My first AR

[Alex984]

Wow, great info guys. Thanks. Some specific replies below...

Really though, if you’re handy at all and have some persistent patience, building from parts is really rewarding.

Probably sacrilege around here, but I'm not sure I'll like the AR and I think a complete lower from a reputable company would have better resale than something a first time builder like myself could put together.

Just like the lower, you can assemble the upper yourself, just buy a high end barrel if that is your goal.

As for the upper, it seems like chamber spacing can be tricky. Maybe not?

Welcome to the Clan, Alex984, from the Great Nation of Texas! Your plan is sound - as stated above, some of the lead times are painful. You might also look at Alexander Arms for the upper. What part of the world are you in?

I'm in Virginia. A few hours from PF and more than a few hours from AA. AA does seem like good stuff. My impression was that you pay more for PF but get more for your money. I could be wrong.

If a lower is forged and is a collection of unknown parts how are some priced at $100 while others (that seem no better) are around $400?
This isn't Cadillac/Chevy or Zeiss/Simmons where it is obvious that you're getting a better product, these pieces are usually "mil-spec" and that guarantees that they function the same.

Hey, something I can actually answer! I'm a (civilian) army engineer and work with "mil spec" all the time. It doesn't really mean what you think it does. In the commercial rifle world, I think it just means it's built to the right tolerances with a suitable material, not that it's gone through the myriad qualifications, quality assurance, and environmental testing. Environmental testing (MIL-STD-810G) is itself a document the size of a phone book and testing to that standard is only as good as the engineer who specified the correct measures.

Ok I'll be that guy and say I wouldn't buy that lower at that price point. Brownells has or had complete Colt lowers for $250 and that price point would be tops as I still would want a nicer trigger. Palmetto State Armory has a complete lower with a Magpul Moe stock for $150 shipped, add a nicer trigger and your at $250 to $300. OP in my opinion you would be best served to do some shopping.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15-05/lowers.html

Colt complete lower
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/re...09740.aspx

I thought about that Colt but it's out of stock and I have my doubts it'll come back at that price. If I do end up ordering the PF upper, I guess I'll have 8-10 more weeks to think about a lower, though. I will look more into PSA. Thanks for your advice.

Personally, I would go the MOE route (or better yet, ACS-L). I've got a scar on my forehead that says that I don't like the stock adjustment lever exposed. I leaned on it when shooting at the range with my AR308, and the stock collapsed, driving the scope into my forehead. Maybe I'm just a dumbass

Dumb question: MOE is a stock type? :confused: