Would it be better to...

[UncleJak]

Buy a completed AR and interchange some parts (my tgo upper and lower) OR just buy all the parts... Sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee

[Garufa]

Just buy the parts that you need.  Completed AR's are usually a bit more expensive (that's one of the big reasons people build their own) and the only real advantage is you might have a warranty.  Go swapping stuff around warranty on complete rifle is void.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Garufa

[TripleDigitRide]

My AR's always seem to be more expensive than most of them there store bought evil black rifles.

[UncleJak]

[quote name="TripleDigitRide" post="1085567" timestamp="1388276707"]My AR's always seem to be more expensive than most of them there store bought evil black rifles.[/quote]that's what I'm afraid is happening. I want the best parts and they cost more! Sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee

[jtmaze]

I am having the same conflict. You can get a dpms m4 from Walmart right now for $617 +tax and bc. I don't think I can build one for that. The only real advantage I see to building your own is that I can buy parts a little at a time and assemble when complete. It is hard to come up with $700 lump sum with 2 kids in college. I can swing $100 here and $100 there. JTM We the People of the United States, in order to form a more Perfect Union......

[TNMTBik3r]

I just built one for $600. PSA blem Magpul lower for $185 shipped and 16 inch complete upper for $399 ($215 shipped).
I was able to split the cost up which helped a ton.

[TrickyNicky]

I say build one personaly. What more you spend on parts you make up for in having a "custom" rifle and being able to spread
the purchases out over as long as you like /need. Edited December 29, 2013 by TrickyNicky

[gregintenn]

I found that the searching for and deciding on which parts to buy was most of the fun of building the TGO AR.

[mikegideon]

I don't know that you can save any money on a build these days, especially if you compare it to the cheesiest Walmart rifle. Fact is, that DPMS from Walmart is gonna work just fine.

 

Here's the gotcha in my opinion. The CMT receivers are premium parts, that we managed to get for a helluva price. So, that drove me to put better parts in the gun. Everything in that DPMS rifle is adequate, but that's it. My first build was a $600 gun. That gun still exists, but with the upper receiver as the only original part.

 

The real beauty of the platform... you get to do exactly what you want. Swapping out the receivers on a Walmart special will certainly work. It's just gonna be a walmart special when you're done, 'cause it ain't about the receivers.

[Trekbike]

The TGO CMT build (lower, upper, BCG) is my first build and I've chosen the quality parts I wanted so it's ended up being a pretty steep tab. It'll likely be one that I'll always keep though.

The big advantage for me is I've been able to learn how all the parts go together and function so I know this gun inside and out. Edited December 29, 2013 by Trekbike

[Trekbike]

Double post Edited December 29, 2013 by Trekbike

[mikegideon]

The TGO CMT build (lower, upper, BCG) is my first build and I've chosen the quality parts I wanted so it's ended up being a pretty steep tab. It'll likely be over that I'll always keep though.

The big advantage for me is I've been able to learn how all the parts go together and function so I know this gun inside and out.

 

Yep. My first one was around $2k without sights. I'm actually killing another rifle to do the second one. It will still be expensive because of the new barrel kit.

[KKing]

[quote name="mikegideon" post="1085986" timestamp="1388346532"]Yep. My first one was around $2k without sights. I'm actually killing another rifle to do the second one. It will still be expensive because of the new barrel kit.[/quote] My builds always end up costing way more, simply because I'll put the quality parts on that I want. I think you're asking the wrong question OP, I think the question is what will you be happy with? We can't answer that I could buy a $600 rifle, but I wouldn't be happy until I put probably $500 worth of aftermarket stuff on it that I would on my normal builds. All personal preference. But I will say, I built the carbine on the left here for around $950 [URL=http://s278.photobucket.com/user/SXT6/media/576317B7-6DD1-4874-91BB-049E4E24DDFB_zpsfer4hlut.png.html][/URL]

Edited December 29, 2013 by KKing

[jcj]

[quote name="UncleJak" post="1085552" timestamp="1388275451"]Buy a completed AR and interchange some parts (my tgo upper and lower) OR just buy all the parts...Sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee[/quote] Buy the parts. It's all part of the "experience". :D

[KKing]

I should have added to my first post; There's nothing quite like building. With buying, the initial excitement only comes once, the day you pick it up. With building, it comes every time a package comes in and every time a piece gets assembled. To me, the "I did that" and pride of ownership factor far outweighs any money I would've saved by buying a factory gun. That being said, there's also fun in trying to find the best deals on parts, catching things on sale, that sort of thing. My posts might sound contradictory, but just trying to help Edited December 29, 2013 by KKing

[Guest Darthlaidher]

I bought a completed rifle but pretty much rebuilt it over time.

[UncleJak]

Well, I decided to build. I have the upper, lower, lower parts kit, buttstock, gas tube, barrel, and a two piece handguard. I think I am getting closer.... Sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee

[TrickyNicky]

Getting real close :)

Have you started buying tools yet?

[jcj]

[quote name="TrickyNicky" post="1088844" timestamp="1388809106"]Getting real close :) Have you started buying tools yet?[/quote] Good point. UncleJak, before you start buying tools give me a yell. I may already have it on hand. Some things you won't use all that often aside from doing a build.