Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

So I just got a new job that pays less but has much more of a future than my current job and pays for school. That means my gun budget that was minimal before, will be even less, so I need to get the most bang for my buck. I really want an AR and then I will be "done" with my firearm purchases, until I find my next "can't live without" gun, which doesn't seem to take long. I've looked at some prices for building AR's and it looks like you can get a pretty good deal for around $750 with pieced together parts from various websites, however I can't seem to find any AR Lowers local. Any ideas where I can find a lower? Also, what do I need to look for if I do buy a used lower? Any known issues, or brands I should look for or avoid?

other option: just buy one. I've seen some in the $700-$800 range online, however I am unsure of quality and they seem to be from brands I've never heard of(which means nothing). My local shop has a Panther Arms DPMS (no model # given) for only $660 but it has a verbal hold placed on it for a few days. I might go back in this weekend and see if it was picked up.

Any suggestions on where to start are appreciated

I have "built" the two AR rifles I have owned. The AK guys say that ARs are assembled, not built. I partly agree. The first one, I bought the lower with the parts kit assembled, the I added the rest. The second, I bought the stripped lower, and assembled the parts kit, with the first as a visual aid.
What is your closest gun show? There is slight differences amongst the brands of lowers, but most of them are very much the same, just pick one that you like the looks of. Aero Precision, Spike's, Stag, S&W, all pretty good. Zombie Defense is an 07 FFL over in my area, and he has some lowers with his brand on them for $125. He has them made, and I'm not positive, but I have a really good idea who makes them, and if I'm correct, they're right up there will the others in quality.
Don't bother building an upper, just buy a good one. If you have money right now, Bravo Company is very good quality, and they're on sale right now. You can get a BCM complete right now for just under $600. Otherwise, Stag, Spike's, Bushmaster, are decent mid-range brands for $400-500.
Stay away from Blackthorne, and Model 1 sales.
I have heard mixed things about DPMS, but they have been around a long time, so something must be right. The only reason I stay away from them is that they don't offer chrome lined barrel. It's a snob reason. The chrome lining probably doesn't matter to most shooters, but it might add to the life of the barrel.
CMMG also has a good reputation, and they have some "bargain" rifles for $600 right now. They rounded up all of the random parts laying around, and assembled rifles. They're all new, but you don't know exactly what you get, other than a functional rifle.

Assemble is a better word, yes, as it's mostly just drop-in stuff. But that is what makes the AR so much more attractive than the AK. Who wants to have stuff machined

Thanks for the help. I had looked through all the threads you referenced already, they were a bit of a help, but mostly just scattered bits of information.

Next time I'm in H'burg I will have to stop by and check out Ashby Arms, I havn't been there yet.

As for gun shows, I plan on going to Chantilly in a month, hopefully there may be some decent deals to be found, although I'm not holding my breath.

nickf829 wrote:Assemble is a better word, yes, as it's mostly just drop-in stuff. But that is what makes the AR so much more attractive than the AK. Who wants to have stuff machined

Machining an AK! You are a funny man.

Seriously, break out the hammer and go to town on some sheet metal and you have an AK. For the stock, just grab some trash 2x4s from a building site.

The only part that requires some skill when assembling an AR is the whole barrel/chambering/headspacing-timing on the receiver. It really depends on what you want. If you can build it for less than buying the same thing (make sure you are comparing apples to apples), ask your self how much your time is worth. However, that ignores the value you could derive from doing it yourself and also the fact that while it may only cost you $x more to buy it vice assemble it, you may not have $x available.

Don't stress it too much, you will end up with several anyways.

gunderwood wrote:
Machining an AK! You are a funny man.

Seriously, break out the hammer and go to town on some sheet metal and you have an AK. For the stock, just grab some trash 2x4s from a building site.

And grab yourself a hammer, an aluminum sheet and some cheap plastic and you've got an AR, right?

DPMS has a sale on rifle kits right not. $400 for everything except the stripped lower. That's a $500 AR if you have patience to do it all yourself.

$800 for a Spike's Tactical MIdlength.
It's a better deal than Stag, DPMS, and other sub $1000 rifles.
As soon as the finances are available, I'll be picking one up.

You might want to check with Bud's Gunshop. They have complete Doublestar AR's for $659 with free shipping to your FFL.

RocKor wrote:

gunderwood wrote:
Machining an AK! You are a funny man.

Seriously, break out the hammer and go to town on some sheet metal and you have an AK. For the stock, just grab some trash 2x4s from a building site.

And grab yourself a hammer, an aluminum sheet and some cheap plastic and you've got an AR, right?

Na, for an AR you need $10M of CNC tooling just to rough it in.

RocKor wrote:And grab yourself a hammer, an aluminum sheet and some cheap plastic and you've got an AR, right?

Close, that's for the AR18.

rromeo wrote:DPMS has a sale on rifle kits right not. $400 for everything except the stripped lower. That's a $500 AR if you have patience to do it all yourself.

I'm not seeing that kit for $400. Do you have a link?