Build my first AR! - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Jason R · 03-06-2007, 08:17 AM

Looking to "build" my first AR, but I was amazed that it was going to cost so much. I want to build a midlength rifle. I was thinking of having Denny build my upper (Globaltactical.com highly recommended on AR15.com) Here goes...

Lower:
RRA, LMT $115

Upper:
CMT $99

Barrel:
Denny's Operator $280

LPK:
RRA + Magpul Enhanced Trigger guard $70

Trigger:
Tuned RRA from WOA: $120

Rail system:
Daniel Defense 9.0 M4 Rail: $366

BUIS:
Troy Industries Rear BUIS: $140

Grip:
Tango Down Grip $31

Bolt/Carrier:
CMT/Stag M16 Staked Carrier $130

Charging Handle:
CMT?? $20

Buffer tube & STock:
Magpul CTR Stock Kit $167.95

Flash Hider
Not Sure??

Total: $1558.95

Seems expensive. Am I spending too much?

I also can't find a damned RRA lower...or hardly any lowers for that matter right now. I can find a complete RRA lower with LPK and 2-stage trigger for $350 :\

bronko · 03-06-2007, 08:36 AM

You can definitely do better on some of those prices. The Denny's barrel seems to be a waste of $$$ IMHO. Frankly give Pete at Legal Transfers a call at 603-770-2281. Pick up a complete RRA rifle with a NM trigger then go ahead and add your goodies. I believe he still has US property marked lowers in stock.

Scott@Rockstomper · 03-06-2007, 08:45 AM

Local shop had Bushmaster, DPMS, and Sabre stripped lowers the last time I was in there. Not sure mailorder-wise. Looked at all three, didn't see any reason (and interestingly, the counterman was the one who suggested it) to spend more than the $105ish on the DPMS. I really didn't like the engraving on the Sabre (it's pin-impact rather than machined) but that's a personal preference thing.

Your parts list has you spending a fortune on all top-end stuff... you can get by for a lot less $$$, but you'll step away from the top-end components you're pricing out, and trade away some features in the process. So "am I spending too much" is pretty subjective... to get what you've listed, you're going to spend what you've listed, give or take a few bucks here and there.

TheRedHorseman · 03-06-2007, 09:11 AM

Magpul parts are gay.

aloharover · 03-06-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott@Rockstomper

Local shop had Bushmaster, DPMS, and Sabre stripped lowers the last time I was in there. Not sure mailorder-wise. Looked at all three, didn't see any reason (and interestingly, the counterman was the one who suggested it) to spend more than the $105ish on the DPMS.

Scott,
was this at Jensens or a place closer to Denver?
Jensens has the DPMS for the same price, but if you found another plce further south I will check them out.

aloharover · 03-06-2007, 09:22 AM

Jason,
why not just get a prebuilt upper from your favorite vendor?
Bushmaster M4 type upper is 600.
RRA has a complete M4 kit for $680.
If this is your first AR get something like this. Build it, play with it. Then figure out what you want to change.

TheRedHorseman · 03-06-2007, 09:30 AM

Or get an Ameetec one for $400, great uppers, awesome price especially if you order the complete lower a day or two later to avoid the excise tax.

UPPER Call them and ask for the chrome lined barrel, should cost you $30 more.

LOWER

Cheap RRA or WOA NM triggers

The M16 carrier is not 100% needed but it would be no problem to sell off the AR cut one that comes with the Ameetec upper and buy an M16 carrier from del ton or wherever. I'm sure you could always ask Ameetec to put an M16 carrier in for you, which they might do for cheap or free depending on if they have any handy.

Expect a couple weeks worth of wait on the lower due to the demand for them at that price.

Jason R · 03-06-2007, 09:32 AM

The problem with pre-built kits is that I have a bunch of extra parts left over...especially if I'm going to go with a Rail.

aloharover · 03-06-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason R

The problem with pre-built kits is that I have a bunch of extra parts left over...especially if I'm going to go with a Rail.

