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Thread: Build or Buy for SBR

  1. #1
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    Build or Buy for SBR

    I am finally going to be financially able to do an SBR this spring(maybe summer) which will be my first foray into NFA. I am now unsure on what direction I want to go. I have been for the longest time planning to build a lower, have it engraved, etc...

    However now with BCM and DD doing already SBR'd lowers for about the same cost as it would cost me to build and have a different lower engraved, I am at a cross roads.

    While going the Form1 route with a standard lower allows me to have the lower and shoot it with a 16" upper while I wait for the stamp for the SB upper, the lower is basically garbage to anybody else thus resale is non-existent.

    Going the Form4 route with an already registered DD or BCM lower keeps me from possessing the lower until after the tax stamp comes back, which kinda sucks, but resale on one of these lowers is excellent.

    I am most likely, whichever way I go, going to use either a BCM or DD lower anyway.

    So which would you all recommend with cost being damn near the same, but wait time and resale taken into consideration?

  2. #2
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    All of mine were form 1's, because I enjoy building them. Form 4's are slightly easier and have better resale. Both route's end with short barrel goodness. Make a choice and start the process. Then hurry up and wait on the ATF.

  3. #3
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    F1 it! Its more fun....
    FFL/SOT

    Chuck Norris has to maintain a concealed weapon license in all 50 states in order to legally wear pants.

  4. #4
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    Just my opinion, but I built my sbrs with no concern for resale. You can reconfigure the rifle into the "flavor of the month" if you desire. A lower is a lower it is worth the same amount whether it is a sbr or not; however you lose you $200 if you sell it. If you move to a sbr unfriendly state you can always remove it from the nfa registry by writing them a letter.
    If you have your engraving done by someone who is good, it can add to the pride of ownership to have your name on it... if that makes sense.
    Either way is fine, but it wasn't a big deal to me because I can't see a time that I wouldn't own a AR type sbr.

  5. #5
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    In my opinion building an SBR is the way to go. By doing so you can configure it exactly as you want. You can also get everything ready and have it at your house while the process is pending.

    I think when I was done building my BCM SBR, I had spent about the same as what a Colt 6933 would have cost, but it was exactly as I wanted (rail options, stock, etc...)

    I would never factor the resale on the weapon into the thought process. Though you could sell the upper to someone who either wants a different configuration or wants to build their own.



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  6. #6
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    I did a Form 4 (Trust) and my son did a Form 1. His stamp turn around time was slightly shorter (statistically insignificant difference).

    I have built (assembled) a dozen or so (non NFA) and he has built a few.

    He ended up with a really cool stick with options specifically suited to him, and not available from any manufacturer as a complete package.

    I found a complete package from a manufacturer that was exactly what I wanted.

    IF resale becomes an issue, mine might be easier to transfer due to the engraving. Based on current political climate, I don't think resale is going to come up in any conversation in the immediate future.

    Building your own is tons of fun, and gives a great sense of accomplishment. It also might be a little less expensive depending upon the parts selected.

    Bottom line - I'm very happy with my choice, so is Steve.

    I would suggest starting a worksheet with a complete parts list.

    Part type
    Manufacturer
    Supplier
    Cost delineated by supplier (cheapest location for same part)

    Just figuring out what you want is part of the fun.

    Once you get that done, find out if anyone makes a stick with your specifications. If yes, how much does it cost?

    Once you decide Form 1 or Form 4, get with a Trust Lawyer and use a Trust. It bypasses the CLEO, fingerprints, and photos. Clean and easy IF the Trust is properly done.

    If you go Form 4 - your NFA Dealer should have a "standard" Trust form and all you have to do is answer a few questions to get it right the first time. That also bypasses the Lawyer.

    Sorry to ramble on, hope this helped some.
    NRA Benefactor Life Member
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    "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on."

    John Wayne - "The Shootist"

  7. #7
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    Thanks for the input.

    I am talking about a lower only not a complete gun. I will build the upper how I want it built.

    I would be using a DD or BCM lower anyway so that is why I ask about using one of their form 4 lowers already. The only thing I would change on either would be the stock, but the one I want is just a quick swap away anyway from the normal M4 stock.

    So if I got a BCM regular lower for 340, I would still have to send it out for engraving at a cost of maybe another 100 bucks. If I buy one of their Form4 lowers for 380 I actually save money.

    If I buy a stripped DD lower I would be using one of Grants parts kits. Again it would probably come out about the same or slightly cheaper to go with one of their Form4 lowers already built up(I dont know what the pricing on their SBR lowers is).

    Jerry R: Cant use a trust in Missouri since I have to hold an FFL(C&R suffices) and a trust can not hold an FFL. I am going the corporation route though to hold the FFL. It does the same thing.

  8. #8
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    Last I heard, Grant does not have any BCM SBR lowers. (just asked him that question last week)

    I am looking at picking up a stripped DD SBR lower and building with a G&R parts kit. I can get the lower for 1 1/2 times the price of a standard lower and I am confident that it will be cheaper than having one engraved.

    That is the route I am planning to go.

    Buckaroo
    "It is better to be a Warrior in a Garden than a Gardner in a War"
    Let's use the First Amendment to protect the Second so we can avoid using the Second to protect the First.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Buckaroo View Post
    Last I heard, Grant does not have any BCM SBR lowers. (just asked him that question last week)

    I am looking at picking up a stripped DD SBR lower and building with a G&R parts kit. I can get the lower for 1 1/2 times the price of a standard lower and I am confident that it will be cheaper than having one engraved.

    That is the route I am planning to go.

    Buckaroo
    Oh, hes got the BCM's on his site, usually if things are sold out it says so on his site(he pretty good about it).

    Did not know DD was offering stripped SBR lowers. That might be a way to go. Does Grant have to special order those?

    I am not going to be able to get this project started till probably March or April so I have a bit of time to look things over anyway.

    I think I need ~500 set aside to:
    1. get a stripped lower and have it engraved(or buy a DD stripped SBR lower)
    2. get my corporation setup($50)
    3. get my C&R($30)
    4. apply for my tax stamp($200)

    Or probably another 200 on top of that to buy a built SBR lower from either DD or BCM.

  10. #10
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    form 1 it....and on a side note, you can always have it removed from the NFA list latter down the line for whatever reason if you want to....and yes, the upper would need to be sold before hand.

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