Recommendations for inexpensive AR15 build kits

August 26, 2020, 11:20 AM

I have several good ARs, so I'm certainly not desperate, and don't want to pay desperation prices. But I also have several stripped lowers-just because. So I was thinking about buying a few complete rifle (or pistol) kits just to have on hand as well. You know, for friends or family that don't plan ahead, or just in case.

I'm seeing complete pistol kits at PSA that are substantially less than the rifle kits, ie. this one that is on sale for $349:

https://palmettostatearmory.co...live-drab-green.html

Are pistol kits typically less expensive than rifle kits, and if so why? I think an AR "pistol" with a brace would be sufficient for the intended purpose, which admittedly is quite vague. What do y'all think of that kit? Is there something you would highly recommend, either pistol or rifle?

I know that the lower is the "firearm", but if things go south politically do y'all think there will be availability and/or pricing issues with parts kits? Should I just hang on the lowers and not worry about the rest for now?

August 26, 2020, 12:03 PM

RNshooter

https://www.del-ton.com/Rifle-Kits-16-s/57.htm

I have been very happy with Del-Ton. Mixed availability.

Bruce

"The designer of the gun had clearly not been instructed to beat about the bush. 'Make it evil,' he'd been told. 'Make it totally clear that this gun has a right end and a wrong end. Make it totally clear to anyone standing at the wrong end that things are going badly for them. If that means sticking all sort of spikes and prongs and blackened bits all over it then so be it. This is not a gun for hanging over the fireplace or sticking in the umbrella stand, it is a gun for going out and making people miserable with." -Douglas Adams

“It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that wants to remain servile as it is to try to enslave a people that wants to remain free."
-Niccolo Machiavelli

The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all. -Mencken

August 28, 2020, 02:13 PM

honestlou

Anybody else? Any explanation of the pistol kits being less expensive than the rifle kits?

August 28, 2020, 03:32 PM

IndianaBoy

quote:
Originally posted by honestlou:
Anybody else? Any explanation of the pistol kits being less expensive than the rifle kits?

Probably slightly lower demand, and those braces are cheaper to make/buy than most decent stocks.

August 28, 2020, 04:19 PM

Bisleyblackhawk

Availability is clutch in this day and time...pickings are slim

...PSA as well as Bear Creek Arsenal run out quickly for budget AR parts...the PSA link you posted is showing out of stock right now...the Del-Ton option RNshooter linked to looks promising if in stock.

********************************************************

"we've gotta roll with the punches, learn to play all of our hunches
Making the best of what ever comes our way
Forget that blind ambition and learn to trust your intuition
Plowing straight ahead come what may
And theres a cowboy in the jungle"
Jimmy Buffet

September 12, 2021, 10:33 AM

bustabuddy

Year old thread here but Bear Creek has complete uppers as well as barrels, etc for lower prices than I have seen in quite some time. Their recent and ongoing specials have .556 complete uppers for around $220. Lots of other calibers also. Just fyi in case you need to stock back up.

September 12, 2021, 04:54 PM

Hamden106

I am totally into Rock River parts. If you intend to shoot what you build, at least get the RRA 2 stage trigger lower parts kit

September 12, 2021, 07:07 PM

Oat_Action_Man

AIM Surplus has a number of complete rifle lowers for under $300 (with some as low as $200), mostly varieties of Aero Precision.

Don't really know why pistols would be cheaper other than, as was said, your usual stocks are probably more expensive than the cheapest braces.