The cheapest place to get an AR kit?

[rhineoshott]

I'm looking at different places to get some kits to build and found a lot of variation in the prices. Does anyone know where to get the cheapest kits? So far I've found Blackthorne Products to have the best prices (starting around 400) though I'd like a little more choices as far as stocks, grips and handguards.

[rhineoshott]

did a little research on Blackthorne: looks like they've got a pretty nasty reputation for products that are junk.

[esaabye]

Rock River has kits, not cheap but...

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=199

[Colorado Osprey]

I've built kits from:
J&T
http://jtdistributing.net/store/kits_all.html
J&S & Olympic Arms
http://jsgunparts.com/store/ http://olyarms.com/
Del-Ton
http://www.del-ton.com/
M&A
http://www.m-aparts.com/
Model 1
http://www.model1sales.com/

Overall I wouldn't say any is really any better than others. For the most part they are using the same parts from the same few manufacturers.
The real differrence is barrels.
Choose what you really want to use the gun for and it will determine the barrel needed... then it is a lot easier to pick a kit.

A lot of the Mil-Spec crowd swears by Colt/FN stuff available through J&T, but Mil-Spec means chrome lined and the Mil-Spec for acceptable accuracy is under 4" at 100 meters. Not accuarte enough for me.

There are some bug hole shooting barrels available like the Olympic SUM (Broach Cut not Button) and some gunsmiths making barrels from blanks and assembling uppers specifically for accuracy like Mike Milli http://www.dtechsuperstore.com/
These are guns that can win shooting competitions for accuracy. His guns are common place in the hunting community for people who hunt with AR-15's as well.

[Delfuego]

Buy from Bravo Company, they have good stuff good prices, and most importantly "Live Inventory"

Most other sites will have prices and no inventory and you could be waiting a long long long time.
[Rant1]

If you want to save the dough you can find them for less, but with BCM no will have it in your hands for shooting, and be GTG on warranty.

I just built 2 AR in the last 6 months and parts are a pain and expensive. You will spend the extra money on all the hardware anyway, you might as well pony up the dough and be happy!

Pedro

Confirmed Addict...........[Tooth]

[rhineoshott]

Hey thanks guys. This is a lot of good info, I will definitely put this to use!



You will spend the extra money on all the hardware anyway, you might as well pony up the dough and be happy!


Not quite sure what you mean here, I'm guessing to replace cheap parts? or do kits not come with everything?

Thanks

[Delfuego]

I just mean with all the little extras people (me included) add to their AR that even if you have a pretty low budget, you will end up spending money on lots of little odds and ends. (grips/rails/covers/latches/springs/stocks)

I think buying a good product with a good company will pay back dividends over time. Plus waiting for new toys is the worst!
[Luck]