Plastic handguards and a barrel nut?

Jason R · 03-06-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloharover

Plastic handguards and a barrel nut?

Ok....what tools are required to remove the front sight and gas block, barrel nut, etc...?

TheRedHorseman · 03-06-2007, 10:40 AM

Call up Ameetec and see if they can build it for you like that, they have rails in stock. They can whip up just about anything you wish.

usmcdoc14 · 03-06-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason R

Ok....what tools are required to remove the front sight and gas block, barrel nut, etc...?

a hammer

aloharover · 03-06-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason R

Ok....what tools are required to remove the front sight and gas block, barrel nut, etc...?

Pin Punch.

Scott@Rockstomper · 03-06-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloharover

was this at Jensens or a place closer to Denver?
Jensens has the DPMS for the same price, but if you found another plce further south I will check them out.

Jensen. I haven't found anywhere closer to home (or to Denver, for that matter) that has any of what I've wanted AR-wise, and has been open at any time I can get there.

TheRedHorseman · 03-06-2007, 10:56 AM

Barrel nut requires a barrel nut wrench. Though I guess if you really didn't give a shit you could use some big assed vice grips.

aloharover · 03-06-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRedHorseman

Barrel nut requires a barrel nut wrench. Though I guess if you really didn't give a shit you could use some big assed vice grips.

Shit I wasn't even thinking about removing the barel from the upper

Get a wrench, they are cheep <$20

Jason R · 03-06-2007, 11:58 AM

Do you think I'm spending too much money on quality parts? AR15barrels.com quoted me about $950 on the upper using CMMG barrels and a standard bolt carrier.....

aloharover · 03-06-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason R

Do you think I'm spending too much money on quality parts? AR15barrels.com quoted me about $950 on the upper using CMMG barrels and a standard bolt carrier.....

No. But unless you are building a rifle to compete in High Power or a 24" HB varmit gun I personally feel like it's too much period. But that is my opinion, period.
If it's what you want the prices quoted for those specific parts are ok.

Jason R · 03-06-2007, 01:27 PM

If you think it's too much, what other parts should I be looking at???

bronko · 03-06-2007, 01:52 PM

Seems like your building more of a decent plinker and not a competition rifle so why blow the $$$ on bling unless you need to? If I were you I'd get the following things:

Flattop upper (mount whatever optics you want)
Yankee Hill flipup sights
16" Chrome lined barrel (contour of your choice)
Quality lower parts kit (RRA NM trigger)

And the rest really boils down to price. You can buy prebuild uppers from Stag or RRA for a good price and save some coin. That and the Daniel Defense Rail is WAY overpriced, Yankee hill makes some decent free float rails.

Redmist · 03-06-2007, 03:32 PM

I have a hard time dropping $366 on a rail system....

I have used plenty of the $100 YHM Lightweight rails and they are great!

If your going to remove the barrel then you need an action block as well.

Aron82 · 03-06-2007, 07:18 PM

To me that seems like a rediculouse amount to spend on parts for an M-4gery. I personally don't like rail systems, what do you need 4 rails on the front of your rifle for? Especially one for $366. The trigger price seems alright.
Lowers are all pretty much the same. I could see spending that kind of money on a competetion benchrest rifle, but not on a carbine.

Jason R · 03-06-2007, 09:21 PM

I'd like to use it for 3-gun...

So should I stick with a standard guard? Should I go with a carbine length rifle?

TheRedHorseman · 03-06-2007, 09:39 PM

If you NEED a rail just get the YHM free float, unless you are putting a light on there or a bipod(that sticks you in open class) then you are going to be just fine with standard handguards.

My YHM free float, rifle length on a carbine gas system. YHM flip up front sight, GG&G flip up A2 rear. Knights VFG, Pentagon X3 in a Daniel Defense offset mount.

bronko · 03-07-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRedHorseman

Or get an Ameetec one for $400, great uppers, awesome price especially if you order the complete lower a day or two later to avoid the excise tax.

