Is it easier to build an AR lower from a kit for someone with decent tools and good mechanical knowledge or just buy a complete lower...how much $ do you actually save? I want another lower just don't know what route to take

I built my first one in about an hour. Its not hard, just use a bit of painters tape to protect the finish and common sense and you'll do fine.

Very easy to do. I was a little intimidated to build my first but it was very easy if you are even a little mechanically inclined. You'll only need basic tools and I didn't even need much tape just be careful with the springs and detents cause if youre not they will end up all over the house.

I believe you can save a few bucks by building your own lower. It helps you learn more about your rifle, and I honestly enjoy building lowers.

I believe you can save a few bucks by building your own lower. It helps you learn more about your rifle, and I honestly enjoy building lowers.

 

I've never built my own lower but I build my own computers and think it's somewhat similar. You'll save a few dollars maybe but you'll learn a lot. Knowledge is power...

The money you save from building your own pays for better parts. The advantage of ASSEMBLING you own lower is now you know the parts and therefore are already more knowledgeable about your firearm. If you plan own owning one and its your first, I say assemble. Plenty of how to's on youtube and the forums! Welcome to NJGF btw.

I've never built my own lower but I build my own computers and think it's somewhat similar. You'll save a few dollars maybe but you'll learn a lot. Knowledge is power...

 

It actually has a lot of parallels.

 

1) you will never be able to build something cheaper than a large volume integrator can build when it comes to trying to build the cheapest setup.

2) you will save tons of money building a high end setup versus what anyone is willing to sell you the same will charge.

3) when you get particular, it is almost impossible to find somene to build exactly what you want, and when they will, they usually charge their markup on top of retail pricing for the parts.

4) your savings will never be huge as a percentage of total, but may be a meaningful dollar amount.

 

If you want to build a bare bones plinker using your run of the mill lower parts and a cheapie M4 clone stock, you probably won't beat the $230-260 price tag of a pre-built lower, especially after shipping.

 

If you want a lower with lots of whiz bang expensive bits, you may very well save a significant amount. For example I build a tricked out noveske lower. First, noveske won't sell you just a lower, and because supply is so erratic, nobody really builds custom on them that that advertise a price. However, a rogue hunter upper costs $1070, and a rogue hunter complete costs $1760. So the lower costs $690. I built mine for about $720, but if I bought a rogue hunter, I'd STILL need to put about $300-350 in parts in it to make it like my lower which was exactly what I wanted. Replicating their $690 lower would cost about $500.