AR15 Buy vs Build

giggitygiggity

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This is not a question as to whether I should buy or build an AR15 as I have about a dozen AR15s, some of which I have put together from parts, others that I have pinned a complete upper to a lower, and others that I have bought as complete rifles. I am curious to hear everyone's point of view. I've seen some prominent people talk about how you should always buy complete rifles because putting your own together will result in unreliable rifles and issues. While I agree that there are advantages to buying complete rifles (no tools required, warranty, etc), I think there are just as many, if not more, advantages to putting your own AR together. For instance, you have the ability to select each and every part and design and put together a rifle that you want from ground up. Whether you want the cheapest rifle possible, a super fancy rifle, or something in between, you can make it happen. I tend to believe that most unreliability in builds come from poor assembly processes vice out-of-spec parts. I've had excellent reliability and accuracy with builds that I made from super inexpensive parts (total cost under $350). However, when putting them together, I ensured that I assembled the parts properly (used Aeroshell grease when installing the barrel, torqued the barrel to spec, ensured the gas block was centered over the gas hole, used Locktite on screws, etc). It is often the little things that will cause problems in ARs... didn't use Locktite on the gas block screws so they backed out and the gas block shifted on the barrel so the gas port is now blocked and gases cannot enter the gas block and gas tube. A buffer is too heavy so the bolt carrier group cannot move far enough back in order to pickup a new round from the magazine. Etc, etc. It is my belief that, in most cases, even with super cheap parts, you can build a reliable and accurate rifle so long as you maintain good technique when assembling. Just my thoughts. I'd love to hear your's.
 
I'm a tinkerer, so I build them. As you said, I also think most problems are do to the workmanship issues. I've made some with expensive part, made a bunch with cheap parts. My personal favorite, that I would stake my life on, is my 7.5in shorty. Made with cheap/middle of the road, PSA and Anderson parts. Did 100% of the assembly myself, I've shot the hell out of it without a hiccup. Never been cleaned, give the BCG a little oil now and then, and just shoot it. The only one I have ever had any issues with is a 10.5in 300BO, and on that one I bet with 100% certainty, that it is an ammo issue. I haven't shot it much at all, have only shot one brand of cheap ammo through it, just haven't had the time to mess with it. I can almost guarantee that with an ammo change to something it likes that it will be 100% reliable.
 
I prefer to just buy a complete gun these days. With all the manufacturers these days, including top tier manufacturers, I can buy exactly what I want without changing anything. Add sights, optic, sling, and it's good to go. Also, I'm just lazy now. I want to buy what I want and go shoot it.

The most I'd done in the past is buy a complete upper and assemble a lower. At the time, it was because I couldn't afford a quality AR...but I could afford a assembled BCM upper when they were on sale.
 
Reminded me of this video.

 
I only build mine. No interest at all in factory rifles except for JP.
I know what I want and don’t even use lower part kits anymore. I just buy everything separate including pins and springs.
Then I can control every part.
But, I know what I want and need now.

My first one I didn’t know. So there has been much trial and error. But along the way I’ve come to have a very good understanding of how and why they operate they way they do, and what I have to do to get them to perform well.

It’s fun and I have to say Ar15’s are my favorite guns to play with and shoot. I dearly love them.
It’s amazing what a nice AR can do.
 
I think it depends on purpose. In the current market:

cheap- buy. So many low cost entry level ARs these days if you tried to build it cheaper it would take you a year waiting to source all parts on sale and then end result would save $50 bucks.

competition - build. Assuming you shoot enough rounds to know your strengths and weaknesses, then you can build gun optimized for you.

high end or special purpose- still buy. Leverage economy of scale from manufacturer in this awesome buyer market. Unless you WANT to tinker and read forum posts for 80 hrs to tune everything to function reliably, value is best to buy. Special purpose guns like short barreled suppressed shooters especially. Would really suck to realize parts you purchased won’t work.

weird purpose/frankengun- obviously build instead of waiting for manufacturer that will never come.
 
