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Thread: Evolving Cost Of Owning An AR

  1. #151
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    Quote Originally Posted by jastone7373 View Post
    Lol ya I guess it does all start to add up

    The only things on that list that I would consider "must have" is the Aimpoint and the sling. And you're completely missing a light and a bunch of spare magazines.

    The Colt 6920 already comes with a Rogers Super Stock, which has QD points and sling attachment loops already on it. So, get the Colt 6920, the Aimpoint PRO, a VCAS or VTAC sling, an Elzetta light with FSB mount (or a Streamlight/Surefire with an MI FSB mount), and about a dozen PMAGs, and you're G2G for about $700 less.

  2. #152
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    I ordered my DDM4v4 few days ago (this be my first weapon of anything purchased). It haven't shipped yet.

    I've already made purchases to the followings:
    • Federal XM855 5.56 1000rnd box
    • KAC micro front and rear BUIS
    • Magpul MS3 QD sling
    • Couple cheap goggles (offset shipping cost)
    • Knee pads (offset shipping cost)


    I think the last major purchase I'm going to get is just an Aimpoint Pro RDS. Or maybe the AP Micro T-1 - only if I find a good deal. Today I'm just looking for a good rifle case and some PMAGs.


    My friend had wasted some money when he first started out. Bushmaster AR and kept swapping out parts. He purchased some cheap scope he doesn't use anything. Etc, etc... I'd say just do the research first and get the good, reliable gears from the get-go. This friend now settled on the DDMK18 and he's very happy with it.

    For me I guess the only on-going cost would be the range, rounds, targets, cleaning supplies. I'm not looking into modding anything beyond the set I've described above.

  3. #153
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    Getting into AR's doesn't have to be insanely expensive, but I do admit, it's hard to resist customizing them.

    I don't know how most of the guy's on here feel about buying stripped lowers, parts kits and uppers separately, but I feel that you can save a LOT of money doing a partial build, if you don't mind having a different brand lower/upper combo.

    Right now SAA has a complete milspec lower with parts kit and M4 stock installed for $170 and I've seen quality uppers with free floated quad rails and other stuff south of $600. So for under $800, you have a working AR with a free floated quad rail (if thats what you want).

    I would change out the furniture for Magpul stuff, add a magpul AFG, Burris AR 332 optic, maybe some rail covers and a flashlight.
    "There is not one redeeming feature in our superstition of Christianity. It has made one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites."

    Thomas Jefferson

  4. #154
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    Quote Originally Posted by justin_247 View Post
    The only things on that list that I would consider "must have" is the Aimpoint and the sling. And you're completely missing a light and a bunch of spare magazines.

    The Colt 6920 already comes with a Rogers Super Stock, which has QD points and sling attachment loops already on it. So, get the Colt 6920, the Aimpoint PRO, a VCAS or VTAC sling, an Elzetta light with FSB mount (or a Streamlight/Surefire with an MI FSB mount), and about a dozen PMAGs, and you're G2G for about $700 less.
    Sure, a lot of that stuff isn't "necessary," but I really disliked the Rogers stock so that definitely had to go. Plus, i'm a southpaw, so the ambi controls are a must for me. I'm still missing a light on this rifle but that's still to come.

    Mags, ammo, and training isn't included

  5. #155
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    Quote Originally Posted by jastone7373 View Post
    Sure, a lot of that stuff isn't "necessary," but I really disliked the Rogers stock so that definitely had to go. Plus, i'm a southpaw, so the ambi controls are a must for me.
    Honestly, you probably could have saved a ton of money just buying the rifle configured that way in the first place from somebody like Noveske.

    And ambi-controls are not a "must." A personal preference, yes, but certainly not a "must."

  6. #156
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    Don't forget, sometimes in areas like California where I live, there are certain features a rifle can and cannot have. For example, in the configuration I want to run my rifle, I cannot have a flash suppressor. It MUST have a muzzle brake or compensator instead. I also cannot have a collapsible stock, pistol grip, or foregrip either. Retarded doesn't begin to cover it, but them's the facts. So in my case, as with any other Californian, or maybe even in other states, your needs and wants are dependent on state laws.

