build a rifle or buy factory?

[Hippy_Steve]

I'm left handed and I can't afford a AI. Should I slowly piece together a rifle and have it assembled by a competent gunsmith, or should I buy a semi-custom gun from GA Precision or Mile High? Money is obviously a limiting factor since I can't afford an AI outright.

 

[diverdon]

If you want an AI having something "just as good" built is going to cost you twice as much in the long run. You will spend what a AI costs trying to get the custom to be what you want then when it still lacks that something that makes the AI special you will still have to go buy the AI.

For many of us it is the absolute trust that we feel that we can depend on our AI to do the job without fail.

Consider saving a few more months, then call EuroOptic of Mile High and ask for their best price. Sometimes the guy who thinks he can't afford something really has to look at his situation as see if he truly can afford not to have that something.

 

[tomcfc11]

Get a demo AI AT from Euro Optic or Mile High. You just have to be patient for one to come up that is configured how you want it. Cost will be right around what something custom would be.

 

[LeftyJason]

Get a demo AI AT from Euro Optic or Mile High. You just have to be patient for one to come up that is configured how you want it. Cost will be right around what something custom would be.

Did you note the LEFTHANDED note by the OP? It is rare for people to have lefty demos.

 

[Nik H]

I'm left handed and I can't afford a AI. Should I slowly piece together a rifle and have it assembled by a competent gunsmith, or should I buy a semi-custom gun from GA Precision or Mile High? Money is obviously a limiting factor since I can't afford an AI outright.

Listen to @diverdon.

Like you I am LH and my only regret with owning my AI is knowing that I won’t be buying another rifle...well unless I get an AXMC. If you wait a bit longer you won’t regret it. If you can’t wait, look at a LH Tika. They are pretty nice for the money and resell pretty well

 

[tomcfc11]

Did you note the LEFTHANDED note by the OP? It is rare for people to have lefty demos.

Yup...and they recently filled the market with left handed ATs. So maybe next shot show they will have a few on display that come up for sale after.

 

[flyer]

PVA is going to offer the John Hancock rifle in left handed and under $2,000 for PRS limited division or something. If that works with your budget, it would be hard to do very much better.

 

[Hippy_Steve]

Yup...and they recently filled the market with left handed ATs. So maybe next shot show they will have a few on display that come up for sale after.

Where could i watch for a demo left handed AT to go for sale? By the time SHOT comes and goes, I'll (hopefully) have enough for one. I'm abiding by the "buy once cry once" dogma.

 

[Hippy_Steve]

Get a demo AI AT from Euro Optic or Mile High. You just have to be patient for one to come up that is configured how you want it. Cost will be right around what something custom would be.

I want it to be left handed and have a .473" bolt face. If i'm lucky, the barrel will be threaded too. I can go without a threaded barrel for a while, but i'll want to mount my Ultra 9 to it eventually.

 

[tomcfc11]

Mile high posts their demo and used rifles on Gun Broker. Euro Optic would have them under used rifles on their website. I would give each business a call and see if they have any future plans to have left handed demos. As far as the barrel goes, either of them can thread a barrel for you before they ship.

 

[NateVA]

Just continue to save for an AI. I bought 2 custom rifles before I got fed up with it all and ordered an AI.

 

[Hippy_Steve]

I've sent out a feeler to milehigh. I'll send one out to eurooptics if milehigh ends up being a cold line.

 

[TripleBull]

Once you get an AI you'll need to change your handle to Happy Hippy Steve.

 

[Hippy_Steve]

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you all know I found a screaming deal on a left handed folder AT. I'll be living frugally for the next couple months, but this deal was too good to pass up. Thanks again for all the input. I'm looking forward to poking steel from far away.