First AR-10: Build or Buy on Budget?

Hawk45

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 29, 2002
1,360
2
51
Ohio
Hi everyone,

Looking to get my first AR10 platform rifle. I have plenty of bolt rifles and AR15's but think it's time to get into a semi-auto .308 rifle. As with any gun I ever get I'm sure it will never stay in stock configuration. I'd like it to be as light weight as possible and able to be slung .. something similar to my 16" AR15 but possibly moving up to an 18" bbl for the .308. And the kicker.. I'm on a budget. For the whole build/purchase (less glass)I'd like to keep it under $1500. Hope this is possible and still able to get something of quality.

Options I'd like to have:
Collapsible Stock
Forend Rail system
Threaded barrel for comp
18" bbl max.
.308 Caliber.
Good aftermarket accessory options


Thanks,
Hawk
 
Re: First AR-10: Build or Buy on Budget?

i just didnt have all the cash at one time so i built mine in parts. i think i did pretty well with selection. its just not easy to get "exactly" what you want from a place so then you gotta go custom or buy stock and modify. then your paying even more it seems. im waiting on an 18" barrel. but so far, here it is. im at $1100 with out optics

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Re: First AR-10: Build or Buy on Budget?

I'm in the process of building a lr-308.

I've seen ones sell for less than what it has cost me thus far so I'd recommend you buy one complete...and sell parts off and gradually replace with parts that you'd want.

As far as weight goes: My LR308 is a fat cow. The thing is crazy heavy. I have a DPMS 24" stainless free floated upper.
 
Re: First AR-10: Build or Buy on Budget?

+1 on that

It is near impossible to beat the cost of a factory DPMS.

They make a pretty good starting point.
 
Re: First AR-10: Build or Buy on Budget?

you just have to kinda do the math. i would have been happy with an AP4 at $1000 new. starting there and adding $150 for the stock, $200 for the badger and $300 for the barrel i have coming and then selling off the other stuff and having to buy the tools to disassemble/reassemble and sell off the spare parts... so for me, it was cheaper to build. look at what you want in the end. see what it costs to modify the stock weapon over the cost of building one thats exactly what you want. if an AP4 or any other stock model will work for you, there you go. if your gonna start changing and adding stuff, i bet build is better and cheaper than buy.
 
Re: First AR-10: Build or Buy on Budget?

I myself I'm in the process of building my own custom precision 308. I have to build my own because my budget for cut WAY down because of lack of work. So its a lot easier to come up with money here and there. I just ordered the receiver and BCG for $189. For the guys building there own what barrel did you guys buy? I'm stuck between a stock SASS, krieger, krieger M110, or accuracy systems. Has anyone had any experience with any of them? I'm kinda leaning towards the accuracy systems because of the guarantee and more options.
 
Re: First AR-10: Build or Buy on Budget?

if you got a receiver AND BCG for $189, please PM me with the place that sold that to you. cheapest i have found was $210 for just the BCG. for the money i could not pay what DPMS wants for the SASS with kreiger and many others just a big more and alot better barrel
 
Re: First AR-10: Build or Buy on Budget?

Sorry I said ordered I bought it from a guy my dad knows, I will ask him tomorrow when I pick it up. He told me he wanted exactly what he paid for it, I was planning on giving him 2 $100 bills because I couldn't buy the BCG for that. That was what swayed me away from the 6.8 I had my heart set on from ITS with the 5r barrel. This is going to still be more money but will have a WAY longer range.
 
Re: First AR-10: Build or Buy on Budget?

im down to just the BCG and i just gave the CC for my barrel. 18" stainless steel, 3 groove poly rifled, mid gas, threaded and a protector included for .... $280. new.