Picked up Shotgun News and have some questions....

[AlphaAuriga]

I picked up a copy of Shotgun News the other day.

I see lots and lots of ads for low priced ARs. The ones that caught my eye are the ones that say "kit" and come complete except for a stripped lower. They are going for about 500 bucks.

I've not built one before and was wondering;

How good are most of these? Are these usually pretty cheap in quality?

What would the lower parts run about?

Unless I was an armorer I should just by RRA, Olympic Arms, Bushmaster, etc?

[The1andOnlyKC]

Who makes the kits you are talking about?

Also the kits should include the lower parts kits.

A stripped lower will run you anywhere from $80 on up. Bluker has some for sale in the forsale part of the forum.

[bbadmin]

Some questions to ask.

1) Are the parts Mil-Spec?
2) Are the barrels and chambers chrome lined?
3) Who makes the parts?
4) For flat-tops and railed fore-ends, are the rails Mil-Spec?
5) If a collapsible stock, who makes it? Is it aluminum? Is the buffer tube mil-spec? How many positions? Does it come with the buffer spring and buffer?

Avoid Number 1 Sales. (I think that's the correct name.) And be careful of the no name dealers sellin no name parts.

You can get kits pretty easily from Bushmaster, DPMS and other good companies. It may cost a little more, but you'll be happier in the long run.

[Not_A_Llama]

I think you'd be making a mistake by buying a "kit" from the factory. It'll cost you just as much as a preassembled rifle, and won't come with the factory warantee.

That said, *do* buy a kit from a reputable kit company. Right now, the only reputable kit company is JT Distributing. They cost a little more than the other kitters, but you won't have to deal with crap parts or irritatiing/abusive customer "service". Their website is www.jtdistributing.com , but they have more options than you see on the website; call them if you're looking for something.

[bbadmin]

I can agree with the Llama on that.

[Gman]

I guess the trick is finding an FFL that won't screw you on the transfer. Thanks for the link to JT distributing. Looks like some good stuff they have there at some fair prices.

Any ideas on how to approach finding a fair FFL in my area so I can acquire some stripped lowers?

[PhL0aTeR]

I guess the trick is finding an FFL that won't screw you on the transfer. Thanks for the link to JT distributing. Looks like some good stuff they have there at some fair prices.

Any ideas on how to approach finding a fair FFL in my area so I can acquire some stripped lowers?

Thats the constant struggle..... when i was in TX, i had a guy do it for me for free, everyone else was charging at least $20, some a percentage of what the gun costs new. When i first met him, i said, "Free?" :shock: He said, "yeah, why would i charge you for filling out a yellow peice of paper and a phone call???" Good guy, got alot of my business andreferrals and my referrals business and their referrals, etc....

[Bumblebee Bob]

Call around to your local pawnshops. Most are FFL's and few are "insulted" about doing transfers like some storefront dealers are.

I know one that charges $10 per gun. But he also says he's the biggest seller on the west slope. I would almost believe him too. His shop is maybe 12' x 15' and is usually wall to wall people waiting to buy a gun. It gets crowded at times, especially with that shelf unit full of pawned junk sitting in the middle of the room. :lol: But he's 75 miles from me.

I found one of the pawnshops in town charges $20 for the first gun and $15 for anymore, as long as they all go on the same 4473. All the storefront dealers charge $25 and up with the gunsmith charging a 20% fee! :shock:

Come to think of it, ShotgunNews.com and Gunbroker.com both have "FFL locators". Type in your zip code and see who comes up. Usually their transfer price is listed. Might be a good place to start looking.

[Gman]

Now that Eagle Firearms has a storefront, it's easier to get a good price on stripped lowers directly from Chris without having to pay for a transfer. 8)

[moses]

Theres a place i got on from the have ads in the Shot gun News " Sherluk marketing" that has been attending our gun shows here in Pittsburgh, Pa for years and they sell a very nice parts kit. I just recived a E2 rifle kit with the 20" upper all assembled with all the bolt ETC in it. They sell a 20" abd a 16" car for $424.95 Plus shipping all you need is a stripped lower Reciver.

[Great-Kazoo]

I guess the trick is finding an FFL that won't screw you on the transfer. Thanks for the link to JT distributing. Looks like some good stuff they have there at some fair prices.

Any ideas on how to approach finding a fair FFL in my area so I can acquire some stripped lowers?

what "transfer" ? you don't need any ffl to buy an ar parts kit. and there are a few good dealers along the front range that stock or will order a stripped lower in for you.
as for putting one together it's too easy. just be patient and make sure you use some tape to cover any areas that require you to drift a roll pin in (hint) bolt release. for the trigger guard roll pin. very light film of oil on th eroll pin. place in freezer for 1-15 min. support the trigger housing remove pin from freezer insert into trigger housinf gently hammer pin.
gat some good pin punches and you're good to go