AR advice

WoundedWolf

I am finally starting to learn the ins and outs of the AR-15. I want to get one before the November election. I am no expert, but I have done some research and this combo seems to be the best value I can find for a decent quality AR:

Complete Rifle Kit from Rock River Arms:
http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=199

Stripped Lower Receiver by DPMS:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=917223

I think I will go for the chrome lined barrel. My local gun shop has the DPMS receiver for $130. I figure that is pretty good considering no shipping and I can go pick it up anytime I want. Here is my cost breakdown:

RRA Kit = $680.00
Receiver = $130.00
Tax = $60.75
Transfer = $25.00

TOTAL PRICE = $895.75

Opinions?

nmyers

Your math doesn't work for me. Why so much tax? You should only have to pay tax on the receiver.

But, the rest of your project doesn't work for me, either. You are going to be spending almost as much for a Mixed Parts Mongrel as you would for a brand name complete rifle New In Box with a lifetime warranty. Ask your gun shop for a quote on a factory RRA with the exact same options, & then compare that to your project rifle.

Neal

EDIT: I didn't mean to disparage ANY parts; they should all be fine. (In fact, many AR parts are made by the same specialty manufacturers; the "AR companies" are mostly assemblers.) The problem is, when you build a rifle, you get no support from ANY of the manufacturers, & you will take a beating on resale when you sell the rifle. Which would YOU rather buy used: A slightly used factory RRA or DPMS, or one put together in a garage by Bubba Neal?

WoundedWolf

Thanks nmeyers, I did goof on the tax. Should be:

RRA Kit = $680.00
Receiver = $130.00
Tax = $9.75
Transfer = $25.00

TOTAL PRICE = $844.75

There would also be some shipping charge in there for the RRA Kit. I will ask my gun shop for a price on a complete gun, like perhaps a RRA Tactical Entry. Can you please list some of the other brands that sell quality complete AR rifles new in the box for under $850?

When you say "mongrel" is your concern with the RRA kit or the DPMS Receiver? Are there parts in the RRA kit you don't like? From what I have read it seems to be a quality setup, but perhaps I am missing something. Please let me know.

dppatrol

if its going to be your only ar spend as much as you can afford,not all parts/makes are the same.a decent warranty/customer service dept will be a godsend if you have a rough"break in"period.check out ar15.com forums for a lot of good info and a LOT of opinions.personally i've had good experiences with rra,bshmstr,and stag.an ar is like a hobby car,once you have a good stock model you can spend as much time and money as you want jazzing it up.good luck

grumpygy

Got my lower from CMTC(Center Mass Tactical Solutions) http://www.centermasstactical.net/index.html

$199 but was engraved the way I want and Reciever is very well made.

Still looking to see what Upper to put on. but think it will be a M-4 from Bushmaster. They took good care of me when one of my Ar's from them would not sight in. Barrel was indexed wrong. They fixed it and it was a used gun.

chumchum

NOt that any one part you choose is bad. I think the point he was making is you are building a gun from mismatched parts, when you could buy a factory built gun for about the same price and have a full warrenty.

Wehrmacht_45

I bought a full A2 lower made by Stag for 215.00

Bought an A2 upper and bolt assembly from Model 1 for 450.00

Total cost was 665.00 bucks plus the 25 dollar transfer fee from my FFL.

sandwarrior

quote:Originally posted by nmyers
Your math doesn't work for me. Why so much tax? You should only have to pay tax on the receiver.

But, the rest of your project doesn't work for me, either. You are going to be spending almost as much for a Mixed Parts Mongrel as you would for a brand name complete rifle New In Box with a lifetime warranty. Ask your gun shop for a quote on a factory RRA with the exact same options, & then compare that to your project rifle.

Neal

EDIT: I didn't mean to disparage ANY parts; they should all be fine. (In fact, many AR parts are made by the same specialty manufacturers; the "AR companies" are mostly assemblers.) The problem is, when you build a rifle, you get no support from ANY of the manufacturers, & you will take a beating on resale when you sell the rifle. Which would YOU rather buy used: A slightly used factory RRA or DPMS, or one put together in a garage by Bubba Neal?

I kind of agree here with nmyers except some of the builders are certified for dealer/warranty work. This came about because of extreme demand for AR's this past few years. so manufacturers focused almost exclusively on production, not repair/replacement. At least go into this with your eyes open. There are builders and there are builders that have the main manufacturer approval. Much like if you owned a Ford, Chevy or Dodge. Most any mechanic can work on them. ASE certified repairmen are preferred and specific manufacturer ASE certified mechanics would be the best. The latter also includes better warranties. Or better chance of a warranty being valid.

Beeramid

You have mail.

drobs

That doesn't seem that bad. You still will need some sort of optics or rear sight since that flat top doesn't come with one.

Could years ago, I went this route since R-Guns is local:

Complete upper from Delton: $505 + Shipping
http://www.del-ton.com/Del_Ton_AR_15_Barrel_Assembly_p/dt2000.htm

Complete DPMS lower $210 + shipping + transfer
http://www.rguns.net/009_41.html

abcguns2

O.K. , we are selling 'custom built' DPMS AR's in many configirations for $750 here in our shop ???
Thanks !!!
d.a.stearns
Gunsmith / LEO
Niota , Tn