Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

SO I think I am going to dive into the AR world. I am looking at kits online - the "everything you need minus the stripped lower" kits.
My question - are there any dealers at the Nations Chantilly show that sell the kits? I'm not yet to the point where I can bit and piece an AR - I need to know that if I buy the kit, well, that and a stripped lower is all I need in addition to the kit. - and possibly sights.

example:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/911450/dpms-ap4-ar-15-unassembled-carbine-kit-556x45mm-nato-16-barrel-with-ap4-upper-assembly-collapsible-stock-assembly-lower-receiver-parts-kit-pre-ban

I have been wanting one for a long time and finally took the plunge. I got a Bushmaster Carbon 15 with Red dot scope from Gander Mtn for $699. Just picked it up this week and hope to get a chance to shoot tomorrow. I put a lower Picitany rail on the handguard, added a vertical handgrip, and a TR1 light. It came with one 30 round clip but ordered a couple of Magpul clips today.

Really like it so far, feels good, decent balance. Can't wait to put some rounds downange with it. It was one of those "things" that I didn't really need but always wanted. A dad's gotta have his toys too!!

Tim

widefat;; Do some serious looking around before being buying any thing at a gun show.. You can find much better deals online or even privately and save yourself some $$$ for an extra goodie or two////If considering a kit make sure you read the description closely,many times the picture is just a stock one and the actual kit is different..example; Pre Ban vs, Post ban or chrome lined barrel or not, etc; etc;

VBshooter wrote:widefat;; Do some serious looking around before being buying any thing at a gun show.. You can find much better deals online or even privately and save yourself some $$$ for an extra goodie or two////If considering a kit make sure you read the description closely,many times the picture is just a stock one and the actual kit is different..example; Pre Ban vs, Post ban or chrome lined barrel or not, etc; etc;

RE Gun shows, that's what I'm thinking - a waste of time. Havent been to one in years - - just not worth the crowd, entry fee, and hassle to pay more.

Well, I did find an AR at the Chantilly show. The price was less than what I found online, and actually less than what I could have built it for. A DPMS - most people seem to like their DPMS rifles; some detractors. Will see how it works out.

After putting a few together I now believe the best reason for building your own is to allow you to pick and choose what parts and what options you have on your gun. I see lots of AR15's for sale (new ones) cheaper than the ones I put together but mine have the options (parts and manufacturers) that I wanted.

My last one (.300 blackout) has a carbine length gas system rather than a pistol length gas system. It has a folding front sight/gas block. It has a collapsible buttstock with barrel storage compartments. Mostly options that would not be included in a kit.

The one before that has a chrome lined lightweight midlength gas system barrel on it. Something I wanted but just wasn't seeing in kits or even complete rifles. By the way, this one is turning into one of my favorite rifles as it seems to be more accurate than any of the 20" HBARs we have. Luck of the draw, I know, as accuracy will vary from rifle to rifle unless you buy very expensive parts and then (sometimes) have even more work done by a professional to make the rifle as accurate as possible.

The other advantage to building your own is - you did it. You sat down with a pile of loose parts and put that rifle together piece by piece and now you know your rifle better than you ever would if you bought a complete rifle.