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I wanna see more pics!

It looks like an Aimpoint red dot scope. I think it's the ML2, right Ned?

Dang it, Ned! You're a bad influence! First you started this thread, and now I have to go get one of those for each of my AR's. That "Infidel" will look good on my shorty, and I think the skull with bullet hole will look nice on my other one when I get it done!

Hey Nazrat, I think I can help. I'd love to have an M1A, or one of the HK clones. I've always loved HK's too. But for the money, you can put together an AR-15 on your own, with very little trouble. The lower is really easy, you just need patience, a decent set of punches, brass hammer, and a special detent tool for the front pivot/takedown pin. And probably a handful of extra detents and springs! If any of you others have taken your AR down that far, you know what I'm talking about!! Those things FLY across the room if they get loose and you'll never see them again.

You can usually pick up a lower, depending on circumstances, for $100-$150. I've seen Stag lowers as low as $75. The average for me has been about $120 or so. I've also seen completed lowers in the $200-$250 range that come with all the parts already installed, if you're not mechanically inclined, or you're not a devout tinkerer like me, that may be the way to go.

You can get upper parts, or complete uppers. My suggestion is a complete upper. That's the hardest part to put together because you need more specialized tools, a vice, torque wrench and some other assorted things.

A friend of mine told me about Model 1 Sales. I know there are better parts available, but with the exception of DPMS lowers, and Wilson Combat barrels, both of my AR's use their parts. Both rifles that I built for my brother use their complete kits with the exception of the lower, and he's had no trouble. He even had a range sgt with the pd who was skeptical about it take it for a week and test it to his satisfaction. When he got it back, he said it was ok to carry on patrol, no problem. So that being said, you can find just about any configuration upper you want from them. I'll give you some ideas, and hope it helps.

Lower of you choice: $100-$150
Model 1 Sales Upper: $460 (includes A2 upper, standard hand grips, 4 position CAR stock, A2 front and rear sights, heavy barrel, A2 flash hider). All pretty standard and good stuff.
Accessories of your choice: $100-$200 for a couple of mags and sling, maybe a carry bag.

Projected total: $760-$910 for a whole set up.

Another bonus, it's just plain fun to put the things together! I really enjoyed that part of it as much as I enjoy shooting them now.

I'm sorry. Can I at least look at your thread to check out your AR's too?

Edited to add: You guys are just kidding with me, right?

Tell your wife not to be mad at me! I meant "guys" as a general plural form, not males only! Girls with AR's, please, share them too!!!!

OK, here are a couple of better pics like I promised. The top one is of both of them, and the bottom is the one that I'm about to start upgrading. I'm putting on the things in the pic for now. I have a bipod that isn't shown. And, yes, the scope on there is bent. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but it hasn't affected the zero amazingly! I'll upgrade it when I upgrade the barrel. I'm planning to upgrade to a 20" or 24" barrel, not sure which yet. Also not sure if I'm going stainless or not. Any helpful hints on barrel and scope?

I'm planning to get an Aimpoint or Eotech with the appropriate magnifier for either one later to replace the cheesy red dot on the collapsible stocked one, but I want to get my green one set up first. I may also upgrade the light, but the cheap Surefire really works pretty well for now. I've also considered going through a class 3 dealer and registering that one as a short barreled rifle. I spoke to the class 3 in San Angelo and he said it's no problem, just paperwork and the $200 check! I'd like to put on a correct 14 1/2 inch M4 barrel, I think it looks better. I may go shorter, but probably not.

OK OK! I'll put one up too. But it's not the greatest pic. I'll have to take another one of just the AR's, and I'll include the new toys I still have to put on there. Here are the girls. Both are built on DPMS lowers that I put together myself. The one on the left has a 16" fluted heavy barrel, regular handguards (free float coming soon!), A3 upper with A.R.M.S rings holding a BSA Catseye scope (upgrade coming soon!), and an A2 stock with a 1" spacer between the lower and the stock. The one on the right has a 16" M4gery profile barrel, Predator P4 free float rail system, fixed front sight, GG&G MAD flip up rear sight, cheesy BSA red dot (soon to be upgraded also!), Ergo soft grip, and a Magpul 9 position stock. I had a Surefire light on the front, but my brother raided it for his patrol rifle. I can't help it, I'm a nice guy. I also put together my brother's 2 rifles. One is just like mine on the left, only with black furniture, and the other has all kinds of cool toys, I'll have to get a pic from him of that one. I'll get better pics soon.

OK. That's it. I'm going to have to get out the camera again and take some AR pics. I've got some plans for updates for mine right now. I love those things!! I'm an AR junkie!! I got my brother, and a good friend of ours hooked on 'em too!

I wish I could just go in somewhere and buy parts here and there! I have to order EVERYTHING! No store has anything in Odessa, Midland or Lubbock. I live in Odessa, and frequent visit the other 2 places. Hey Annoyed, how do you like your 24" barrel? I'm going to replace the barrel on one of mine, both currently 16", but I'm not sure if I want to go with a 20" or 24". Is yours the .750 heavy profile or larger? I've been trying to determine whether or not to deal with the added weight of a larger bull barrel. If you're getting good accuracy from your heavy profile, then I probably won't go to the larger .920 or 1". Just curious. How many other AR people, guys or girls (edited for phddan's wife ) do we have in here?