The AR-15 and all its variations are part of the most popular platform in the United States right now. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t have at least one AR-15 in their arsenal. And a great many of these people prefer to build a rifle over buying one. Here are some of the perks for both so you can determine which is best for you.

Let's start off with some basic AR-15 concepts. The AR-15 is unlike any other firearm before it because of its extremely modular and interchangeable platform. Because of this, if you decide to build or buy, you will be able to build upon with new accessories and furniture. It is regarded as one of the best entry level firearms for this reason.

Why do people buy AR-15s?

Buying an AR-15 from somewhere you can trust is always a good option. Top manufacturers like Colt and Sig Sauer keep the market fresh with new designs and outstanding quality so you always know you are shooting a good rifle. They usually always come with a lifetime warranty as well which is definitely a big plus.

If you are buying from a bigger company, you have to understand that you are also buying a name, so what you buy might not really be as worth it in comparison to what you will spend when building. For the most part you can count on exceptional quality control when buying.

Buying from smaller companies is a bit riskier because you really can’t be sure of the quality without doing the proper research. There is nothing wrong with buying lower tier AR-15s since there is plenty of room to build upon what you already have. It's very intertwined with the idea that “if it shoots, it's good.”

Why do people build AR-15s?

There are a few main reasons to build that are all a bit different from one another, but really all go hand in hand with each other. Building gives people the ability to do some things you can’t do when buying.

When you buy a firearm, you must go through the process guided by the helpful hand of the ATF, which naturally isn’t something a lot of people want to do. The beauty of building an AR-15 comes in when buying 80% lowers to complete it. When buying an 80% lower you can finish your AR-15 without needing to pay for the background checks necessary when buying one that is complete. That is one of the main appeals when going the building route.

When you build, you have to understand that you are taking the quality control into your hands essentially. You not only need to have faith in the company you are buying from, but in your capabilities as well.

The great thing is that if you are new, getting started really isn’t all that hard. There are plenty of videos and articles on building to help you get started.

For competition shooters, building or building upon is required. The more you control about the rifle you are shooting, the better your chances of producing the most successful results. Many competition shooters choose to build their rifles for this reason.

Is it possible to meet the same quality with both methods? Of course! There are higher tier and lower tier companies all around, and when it comes to finding what's right for you, there is always an option at Thunder Guns!