I have been able to shop around and pick up parts and put together Ar's with plastic hand grips for around 800 and obviously things like railed gas blocks, rail systems, flip-up sights and other modified parts will make the rifle's price go up but still a basic one should be around 800 and thats using 85% DPMS parts. I'm getting the paperwork set up to get my ffl, it's a process since the Army likes to consume most of my time, however it will help me to get parts even cheaper. I'll keep you posted when I finally get it and once I start getting my parts at cost instead of just on discount.

Don't forget that there is a tax on "complete" rifles as well.

I'll give you an example:

Stag Model 1 Complete Rifle: $949 (Click)

Stag Complete lower Half: $290 (Click)

Stag Complete Upper: $545 (Click)

Total: $835

It doesn't matter to them whether or not you buy the complete rifle or the 2 halves, the difference goes to the federal government. I'm just using Stag as an example because they seem to be the "example" of excellent pricing in my eyes.

I really don't understand the complaint. When I bought my Bushmaster back in '00, the price was $989. Dressed a little it came to a whopping $1129. If you fellas want the best, you have to pony up the $$$. The AR community is an open one but we all understand, these rifles cost. You can bitch about it all day long, but at the end of the day, the best don't come down off their prices. You just have to suck it up and pay for what you want. These firearms are precision-tooled, many machined out of blocks of steel and aluminum, these weapons are NOT daddy's hunting rifle. You can buy the polymer-molded knockoffs for $5-600, and I'm sure they'll serve you well for the money. My Black Rifle cost almost $1200 when I received it. Additions put another $1200 on that price tag. It's just the way it goes.

Suck it up guys, you want the best, you gotta deal with the price tag. There's cheaper out there, sure, but if you buy cheap expect cheap. If you want to spend the money, I strongly recommend Bushmaster. There's nothing like a Snake on your barrel when you grouping less than 2" at 800 yds.

My Colt AR-15A2, when purchased brand new from the factory in 1990 through the agency I was working for at the time, was $795.00. The prices I see now are not really out of line, IMHO. No matter the cost of the basic rifle, once you start adding the 'extras' it's all going to come out to about the same totals.

Buying a rifle/handgun/shotgun is all the same as buying a car/truck. You should buy the very best that you can afford, and if you can't do that at that particular point and time in history, at least buy what you can to put yourself in a better position for later so you can buy up or trade up.

In 1990 when I bought that rifle I knew it was expensive, but I also knew what I was getting for that price. Quality speaks for itself. And in terms of the amount of money that you'll spend, I just have to say this: What is your life and the lives of your family worth?

I look at the prices for our "hobby" as follows:

If you golf, it can be expensive. Clubs, shoes, balls, tees, green fees, cart fees, etc. I know, I used to golf a lot. It ain't cheap. Hell, I had a set of Titanium shafted Ping golf clubs that cost more than any of my AR's. Don't know how much they'd be in today's market...I gave up golfing about 6 years ago...it was shortening my life!

If you fish, it can be expensive. Initial cost of boat, upkeep, gas, maintenance, etc. Then add in your fees for licenses, bait, tackle, etc. You can really incur some costs, but it's a lot of fun.

I could go on and on with examples, but won't. All my AR's and ammo, and ancillary equipment I buy is nothing compared to the money I have dropped on boozing, bar hopping and chasing two legged does in my youth. A one time purchase of a 1500 dollar AR is NOTHING compared to all the self induced hangovers I've had in my life. The thing is, I have nothing to show for all that partying, but when I open my safes, I still see my initial investments!

I SAW THAT RR556! Hush your mouth! Bushmaster is the pinnacle of AR achievement, the Acme, nay, the TIP of the sword known as the Black Rifle!!! To own another would be to disown, e'en cast down from Heaven itself Dr. Eugene Stoner's greatest of creations to modern warfare! REPENT, I SAY UNTO THEE!!

Dammit, I choked upon the saliva of my own righteousness. Hold on...(hack, choke)... ah yes that's much better. Now, where was I?