View Full Version : complete rifle or kit?
I want to purchase a new rifle. Is it cheaper to buy a complete rifle, or do I buy a kit, and a lower and build it my self? Suggestions on rifles and parts would be great. Want a 5.56 with a 16" bbl, 1x7, or 1x9. Nothing fancy, will be used as a patrol rifle.
Kits are naturally cheaper. If you stay within a single mfg's product line it's cheaper to but the upper and lower separately than to buy a complete rifle.
My advice -- get a quality lower, either assembled or in kit form. Mate it with a BCM upper and one of their LMT or CMT BCGs.
My advice is to buy a quality complete lower w/o buttstock. Then watch the Equipment Exchange Forum on AR15.com. Get the remaining pieces there that fit your needs. Give it a few days and you'll see just about every item imaginable come through (many times in new or like-new condition) at some pretty good prices!!!
My first choice would be to purchase a complete, NIB, Colt 6920.
If you can't find one then I would suggest either a LMT upper and lower half or an LMT lower and a BCM upper receiver.
Contact Bravo Company here on the boards if you're interested in one of his uppers and see Denny about either a LMT lower or one of his lowers.
Those choices are top of the line in my opinion.
Any reasonably competent amatuer gunsmith can build one of these things, and if you use good parts it will even run. Ditto on the BCM/CMT upper, with a CMT MPI BCG. You now have the equivalent to a Colt. Add to that a GTS/CMT lower and parts kit, buttstock and rail of your choice and you are in bidness. This build with a MI #17 rail, Vltor modstock, MI BUIS would run about $1100.00. A little bit more than some kits but I believe this is about the best stock M-4 build you can make. A nice EOTech for around $425.00. Sling, Blue Force, Specter, etc. $25.00-$35.00. Tac light w/mount, Surefire, Pentagon, etc. $175.00-$250.00. VFG, $30.00-$60.00. Complete package: $1800.00+
You might notice that a complete Colt rifle is not much higher than the build I recommend. True, but it's tough to get a 14.5" bbl; most of their builds are 16" bbls. And I personally don't care for their oversized pins, reciever blocks, neutered bolt carriers, etc. YMMV.
Any reasonably competent amatuer gunsmith can build one of these things, and if you use good parts it will even run.
Classic!:p
ChromeLined
08-12-06, 18:20
Check out stag arms complete kits for $629 includes the complet upper thats a flat top with BUIS,M4 handguards and a 16" M4 profile 1x9 chrome lined barrel and all the parts minus the lower.With a $100 or cheaper forged stag lower thats machined by CMT you can build a field gragde rifle for like $755.
Good advice by all. I much prefer to build my own weapons from the group up because that way I know exactly what is in them!
So here is my list of components for a high quality/reliable weapon:
BCM upper (1st choice) LMT upper
LMT lower (1st choice) Stag/GTS/Noveske lower
VLTOR or Magpul CTR stock
CMT 6 Position Receiver Extension
ISMI CS buffer spring
CMT H2 buffer
CMT M16 BCG w/MP tested bolt (make sure it is properly staked)
TROY BUIS (1st choice) or ARMS #40L-SP
CMT CH
PRI Military Latch
Hand guards (rail systems) are subjective so I won't go into that
The above weapon is better than any 6920 IMHO as you are using better components for less money.
C4
ChromeLined
08-12-06, 19:28
I love CMT stuff great quality at a great price.eaglefirearms in colorado uses alot of their parts that go nameless to offer a cheaper price.:D
Firearms dealer/gunsmith comment about us mere amatuers building these weapons: "classic" x 2.
Building a kit is generally cheaper. We sell a base kit for $460, and you can find stripped lowers for around 125. Check the website for a downloadable pdf catalog of our products. Call me if you have any questions. 859 745 1757
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