Newbie needs help! Build or buy?

[jason8251]

New to the site and need some advice. I am going to get a semi-auto .308 when I return to the states and I'm leaning towards putting one together myself. I really dig the Mega MA-TEN reciever and I know I'm gonna dump some serious cash into this thing I just don't want to waste money rounding up everything myself and end up with mediocre end result.
I know how AR's work and go together so I'm not worried about the assembly, but what is the benefit of having a gunsmith assemble an AR type rifle? I have a JP CTR-02 in .223 that is super accurate and that is pretty much my standard right now for what I want in a large caliber semi-auto as far as accuracy is concerned. My question is am I going to lose accuracy by doing the work myself as opposed to having a shop like GAP or JP build one for me.
I was also thinking maybe having the upper assembled by someone who really knows what they are doing may be beneficial. Thoughts?

 

[uscbigdawg]

Re: Newbie needs help! Build or buy?

It really depends on what you want frankly. If there are particular parts, accessories, features, whatever that you want that is not available from someone that won't charge you too much, then build it yourself. If there is, compare the prices of buy vs. build and go from there.

As you said, it's not very hard and if you find the right shop that builds near home, they'll like help you build it as they've got the tools you'll want/need. I built my current rifle at the house in about 2 hours and it only took that long with some extra work that I like on the chamber and on the bolt carrier tunnel.

If you want a hand or some tips, just drop me a PM and we'll get you squared away.

Rich

 

[jason8251]

Re: Newbie needs help! Build or buy?

Thanks for the offer. I'm not too concerned about weight as I'm trying to build a rifle with a 20-22" barrell that will be shot bench or prone. My main concern was with assembling the upper by myself and not having everything perfect and affecting accuracy. When I get back in a couple weeks I'll start looking around for recievers and go from there.

 

[Oodin]

Re: Newbie needs help! Build or buy?

This thread might have some information for you: Link

 

[jason8251]

Re: Newbie needs help! Build or buy?

Thanks for the link Jon, it was very helpful. New to this site and the amount of information is almost overwhelming. I'm just trying not to get lost in all of it.

 

[CK_32]

Re: Newbie needs help! Build or buy?

Im in the process of a build either way your ganna lose money hahaha

Building is cheaper if you are in absolutly no rush to have it done and wait for every part to go one sale..

If you cant wait and are just going to buy as soon as you find your parts and there is a complete with the same set up buy a complete. Or your'll end up spenidng 2x as much as the complete for the same rifle..

My buddy build his BCM upper with Mega lower.. spent about $2k on it.. I am doing the same exact build (by default on whats on sale) and im going to spend about $975 if that.

He didnt wait and just bought as soon as he found the parts.. I on the other hand was planning all different company lower and upper and the mega lower and BCM upper are both on sale right now.

 

[jason8251]

Re: Newbie needs help! Build or buy?

I may be hitting you up on that offer Rich. I just ordered a MA-TEN yesterday and it should be here not too long after I return to the states. If anybody else is interested Talon Arms in Cali is selling them 10% below Mega's MSRP and the guy says he gets a shipment of them every 2 weeks or so but they are immediately gone.