Guys i am new with AR-15s and am looking for a parts list to build an AR-15. I am not looking to build a perfect rifle just one that is good quality and look to save some money. I like Stag and Bushmaster if that helps. Thanks in advance for any replies!
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7376
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6642
For a first rifle I’d recommend buying complete rather than assembling yourself or buying parts separately. Do a lot of reading and searching here first before you buy.
Like Rattlehead said, for your first AR-15 you should buy a complete one from a reputable manufacturer. There are much better options than Stag or Bushmaster. Once you understand how an AR-15 operates then building your own can be a rewarding experience.
Bushmaster and Stag = :nono:
Like referenced above, read this and learn…
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6642
Justin
If you really want to build then buy a stripped lower and lpk and throw that together. Then buy an upper and your rolling. I built my first ar’s lower and it functions fine.
Nothing like some experience and homework. You’ll save a lot of money and heartburn over the long haul and enjoy it more. Take your time and learn all you can about the system. Most of my experience is with the M1 Garand but the approach is the same. Nobody knows it all–but today it’s a LOT easier to get up to speed.
Kulek’s book on building up ARs is pretty good but there are varying opinions on how to do things even among the experts.
If you want high quality you will not save money building it yourself. You can buy a complete lower and a complete upper at different times and save the excise tax which I think is 11%.
Here is an example of an excellent complete lower and what I would buy today if I needed another.
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LWR-BCM
If you click on the option for a blemished lower, usually a small scratch, you will have an awesome lower for $269. You can’t build (quality) one for that.
You liking Stag and Bushmaster doesn’t help at all. In fact, it makes our job of convincing you that those are poor quality and overpriced, and to spend your money on something else very difficult.
This forum is not geared toward someone put together a plinking AR. If you want that, there is another AR15 website that you should go to.
However, if you stick around, read a little, learn a lot, you can save money and build a reasonably quality AR-type rifle/carbine that will function reliably and last for a long time.
I’m going to second this.
Lately I have been noticing a number of threads about building rifles that seem to consist of “I’ve never done this before, why is this fucked up?” or “How can I have awesomeness with my pair of pliers and a hammer, and not spend a dime?”
I am more then competent with most tools, and have no doubt I could build an AR if I wanted to, but I don’t see the point at all. There are professionals out there that do it for a living, and actually stand behind their quality product. My time is better spent training and learning how to use my rifle.
Building makes sense in some cases;
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You have the knowledge and tools to do so.
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You want a specific configuration and it can’t be found online with flaming hoops of fire to jump through.
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You have purchased certain items ahead of time through a deal and you to add them to a basic gun- i.e. upgrade.
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You are an experienced AR owner and you know what configurations and options you want.
In any case number 1 is the most important. Because you can take 1500.00 worth of parts and turn it into a 20.00 piece of shit if you break and damaged stuff in the process.
Off the shelf get a Colt 6920, BCM, DD, Noveske or LMT.
There has never been a more true statement. Do as much reading and research as you can possibly handle. I speak from my own findings that will be echoed by many here…DO NOT BUY A CHEAP P.O.S, you will waste your time and money. Buy quality first and you will never look back.
Most. Definitely.
even though i to would personally go with that $269 deal currently, looking over at PSA a stripped lower and a build kit is $180. I have no personal experience, but have read PSA was GTG.(?)
building a lower is not hard and not many tools are needed. there are many DIY if you look around.
personally, i’d buy your first one from a reputable high end company.
spend the time familiarizing yourself with the rifle, and most importantly shooting it rather than troubleshooting/diagnosing random problems.
eventually you’ll find out whether the AR is the right gun for you and what fits your needs as a shooter. a factory high end upper (even slightly used) will sell for a much better price than a bunch of cheap parts cobbled together by someone who’s never done this before. you can then use the funds to buy/build a new upper that fits your needs.
if you end up hating the AR platform, you won’t have a couple hundred dollars invested in tools and other building supplies.
Buying an AR already built from a reputable company is the easiest and likely, the most practical and economical path to a reliable AR. However, it’s amazingly simple to assemble a good AR from the right parts.
Building an AR is like shooting it- It’s nothing but speculation until you actually do it. An AR, assembled from quality, in spec parts in a known configuration, using the right tools, will work.
If you want to save money, just buy one from Bravo Company USA. Skip Stag, Bushmaster and other brands of their like as quality control is spotty and can cost extra to get the rifle running as reliably as it should have been in the first place
Look around the forums. If you like stag and bushmaster look at the stag plus package. Bumps up the specs on the stag which should help it in the long run.
Personally I’d buy a complete(or complete upper and lower) from lmt, bcm, colt, dd, etc. That or assemble your own lower and get a complete upper from one of the above. You have some others as well if you wanted a high end setup for accuracy.