One of the reasons the AR-15 has exploded in popularity in recent years is because of how easy it is to take apart, tinker with, and improve. With the variety of part makers and AR accessories shops now available, it seems easier than ever to build a totally custom AR from the ground up.
But if you’re thinking of investing in your first AR, or even looking to grow your collection with another AR, you may be asking yourself whether you should just buy it, or build it from the ground up.
Here at RailScales, we’re fans of both options and have both built and bought our fair share of rifles ourselves, so let us outline some of the advantages and disadvantages of both of these approaches to help you make your decision:
The Buying Versus Building An AR Conundrum
The reality is, there are more videos, guides, and handbooks on building your own AR available now than ever before, thanks to the internet. As such, many rifle owners are foregoing purchasing stock rifles in favor of building a rifle on their own.
While we admire their DIY mindset, we recognize that this might not be the right approach for everyone. Buying a rifle off the rack and slowly replacing parts as you see fit is a great way to start using your rifle right away. So which is right for you? Let’s break it down.
Buying Your AR
There are a ton of great brands and manufacturers out there making quality AR rifles at a variety of price points. So while some might lean toward classic names like Colt and Ruger, others might turn to more high end rifle makers like LMT, Knights Armament Company, Wilson Combat, LaRue Tactical, or Heckler & Koch. Realistically, modern manufacturing has made it so that nearly any well-known manufacturer can now produce a high-quality AR at a very reasonable price point.
The Advantages of Buying Your AR
The benefits of buying an AR off the rack are numerous, with some more obvious than others:
You Can Start Shooting the Same Day
If you’re ready to hit the range ASAP, then buying your AR is the best route for you.
After filling out the appropriate background check paperwork (check your local laws to find out more), you can take your rifle to the range with a box of ammo and punch paper all day long.
You Can Customize it Later
For those on tighter budgets, the prospect of buying a rifle and slowly changing out parts and accessories over time might be quite appealing. This process ensures that you can still spend time at the range, but also invest in new parts when you’ve got the money to spare. The AR-15 is at its best in situations like these, because it’s modular nature gives you the freedom to tinker and upgrade at your convenience.
Your Rifle is Backed by a Warranty
While AR manufacturers are great, they’re not perfect and mistakes happen sometimes. You might pick the one lemon off the rack and the nice part about a warranty is that it will cover any potential issues and problems that may result from imperfections in the firearm itself. That means you won’t have to pay out of pocket to have it fixed by a gunsmith or invest hours of your life into finding a solution to a problem that’s giving you fits.
Resale Value
Like custom cars, with rare exceptions, custom rifles are going to be most meaningful to really only one person: the person who made it. That means it can be really hard to sell a custom-built AR after you’re done with it. But branded rifles are easy to sell when you’re ready to upgrade or need the cash to start your custom project.
Building Your AR
Unless you’re looking for a run-of-the-mill rifle and are going to be using it in a context where customization isn’t going to be incredibly important, buying a rifle can be kind of boring.
For those who love to create their own personal masterpieces, building an AR is the only way to go! This gives you complete freedom in what parts from what brands you want. The result is a rifle that is a unique extension of your aesthetic preferences.
The Advantages of Building an AR
Just like buying an AR, building your own comes with its own list of pros and cons. We will cover some of the more important advantages and disadvantages of building a rifle from the ground up.
A Feeling of Intimacy With Your Rifle
When you build your rifle, you’re acutely aware of each and every part you put into it. This means you have a greater appreciation for (and knowledge of) how it works. Plus, building a rifle from the ground up makes you your own best armorer. So when your rifle starts to jam at the range, you’ll be that much more likely to have the skills and knowledge necessary to quickly address whatever issue you might face.
It’s Everything You Want It to Be, Nothing You Don’t
When you buy a rifle off the rack, you are compromising customizability in exchange for convenience. While some might find this an acceptable approach, others turn up their noses.
Building your own AR provides you with the chance to build exactly what you want, whether that’s an ultralight AR primed for efficiency and weighs next to nothing, or a somewhat inefficient but “tacti-cool” monstrosity with every rail cover, forend grip, laser sight, and bayonet you can find. Whatever your goal, building a rifle from scratch gives you the opportunity to achieve it in the most “you” way possible.
