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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 168
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 168 |
I picked up a couple Anderson stripped lowers at the local gun shop and am thinking about how to go about building these. Would a Palmetto kit be good to start with or should I pick up a part here and there? I have seen mixed reviews about Palmetto parts, any other brands to look for? My budget is about $350 for a kit or $100 a month for parts (wife & kids).
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14,715 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 14,715 Likes: 2 |
It's generally cheaper to buy a kit than to piecemeal the parts. Just think of shipping charges alone. With kits, you don't have to worry if your gasblock is compatible with your rail system.
I like Palmetto, the things I have got from them have been very good. The only difference is that they don't inspect their parts as well as, say, Daniel Defense and they sell different grades of parts (Premium, Freedom, and PTAC) as opposed to higher-end sellers who only sell premium parts and blems of those premium parts.
If I don't do PSA, I like BCM. Or, for about the same thing as PSA, Spike's.
Politics is War by Other Means
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,622 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,622 Likes: 1 |
A friend recommended buying an upper and assembling the lower for the reasons mentioned above. His advice was “build it from scratch if you like doing that kind of thing but you won’t save money”. I put the lower together and enjoyed that but ended up buying a WOA upper. I’m saving pennies for another AR. For a fleeting moment I considered assembling the parts but quickly determined that buying a complete upper is the way for this one too.
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,236 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,236 Likes: 1 |
I've used lots of parts from PSA over the years without any problems. I would go with one of their upgraded kits with a free float tube and Magpul furniture.
Let's Go Brandon! FJB
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 18,033
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 18,033 |
My gun's a PSA build and I have no complaints. Getting ready to start on the next one- a pistol with a SIG brace.
molɔ̀ːn labé skýla
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 52
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 52 |
After Christmas I started looking around for kits and parts to do my 1st assembly. Cabelas was closing out an Anderson starter kit for $150. It had an upper, lower, barrel, gas tube, and block - advertised as customize your own AR. After that I bought: Magpul furniture set $65 NiBr BCG $90 LPK $34 UPK $24 Carbine Buffer Kit $25 Charging Handle $20 FH/Compensator $16 Total $274 + Original $150 = $424
Added Mags 6 x $12 $72 Vortex Spitfire $150 Fenix Light and mount $90 Sling and QD mounts $50
Most Kits are $350 and you supply the lower which is ~$50 depending.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 168
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 168 |
I see what your saying with just buying parts with shipping added is going to be a lot more than the kit. Think I'll just get a complete rifle kit then and get started on the build also have to get tools, sight, mags and ammo as well. Sounds like a good way to start and learn about the platform. Thank you for the help and have a great weekend!
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,312 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,312 Likes: 1 |
Last edited by supercrewd; 05/26/18.
NRA Life Member
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 52
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 52 |
That's a good deal from PSA.
I also bought a tools combo from Schuyler Arms for ~$30. It had the magazine block and upper clam shell for a vice and a armors wrench.
The furniture kit was in Sand color which is almost white and I was going to either paint or dye it but it just looks cool black & white. I spent extra $$$s on the BCG and Compensator, probably could have saved about $25 here?
It all depends on how you want to customize it. I really liked putting the parts together and have started another. Its like any hobby, how much do you want to spend on it?
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,457
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,457 |
I would get a pre-assembled complete upper. PSA often has a variety on "sale" with free shipping. I would buy a separate magpul lower kit that suits your preference, and then add a premium trigger. Really a cry once, custom kit to your liking. Maybe you can find a whole kit with your wish list, but mix / matching upper and lower would be probably give you everything you want. Memorial weekend has good sales.
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