The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - AR-15: Build vs. Buy

Kurbsky · August 4, 2009, 11:09 PM

A lot of people kept telling me that buying parts and building an AR-15 on my own would cost me less than buying a complete rifle. I have serious doubts about this. I tried to look at the QUALITY components from which a good brand AR-15 is made and attach price tag to them and it looks to me that actually it is cheaper to buy a complete weapon. I am only talking about costs, not other benefits that "building it the way you want it" would bring. Also, I only am talking about DI rifles because with gas piston AR-15s it is very obvious by now that the new Ruger beats any price at $1,500+ a piece fully assembled with all nice things included.

Doing it yourself may still be slightly cheaper if you are using the cheapest and lowest quality parts but then the question is - do you really want such a rifle in your arsenal? What do you think?

August 4, 2009, 11:09 PM	#1
Kurbsky Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2009 Posts: 469	AR-15: Build vs. Buy - what will cost less? A lot of people kept telling me that buying parts and building an AR-15 on my own would cost me less than buying a complete rifle. I have serious doubts about this. I tried to look at the QUALITY components from which a good brand AR-15 is made and attach price tag to them and it looks to me that actually it is cheaper to buy a complete weapon. I am only talking about costs, not other benefits that "building it the way you want it" would bring. Also, I only am talking about DI rifles because with gas piston AR-15s it is very obvious by now that the new Ruger beats any price at $1,500+ a piece fully assembled with all nice things included. Doing it yourself may still be slightly cheaper if you are using the cheapest and lowest quality parts but then the question is - do you really want such a rifle in your arsenal? What do you think?