UPPER Call them and ask for the chrome lined barrel, should cost you $30 more.

LOWER

Cheap RRA or WOA NM triggers

The M16 carrier is not 100% needed but it would be no problem to sell off the AR cut one that comes with the Ameetec upper and buy an M16 carrier from del ton or wherever. I'm sure you could always ask Ameetec to put an M16 carrier in for you, which they might do for cheap or free depending on if they have any handy.

Expect a couple weeks worth of wait on the lower due to the demand for them at that price.

Placed an order for two $200 lowers. Wait time [drum roll please]

May! [/drum roll please]

Still not to bad.

03-06-2007, 08:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jason R Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11598 Location: USA Posts: 6,062	Build my first AR! Looking to "build" my first AR, but I was amazed that it was going to cost so much. I want to build a midlength rifle. I was thinking of having Denny build my upper (Globaltactical.com highly recommended on AR15.com) Here goes... Lower: RRA, LMT $115 Upper: CMT $99 Barrel: Denny's Operator $280 LPK: RRA + Magpul Enhanced Trigger guard $70 Trigger: Tuned RRA from WOA: $120 Rail system: Daniel Defense 9.0 M4 Rail: $366 BUIS: Troy Industries Rear BUIS: $140 Grip: Tango Down Grip $31 Bolt/Carrier: CMT/Stag M16 Staked Carrier $130 Charging Handle: CMT?? $20 Buffer tube & STock: Magpul CTR Stock Kit $167.95 Flash Hider Not Sure?? Total: $1558.95 Seems expensive. Am I spending too much? I also can't find a damned RRA lower...or hardly any lowers for that matter right now. I can find a complete RRA lower with LPK and 2-stage trigger for $350 :\ __________________ This space for rent.

03-06-2007, 08:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
bronko Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18748 Location: Roaming the Northeast Posts: 1,340	You can definitely do better on some of those prices. The Denny's barrel seems to be a waste of $$$ IMHO. Frankly give Pete at Legal Transfers a call at 603-770-2281. Pick up a complete RRA rifle with a NM trigger then go ahead and add your goodies. I believe he still has US property marked lowers in stock. __________________ Bummin around in a SAS'd 88 Toy w/ a 3.4 :flipoff2:

03-06-2007, 09:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
aloharover Petty Amm Flipper Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14561 Location: Just outside the evac zone Posts: 15,932	Jason, why not just get a prebuilt upper from your favorite vendor? Bushmaster M4 type upper is 600. RRA has a complete M4 kit for $680. If this is your first AR get something like this. Build it, play with it. Then figure out what you want to change. __________________ Want to know how I lost 35lbs? Try INSANITY®. www.beachbodycoach.com/petermhope I love it when a plan comes together Colorado Springs, CO Based FFL-07/SOT Last edited by aloharover; 03-06-2007 at 09:26 AM.

03-06-2007, 09:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jason R Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11598 Location: USA Posts: 6,062	The problem with pre-built kits is that I have a bunch of extra parts left over...especially if I'm going to go with a Rail. __________________ This space for rent.

03-06-2007, 11:58 AM	#17 (permalink)
Jason R Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11598 Location: USA Posts: 6,062	Do you think I'm spending too much money on quality parts? AR15barrels.com quoted me about $950 on the upper using CMMG barrels and a standard bolt carrier..... __________________ This space for rent.

03-06-2007, 08:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Scott@Rockstomper Smores! Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1889 Location: Firestone, Colorado, USA Posts: 6,555	Local shop had Bushmaster, DPMS, and Sabre stripped lowers the last time I was in there. Not sure mailorder-wise. Looked at all three, didn't see any reason (and interestingly, the counterman was the one who suggested it) to spend more than the $105ish on the DPMS. I really didn't like the engraving on the Sabre (it's pin-impact rather than machined) but that's a personal preference thing. Your parts list has you spending a fortune on all top-end stuff... you can get by for a lot less $$$, but you'll step away from the top-end components you're pricing out, and trade away some features in the process. So "am I spending too much" is pretty subjective... to get what you've listed, you're going to spend what you've listed, give or take a few bucks here and there.

