Any money to be saved buying AR parts?

[AmickAndAmick]

Can I save money buying parts and putting an AR together myself or is it about the same as buying a fully assembled rifle?

[Medic738]

I depends on the pets that you want to buy. A smith and Wesson m+p sport can be had for $599.00. If you want to build a Daniel defense or other "higher quality" AR then yes there is money to be saved. Some things you can skimp on and others not so much. So the question is what do you want and what will its purpose be?

[jn_fsu]

You can save 11 percent in taxes buy building your own. A stripped lower receiver does not require a federal excise tax but as soon as one part is installed into a lower receiver it falls under federal Excise tax category. So say you purchase a complete rifle add %11 in taxes to that. Or if you purchase a complete lower your just charged the tax for that portion of the rifle.
I prefer to completely build my lowers and purchase complete uppers for them. The lowers are super easy to build (install parts) and helps you learn the inner working of that part of the rifle.
NOW either way down the road it can be expensive if you start changing the original platform.
I spent 6 months researching my first build trying not to buy twice on any portion of the build. Part of the problem is you won't know wether you like the set up you chose until you build or buy it. My first rifle I've changed a few times because it's purpose built toward one type of shooting and goal in mind. My other rifle is the same as the day I built it with exception I've painted it twice, different camo schemes. The only other thing I plan to do is add an optic to it.
My third build I'm working on is purpose built also. Hopefully with careful planning I won't have to change anything after it's built but I won't know until it's done and I spend some range time with it.
For some people it's easier if they have no particular goal in mind, other then to learn to use the rifle, to build/buy a basic rifle and go from there.
Good luck regaurdless!
Keep us posted what you decide to do.

Side note: If you just want to build a simple but nice rifle check out PSA (Palmetto State Armory) they have excellent deals and alot of kits to choose from. Rifle Kits - AR-15

[arizona98tj]

Originally Posted by jn_fsu

So say you purchase a complete rifle add %11 in taxes to that.

I've yet to see a single bill of sale showing the 11% being added on when I bought the rifle. I believe that 11% is already factored into the price you see on the price tag hanging on the firearm. I'm sure that is what you meant to say even though you didn't?

[jn_fsu]

Originally Posted by arizona98tj

I've yet to see a single bill of sale showing the 11% being added on when I bought the rifle. I believe that 11% is already factored into the price you see on the price tag hanging on the firearm. I'm sure that is what you meant to say even though you didn't?

You are correct. It was late and I was trying to figure out the best way to explain excise tax. Yea its there just not specified on the bill...

[LocoGringo]

First, decide what you plan on doing with the rifle. Use determines form and parts. A long range NRA match AR is MUCH different than a 3-gun run and gun AR rifle and that is MUCH different than a 300-400 yard varminter.

Second, just as a previous poster said, do your homework after you've determined the use. If it is for home defense/tactical use, you do not want a muzzle device that is super effective at keeping the muzzle down because the trade-off is noise. An extremely effective muzzle device is also LOUD and will be damaging to ears indoors should you ever need to use it. Yes, even after 1 use it could be damaging.

After all of that time, you may find a production rifle that fits the bill or you may get wrapped up in all of the work you've put in and decide you want to handpick your parts. In the long run, if you take your time and handpick your parts, you will have the rifle you want and have saved money.