Gun Show AR-15

[Raines]

Bought my first AR this weekend at the gun show. I feel like I stole it, but maybe you guys know something I don't.

Its a CMMG lower finished with a colt parts kit and a US made stainless barrel.Its the 20" barrel, with the old style Triangular handguard... I have fired 300 rounds flawlessly, and accuracy is great after I sighted in. The Gent I bought it from said he built it and function fired it is all.

Soooo..Knowing that ARs usually go for around 800-1300 here..Not sure why he sold it for 600, including 5 colt magazines and 100 rounds of ammo....Is there a reason she was so cheap or did I just get a pretty dang good deal?

[Birddog1911]

How can you be certain that it is a Colt LPK? Who made the upper?

Post some pictures. Personally, I'm a little wary. It sounds like he may have just had a CMMG bargain bin rifle that he may have changed some things out.

That said, while you didn't pay the best price, I don't think that you got raped, either. And as long as you're happy, that is what matters most.

[Raines]

The Upper receiver is no doubt a colt, as are the bolt and carrier for sure..so I have no reson to doubt that the FCG parts are not colt either..I will get some pics of it..

it does truly look like a complete colt parts kit, with a cmmg lower, and a stainless barrel....

[Raines]

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/photoid1975/DSCF1910.jpg

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/photoid1975/DSCF1915.jpg

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/photoid1975/DSCF1917.jpg

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/photoid1975/DSCF1914.jpg

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/photoid1975/DSCF1918.jpg

[Birddog1911]

Then it definately sounds like you got a good deal. I guess not everyone at a gun show thinks that their guns are made of unobtanium, and worth the GDP of a small nation!

[kx592]

Ive seen those type of colt parts kits builds for 500. Kit comes with everything except a barrel and something else I cannot remember. Sounds like a good deal you got wit the extra goods. If it shoots good and no FTE/ FTF than you got a good deal.

[Raines]

I was real leary for that price...But...This weekend fired 350 rounds through it, including wolf and Tulammo, some surplus lake city and federal...and never once had an issue. Im proud to finally join the AR club

[jmr40]

That is the least desireable AR platform and they can be hard to sell. Magazines can be had cheap also. I'd say you got a fair deal if you like the gun, but not a steal.

[Quentin2]

I think you got a good deal! Looks a lot like what I carried in 1968, I would have bought it too...

[Raines]

JMR, What makes it the least desirable? Is it beacause its Nam era? I already put an M-4 upper on it and it snapped right in....

[tacticalmedic]

Don't listen to the nay sayers. You got a deal for $600. I would have bought it.

[goodspeed(TPF)]

Because you asked. I think you paid to much for that parts gun. By about $200.00.

[Raines]

well goodspeed, if you have any to sell me for 400, I will buy all youve got...

[jmr40]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the rifle you have. I have almost the same upper assembly that was put together with 1980's era military parts. My barrel is even GI. Mine is on an Olympic Arms lower. I think the lower you have is a better choice than what I have. I paid $400 for it during the AWB days.

But right now the A-2 type uppers are hard to sell. Everyone wants flat tops and M-4 look alikes. Sitting in a gunshops used gun rack it would be a slow mover and is quite lilely why it was priced as it was. If you want that type of upper then you got a fair deal.

AR's are a lot cheaper now. Just a couple of months ago I bought a brand new DPMS with a flat top, telescoping stock, cleaning kit, two 30 round magazines and a hard case for $607. While I don't see a thing wrong with your new gun, I just don't see it as a smoking deal either.

[Shreddi]

Very nice, I have the exact same one purchased back in 74 for under 400 out the door when they were being sold in Calif. For some stupid reason AR's can not be purchased in CA now. Does anyone know if I buy the parts separately can I put one together? I guess the question is what site will ship parts to CA? Thanks much. You have a very nice piece there.

[chris in va]

Browsing on various boards and seeing owners in person, everyone wants to put an optic on their AR. Fixed A2 handle guns are kinda passe and not hot sellers.

Personally I like using peep sights, but still want the option to use a red dot later, so I'll be looking for a flattop soon.

The 'old school' M-16 look is cool, not something you see every day at the range.

[Jim243]

With the 5 mags and 100 rounds, I'd say, yes you did. No FFL transfer fee or sales tax. You certainly did. I believe I paid $600 back in 1968 for an Armilite AR-15 without the foward assist and a non-chrome barrel. But I think the sales taxes back then was only 3.5%.

By the Way, Welcome to the AR club (I hope they warned you, you can't just eat one potato chip) Sorry but you are now hooked.


Jim

[DnPRK]

Very nice, I have the exact same one purchased back in 74 for under 400 out the door when they were being sold in Calif. For some stupid reason AR's can not be purchased in CA now. Does anyone know if I buy the parts separately can I put one together? I guess the question is what site will ship parts to CA? Thanks much. You have a very nice piece there.
Welcome to the site!

Yes, you can put one together as long as it meets some restrictions. Tens of thousands of AR-15 style rifles have been built in California in the last several years.

The short version:

Buy an "off list lower" receiver.
Install a "bullet button".
Build your rifle with a barrel length of at least 16" and overall length of at least 30".
Use magazines that hold no more than 10 rounds.
Shoot 'til your trigger finger wears out.


Further details on how to build an AR-style rifle in California are provided at the links below:
Gun shops that sell "off list lower" receivers (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=320596)
Flow chart of allowable features (http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf)

[mc223]

I think you did good.


CH on the upper is Colt Harvey Aluminum = (the forge)

[dwwhite]

If it functions fine, I don't think you got hurt at all. It looks like a great "get back to basics" rifle, in a configuration reasonably close to the original design specs.

If you're happy with it as well, you got a great deal.

You might check the barrel to make sure it's stainless though. There are a lot of surplus A1 parts kits out there right now, (which is what your gun has been assembled from, I think) and most of them are described as having barrels with no finish, or in the white. A true stainless barrel will not rust easily, whereas a CM barrel with no finish will rust if you look at it funny.

Finishing it is as easy as black Bar-B-Que paint from a rattlecan, or a finishing kit (i.e. gunkote or alumahyde from Brownells) if you want to get fancy.

[sailskidrive]

I think you did pretty good. $600 for an AR including mags and some ammo is very reasonable. I personally like the A1 upper as the carry handle makes it very easy to tote around the gun.

Who was it that claimed they could put one of these together for $400? I guess there is always a comic in the crowd.

[MartinBrody]

You got a good deal, it was just cheap because it is a build using a mixed upper and lower, plus the A1 style isn't hot right now. Some of the components have more value on their own than sold as part of this mutt. Sounds like all good stuff was used, and as a result it works, enjoy.

[tirod]

I speculate it's an issue M16 parts kit with a barrel in the white and lower added.

$600 is ok, about what it should be.

Try to test the barrel with a spot of blueing under the handguards, if it won't stain, it is stainless, certainly an upgrade.