Another ar15 question

[kealil]

Hey all,
Got another ar15 question for y'all. The cheapest ar15 I've been able to find has been from double star for about 650. I am actually interested in "building" one. My question is mostly related to terms used for parts.

I know I need a complete upper and complete lower. To my knowledge, once you have those you essentially have a complete rifle(please correct me if I'm wrong). So to my question: impact arms is selling a rock river upper here (http://www.impactguns.com/rock-river-arms-upper-receiver-only-completeeop-ar0052easy.aspx) that has the word complete in the title. Does this mean that all I need now is a lower? I ask because of the price and no Picture.

I know this is probably a stupid question but please bear with me. I am a pistol guy and that's all I know right now.

Thanks for the help!

[dieselbeef]

psa is a ood unit for 599

[Ridge_Runner_5]

Palmetto State has kits on sale for about $500 in various styles. All you need is a stripped lower receiver, which you can get from them for about $70. You can assemble a stripped lower with standard tools.

Here is a guide with large, clear photos. Second post in the thread.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/226782_Assemble_your_own_LOWER__UPPER__FREE_FLOAT__TRIGGER__GAS_BLOCK___Step_by_step_instructions_.html

[chris in va]

S&W M&P Sport runs about $600. Mine has been great.

[bejay]

based on the price the link you posted is probably just the upper receiver like this.
http://www.jsesurplus.com/rraflattopuppercomplete.aspx
just an example of complete uppers below some places may not include the bolt and carrier with the uppers depends on where you buy from.
http://www.jsesurplus.com/custom223.aspx

http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/ar-complete-uppers.php
you should probably check out the forum mentioned above and maybe check out the videos on brownwells to get more familiar before you decide on building and what to buy.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/guntechdetail/How_to_Build_An_AR-15_Video

[kealil]

Thank you bejay, that is what I was originally asking for. I want to build my own so I can actually understand it a little more. I just Wanted to know a little more so I don't make a bad first purchase. Also, thanks for the tip on brownells I didn't realize how much info was there.

[Palmetto-Pride]

I just built my first lower I got from PSA and I also used the Brownells videos to help me. I will say the hardist part was identifying the correct springs and detents. The trigger on it is way better than what came on my S&W M&P15T.

[tirod]

Stickies on forums like arfcom can show the details of assembly. They will save you some expense, you don't need the armorer's tools that are actually meant to disassemble machine guns. The assembly procedure ins't rocket science, the average home mechanic has enough experience if he's changed a water pump and understands the real purpose of torquing a bolt.

For parts, this can be a good source:http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/496750_LOOKING_FOR_CHEAP_PARTS__Post_deals_here___READ_OP_BEFORE_POSTING_.html

There are good bargains out there. One issue most insist on but base totally on faith is if the goods are actually US made. There are AR15 plants overseas, other countries are licensed makers, just the same as we insist on Made in the USA for our government contracts. That doesn't make parts on the civilian market milspec, or even US, and that can be as much good as bad.

What Brand Names are worried about is the reaction of the shooting public, who have failed to learn about it while actually supporting off shore manufacturers in all the rest of their decisions. Take the 1911, most are NOT made in the USA, and you can't tell by price. Lots of proud good ol' boys would choke knowing their barbecue gun was actually Turkish or Czech.

You will possibly spend more to build it yourself. What parts are bought one at a time will be retail, marked up from the volume discount the vendor paid. If they also assemble complete guns, they are sold at the competitive price the market is at, hundreds under the price of separate pieces plus labor. Their discount is so steep - $45 or less for a stripped lower, $130 retail - they can still make money on it assembled with labor and overhead. The $1000 6.8 dissipator I built would likely be a $750 gun retail, and I still paid only $127 for the stripped upper and lower. I got what no one was selling, tho.

The best method of selecting parts is to nail down what target is being shot, at what ranges. Knowing the type target and distances means choosing the right cartridge - 5.56 isn't always an option for a hunting gun in some states, or enough power for some shooters. Then the barrel is chosen for accuracy and optimum length, which sets the gas. 5.56 works best with 20", 6.8SPC at 16". You can finesse it, but what's really happening is the original cartridge choice is being compromised. After the barrel, an A3 flattop, the best optic, at stock to match, and handguard that is cost effective. The flash hider comes next, and last trigger. Despite all the fanboy comments, an expensive quad rail free float and target trigger won't make a milspec 2MOA barrel and ammo suddenly start shooting 1/2MOA. Just like building a street machine that is supposed to run 9's, either build the motor from the crank out to do that, or it's just a brag powered joke.

And just like the car forums, there's a lot of that on the internet - but not nearly as much as actually on Main Street. Locker room trash talk is taken for granted, modestly is no longer the American male standard.

[Uncle Malice]

As was said...

JSE Surplus and Palmetto State have some excellent pricing going on right now.

You can get a complete upper from Palmetto for $374.95 (delivered)...

A lower for $80, lower parts kit with stock and stuff for $125. High quality stuff.

[SSGF109]

I just picked up a S&W M&P15 Sport for $600 as well and it is a good deal! The gun runs great without any hiccups.

[Brant]

model1sales.com

go to that. Look under complete kits. choose whatever you wish.

After that all you need is a stripped lower receiver, which you MUST buy through an FFL/gun dealer. But thats not much of an issue. A stripped lower can run as little as 100 bucks.