First AR - build or buy?

[mloamiller]

Planning on getting my first AR next year and am looking for recommendations/suggestions. The rifle would be used mostly for target shooting, maybe some small varmints.

• * Build or buy? I'm pretty good with tools, and the thought of building my own sounds like fun. However, given the seriousness of what could happen if I do something wrong gives me some hesitation. (For what it's worth, I reload my own 9mm target ammo.)
  
  * Tools (if building) - what type of tools would I need to get? I've got a pretty good mix of standard mechanic tools; not sure what is needed for building an AR.
  
  * Brand - Bushmaster, Colt, Windham Weaponry, others. Anything highly recommended, or strongly cautioned against?
  
  * Source - what is a good source for parts? Is it best to buy complete kits, or shop around for individual parts? Is brand also a consideration when looking at individual parts?
  
  * Caliber - .223 vs. 5.56. I understand that a rifle chambered for 5.56 can also shoot .223, but not vice-versa. Seems like going with 5.56 would offer more flexibility, but I don't know about added costs. I guess .308 is an option as well, but maybe overkill.
  
  * Carbon fiber vs. steel? I guess this a trade off of durability vs. weight, possibly cost?

[The Annoyed Man]

Build, for two reasons:

1. Whatever your budget is, you'll get more gun by building your own. It costs less to assemble parts than it does to pay someone else to assemble them.
2. You'll know your weapon better than you thought possible. It is a confidence giver.

[Abraham]

TAM is right, but if you buy an AR already assembled, stay with Colt, Noveske, BCM, Daniel Defense.

Stay away from Bushmaster and Windham.

You might pay "a little less" for a Bushmaster or a Windham, but the quality will be significantly lower the first group of AR's I listed.

[Richbirdhunter]

Lowers are relatively easy to build, I'd start there. If that goes smoothly then try to tackle an upper.

[The Annoyed Man]

To answer more completely:

Planning on getting my first AR next year and am looking for recommendations/suggestions. The rifle would be used mostly for target shooting, maybe some small varmints.

• * Build or buy? I'm pretty good with tools, and the thought of building my own sounds like fun. However, given the seriousness of what could happen if I do something wrong gives me some hesitation. (For what it's worth, I reload my own 9mm target ammo.) Answered this in my previous reply.
  
  * Tools (if building) - what type of tools would I need to get? I've got a pretty good mix of standard mechanic tools; not sure what is needed for building an AR.A standard armorers wrench will do almost anything you need done. They are cheap and available at places like brownells.com or midways.com.
  
  * Brand - Bushmaster, Colt, Windham Weaponry, others. Anything highly recommended, or strongly cautioned against? Of those three, Colt is probably the best choice. Windham is owned by the guy who used to own Bushmaster before he sold the company. My guess is that they are about the same quality......2nd or 3rd tier.
  
  * Source - what is a good source for parts? Is it best to buy complete kits, or shop around for individual parts? Is brand also a consideration when looking at individual parts? Brownells.com, or MidwayUSA.com for general parts. SpikesTactical.com, BravoCompanyUSA.com, and RainierArms.com are all three good sources for higher end stuff. I highly recommend Rainier for their barrels.
  
  * Caliber - .223 vs. 5.56. I understand that a rifle chambered for 5.56 can also shoot .223, but not vice-versa. Seems like going with 5.56 would offer more flexibility, but I don't know about added costs. I guess .308 is an option as well, but maybe overkill. 5.56 better than .223....but then .223 specific ARs are rare. Alternatively, an AR that is Wylde chambered will shoot either caliber with greater accuracy than a 5.56 chamber.
  
  * Carbon fiber vs. steel? I guess this a trade off of durability vs. weight, possibly cost? I just built a pretty light 7 lb carbine with a stainless barrel and a matching set of billet receiver halves. Not sure what you would even use that's made out of CF, unless it was possibly a hand guard. And speaking of hand guards, buy anything 'KeyMod'. The reasons will be apparent as you look into it.

[KC80]

S&W, Ruger, Colt all make great guns and they are cheap enough now that your probably cannot build one as cheap. There is not that much to an AR-15 other than maintenance to keep it running smooth. $600 will get you a mil-spec gun right now.

[LSUTiger]

Planning on getting my first AR next year and am looking for recommendations/suggestions. The rifle would be used mostly for target shooting, maybe some small varmints.

• * Build or buy? I'm pretty good with tools, and the thought of building my own sounds like fun. However, given the seriousness of what could happen if I do something wrong gives me some hesitation. (For what it's worth, I reload my own 9mm target ammo.)
  
  * Tools (if building) - what type of tools would I need to get? I've got a pretty good mix of standard mechanic tools; not sure what is needed for building an AR.
  
  * Brand - Bushmaster, Colt, Windham Weaponry, others. Anything highly recommended, or strongly cautioned against?
  
  * Source - what is a good source for parts? Is it best to buy complete kits, or shop around for individual parts? Is brand also a consideration when looking at individual parts?
  
  * Caliber - .223 vs. 5.56. I understand that a rifle chambered for 5.56 can also shoot .223, but not vice-versa. Seems like going with 5.56 would offer more flexibility, but I don't know about added costs. I guess .308 is an option as well, but maybe overkill.
  
  * Carbon fiber vs. steel? I guess this a trade off of durability vs. weight, possibly cost?

For my first I would probably buy. Instant usability. For what AR's are going for these days, prebuilt is a very good deal. Until you know how the AR functions and the importance of each component, features and materials and have knowledge enough to know the difference between options and your preference you are probably not going to gain any advantage of a custom built rifle vs stock rifle. If you do want to build your self, I would enlist the help of someone who's been there and done it to guide you and lend you tools.

