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Looking to build an AR15 style rifle

Anyone know any websites that sell good quality parts? Which brands should I look to get? S&W/colt?

Also, i'm looking for a checklist of all the parts I would need to get so I can price it out.
 
awesome.

Do you have a feel for how customizeable they are? For example, if I had an M4 with a 16 inch barrel, could I simply swap a 20" barrel in its place without much effort?
 
Originally posted by: bignateyk
awesome.

Do you have a feel for how customizeable they are? For example, if I had an M4 with a 16 inch barrel, could I simply swap a 20" barrel in its place without much effort?

The AR platform probably has more custom parts available than any other firearm.
You can have different uppers and the same lower receiver. It is fairly easy to swap out uppers from what I know (though I've never done it).

I'm not really an AR fan (just never had much interest in them) but we have a number of them on the forum. Hopefully one of them will come online and answer your questions more completely.
 
AR-15s and parts is BIG business. Everyone is selling them. I went to a gun show back in June and probably 1/3, if not more, of the stands were selling AR-15s and AR-15 parts.
 
Well there is a little more work in changing just the barrel and not the whole upper. The whole upper swap is not in minutes, changing out a barrel isn't as straight forward.
 
I build them all the time.

Check out the equipment exchange on AR15.com. Kind of like the for sale section here, but you can pick up some incredible deals on parts.

My last deal I got on there was two bushmaster complete upper recievers for $580. I got a dissipator, and a 20" HBAR out of the deal, in exellent condition.

The bottom two are the two uppers I mentioned

The lowers I used for them were stripped stag lowers with RRA parts.
 

Thanks.

Also, does anyone know if there are any AR15 variants that shoot 308 or 30.06?

 
Originally posted by: bignateyk

Thanks.

Also, does anyone know if there are any AR15 variants that shoot 308 or 30.06?

Yes, the AR10 shoots .308. But they are a special lower, you cannot put a 5.56 upper on it and use it.
 
I'd love to get a 458 SOCOM, but the ammo is just rediculously expensive. I might just build a regular 223 for starters, and if im ever rich think about building a 458 socom or 50 beowulf.
 
Originally posted by: bignateyk
I'd love to get a 458 SOCOM, but the ammo is just rediculously expensive. I might just build a regular 223 for starters, and if im ever rich think about building a 458 socom or 50 beowulf.

I have a 458 SOCOM upper myself, they are truly awesome. 😀
 
Quality parts make the difference... as someone mentioned above, RRA lower parts kits are my first choice based on personal experience.... don't be swayed by a lower price and go with a no name parts kit or a name associated with lower quality...

Its pretty easy to do, and over at AR15.com in the 'Build it yourself forums there are tutorials on how to put things together. Its very easy to do.

ETA: As for the .458 SOCOM, it depends on what you want to do with it, but I personally am much more interested in the 6.8 SPC, and that will most likely be my next upper. If you are going with odd ball calibers, you might also want to look into reloading to make it much more affordable to shoot. Makes a big difference for me....
 
I built a complete lower from part about 12 years ago. Pretty easy I'd say. I think it would be better to buy the upper pre-built, as they can be mailed directly to you, while the serial #'d lower is something you need to get from an FFL. The upper is a bit tricky to build, as you need the special tools mentioned previously. The lower doesn't need the barrel wrench et. al. I got a match grade SS upper 1/8 twist DCM competition, which is what I was doing at the time (camp Perry etc.).
 
How much do you want to spend?

You'll need tools to change a barrel, but no big deal to do. Monkeys can assemble these things, they are easier to work on than cars by far.

Colt and LMT are great if you have the cash.

Stay away from Blackthorne, Vulcan, Hessee.

There are a dozen different caliber uppers out there. Even .50BMG magazine fed :0
 
Originally posted by: montypythizzle
Originally posted by: pontifex
Originally posted by: montypythizzle
I want a M4 without a stock, really I just want a 5.56 pistol, with rifle rounds. 😛

close enough?

LOL how can they even sell those, but I guess Deagles are legal...
Wonder if special parts can make that, um, more special 😛

They are not "Deagles" they are Desert Eagles made by IMI, and they are steaming piles of crap.
 
I have a RRA tactical entry, great rifle. I'll probably build my next AR. I'd love a 458 socom eventually as well. After I start reloading of course.
 
That AR15 primer seems old but said you can build one for about $500? That is friggin' kickass.

A buddy of mine has a AR15 with the forward grip, laser dot sight, and something else or two... when I got to shoot it it was quite easy and fun as hell to shoot. I wanted one after that but after seeing that the rifle alone (without customizations) costs $1,000 I forgot about it. But for $500... that is like the price of a good pistol. I want a pistol, but if for the same price I could get a base AR15... I'd tend to choose the rifle. I think it'd be more fun to shoot the pistol in that it is harder to shoot and it would be more of a challenge to get better and better (more accurate) with it. Both would be used soley for target practice at a range. Damn, I want both!
 
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