New to ARs--custom build through local shop?

[abraxas]

Background

• Pretty much a novice when it comes to firearms, but less knowledgeable in some areas (e.g., rifles) than others (e.g., semi-auto pistols and shotguns).
• While not a mechanical whiz, not mechanically inept either (i.e., I follow instructions well and can generally pick things up fairly quickly).
• Only have basic tools and no bench, etc. to work with so piecing together my own rifle isn't really feasible.
• In terms of knowledge gleaned from the internet I think I'm beginning to understand the basics (e.g., major component groups, what to look for in a rifle, etc.) Reources like this and here have been really helpful in that regard. At the same time, however, the amount of information out there is daunting and of course there are multiple opinions on just about everything.

What I'm Looking For

• Something custom. I'm picky enough that I think an off the shelf model would leave me wanting.
• Some expert help along the way. There is a relatively new store in town that is tactically oriented and I'm thinking of trying to go through them for the build.
• Something that won't break the bank. I realize you get what you pay for and I'm willing to shell out for something reasonable, but plunking down for a LWRC Tricon or Daniel Defense Larry Vickers Signature Series would be overkill, not to mention way more than someone of my skill level and interests needs.

Questions

• Does anyone know what local shops tend to charge for a custom AR build? I'm not sure if this done as percentage of the sales price or by tacking on some flat fee.
• Would the shop likely be willing to split the job into two separate orders for upper and lower? The potential to save money where I could (e.g., tax breaks) would be great.

Help with any of the above questions would be most appreciated, as well as any other relevant advice anyone felt like passing along based on my general situation.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Wow very well put together post! I'm not really all in tune with what gun shops do builds but I'm sure other's are so I'll let them take that. Just wanted to comment on your nice post!

[jrswanson1]

Building a lower is simple, you just need a hammer, painters tape, some punches, a castle nut wrench, and some patience. There's a how to on ar15.com with step by step instructions.

The upper is where you run into specialized tools. A receiver block, a vise, a front sight base block, a hammer, an armorer's tool, and some patience is required.

Most people either buy the upper complete, or buy the parts and drop some money and the parts off at their gun smith's shop.

Jim

[allingeneral]

I have a link around here somewhere to a place that can help you out...I just have to...find it...

[JDbudzo]

abraxas, When you said that you would like a Tax Break, is that from the 11% Federal Excise Tax which is charged on the Selling Price of a Completed Long Gun? If YES, it is easy to avoid that tax. Purchase a stripped or completed AR lower and fill out the necessary Virginia and Federal background checks to have it transferred to you. The 11% Excise Tax is only paid if you buy a Completed Firearm. With you owning the AR lower, you can either finish it yourself or have any one of the numerous shops to complete the build. Once you own the AR lower, no more 11% Excise Tax Liability exists for you, the owner. You can ship your receiver to ANY FFL to complete it for you and they can ship it directly back to you with no additional background check. 11% tax can add up! Hope this helps your decision.

[abraxas]

I appreciate all the responses thus far. If I can find a complete lower and complete upper that I really like I may try to just order those separately and thus escape the federal excise tax (thanks, JDbudzo, that was my original intent).

If I can't find complete uppers/lowers that suit my fancy then I may look into having the shop nearby assemble them for me since I don't have the necessary equipment at this point to put either half together, but especially not an upper.

I'll keep poking around online to see what I can find, but I will say at this point that I'm pretty surprised at the seeming scarcity of parts out there--so many different manufacturers and resellers are out of stock of a majority of their uppers and lowers. I talked with a friend who pieced together his first AR maybe 6 months ago and he said he didn't see shortages like we're seeing now. I wonder what's going on with that...

[grumpyMSG]

I will offer some simple advice: when you purchase your upper purchase it complete with a bolt carrier. When you purchase them together they come already having had the headspace checked.

A few of the companies with the best reputations are Bravo Company (also referred to as BCM), Colt, Daniel Defense and Lewis Machine and Tool (also referred to as LMT). BCM is also a vendor for several other companies' products, so you can do some custom ordering/assembly through them. Colt currently holds the M4 contract wth the government, Daniel Defense and LMT both sell some M4 upgrade parts under federal contracts too.

[abraxas]

Thanks for the additional info, grumpyMSG, especially the bit about getting a complete upper instead of piecing together the upper and BCG.

I've been doing a lot of looking at the Bravo Company website lately, but it's a bit frustrating as they (and many other vendors) have *so* many items out of stock. It seems like every time I find a component I like I find that it's out of stock. Ah well...

[RocKor]

I would caution you against building a custom rifle unless you know exactly what you want and how to do so. A big reason is that "custom" AR-15s have very little resale value (if you ever get tired of it), unless you use premium parts, which cost more.

What I would strongly suggest, is that you buy yourself a good, basic carbine like a Spikes' Tactical ST-15 ($850 MSRP for a 100% mil-spec rifle) and dress it up exactly the way you want it. That way you KNOW you have a good base rifle to build off of. That way you can change your sights, stocks, handguards, muzzle device, optics, and several other parts to make it truly your own rifle but still, again, have a great base rifle that you know will work well but still have the gun of your dreams.

[abraxas]

I would caution you against building a custom rifle unless you know exactly what you want and how to do so. A big reason is that "custom" AR-15s have very little resale value (if you ever get tired of it), unless you use premium parts, which cost more.

What I would strongly suggest, is that you buy yourself a good, basic carbine like a Spikes' Tactical ST-15 ($850 MSRP for a 100% mil-spec rifle) and dress it up exactly the way you want it. That way you KNOW you have a good base rifle to build off of. That way you can change your sights, stocks, handguards, muzzle device, optics, and several other parts to make it truly your own rifle but still, again, have a great base rifle that you know will work well but still have the gun of your dreams.

Good advice. After a good bit of internal debate on the matter I decided today to opt against going the custom route this first time around for several reasons, instead deciding to buy a complete Daniel Defense DDM4V3.

I caught the reference to centerfireguns.com here and the price was several hundred dollars less than what I'd spec'd out for my custom build. The extra money I would have spent on that will now go towards a quality optic of some kind, which now means I have a whole other load of research to do.

Thanks again for everyone's comments and suggestions. I'll definitely be posting pics when it comes in!

[RocKor]

I'm glad you came to a very well informed decision. DD makes good stuff, I especially love their Omega rails. For optics I would check out a good Aimpoint (look at their catalog to make sense of the models haha) as they are tough as nails and have battery life that is ridiculously long.

[abraxas]

I'm glad you came to a very well informed decision. DD makes good stuff, I especially love their Omega rails. For optics I would check out a good Aimpoint (look at their catalog to make sense of the models haha) as they are tough as nails and have battery life that is ridiculously long.

The rifle came in yesterday--looking forward to sighting it in soon. I'd like to spend some time getting accustomed to the iron sights before I throw an optic on there. I am definitely leaning towards the Aimpoints when it comes time for one, though...maybe the PRO model.

[allingeneral]

I have a link around here somewhere to a place that can help you out...I just have to...find it...

Oh yeah - here it is... http://SterlingArsenal.com