AR15 build vs buy

[avboiler11]

Here's my FrankenSPR that I bought the lower for days before the 2012 election and finished a month before Newtown. It was my very first AR15 build (multiple Savage bolt-action builds under my belt)

Surplus Ammo & Arms lower (Orion Arms)
Surplus Ammo & Arms upper (included free with the BHW barrel!)
Black Hole Weaponry 18" 1:8 5.56 rifle length gas HBAR barrel (SAA)
Midwest SS15G2 handguard (JoeBob)
Surplus Ammo & Arms gas tube, lo-pro gas block, flash hider & crush washer, charging handle, forward assist & dust cover
Palmetto State M16 bolt carrier group
Palmetto State MOE lower build kit (sold the MOE stock and replaced it with the ACS-L as pictured)

Not counting rings, optic and bipod the rifle as pictured cost me less than $900 to build.

I did add a Gieselle SSA-E which I got on sale for $185 shipped, so that brings me to just under $1100 for the rifle as it sits.

After some initial issues with the milspec fire control group (my dumbarse installed a spring backwards) the rifle has been 100% functional with my handloads and likes every type of factory ammo I've put through it except 52gr Hornady Steel Match.

My point? You can buy a nice rifle off a shelf or the web, but if you have something specific in mind you can build your own to personal spec for less money and it doesn't have to be any less quality or reliable.

 

[jonny4523]

I am in the same predicament. I posted pretty much the same question yesterday. There are just soooo many choices and soooo many abbreviations that are next to impossible to decipher. I had my mind set on a bone stock Bushmaster until I asked that question. No 2 answers were the same. I have decided to build mine the way I think I want it. I have about 3 weeks before I plan on buying my AR parts so I have been scouring the forums to get an idea on what I want my AR to do. Does anyone know where I can find a complete parts list of a bone stock AR15? There is nothing more frustrating than thinking you have everything and then go to put it all together to find you are missing just 1 piece of the puzzle. Makes me angrier than a wet duck.

UPPER:
Upper Receiver
dust cover (may come installed on upper receiver)
forward assist (may come installed on upper receiver)
Bolt Carrier Group (aka BCG, M16 (full auto) carrier recommended, bolt needs to be MPI, pressure tested)
charging handle
barrel
barrel nut (nut depends on hand guard selection)
gas block (should come with gas tube roll pin)
gas tube
hand guard
flash hider / compensator (or both)
sights

LOWER:
stripped lower receiver
lower parts kit (aka LPK)
receiver extension (aka buffer tube, depends on stock selection)
receiver endplate
buffer (type depends on barrel and stock selections)
buffer spring
butt stock
pistol grip (standard comes with LPK, but much nicer available)
trigger (standard comes with LPK, but much nicer available)
trigger guard (standard comes with LPK, but enhanced are available)
Accu-wedge (non mandatory, but cheap and recommended)


If you KNOW you're going with an aftermarket trigger, then there are companies that offer trigger-less kits to save you some big money. JoeBobOutfitters sells a triggerless kit made by JP.

 

[jonny4523]

I guess since we're sharing, here is my last build:

LOWER:
BCM receiver
Geissele SSA-E trigger
BCM gunfighter pistol grip, mod 1
Magpul enhanced trigger guard
B5 enhanced stock

UPPER:
BCM upper receiver
BCM full auto BCG
BCM charging handle, mod 4
BCM 16" BFH barrel, mid-length gas system, with shaved A2 pinned gas block
BCM Gunfighter comp
Geissele MK2 rail, 13", sand color
Troy BUIS
Aimpoint T-1 sitting on LaRue mount

 

[Amishman44]

What are good uppers or lowers?

CMMG has great components! I went with a heavy, 16.5" WASP barrel for accuracy...and it was well worth it!

 

[abedooley]

Thanks for the parts list Jonny. That shouls help the OP as well. Beautiful AR BTW.