AR-15 cost

N

newbirdhunter

New member
Guys,

I'd like to get an idea of what an AR-15 will cost me. Pre or Post ban, it doesn't matter. Barrel length of 20.

I'm trying to budget for it so any help is appreciated.

Thanks. :)
 
Howdy.

Well, it depends. A pre-ban will cost you at least $1000 for a complete rifle of quality manufacture. A Colt will be at least $1200 (usually more) and a pre-ban Bushmaster will be around $1500, give or take. Generally speaking, if you are on a budget, go post ban. The only reason to go pre-ban, IMO, is the ability to use the telescoping stock and flash hider. A 20" rifle is better with a fixed A2 stock anyway, and doesn't really need a flash hider like a carbine does.

Now, a post ban Bushmaster or Armalite can be had for between $700 and $800, depending on where you buy it.

If you are really on a budget, you can build a "Frankingun" like I did.

I purchased a Rock River Arms complete lower for $190 and bought a used but excellent condition Bushmaster Shorty AK Upper for $385, giving me bascially the same rifle I could have bought from Bushmaster for $775 for $575. I already had AR mags, which are pretty cheap anyway.

There is plenty of AR stuff for sale on AR15.com. Check it out. Complete uppers can be had for even less than I paid there, it just depends on what is for sale.

Hope it helps,
 
I just put together my AR last night... bought a stripped RRA lower at a gunshow a while back, $129. Ordered the Olympic Arms PCR rifle kit in the 20" A2 upper for $470 (just missed a sale that would have saved me like $25 too... darn!). All in all, right above $600 for the rifle. Not too bad, and it's pretty darn easy to put together!

M@
 
For a quality, pre-assembled, post-ban gun, $600-800 without a lot of bells and whistles (Rock River, Bushmaster, Armalite). Pre-ban will tend to fetch a $500 premium.

Frankly, unless you're really wanting to get into telescoping stocks or have some reason to desire a flash-hider, then you don't need to consider a pre-ban. $500 will buy some ammo and nice accessories... $500 will even buy you a good carbine or varmint upper to compliment your service upper.

If you build from parts, then you can save around $200-300. The only caveat is that you likely get no warranty, and you get no guarantee on the labor. It's not tough to assemble the guns, but be certain you know what you're doing or that you have a friend who does. Not trying to scare you... if you put it together wrong, it just won't fire. Still, it's your money.
 
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