AR-15 for under $500

[Hornett]

I want to build buy an AR but I am totally new to the genre.
Is it possible to buy the parts and make this happen?
This may have been posted before, but I did a search.
What are good places to get inexpensive parts?
Any direction is more than I have now.

 

[throttletony]

Yes, it's possible. Similar threads have been started, but usually after the fact.
you'll likely need to build all of it from parts, which is surprisingly easy! I just did it, and I'm a nerdy academic.
look for sales at local stores, psa (palmetto state armory), kygunco, brownells, midwayusa, jse surplus, etc.
th e lower receiver is the only part with a serial #, so if u buy online factor in shipping and ffl transfer fee (most shops do , 20-25 bucks)
Will contiune post shortly...

 

[Kutnupe14]

Yes, it's possible. Similar threads have been started, but usually after the fact.
you'll likely need to build all of it from parts, which is surprisingly easy! I just did it, and I'm a nerdy academic.
look for sales at local stores, psa (palmetto state armory), kygunco, brownells, midwayusa, jse surplus, etc.
th e lower receiver is the only part with a serial #, so if u buy online factor in shipping and ffl transfer fee (most shops do , 20-25 bucks)
Will contiune post shortly...

"Nerd academic" doesn't give too much confidence in how easy something is to do, lol. I would have felt better if you said you dug ditches for "ma and pa"

 

[throttletony]

In general, used parts are just fine.
if possible, i prefer to start with a NEW bolt (or bolt carrier group), and a new barrel.
here's a sample shopping list:
Lower rcvr - $45-75
Lower parts kit (trigger, extension/stock, grip, etc) - $75
Upper rcvr $60-75
Bolt carrier, bolt, forward assist, dust cover - $100-125
Barrel -$125-300+
Handguards - $ 50-100 (i prefer free float, $100-175)
Gas block, tube - $30-45

So if u catch sales or find some good, used parts, u can do it for just under $500.

Look for most of these items in "kits" that often go on dale to save money

 

[throttletony]

Also, sadly, you just missed some of the best sales I've seen in a few years (holidays).
Check big online shops around any major holiday also!

 

[mbills2223]

I'll make it easy on ya! Buy this:

PSA 16" Mid Length Stainless Steel Middle Weight 5.56 NATO 1:7 Freedom Rifle Kit


and one of the following:

PSA Blemished Safe/Fire Lower

Bushmaster Firearms .223/5.56 Lower Receiver




You could probably find a stripped lower even cheaper (Anderson lowers can occasionally be had around $40), but those are just what I found first. All that's left to buy is a rear sight and you're done.

When it's all said and done, including shipping and transfer fee you'll still come in under $500.

 

[CHCRandy]

ARPartsFinder.com - Find AR15 parts in stock now

 

[adws943]

Just finished a Frankengun. $370 minus sights.
Palmetto State Armory and used parts. It can be done.

 

[Hornett]

Thanks so much.
That's a really good start.
Ain't this forum great?

Where do you find used parts?

I would think the barrel is the most critical part.
1:7 or 1:9?

 

[TECKS]

go 1:7 if you want to pay alot for ammo (heavier). 1:9 if your cheap.... It will take a while if you wanna build a sub $500 AR. Psa will get you there but you have to watch everyday for deals. Ebay is a good place too.

 

[vwfred69]

palmetto has a 16" mid kit 399 just add lower

 

[RobbyMaQ]

Yeah, they're sold out of what I had bought a few weeks back, but they had the same kit (sans SS barrel) for 369. Blem lower was 45, and rear sight was 35. Plus shipping and ffl transfer on the lower, came out to $481 total.

 

[IndyGlockMan]

1:9 twist if you want to shoot 55-63 grain military and FMJ ball plinking ammo (which is usually the cheapest).
1:7 twist is for 63-75 grain heavybullets for hunting, precision shooting, etc... (in general) and higher priced ammo.
Since you are doing a cheap rifle, why get a 1:7 that prefers higher priced ammo?

You get what you pay for.
Buy an aluminum striped lower and plan your build from there.
You can build one cheap, yes, but you are going to want to upgrade it, so why not build it the way you want the first time?

 

[M67]

Since you are doing a cheap rifle, why get a 1:7 that prefers higher priced ammo?

For shooting steel or just putting rounds down range through a carbine, IMO you don't have to be anal about twist rates. It's not like it's not going to go boom. I have one AR with a 1:7 twist and 2 with 1:8 polygonal, all I shoot are 55gr FMJs, they do fine for what I use them for

 

[Notalentbum]

I finished up an AR built from the stainless 1:7 PSA rifle kit and an Anderson lower. I've ran about 400 rounds through it, all 55g stuff. It shoots better than my Stag model 3. I just put a Rock River 2 stage NM trigger in it Saturday and anxious to try it out.

Matt

 

[PGRChaplain]

Google is your best friend. List part needed, click search.

 

[Hornett]

Now, if you would, please explain the 5.56, .223 difference

Never mind I found it.

If I understand it right, the distance to the rifling is shorter in a .223 leading to higher pressures if 5.56 ammo is used.

 

[Notalentbum]

Also saw an ad yesterday from Brownells I think that had DPMS .223 with A2 style stock for under $450.

 

[Hornett]

I found this.
PTAC 16" Mid-Length 5.56mm 1:7 Upper with BCG and Charging Handle
It's ordered.
A local dealer has a complete lower assembly for $110.
So I have done it for roughly $427 shipping included.
Now the waiting begins...
10-15 business days before shipping.

 

[RobbyMaQ]

Don't forget rear sight