Advice needed.

My LGS has a used build that looks like new. Spikes lower, upper and BCG, Geissele trigger that is super sweet, Radian Raptor charging handle, Magpul furniture. Reliable LGS guys I’ve dealt with for years know the builder and say he’s good to go and they’ve sold his builds before without issue. Guy builds for himself, then builds another. I can get it for $1,175.

I’ve never built one nor do I want to. Never had a build, but have had everything from KAC and DD to Bushmaster and PSA. Strictly for home defense, SHTF, and fun. Will wear an Aimpoint micro if I het it. Reliability is very important.

Is it worth taking a risk or should I walk?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Walk.

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Originally posted by 12131:
Walk.

Thanks. Is there a price point that makes sense or just not worth the risk at all?

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Spikes lower, upper and BCG, Geissele trigger that is super sweet,

You're looking at $600 so far if you were buying those parts new retail. I'm not putting any value on the charging handle or furniture - for a used gun, any parts on it are worth ten cents on the dollar.

What I'm saying is, unless it's a really special barrel (as in a $500 match barrel of some nature), then to somebody who builds their own, your friend's rifle a little overvalued.

However, if his primary operation is a FFL, that is a perfectly legitimate asking price to start from.

I guess what I mean is, depending on the barrel, it's probably a decent price for a person willing to pay retail to have a built rifle with those parts.

*ETA: As of right now, Spike Crusader - complete rifle, new, is on a common website for $1399. (Not saying anyone should get that, just posting it for your comparison knowledge.)

It's a used Frankenbuild AR. Don't care what they try to hype it up as. You already owned a wide range of ARs. Why take chance on an unknown? Get a brand new Sabre from PSA for less than that kind of money. Or their more basic AR for much much less.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 12131,

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I am going to walk. I know nothing about builds so I have no perspective at all. I am grateful for the quick responses and help.

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$1,175.

Nope, nope, nope.

Build is a pretty loose term. AR's in general aren't hard to put together. Anybody with YouTube could do it. All that to say is I wouldn't pay that kinda money for a hodge podge by some guy in his living room.

not sure about your location, bu the AR market here is saturated,

and there are good deals on new out there,


hard pass, as mentioned by someone earlier, the sum of the parts does not come close to asking,

No way would I spend $1K plus on somebody else's build. You have no idea what their skill level is, what parts they actually used, and there's no support or warranty with it. IMO you'd be better served to buy the tools and parts on your own and assemble it yourself, then at least you'd know exactly what went into it and how it went together.

Has it been fired? What does it mean "build". Did the guy drop in the upgraded trigger. Price a Spikes complete lower and upper then include the $250 trigger.

I am not suggesting buy it. But may not be far off if unfired.

I agree, price seems high.

I would rather put one together myself for that price. At least it will be new & unused.

I have purchased used firearms before, but at the right price. Used is used and I will not buy a used firearm at new prices, even if someone else thinks it's worth more for some reason.

A factory nickel Sig P series is one I've always wanted, but the used prices are too steep for me. One day, I might find one I think is fairly priced.

Echoing many here. For that price you could source the parts to 'roll your own' and still come out ahead and have budget to add an optic, or with something much better.

Think it’s priced a bit high, but don’t consider it’s a Frankenbuild that’s possibly been bubba’d up. If it has a Spikes upper and lower, who’s to say they were bought separately? Does it really matter if someone bought a complete Spikes upper and mated it to a Spikes lower, or bought a complete Spikes gun? And lots of people change things like triggers, charging handles, and furniture.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the help.

I was tempted because it was super clean, looked new, the trigger was superb, but that voice in the back of my head was telling me to check it out because I've never bought someone else's build, had no idea on the price, and didn't ant to buy someone else's problem, particularly at that price point.

Now to decide, budget AR to beat up, or another nice one. Found a MR 556, the first I've seen in person, but damn they are pricey.

Thanks again guys, this is the best source of knowledge and expertise that I know of!

JD

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It's a used Frankenbuild AR.

The line can be a bit blurry on what a Frankenbuild is and a custom build.

Just because a rifle is made by or assembled by one company/manufacturer, doesn't always make it better.
Consistent, perhaps.
Quality of parts could vary as scrimping in one area of another occurs to assist in profitability.

On the other hand some manufacturers are quite nice through and through - JP Rifles, etc.

Hard to say if the OP deal is valid without the full bill of materials.

Needless to say I don't undervalue a complete weapon made with quality parts throughout regardless if parts from other companies are used.

^ One man's custom is another man's junk. Like with classifieds ads, when I see the word "upgrades" , I usually stop reading. Normally it means they expect you to pay full retail or more for things you don't particularly care about and probably wouldn't have bought yourself.

"But it's got this, this and this!" But I don't WANT that, that and that.


I'm not saying Soikes is bad, or ever lower end. I've bought em, they're fine, but that's just it, it's a serviceable product, but adds zero extra reason to purchase. Same with the Magpul stuff, as stated above, it adds almost nothing to the price. I've had plenty of it, I still use some of it, but when I no longer needed it, generally I just gave it away because it's not worth selling vs what I'd make from doing so.

Unless there's something really extra special about it we're not hearing, the parts aren't worth the price. There's no build magic, putting together a jigsaw puzzle is not the same as painting a portrait.

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^ One man's custom is another man's junk. Like with classifieds ads, when I see the word "upgrades" , I usually stop reading. Normally it means they expect you to pay full retail or more for things you don't particularly care about and probably wouldn't have bought yourself.

No doubt, if you don't want a particular part you, then you wouldn't pay extra even if it is better.

Doesn't mean it is junk , though.

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Originally posted by smschulz:
Doesn't mean it is junk , though.

I was thinking about the people who spend $500 to turn a $200 rifle into a $150 rifle. You know, Mosin-Nagants with plastic "sniper" stocks, giant Chinesium space telescope on top.

Someone thought they were building a great custom rifle.
(and if you do that, and you enjoyed doing that, that's wonderful. But don't expect someone to pay your $700 for it)