Which is cheaper?

[cgrubb1]

Going to start a build soon hopefully. $$ is an issue at the moment. Trying to figure out which way is cheaper. To buy a complete lower or build it. Price really looks about same by the time you buy lower reciever, LPK, buffer tube and spring and stock. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

[USGILT]

There are definitely some great deals out there on high quality parts you just have to search for them. Personally I enjoyed assembling my AR-15 from the bottom up myself. Using the correct tools for little cost with the right guidance you can save yourself quite a bit by assembling your rifle exactly how you want it and get the self-satisfaction that you did it yourself.

USGILT

[USGILT]

Brownells.com has an excellent and more importantly "FREE" How to Build An AR-15 – Complete Video Series which is well worth checking out. It is a step by step detailed build assembly from the bottom up.

USGILT

[cgrubb1]

I have been checking around several places. I feel confident I can put the lower together with the help of the videos and this forum if need be. Where has the best price on LPK's? This would be an all purpose rifle. Not needed anything super tough or fancy, just for home defense, farm gun for the occasional coyote, target practice etc. I was thinking about a spikes stripped lower, magpul MOE stock and pistol grip (flat dark earth) BCM BCG. Still conflicted for the upper. I was thinking about the spikes upper assembly, it seems to have all the qualifications of an LMT or BCM but a little cheaper. I have also thought about the new DSA upper. quite a bit cheaper, but its only 1:9 is making me question that. Does this sound a decent rifle for about as cheap as possible, or is there another way I should go?

[the_fallguy]

I enjoy building my own, but remember that the expense of getting the proper tools offsets the cost somewhat. Also, with the current holiday sale that BCM is running I think it would be insane not to go with them for a build. If I had the extra $ lying around I would get another upper just to set aside.

[cgrubb1]

There would be several hundred dollars difference between the bcm upper and the dsa upper. I know the bcm is far superior, but like I said I'm on a budget, and can't quite afford the bcm.

[the_fallguy]

I don't want to beat a dead horse here or pressure you to get something you don't want; I just wish somebody would have given me this advice before I spent my money the first time around:

The cheapest DSA I found was $265, and the BCM is $425 right now. That's a $160 difference, which is miniscule when you consider the cost of the rifle when compared to the cost of ammo, training, etc..

I totally get where you're coming from; I started with a midlength Del-Ton upper. It was what I could afford, and BCM wasn't available at the time. I replaced it this fall with a BCM upper and I am totally impressed. The stock midlength BCM out-shoots the free floated DTI 1 in 9 (even with 55 and 62 gr. ammo), is lighter weight, and it eats reloads that the Del-Ton couldn't even hand cycle (that had to be aggressively mortared to eject even after firing). Along with the better performance, I have full confidence in the BCM knowing that the chamber is truly 5.56, it has the 1 in 7 twist (which you expressed as a concern), and the parts are made/assembled according to the TDP. Having total confidence in the platform is well worth the price difference to me. -


Getting back to your other comments, I really like the MOE gear from Magpul. In fact, I like the MOE grip better than the MIAD or the Tango Down (Area 51 Tactical has them right now for an excellent price with free shipping as a side note). My wife has the MOE stock on her Stag M4 and it is totally functional, completely comfortable, and more stable than the original M4 stock that started out on her carbine. For the money I don't think you can beat the MOE furniture.

Grant at G&R looks to have the best deal on LPK's right now - http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=GRT-LPK
He has a good reputation with the folks around here, plus you can get the other parts that you need without ending up with unwanted extras like the A2 grip and 6 position stock.

Finally, occasionally you can find a real steal on gunbroker with a lower that is already build with the parts you want selling for less than it's worth due to the over-saturated AR market right now. I would have a good look there before I committed to getting any individual parts.

[C4IGrant]

Going to start a build soon hopefully. $$ is an issue at the moment. Trying to figure out which way is cheaper. To buy a complete lower or build it. Price really looks about same by the time you buy lower reciever, LPK, buffer tube and spring and stock. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Depends. Some manufacturers (like RRA) over price their lowers and uppers so it is actually cheaper to buy a complete weapon and pay FET.

The best values will generally be in buying an LMT or BCM in parts (upper, lower and BCG seperate).

If you feel that you are going to change everything on the lower (for instance), buy a stripped one, a LPK and the RE, spring, buffer stock, etc.

C4

[C4IGrant]

I have been checking around several places. I feel confident I can put the lower together with the help of the videos and this forum if need be. Where has the best price on LPK's? This would be an all purpose rifle. Not needed anything super tough or fancy, just for home defense, farm gun for the occasional coyote, target practice etc. I was thinking about a spikes stripped lower, magpul MOE stock and pistol grip (flat dark earth) BCM BCG. Still conflicted for the upper. I was thinking about the spikes upper assembly, it seems to have all the qualifications of an LMT or BCM but a little cheaper. I have also thought about the new DSA upper. quite a bit cheaper, but its only 1:9 is making me question that. Does this sound a decent rifle for about as cheap as possible, or is there another way I should go?

When talking about using a weapon as a defensive tool, do NOT go for the "cheapest."

Buy quality.


C4

[cgrubb1]

When talking about using a weapon as a defensive tool, do NOT go for the "cheapest."

Buy quality.


C4

What I meant by that was the cheapest good quality. I don't want a cheap rifle but a good rifle for the best price. I had rather get a cheaper lower and lpk and spend the money saved on a better quality bcg and upper.