    In another example, I have to run a piece of kydex that covers the entire grip of my rifle, effectively turning it into a non-pistol grip. The only way I can practically engage the safety is to have an ambi selector that I can activate with my right finger, so in my case an ambi safety IS necessary.
    Last edited by ruchik; 09-07-13 at 16:10.

  7. #157
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    Quote Originally Posted by justin_247 View Post
    Honestly, you probably could have saved a ton of money just buying the rifle configured that way in the first place from somebody like Noveske.

    And ambi-controls are not a "must." A personal preference, yes, but certainly not a "must."
    While I would agree that they aren't a must, I spent many years with access to right handed rifles only. They do, however, provide lefties a a much more equal playing field. Especially if you've spent the effort it takes to train to their strengths. A must, no, damn great to have, yes!
    You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood for something, sometime in your life.----Sir Winston Churchill

  8. #158
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    1911 Analogue

    I went through this process with 1911's starting about 15 years ago. Dozens of guns went through my hands - factory, semi-custom, gunsmith builds, my builds. Carried CCW, competed and trained. Learned to build 'em.

    Then one day I woke up and realized that all I really needed was a couple of identical, squared away 1911's. Wilson CQB's or Springfield Pro's or my Vickers guns or any of a half dozen other guns would fill the bill for me. I knew exactly what worked for me based on a lot of use in competition and training. My desire for different guns just melted away. My desire to shoot and master the art was all that remained.

    I also realized after all of those rounds downrange that I could do what I needed to do with a Glock or Beretta or whatever, and that my preference was for a top drawer 1911 but my skillset was to the point that a sorted out tool was all I needed.

    When BRD struck recently, I realized that this process would repeat unless I just went straight to the endgame. Bought a KAC SR15 Carbine and dot optic and battlecomp1.0 and a new grip.

    Damn that thing feels right and just shoots.

    My next gun? Another SR15 configured identically. I think I'm done. Let's go to the range.
    Last edited by JiminAZ; 09-09-13 at 20:52.

  9. #159
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    Quote Originally Posted by matemike View Post
    I agree with the way the answers are heading, and will put it like this.

    I think the largest change in cost evolution of AR ownership is what you pay for your first rifle and wat you pay for your second or third.

    For many, their first AR is a cheapy Bushmaster, DPMS or maybe it was bought with some knowledge and it's a Colt. Either way it was probably a bare bones AR with carry handle, plastic hand guards and FSP. Most likely left the store saying to themselves "I'm not gonna change a thing. I just want to shoot it."

    100 rounds later they start to mod it. Optic, sling, quad rail, light, stock, new grip. Possibly it gets set up as a hog and varmit gun with a big scope and 20" barrel. Couple thousand rounds and it does everything he wants it to do. But it doesn't look right sitting bed side as a bump in the night gun. And there you have it. This seemingly seasoned AR owner now wants a costly new gun with rails, the right BUIS, everything he thinks he wants from the start. And he will SBR it. That's the biggest cost of all. The "next" gun. But it is purchased with a whole lot more experience and less modification needed for this more expensive, but one time purchase.

    Then they want another and another seeking different calibers or bigger brand names etc. That's the LARGEST evolution in cost of AR ownership. The purchases of multiple guns; however done better and smarter each time.

    I doubt many people buy another carry handle Olympic Arms as their second and third AR's.
    Sounds familiar.

    I grew up on Colt considering it was the very first rifle I shot back when I first joined the Army. Even as a young Soldier I would always mod my issue rifles as much as the Army would authorize. I wasn't a "gun guy" until mid-way through my career and I started out just like any other noob. My first personal AR was a DPMS, which I completely transformed over time, and ultimately evolved from there. But I think I went through every cost evolution you so eloquently articulated.
    Last edited by Boba Fett v2; 09-09-13 at 21:10.
    "People have always been stupid. The Internet just makes it easier for us to know about them." - donlapalma

  10. #160
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    It doesn't start getting expensive until you throw night vision into the equation. My main go-to carbine (10.5" LMT) has about $1k worth of laser and IR light to go before it is configured the way I want it, again. With the T-1, Scout light, and QDSS-NT4 its already over $3k; with PVS14 on a pivot mount (non-preferred, I keep it on the helmet) it jumps another $3k.
    Last edited by Turnkey11; 10-29-13 at 21:03.

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