Hey Guys,
I am brand new to the AR scene.
PSA sends me emails showing their 4th of July deals.
I see what appears to be AR parts all laid out.
Are those complete or are there other parts required to buy to put with that?
OR should I just buy one already built?
If so, which is best. Rifle or Pistol?
The only part that you still need is a lower receiver, which is what all those parts have to be installed into. The lower receiver is the actual gun, as recognized by federal law, so you will have to get it delivered to a gun store/FFL who will complete the process of filing the paperwork and completing a background check for you to own the receiver.
Pistol and rifle really comes down to personal preference and what your intended use for it is. Keep in mind that the shorter the barrel is, the less velocity your rounds will have as they leave the barrel. That basicallys affects how far you can shoot.
2 Likes
Also keep in mind we don’t know the outcome of the pistol brace issue with the AFT yet. So your safest bet would be to get a 16" kit. If you live in SC you can have the lower receiver shipped to your nearest PSA for pickup, but non serialized items will be shipped to your home address.
1 Like
PSA Complete Kits are easy to build, and it’s fun (unless you run into a problem, then not so much). But I think buying an already built rifle is best for the first one. Unless you have a custom build in mind and can’t find it in a built gun.
Are you new to ARs, new to guns, new to semi-auto rifles?
I am not a newbie to AR’s but I am about to be a newbie to building one. So the rifle kits have everything you need upper receiver, barrel, bcg, stock, pistol grip, lower parts kit etc. The only thing they do not have is the lower receiver am I correct? I want to build it from the ground up so I want to make sure I have all the parts. Also does the barrel come pre dimpled for the gas block?
Yes you have everything but the lower. Take note you will need a vice and proper roll pin punches, wrench, etc.
Thank you Guitar Guy. I appreciate the tips.
Welcome. My first AR I built was close to $1200 once I added up the cost of tools. But beware, once you build one you get bit by the building bug. I had a spare trigger guard grow into an AR.
1 Like
I was in your boat abt 5 weeks ago…never been into ar s more of an ak kinda guy. However the ks 47 really intrigued me so after reading abt it for 4 months, 5 weeks ago i bought a complete upper and a complete lower…the 13.5in m-lock on the 16in barrel and bought the more expensive complete lower option with the upgraded trigger(so they say)…anyway knew zilch abt ar’s but the upper came to the house in 5 days the lower went to my gunshop (ffl) 9 days after that and literally slapped the two together and that was it…apparently you use to could save some pennies by buying comp lower and comp upper separately rather than purchasing the assembled gun but afyer taxes and ffl and all it was 950 or so and as i recall, really didnt save any money 15 bucks maybe, could be wrong on that? The ks 47 has taken some lumps as far as customer satisfaction but after my initial issue(broken extraxtor with under 50 rnds fired) mine has been superb…1300rnds not a single malfunction and it cost me 23 bucks to purchase an upper grade after market extractor and since then everythings been lovely…you get 30 cal power with the benefit of being able to customize with all the bells and whistles that are available to the ar’s in terms of accessories, not to mention in my humble opinion more accurate than aks…do yourself a favor buy a ks47, be patient, dont get disgruntled if an issue arises bc i assure once its worked out the things run like a scolded dog…there cheaper set ups or configurations for the ks47 that arent damn near 1000 bucks like mine…most issues that arise in tge guns infancy are extractor issues wich are a do it your self cheap fix…like i said since i replaced mine, it has been a beast…trust me, youll love it
LOL. An imagination can be an expensive trait.
I know.
1 Like
Buying a complete rifle adds a 10% tax. If you build it you save that from the beginning. Even just buying a complete upper and complete lower will save you the additional 10%. PSA is the best place with the best kits for the people ( except Left handed people 
Your intended use will be the decider for pistol or rifle. CQB/home defense or Truck gun then you want a pistol. Hunting or target shooting then you go rifle and take advantage of the extra velocity. Still undecided? Get a 14.5" barrel pistol. You can always get a muzzle device pinned and welded later to change from pistol to rifle.
2 Likes