollar upper, and I have, and in THAT case I pretty much got what I wanted off the shelf for about what I would have paid to custom built it myself piece by piece. In that scenario, with higher dollar uppers, you can sometimes do better or the same buying off the shelf. On a low dollar upper, not so much. But I also have never considered a low end $300 range upper. Heck, I have just actual "uppers" that could easily eat 1/2 of a $300 budget alone.

[deac777]

Biggest reason because it is fun! Most of the 300 dollar uppers don`t appeal to me. I like to assemble custom uppers.

[wpod]

Define "average user". Never met one myself.

[klewan]

If you have the time to shop for the parts, especially the barrel, you can get it together for a good price. Somewhere close to your $300. Then you need the tools, so that's an additional expense.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Because it's fun! And yes you can get close to the $300 dollar mark if you shop smartly. Or you can buy better quality components and spend as much as you like.

As for tools, most (not all but most) everyone has them in their toolbox. Yes a few specialized tools help, but only a very few are required for completion. And once you make the investment, you can build as many uppers as you want.

[bohoki]

the last couple i buil made cause i had extra parts like an extra barrel nut or ejection port cover

[Write Winger]

It ain't about the money; it's the love

[Kmai24]

The feeling you get when you put that first round down range and it goes bang and properly cycles and bolt locks back. You set your rifle down..take a few steps back and say.."yeah, I did that. Booya!"

Pure satisfaction of accomplishment of course.

[IrishJoe3]

the last couple i buil made cause i had extra parts like an extra barrel nut or ejection port cover

LOL truth!

"Dude! I found a birdcage flash hider in the parts bin! I totally have to buy a barrel, and upper, and gas tube, and handguard, and bolt carrier group, and charging handle! Hate to waste a perfectly good flashhider...."