Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles If you had $650 to spend

I got a PM asking me to honestly answer this question, so here goes....

For a coyote / ride around in the truck gun, my answer would be different. But if you add "defense" what I hear is "if this gun ever doesn't work perfectly, ever, then people I love will die". And when I hear that, I don't see an AR for $650 that I'd buy or build.

But I could get reasonably close. Here's my "budget" build list. By "budget" I mean a gun that I would trust my life to and be very content with, but doesn't have every little feature that I'd prefer on my ideal gun. And I wouldn't build this gun, either, because for another $200 I could have the exact gun I wanted. But here's my budget list.

(Also, I sourced nearly all of this from Primary Arms because they regularly have 12% off sales, so you can knock $100 off the price tag quickly. If you're willing to wait on sales (Memorial Day, July 4th, and then Black Friday) you can get this stuff a good bit cheaper.)

Buffer tube, Sprinco spring, H buffer, castle nut and endplate--$93
https://www.primaryarms.com/sionics-weapon-systems-receiver-extension-kit-h-buffer

Lower--$72
https://www.primaryarms.com/MCategories+AR-15-Lower-Receivers

LPK with trigger--$75
https://www.primaryarms.com/sionics-weapon-systems-ar15-enhanced-lpk-ambi-safety-no-grip

Grip of your choice--$20

Magpul MOE or similar--$40

Upper and parts kit—$72
https://www.primaryarms.com/aero-precision-ar15-upper-parts-kit-aprh100270
https://www.primaryarms.com/aero-precision-stripped-ar-15-upper-receiver-ap501603

Barrel--$170
https://www.primaryarms.com/sionics-weapon-systems-556-mid-length-lightweight-chrome-lined-barrel
https://www.primaryarms.com/sons-of-liberty-gun-works-combat-grade-556-mid-length-barrel-16

BCG--$120
https://www.primaryarms.com/geissele-automatics-m4a1-bolt-carrier-group

Rail--$140
https://www.primaryarms.com/aero-precision-atlas-s-one-m-lok-handguard-black-15

Set screw gas block--$40
https://www.primaryarms.com/1+Gas-Blocks?keywords=gas%20block

Gas tube--$20

Charging handle--$40
https://www.primaryarms.com/bcm-vltor-gunfighter-charging-handle-3b556-bcm-gfh-mod4b-556

Flashhider and crush washer--$10
https://www.primaryarms.com/kak-industry-a2-flash-hider-1-2x28

That comes out to $913. 12% off makes it $803, which I consider within spitting distance of $650.

If I wanted to save money on this list I'd:
Shop for a used MOE stock, or get a Magpul fixed stock a little cheaper.
Send me $5 and I'll scrounge around and mail you a random grip if I can find one.
Get a little cheaper rail. These go on sale a lot. ALG rails are good and can be had for 20% off several times a year. Don't get some stupid off brand one.
Get a regular charging handle from a reputable maker for $20ish.
That would probably all get you down to about $725, for a really high quality, dependable AR without gassing problems and with a decent trigger.

If I were to upgrade I'd do this:
B5 stock or similar for about $15 more.
A different rail because the Aero rails seem too slim for me. That would add about $45ish.
I'd probably get an ambi charging handle for another $40ish.
That would put me at about $903 for a rifle that I'd really enjoy.

Good reply and a good list to look at for a beginner. The more I look, the more stuff there is to see and wade through.

Sionics seems to be well regarded, wonder how they stack up against Palmetto State Arms

Thanks for that Blue.

+1 Interesting list Blue, thanks for you time.

A friend has a couple Rugger 556 new in the box. Let me know