03-06-2007, 09:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
TheRedHorseman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 64421 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 8,192	Magpul parts are gay.

03-06-2007, 09:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
TheRedHorseman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 64421 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 8,192	Or get an Ameetec one for $400, great uppers, awesome price especially if you order the complete lower a day or two later to avoid the excise tax. UPPER Call them and ask for the chrome lined barrel, should cost you $30 more. LOWER Cheap RRA or WOA NM triggers The M16 carrier is not 100% needed but it would be no problem to sell off the AR cut one that comes with the Ameetec upper and buy an M16 carrier from del ton or wherever. I'm sure you could always ask Ameetec to put an M16 carrier in for you, which they might do for cheap or free depending on if they have any handy. Expect a couple weeks worth of wait on the lower due to the demand for them at that price.

03-06-2007, 10:40 AM	#11 (permalink)
TheRedHorseman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 64421 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 8,192	Call up Ameetec and see if they can build it for you like that, they have rails in stock. They can whip up just about anything you wish.

03-06-2007, 10:56 AM	#15 (permalink)
TheRedHorseman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 64421 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 8,192	Barrel nut requires a barrel nut wrench. Though I guess if you really didn't give a shit you could use some big assed vice grips.

03-06-2007, 01:27 PM	#19 (permalink)
Jason R Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11598 Location: USA Posts: 6,062	If you think it's too much, what other parts should I be looking at??? __________________ This space for rent.

03-06-2007, 01:52 PM	#20 (permalink)
bronko Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18748 Location: Roaming the Northeast Posts: 1,340	Seems like your building more of a decent plinker and not a competition rifle so why blow the $$$ on bling unless you need to? If I were you I'd get the following things: Flattop upper (mount whatever optics you want) Yankee Hill flipup sights 16" Chrome lined barrel (contour of your choice) Quality lower parts kit (RRA NM trigger) And the rest really boils down to price. You can buy prebuild uppers from Stag or RRA for a good price and save some coin. That and the Daniel Defense Rail is WAY overpriced, Yankee hill makes some decent free float rails. __________________ Bummin around in a SAS'd 88 Toy w/ a 3.4 :flipoff2:

03-06-2007, 03:32 PM	#21 (permalink)
Redmist Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Member # 43646 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,651	I have a hard time dropping $366 on a rail system.... I have used plenty of the $100 YHM Lightweight rails and they are great! If your going to remove the barrel then you need an action block as well.

03-06-2007, 07:18 PM	#22 (permalink)
Aron82 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 3000 Location: Seeley Lake, Montana, United States Posts: 442	To me that seems like a rediculouse amount to spend on parts for an M-4gery. I personally don't like rail systems, what do you need 4 rails on the front of your rifle for? Especially one for $366. The trigger price seems alright. Lowers are all pretty much the same. I could see spending that kind of money on a competetion benchrest rifle, but not on a carbine.

03-06-2007, 09:21 PM	#23 (permalink)
Jason R Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11598 Location: USA Posts: 6,062	I'd like to use it for 3-gun... So should I stick with a standard guard? Should I go with a carbine length rifle? __________________ This space for rent.

03-06-2007, 09:39 PM	#24 (permalink)
TheRedHorseman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 64421 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 8,192	If you NEED a rail just get the YHM free float, unless you are putting a light on there or a bipod(that sticks you in open class) then you are going to be just fine with standard handguards. My YHM free float, rifle length on a carbine gas system. YHM flip up front sight, GG&G flip up A2 rear. Knights VFG, Pentagon X3 in a Daniel Defense offset mount.

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