How to build an AR?

M

Mercenary

New member
I have been looking at getting an AR for under $700. The models I have looked at are:

Bushmaster Carbon 15
Smith and Wesson M&P Sport
DPMS Oracle
Olympic Arms
DoubleStar

I have searched many posts about which is better and a lot of people have stated that you can build a better AR for that price.

So, I am calling out all of you AR fans and asking, If you can build a better AR-15 for under $700, how would you do it? What parts do you use and from whom?
 
I recently undertook this same project and am also "finding my way" as I go.
To start off, I found a local FFL to deal with, an honest and friendly guy I really like dealing with. Looking at a Spikes stripped lower for around $100 with FFL transfer fees.
Aside from that starting point, I have no solid plans as of yet. I doubt I'll really save a ton of money in the long run, but I am looking forward to the experience of building my own rifle from the ground up, and hopefully ending up with something fairly well tailored to my tastes.

I've been looking at options to complete all the needed pieces of the build from a variety of places...
Cheaper than Dirt
Brownell's
Del Ton
DPMS
Palmetto Armory
Yankee Hill Machine
Midway USA

At the moment, my biggest hang up is barrel. I'm having some trouble deciding. I know I want a 16" 1:7 or 1:8, with a low profile gas block or a YHM block with flip-up sight.

Luckily I am allowing myself a year or so to complete the build, so no rush!
 
Maybe start off by telling the forum what you want? Function, barrel length, optics, irons, etc. Just saying "build an AR" is pretty open ended as they cover everything from super light M4 types to long heavy barreled varminters.
 
My experience has been that you don't really save money building, but you do get the gun you want, as you want it.

So if one of the models you listed is exactly the way you want it you might as well just buy the completed gun. Of what you listed, I'd go for the Smith & Wesson with the Doublestar my next choice. And I'd forget all the rest.
 
Maybe start off by telling the forum what you want? Function, barrel length, optics, irons, etc. Just saying "build an AR" is pretty open ended as they cover everything from super light M4 types to long heavy barreled varminters.
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Optimally I would like to have an M4 style with the following features:

  • Quad Rail
  • Flat Top Receiver
  • Flip Up Sights
  • 16" Barrell with 1:7 twist capable of accepting a Flash Hider
  • Chambered for 5.56
  • Dust Cover
  • Forward Assist
  • 6 Position Stock
Other than that I do not know what else to elaborate on. Is it possible to have a custom AR for under $700 with the attributes listed above?

I have looked at the CMMG Uppers that come with a lot of the listed features. Can anyone attest to the quality of CMMG?
 
You're generally not going to save money for a .223 build.
We've got parts on the way for a 6.5 Grendel build, cost (excluding tools) will be around $1,100, which is substantially less than we could find one pre-assembled.

Keep in mind that it takes some specialized tools ($$)- particularly for building off a stripped upper.
 
Hard to get one of better quality built for $700 if you're starting from scratch. If it's your first AR, just buy a complete rifle and be done with it.

I do have some CMMG gear, I like it and it shoots well.
 
Probably not. The quad rail is an additional $150 -300, the flipup sights minimum $90 from Magpul, $150 for others. If you start with a $599 Bargain Bin gun add at least $300, you have $899.

Mounting the front BUIS on the quad rail makes it less accurate than on the barrel, as all the negative influences of sling tension or any pressure on the quad now affect the sight, instead of separating them from a barrel mount. The quad rail also just an expensive light mount - unless there is a major need for a large amount of rail mounted accessories, it adds weight if it's long enough to be effective. With ladders, a VFG, light, and sling mount, it adds up more than a simple composite handguard.

With an average 2MOA barrel, there won't be a significant increase in accuracy, as it's limited by the smallest group size the barrel will shoot regardless - 2MOA with milspec ammo. All the free float will do is minimize more variation, and with the sight mounted on it, the Point of Aim moves around separately from the barrels impact point. That only increases variation - not improves it.

Me, I built one with handguards and an FSB. I don't sling up tight shooting, and spent the money on a better quality barrel. Nonetheless, it ran $950, with a $79 lower and $48 blem upper. With a standard barrel, I might have saved $100, still shy of $799 and definitely no quad rail or BUIS.

It's not impossible, the only way to accomplish it in the immediate time frame would be buy used parts off an Equipment Exchange forum. New? Well, speed costs money, so a time frame of years might be reasonable.
 
CCMG, get the nitrided barrel in an upper, possibly better than chrome, and cheaper. OR just one of the CCMG bargin bin guns if you dont care about finnish.

Would be nice to have one of the "wonder bolts" plated to increase lubrication...but not essential.

Get a cheap lower from centerfiresystems, CCMG's lower and upper combo cost less than a completed gun...maybe because of warranty?

In any case you just push the pins out and stick em' together...very simple.
 
The Smith Wesson AR's had a rebate earlier this year and you could get a complete flat top upper AR15 for $599. Hard to build one for less than that. :cool:
 
If you're looking to save money, building your own AR ain't the way to go about it. You won't save any money at all if you use quality parts. If I were you, and I didn't have the money to build precisely the rifle I wanted, I'd buy one already made that's close (has all/most of your most desired features).
 
If you're looking to save money, building your own AR ain't the way to go about it. You won't save any money at all if you use quality parts. If I were you, and I didn't have the money to build precisely the rifle I wanted, I'd buy one already made that's close (has all/most of your most desired features).
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Not necessarily true. If you are willing to be patient (and spend a lot of time searching on the internet), it is indeed quite possible to build exactly what you want out of quality parts for significant savings. I recently built an M4gery out of good stuff (Spikes 16" carbine upper half with free-float quad rail, Palmetto State Armory lower, Magpul stock/grip, and Troy battlesights) for under $900. Any comparable off-the shelf carbine would have been at least $1200-$1300 or more.

At the $600 range, it is quite possible to build a very nice carbine using all Palmetto State Armory parts (upper half with 1:7 twist chrome-lined barrel, properly staked and MPI tested bolt/carrier assembly, lower build kit, and Magpul rear sight.) You just have to be willing to wait for the right items to show up on their website.
 
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