Without compromising quality, here's my formula. Assuming collapsable stock:
Lower $224
Upper is harder, just more options:
My build using the above is one of my favorites, Shoots great! though I used a sundevil lower initially.
Last lower, I shopped around and found I could get an LMT complete lower with mil-spec everything for $300. For the $75 difference in cost vs the cheapest I could build one with decent parts, I went LMT. And will never go back. And found out that adding a two stage trigger was much cheaper than upgrading triggers later, so went with that as well. But the basic LMT defender lower is a jamming deal in my book, especially if you can buy locally and avoid shipping/xfer fee.
But Daniel defense parts kit is the same cost as J&T or DPMS, it's a no brainer. Same for the MOE M4 stock with mil contract tube/spring/buffer.
The formula puts you right at $820, with excellent quality parts where it matters. SS Barrel, MOE furniture is becoming my fav, and even the cheapie rear sight I prefer over some of the more expensive options. (It's a pretty decent clone of the LMT derived from a cut down A2 handle)
You don't save an awful lot on the upper VS buying one preassembled, but you get SS barrel instead of plain, MOE furniture, and a better gas block. You'll need an armorer's wrench, upper block, torque wrench, so borrow or buy.
You can upgrade from there. Many ways to build a fancier/more expensive grendel!
Lower $224
- $74 Daniel Defense LPK (PSA or DSG)
- $70 MOE stock, mil-spec tube, Carbine buffer, mil-spec spring (DSG stock kit, or as part of $99 carbine kit if building an upper)
- $80 Surplus arms & ammo aero-precision lower (or your flavor, you can pay more, but it won't be better unless you jump to billet)
Upper is harder, just more options:
- $90 AA Upper
- $15 AA A2 Flashhider
- $280 Forum 16" AA SS barrel/bolt
- $42 Mil Contract M16 complete bolt carrier (G&R Tactical- the real deal, mfg has GI contract for parts)
- $20 LMT tactical charger handle (found for same price as generic, much better made)
- $65 YHM 9835 sight/gas block blem (ebay)
- $28?? delta ring assembly, handguard cap, gas tube, crush washer (RRA- best value I found, easy to order, better than DPMS/Delton generic)
- $30 MOE handguard with free grip (DSG, order as carbine kit for $99 with rear stock)
- $20 LMT SOPMOD clone rear sight (UTG, amazon)
My build using the above is one of my favorites, Shoots great! though I used a sundevil lower initially.
Last lower, I shopped around and found I could get an LMT complete lower with mil-spec everything for $300. For the $75 difference in cost vs the cheapest I could build one with decent parts, I went LMT. And will never go back. And found out that adding a two stage trigger was much cheaper than upgrading triggers later, so went with that as well. But the basic LMT defender lower is a jamming deal in my book, especially if you can buy locally and avoid shipping/xfer fee.
But Daniel defense parts kit is the same cost as J&T or DPMS, it's a no brainer. Same for the MOE M4 stock with mil contract tube/spring/buffer.
The formula puts you right at $820, with excellent quality parts where it matters. SS Barrel, MOE furniture is becoming my fav, and even the cheapie rear sight I prefer over some of the more expensive options. (It's a pretty decent clone of the LMT derived from a cut down A2 handle)
You don't save an awful lot on the upper VS buying one preassembled, but you get SS barrel instead of plain, MOE furniture, and a better gas block. You'll need an armorer's wrench, upper block, torque wrench, so borrow or buy.
You can upgrade from there. Many ways to build a fancier/more expensive grendel!