Build everything... If you are even slightly competent, it's a no-brainer. You learn the platform intimately, you get what you want, and you save money over factory.

Parts are cheap right now. Entry level guns are too, but you have no idea what they are built with. You can buy much better components and assemble yourself for the same cost or less than the entry level guns. You also save money using only the parts you want instead of swapping out stuff you and nobody else wants. Unless you are the one in a hundred or more that just wants a basic M4gery and has no interest in knowing how it all works together...
 
If someone is competent, has the right tools and knowledge, building is fine. I have none of that, so...no.

I would say that some configurations I've seen are questionable. Just because it's possible doesn't mean it should be done. Mostly talking about AR pistols here.
 
If someone is competent, has the right tools and knowledge, building is fine. I have none of that, so...no.

I would say that some configurations I've seen are questionable. Just because it's possible doesn't mean it should be done. Mostly talking about AR pistols here.

Anyone that knows me IRL would say that I am about as inept and incompetent mechanically as a person can be, and I have succesfully built around a dozen lowers.

Don't sell yourself short. If a ham-fisted knucklehead like me can do it, anyone can. Just watch some videos, make sure you have the proper tools, and take your time.
 
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reading this thread makes me wonder how many miscelaneous parts are laying around all of our houses. maybe a new section for parts swapping. give one you dont need for one you do??? maybe im just being lazy
 
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reading this thread makes me wonder how many miscelaneous parts are laying around all of our houses. maybe a new section for parts swapping. give one you dont need for one you do??? maybe im just being lazy

i have a box and one one the big plastic Cabelas ammo cans full off parts and accessories. Once I settle into a house (apartment right now) will probably attempt to organize them at least by firearm type. It’s a dang mess
 
I build mine because I like certain parts to be milspec and certain parts to be beyond milspec and take advantage of the technology that has evolved since the 1950s.

Also some things are on sale and I like to try new stuff. CNC technology and coatings have changed what the rifle can be nowadays for alot less money. BCM, Rock River, and Colt (used to) make a great milspec rifle.
Mine happen to cost less, weigh less and are generally more accurate than anything either of them offer for sale.
 
Plus when you buy a complete rifle, you're paying the 11% excise tax that goes into the wildlife restoration funds (supposedly) created by the Pittman-Roberson act (and others).

I spend enough on wildlife restoration without the helping hand of batfeces
 
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I like to build/assemble 'em so I can get exactly what I want without paying twice for parts that I know I'll replace.

I'm not a gamer, an "operator", or LEO, so my requirements are not the same as theirs. I like nice stuff like the next guy, but my finances are embarrassingly finite & while better than milspec is nice/cool/fun/bragging rights, plain ol' milspec never once let me down in over 20 years.

I've always been able to find complete uppers that were exactly what I wanted (or danged close to it), then built the lower to taste.

'Course, prices are low enough now, that you can't go wrong with either.
 
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I bought my first AR, as I was on my own, without any knowledge. Then I replaced about half of it as I learned and now it's a decent gun for what I shoot (thanks to @NKD ). My second was an AR-9 PCC from parts and it's the only way I'd go from now on. I get exactly what I want and it's a lot more fun.
 
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I have put a couple togeather for the experience but generally pin a complete lower to a complete upper. By shopping sales etc I can generally find what I want cheaper than I can build.
 
I bought my one and only AR complete. The only thing I've changed is that I put Magpul MOE furniture on it. I've just made sure I have enough spare upper and lower parts to rebuild it a couple of times. If it's not broke, I ain't gonna fix it!

When PSA was selling uppers super cheap, I toyed with the idea of doing an 80% lower with a jig and a router. Real life took over and never got around to it.
 
For a first time owner I almost always recommend buying one. If they have some idea of what they want and its considerably different from a normal off the shelf AR you should probably build just for the cost savings.
 
I’m very particular and enjoy deal hunting, so I build them all. I bought my first one and built every one since.

My builds are EXACTLY what I want, down to the shape of the safety selector and type of handguard panels, and I end up saving >$100. Not everyone enjoys doing this so my method doesn’t work for everyone.
 
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