AR-15 Buy vs Build

mchljrdn · December 17, 2012, 12:49 PM

What's the consensus on buy vs build these days? Are you able to get more "bang for your buck" buying a Mossberg MMR or putting one together? Which of the pre-built AR (<1k USD) are the favorites?

djcantr · December 17, 2012, 04:45 PM

I would build so you can have it exactly like you want it and know that quality parts were used. Mossberg doesn't list detailed specs of the parts so I would assume they are inferior. If there was no wiggle room on the <$1k for a complete rifle I'd probably buy a PSA.

Quentin2 · December 17, 2012, 06:19 PM

I like to select the parts going into my ARs so "build" the lower receiver with the LPK, receiver extension, buffer and stock of my choice. I haven't had any problems finding exactly the components I want in an upper from BCM, Daniel Defense and PSA so bought them complete. In the end you do save money over a factory AR because you're not stripping off inferior parts and replacing.

djcantr gave you good advice, you can get an excellent deal from PSA and expect their parts to be much better than many better known companies that don't use the best parts. For example, PSA uses true milspec barrels made by FN and who knows what Mossberg does.

BillyJack3 · December 17, 2012, 06:46 PM

Mossberb MMR doesn't even come up in conversation. There are a lot of reputable manufacturers that have proven ARs that you can buy complete. You can also build your own or partially build your own. Or, you can simply choose your lower and upper and snap them together. All depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

I purchased my first AR complete, learned the platform and when it was time for number 2, had a real life blueprint to help guide me through building the second where pictures still left questions unanswered. PSA, S&W, DD, Colt, Rock River, Windham, Stag.... Stick with brands that know the platform.

If you decide to build, make sure you can source all partners. Seems to be a big run on BCGs. Can't find them in stock for more than 20 minutes in most places.

Mobuck · December 17, 2012, 10:55 PM

Many AR parts are sold out, back ordered, or just gone. I wouldn't be too picky if you do find the parts to complete your project.

chris in va · December 18, 2012, 01:00 AM

If you see a Colt Patrol model at WalMart for $899, don't hesitate. That's all I have at the moment.

Brotherbadger · December 18, 2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

I would build so you can have it exactly like you want it and know that quality parts were used. Mossberg doesn't list detailed specs of the parts so I would assume they are inferior. If there was no wiggle room on the <$1k for a complete rifle I'd probably buy a PSA.

Completely agree. I'm currently building my own so i'm a bit biased, but i think building is a better option as you figure out exactly what you want in your gun(not to mention it's easier on the bank account to spend the money bit by bit, as opposed to all at one time). If you want to go the Pre-built route, i would vote for PSA as well. They are a bottom dollar price, but exellent quality product. Many of the parts for my gun are from PSA. One small caveat is it WILL take them a while to get the gun to you. They are a small company and currently slammed with orders, so it will take them a few weeks to get it out.

droptrd · December 18, 2012, 09:23 PM

for under 1K id build. Thats what i do now. Also, im a diehard mossberg guy. but Im not impressed with their AR. A descent lower and parts kit = $160. A tube and stock = $150. Id just go with a complete upper. $300 and up.

Auto426 · December 18, 2012, 09:32 PM

If you've never had an AR before, Then it may be best to simply buy one to learn on. It's simpler to play around and disassemble one that someone else already built and learn what's what. You will also have a warranty to rely on if something goes wrong with the gun, and won't be stuck diagnosing the problem and fixing it yourself.

That being said, since I bought my first AR, I would probably do a build for my next rifle. Most likely start with a stripped lower, build it out, and then buy a complete upper. After playing around with my first AR, I now have a pretty good idea where all the parts go and how they fit/work together, making a build that much more simpler.

doofus47 · December 19, 2012, 03:27 PM

building is easy. and cheap(er)

Coltman 77 · December 19, 2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Many AR parts are sold out, back ordered, or just gone. I wouldn't be too picky if you do find the parts to complete your project.

This is sad but true.

JimDandy · December 19, 2012, 05:20 PM

If you want one, and you want one right now, I'd buy. If you're worried about a new law, I'd buy, and buy now. IF you're willing to wait it out and see what happens, I'd plan on if my first, buying, if a subsequent, building.

December 17, 2012, 12:49 PM	#1
mchljrdn Junior Member Join Date: November 24, 2012 Posts: 3	AR-15 Buy vs Build What's the consensus on buy vs build these days? Are you able to get more "bang for your buck" buying a Mossberg MMR or putting one together? Which of the pre-built AR (<1k USD) are the favorites?

December 18, 2012, 09:32 PM	#9
Auto426 Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 1,323	If you've never had an AR before, Then it may be best to simply buy one to learn on. It's simpler to play around and disassemble one that someone else already built and learn what's what. You will also have a warranty to rely on if something goes wrong with the gun, and won't be stuck diagnosing the problem and fixing it yourself. That being said, since I bought my first AR, I would probably do a build for my next rifle. Most likely start with a stripped lower, build it out, and then buy a complete upper. After playing around with my first AR, I now have a pretty good idea where all the parts go and how they fit/work together, making a build that much more simpler. __________________ *"Si vis pacem, para bellum"* - If you want peace, prepare for war.

December 19, 2012, 03:27 PM	#10
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	building is easy. and cheap(er) __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

December 17, 2012, 04:45 PM	#2
djcantr Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2012 Posts: 215	I would build so you can have it exactly like you want it and know that quality parts were used. Mossberg doesn't list detailed specs of the parts so I would assume they are inferior. If there was no wiggle room on the <$1k for a complete rifle I'd probably buy a PSA.

December 17, 2012, 06:19 PM	#3
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,996	I like to select the parts going into my ARs so "build" the lower receiver with the LPK, receiver extension, buffer and stock of my choice. I haven't had any problems finding exactly the components I want in an upper from BCM, Daniel Defense and PSA so bought them complete. In the end you do save money over a factory AR because you're not stripping off inferior parts and replacing. djcantr gave you good advice, you can get an excellent deal from PSA and expect their parts to be much better than many better known companies that don't use the best parts. For example, PSA uses true milspec barrels made by FN and who knows what Mossberg does.

December 17, 2012, 06:46 PM	#4
BillyJack3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 423	Mossberb MMR doesn't even come up in conversation. There are a lot of reputable manufacturers that have proven ARs that you can buy complete. You can also build your own or partially build your own. Or, you can simply choose your lower and upper and snap them together. All depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I purchased my first AR complete, learned the platform and when it was time for number 2, had a real life blueprint to help guide me through building the second where pictures still left questions unanswered. PSA, S&W, DD, Colt, Rock River, Windham, Stag.... Stick with brands that know the platform. If you decide to build, make sure you can source all partners. Seems to be a big run on BCGs. Can't find them in stock for more than 20 minutes in most places.

December 17, 2012, 10:55 PM	#5
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Many AR parts are sold out, back ordered, or just gone. I wouldn't be too picky if you do find the parts to complete your project.

December 18, 2012, 01:00 AM	#6
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	If you see a Colt Patrol model at WalMart for $899, don't hesitate. That's all I have at the moment.

December 18, 2012, 09:23 PM	#8
droptrd Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 342	for under 1K id build. Thats what i do now. Also, im a diehard mossberg guy. but Im not impressed with their AR. A descent lower and parts kit = $160. A tube and stock = $150. Id just go with a complete upper. $300 and up.

December 19, 2012, 05:20 PM	#12
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	If you want one, and you want one right now, I'd buy. If you're worried about a new law, I'd buy, and buy now. IF you're willing to wait it out and see what happens, I'd plan on if my first, buying, if a subsequent, building.