TexasCHLforum.com

Also is it just me or is there a trend within the last few years of people putting these type of rifles together and asking WAY more than what it's worth?

BBYC wrote:In America, if something is not forbidden by law, then it is allowed. For example, there is no law explicitly permitting me to wear a white cowboy hat, but there is no law against it either, so wearing a white cowboy hat is permitted by default. For now.

I guess I just didn't understand slang for America. After my own research the sale of home made firearms has many confusing laws including whether the firearm was made for personal use or was it made for future sale or gift. The serial number question is also confusing but apparently ATF does not require one as far as I can tell. State law may in some states anyhow.

Atwood's ad today lists the M&P15 @ $499.99. I think I would go with a reliable manufacturer personally.

jb2012 wrote:Also is it just me or is there a trend within the last few years of people putting these type of rifles together and asking WAY more than what it's worth?

I don't think it's specific to people who have assembled AR-15's. I see it with AR-15's in general. The fact is that the market price for all AR-15's has fallen in the last 3-5 years. For "basic" AR-15's the decrease has been pretty significant. I think you are seeing the "over pricing" by folks who paid $X a few years ago and who are ignoring the current market price for these guns.

Personally, when I am buying or selling, the first place I look is at online prices and I then consider the firearm condition when setting a price as a percentage of current new retail. This applies for all guns, not just AR's.

You can go to PSA and get a complete upper with BCG and charging handle and a complete lower for $380, buy 10 magazines for $80, and get this red dot sight for $50, and be out the exact same cost after tax

Pass

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

You guys are killing me!
I was pretty stoked about having a $500 AR for the weekend. But the fit and finish is questionable. Plus, it is made of low end parts.
My wife would thank you!..lol.

It may be an okay AR. And the polymer might work out well. There's just so many chances taken though. I'd rather not pay sales tax on something new. So my options are to build my own or buy used.

I'm sitting here looking at $500. But I've got no AR!
Still, the wife doesn't have a clue that I have it.

Hey, I appreciate all the (dream crushing) advice. But good advice!
Any suggestions on where to go at this point?
Thanks.

dino9832 wrote:Hey, I appreciate all the (dream crushing) advice. But good advice!
Any suggestions on where to go at this point?
Thanks.

Safe bet: S&W Sport for $500 + FFL transfer fee.

My choice: see post by allisji above.

P.S. don't forget to budget for ammo

dino9832 wrote:You guys are killing me!
I was pretty stoked about having a $500 AR for the weekend. But the fit and finish is questionable. Plus, it is made of low end parts.
My wife would thank you!..lol.

It may be an okay AR. And the polymer might work out well. There's just so many chances taken though. I'd rather not pay sales tax on something new. So my options are to build my own or buy used.

I'm sitting here looking at $500. But I've got no AR!
Still, the wife doesn't have a clue that I have it.

Hey, I appreciate all the (dream crushing) advice. But good advice!
Any suggestions on where to go at this point?
Thanks.

Check your local gun stores for new/used/consignment, similarly priced AR's. Show them the cash (assuming you have $500 cash) and ask to make a deal. Your cash is worth 2-4% to them instead of you using a credit card they have to pay fees on.

You have GOT to be kidding!
Another ad just went up with (you guessed it) a Tennessee Arms lower! It's $500 asking price.

I think an S&W Sport is looking better and better. Especially for someone like me who's not very educated on home-builds.

I’d go Ruger or S&W as well for that price. That being said, I have a PSA rifle that was my first AR which I bought about five years ago and it’s been flawless. My dad has a couple PSA rifles and they have been flawless as well. I wouldn’t trust a polymer upper and lower though.

cmgee67 wrote:I’d go Ruger or S&W as well for that price. That being said, I have a PSA rifle that was my first AR which I bought about five years ago and it’s been flawless. My dad has a couple PSA rifles and they have been flawless as well. I wouldn’t trust a polymer upper and lower though.

PSA seems to have some good parts. I'm fine with PSA. Like I'm some expert..lol. The general consensus seems to be that polymer isn't good for uppers or lowers on ARs. I have to admit, I just don't have a good feel for the polymers after all I've read on the internet.

dino9832 wrote:You have GOT to be kidding!
Another ad just went up with (you guessed it) a Tennessee Arms lower! It's $500 asking price.

I think an S&W Sport is looking better and better. Especially for someone like me who's not very educated on home-builds.

I've been extremely happy with my M&P Sport II, which is my only AR so far. And I paid $600 for it about 18 months ago.

bblhd672 wrote:

SQLGeek wrote:For that price I'd rather buy an S&W or a Ruger. They haven't been perfect but I'd trust either of those over PSA's spotty reputation. Of course that doesn't include an optic but Ruger AR-556s are running pretty cheap these days.

S&W M&P 15 Sport II $470 at Grabagun.com
https://grabagun.com/smith-and-wesson-m ... mm-16.html

Ruger AR-556 $499 at Grabagun.com
https://grabagun.com/ruger-ar-556-black ... -30rd.html

And Cabela’s has a DPMS Oracle for $499: http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting ... s?slotId=0

Just a basic carbine. Any one of the above is a good entry level carbine for the same price as the rifle you’re looking at, and they have a milspec lower rather than a polymer lower receiver.

Here’s the Ruger:


And here’s the S&W:

Although, of those three, I’d go for the Ruger for the simple reason that it includes front and rear iron sights. It’s worth noting that both the Ruger and S&W have enlarged trigger guards to accommodate gloved fingers.

Okay, so a decent AR can be had for $500.
How much more "joy" could be had for $700 total? It's kind of like bicycles.
There's a point of diminishing returns at a certain cost point I'm sure.

Again, thanks for all the helpful advice! This has been a really good community.