Build or Buy?: AR15
With a topic that has seemingly been talked to death by Youtubers, bloggers, and consumers alike, it seems that no one can agree on the question of: should I buy or build an AR15? Because of this, I figured I would put forward my two cents on the topic.
To begin, its important to differentiate between the two main demographics of the AR15 user, those including "the plinker" - the casual range goer who dusts off his AR15 to shoot 200 rounds or less at the static range - or the "defensive/tactical" crowd aka the guy who plans to use his AR15 as a means of personal protection. Too often do I hear commentary on this subject from an individual or group of individuals that fail to recognize that there are multiple different consumers in the AR15 community. So, lets break it down:
Whats the difference between an AR15 that costs $600 and one that costs $1600. Frankly, the quality. While not always the case, AR15's typically fit the old adage of "you get what you pay for". A $500 AR15 will function, and oftentimes quite well, but when it comes to longevity or putting it through its paces (think high round count, rapid heating up/cooling down, etc) they typically cant hang with high end or high priced AR15s. If we are honest with ourselves, we all want something that is good quality that wont ruin our range day when it chokes. So why would't you sell a kidney to get something from a big name manufacture? Well, thats where we get into the difference between the casual range goer and the hardcore AR15 junkie.
While there are always exceptions, a good rule of thumb to follow is: are you going to rely on it for protection? YES - Buy, NO - Consider building. You may be saying to yourself now, 'but you just told me cheaper AR's aren't as good?' Well, not necessarily. A quality AR is a quality AR, no matter how much you spend on it. Just because something is inexpensive, does not by any means mean it is low quality. This brings us to our next point: cost savings.
If you know where to look and are patient enough to wait for sales, a AR that is built can cost considerably less than something bought. Regardless of how you look at it, most people that are looking into building are looking to save money. So what does this mean? Well, like I mentioned above, building can definitely save you money, but don't forget that quality is paramount to most consumers. If I was to build an AR sourcing only the most inexpensive parts, chances are I will save a decent chunk of change, but the quality and longevity of my build may be compromised earlier than something bought off the shelf.
The decision to own an AR15 is easy, but the way to go about it can be daunting. With an influx of new AR manufacturers to the market and with no "panic buying" seasons in sight, pre-built AR's can be had for very reasonable prices. As of this article, we currently have numerous AR's on sale, some even including 500 rounds of ammunition with their purchase. For those of you that wish to entertain the tinker in all of us, our staff can also help you find the right parts that match reasonable pricing and are good quality to build your own.