Also, youtube videos are plentiful that show how to put together uppers and lowers. Eventually I think everyone should build one, it's a great learning experience when you become intimately knowledgeable with the AR.

Tools can be minimal to get the job done or quite expensive if you want to do it the easiest way. Again youtube is your friend.

I prefer DI guns for the AR platform. I like BCM, Colt, Daniel Defense. I also like Palmetto State Armory, S&W and Bushmaster.

Parts BCM, PSA, brownells. Unless you have specific option in mind I would get a complete kit. Even then I may want to replace an item or two like the trigger or furniture.

I would go with 5.56 NATO.

I would stick with a Milspec Aluminum receiver and milspec chrome lined barrel.

[Texas_Blaze]

I built my first AR this year. I wanted to better understand the design of the system and components. I bought all the components either as piece parts or as a bag of goodies. I did not want to but assembled lower and assembled upper and simply pin it together. I went cheap just because it was my first. Some things I learned:

1. Pay attention to the spring and and buffer. There are some good YouTube videos
2. Learn the different barrel length terminology and buy the right gas tube for it
3. Pinning a Front Sight is difficult, so I bought the front sight pinned to the barrel. Initially I planned to do it myself but got worried as I just don't have much machining experience.
4. Got the tool for the barrel nut
5. Got vice block to holde the upper
6. torqued on the barrel nut to spec
7. Bought some roll pin punches mostly for the lower
8. Found some great documents online from the military that is basically a users manual
9. Learned that my trigger feels gritty
10. Learned how my rifle could be made into an M16 full auto. So I learned how the sequence of firing works
11. Had a great time with my son
12. I went 556
13. Learned about head space. i got a used bolt from a friend, so I made sure to check head space. Got the head space go/nogo gages. To me this is very important
14. Shot about 500 rds through it so far. No issues
15. I am not an expert but learned so much and had fun

[Pawpaw]

TAM is right, but if you buy an AR already assembled, stay with Colt, Noveske, BCM, Daniel Defense.

Stay away from Bushmaster and Windham.

You might pay "a little less" for a Bushmaster or a Windham, but the quality will be significantly lower the first group of AR's I listed.

I believe this is the first time I've seen anything negative about Windham. From what I've seen, they''re fine rifles.

[JALLEN]

I built an M-4gery several years ago while I lived in CA. I bought a Lauer lower and a parts kit and assembled it using the very fine instructions found on AR15.com, and there are videos since. I had a bullet button as required by CA law. I bought a Stag upper.

When I had it complete, I took it to the range, where one of the staff had been a Marine armorer. I asked him to look it over, to see if all the parts that were supposed to move did, and the ones that weren't didn't. When he said it appeared to be in order, I popped in a magazine on the range and had a go at it. It went "bang!" the first time, and every time since.

The only problem I have had is that it is hard to shoot accurately, trying to aim with a huge grin on my face.

I also built another lower that I use with a Spike's .22 upper. Massive fun! The second one was a piece of cake.

I would buy an upper and do the lower yourself. No special tools are necessary, and it is so easy, even a lawyer can do it.

[nyj]

I don't agree that building is always less expensive, and when it is, it's not always by a large margin.

What will the gun be used for? Light duty plinking, hunting, bug out rifle, etc. What is your budget?

If you want run of the mill AR that will get the job done, Palmetto State Armory is usually the way to go. With their Christmas deals going on right now, you could buy a complete lower and upper, and BCG for less than $600. I really only recommend building your own when you have specific requirements. There's really not much an out-of-the-box AR can't do. If you don't like something, it's easy to fix.

If you want a step above Palmetto, then the Colt 6920 is a good choice. Above that, I would recommend Bravo Company or Daniel Defense.

I just got done building a $2600 rifle. Will it outshoot a PSA build? No. Is it spec'd out the way I want it? Yes.

[nyj]

TAM is right, but if you buy an AR already assembled, stay with Colt, Noveske, BCM, Daniel Defense.

Stay away from Bushmaster and Windham.

You might pay "a little less" for a Bushmaster or a Windham, but the quality will be significantly lower the first group of AR's I listed.

Nothing wrong with either of those. They'll shoot just as much as any premium brand. Very few people put premium spec rifles to their intended use.

And Bushmaster has long supplied law enforcement agencies around the US with AR's that have done a fine job.

(This is coming from someone who has owned Noveske, BCM, DD, and Bushmaster.)

[bcooper]

I built my first and will my own from now on. Just love the exp. of creating it from the ground up with everything that I want on it. I don't have to spend $1400 on a ar15 to not like something or want better performance out of lets say the trigger. Now I have to go out and buy a $100-$300 trigger that meets my needs/comfort.

Just my opinion. If you buy a completed AR, I personally would go with Danial Defense, Bravo Company, and Noveske. You will pay a price, but those are quality companies.

[bnc]

The fun and satisfaction of building is totally worth it. At least try assembling a lower, it is not hard at all.

For parts I tend to go for Bravo Company, Spikes Tactical, Aero Precision, Daniel Defense, and Palmetto State Armory.

I tend to buy those parts from Bravo Company, Palmetto State Armory, Aim Surplus, ROG Tactical, and Primary Arms.

Just be careful with what you are getting yourself into, ARs have a way of multiplying...

[mrvmax]

AR parts prices are pretty low right now (with stripped lowers starting at $35), if you shop around you can find good prices but it will most likely be cheaper to buy a complete rifle (of course that depends on what parts you want on it). The good thing about building is that you can choose everything you want on it but that can be pricey.