Potentially Lower Cost
If you’re looking for a high-end, performance-ready AR, building it might be more cost-effective than buying one. Competition-grade ARs can cost upwards of thousands of dollars, but might not have the features you want.
If you choose to build your own AR-15, with some patience, you can navigate around the issue of cost vs. utility. You can slowly purchase and build the rifle over time, taking advantage of sales and closeouts until you’ve built a top-tier rifle at bottom-of-the-barrel prices. While this might take a little bit longer than simply purchasing a rifle pre-built, the ability to spread out the build over time can really help a patient rifle builder save a considerable amount of money.
It’s Easy and Fast to Assemble
One of the greatest points in favor of the AR platform is how easy it is to assemble and disassemble. While your parts might not fit together immediately, with some minor fitting and smithing work, you can have a seamlessly built rifle in a matter of hours. Put together your rifle Friday night and spend Saturday morning shooting targets at the range.
Consider These Components for Your Next AR-15
Whether you are buying or building your next AR-15, there are some AR components you might want to consider in order to get the best upgrades possible. At RailScales, we offer a selection of components for your rifles and handguns that can take your shooting experience to the next level. It does not matter if you are starting your gun collection, working on upgrading every piece in your arsenal, or are simply delighted by going to the shooting range to improve your skills, there are a few components that can make that experience even better!
A Good Vertical Grip
Grip and stability are huge deals if you are looking to improve your shooting skills. Not being able to hold your AR-15 properly can not only be frustrating when not seeing improvement in your accuracy, but it can also be dangerous.
A RSB/M™ Vertical Grip can be a solid solution to your grip problems. This light and small vertical grip is made out of 6061-T6 Aluminum, making it a sturdy component for your AR-15 that can last years of use and fun with your guns! At RailScales, we believe that if you buy cheap-made components with cheap materials you’ll most likely buy twice — that’s why our products are made by very precise machinery to come out exactly as it’s intended, leaving no room for errors!
While there are many AR grips in the market that could satisfy most needs, the RSB/M™ Vertical Grip is the grip you are looking for if you are interested in high quality. Solid build, lasting material, lightweight, these are only a few of the specs that make this grip the right one. RailScales even offers a new polymer version, the RSBM-P, that provides many of the same great features as the machined aluminum model at a fraction of the cost.
Vertical Grips not your thing? Give our Anchor and LDAG a shot with their multi-angle grip. Vertical on one side and sloped on the other with our Honeycomb pattern throughout. The Anchor is attachable to MLOK and the LDAG works with Picatinny.
Rails, Rails, Rails!
Behind every attachment for your AR-15, there’s a solid and reliable rail system. You’ve probably heard that a solid foundation is key for any building structure — when we talk about AR-15 attachment and external components, this rule still applies.
The last thing that you want is to have a rail system that does not keep your attachments in their place once you’ve adjusted them. There’s nothing more annoying than having a sight or a laser move out of its position once you’ve spent the time adjusting it.
At RailScales, we offer a wide range of rails of different sizes and styles that can add the foundation you need for your gun attachments. Browse our store to see which one fits your AR-15 more!
The Right Sight
Whether you are interested in practicing long shots or are into CQC training, the appropriate sight can make a difference. You could be using a Red Dot sight to help in most situations. Also, iron sights are considered a “must-have” by most gun aficionados since they can be helpful in the case of your other sights running out of batteries (if they are powered by batteries) or if using a long scope is not as effective.
No matter your choice of sights, having the right one for you can make a difference between enjoying your runs to the gun range or being frustrated. For those using Nightvision lasers while shooting, RailScales offers a great tertiary site for most DBAL models, the LEAF, which helps save precious rail space without sacrificing BUIS. Choose wisely!
You can check out RailScales online store and browse amazing components for all your guns and rifles!
Premium Parts For Every Rifle
No matter if you bought your rifle and are looking to add something to it, or you’re looking for the final piece to your multi-year custom build project, you’ll find the best rail covers, forend grips, and iron sights you need at RailScales. Made from high-end materials like aluminum, G10, and HTP (High Temperature Polymer), these parts are rugged and reliable. Order today!
