Re: Is this a good deal?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KnockAround Guy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I asked about the barrels and they are all OEM manufactured for them out of Treated 4140 Chrome Moly Steel</div></div>
OEM, in this case, is being misused. In the automotive business, where I've spent my life, it means "Original Equipment Manufacturer" and is used to denote parts from the vehicle manufacturer. For example, if you go to the Chevy dealer and buy a piston, it comes in a blue and white box with the GM/Chevrolet logo on it and is an OEM part. Go to the corner auto parts store and buy one, and it is NOT a factory/OEM part. It's probably made to slightly lesser specs and will be cheaper because it is of lesser quality.
So, an "OEM barrel' doesn't mean anything, unless they are making their barrels onsite, in which case they'd probably call them EAC barrels. "Treated blah blah blah steel" is pretty much like saying "It' a barrel that's not stainless" since they're just repeating an industry standard. Tolerances are what matter, and better-known barrel makers keep their tolerances low.
I'd bet all the people on this board can assemble an AR platform from a pile of parts in a lazy hour or so. I've done it several times, and I'll bet most of the posters recommending you pass on this 'deal' have too.
For a gob less cash, you can buy a Spike's Tactical or Rock River rifle and a case of ammo and shoot the piss out of it. For not much more, you can buy higher end ARs like Noveske/Larue/DD You should also check out Bushmaster, though there are Bushy haters that will chime in. For $1200, you are treading on Colt territory.
But would I pay $1200 for an AR assembled from parts, especially with no brand names? Hell no. You're getting good advice, so listen to it. Especially the post about buying your own upper and lower, and assembling your AR from parts you pick. You'll learn a lot about ARs and discover that assembling one is easy. It's not "gunsmithing", and troubleshooting is straightforward.
Again: Pass, for that much cash. With a no-name upper and lower, a mystery barrel of (apparently) unknown twist, I'd pay around $750.
1911fan