Building a "budget" AR as a gift - input needed

[Pro2AInPA]

I'd like to build an AR for my father for his birthday this year. He is a pretty informal shooter, but loves to shoot my AR when we get together to hit the range. He prefers to shoot from the bench, so I'd be looking to build a bench rifle here.

The two components of the rifle where I know strictly trying to build it for as little as possible just won't fly are the barrel and trigger. So recommendations on a barrel and trigger that are decent but not Noveske/Geiselle expensive would be appreciated.

As far as the other parts (lower, upper, FF tube, furniture, etc etc) what are your recommendations?

I already have a scope that would be suitable.

[Wallyg8r]

So far in my search for the same sort of project (mine is for my son-in-law), I've found Del-ton to be the lowest cost supplier of barrels. They also have a decent trigger that won't break the bank, although as yet I have no experience with it. I figure anything beyond a stock trigger has got to be a big improvement.

Roy

[Pro2AInPA]

So far in my search for the same sort of project (mine is for my son-in-law), I've found Del-ton to be the lowest cost supplier of barrels. They also have a decent trigger that won't break the bank, although as yet I have no experience with it. I figure anything beyond a stock trigger has got to be a big improvement.

Roy

I was actually planning on using a WOA barrel, which is why I put the word budget in quotes . .. since they certainly aren't budget barrels! I just need to save some money on the lower and upper, the FF tube, etc etc.

[Wallyg8r]

Gotcha. I misunderstood what you meant. The barrel and trigger are good places not to scrimp if your shooter knows what he's doing. Mine is brand new to the sport, so he has a long way to go before he'll notice the difference. Untill someone can manage a MOA hold, they're not going to get much out of a high precision barrel. A good trigger is another story; hard to learn good trigger control with a creepy trigger.

[Pro2AInPA]

Yep good ol' Dad's been shooting for a long time and is a pretty damn good shot. He's just new to the AR scene. He loves shooting my ARs, so he might as well have one of his own.

[Wallyg8r]

Yer a good son. Hopefully, if I treat my sons right they'll end up building me a rifle someday.

Roy

[Adam_s]

What is your target price?
You can pick up a fully built BCM rifle for a tick over $1k from Grant @ G&R, and have one of the best AR's around. The DD M4 or Xv Carbines are also good deals/steals.

Of course, if you are looking to BUILD the thing, well...

Spike's Tactical is running a sale on lowers. http://www.spikestactical.com/z/inde...products_id=52
$89.95, and they enjoy a rep of being "good people"

Furniture: If it's not urgent he have rails, consider just a set of handguards. That will save a good bit of money right there. MOE grips are good, and fairly cheap. If you want FF, look at the PRI and YHM foreends which are just tubes, not actual rail systems, and also less than a good set of rails.

Trigger: I've HEARD good things about Bill Springfield's triggers. A LOT cheaper than the high end drop in ones as well. Might want to consider that before laying down the coin for something else.

Good luck with this man. I wish I was at a point in life where I could do this for my dad. I've just got another 2 years left of grad school before I have any free $$$.
-Adam

[Armati]

Have you looked at the Sarco parts sets? I have no idea where these parts come from the price is right.

[crusader377]

I would look at the S&W MP 15A at GR Tactical. If my memory serves they were around $850. I think you would have a hard time building a better rifle for that price.

[sewvacman]

Right now spikes has lowers for $90 and uppers for $125. I would get a stag lpk and send the trigger to Bill Springfield. Just my 2c.



ETA: Basically I agree w/ AdamS