I build a nice, but not fancy Aero M5-based AR10 in 6.5 CM a few months ago and spent significantly more than $1,300. Including shipping and taxes, well over $2k. Either I'm not that great at shopping or pricing has gone up. Here is a parts list with pricing for reference:
Item | Description | SKU | Price |
Upper Components | | | |
Upper Receiver | Aero Precision M5 (.308) Assembled Upper Receiver - Anodized Black | APAR308503AC | $131.74 |
Barrel | Ballistic Advantage 20" 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle Length AR 308 Barrel, Premium Series | BABL65CR02P | $275.00 |
Handguard | Aero Precision 15" M5 ATLAS R-ONE M-LOK Handguard | APRA538705A | $186.99 |
Gas Block | Superlative Arms .875" Adjustable Gas Block, Bleed Off - Solid, Melonite Finish | SABO-DI-875CM | $100.00 |
Gas Tube | Melonite Gas Tube, Rifle Length | | $15.00 |
Bolt Carrier Group | Toolcraft 6.5 Creedmoor Nickel Boron Double Ejector BCG | TC65CDEBCGNIB | $259.99 |
Charging Handle | Radian Raptor Ambidextrous Charging Handle Assembly | R0007 | $79.99 |
Muzzle Device | VG6 GAMMA 65 | APVG100016A | $75.00 |
Lower Components | | | |
Lower | Aero Precision M5 (.308) Stripped Lower Receiver, Anodized Black | APAR308003C | $210.00 |
Lower Parts Kit | Aero Precision M5 308 Lower Parts Kit, minus FCG/Pistol Grip | APRH100386C | $44.99 |
Buffer Kit | M5 .308 Enhanced Carbine Buffer Kit | APRH101248 | $79.99 |
Stock | Magpul PRS® GEN3 Precision Adjustable Stock, Multi | APRH100451C | $254.95 |
Grip | BCMGUNFIGHTER Grip Mod 1 - Black | BCM-GFG-MOD-1-BLK 1 | $25.95 |
Magazine | PMAG 10 LR/SR GEN M3 | MAG290 | $18.95 |
Trigger/FCG | RISE Armament RA-434 High Performance Trigger | RA-434-AWP-SLVR | $159.99 |
Total | | | $1,918.53 |
Finding parts wasn't easy, but it also wasn't impossible. It took a couple months to get everything together.