Quote:
Originally Posted by Robulous78
Ok Firearm guys...
I want my very own AR-15... but I am a broke a$$ with very little money...
with the proposed ban, I don't have much time, I read yesterday that if this ban passes the only thing it will affect is the ability to purchase lowers... is this true? meaning I need to go buy one ASAP?
What is the cheapest possible path from nothing to a completed left handed AR-15?
|
OK, so here's the deal.
A stripped lower is what you have to acquire before a ban passes.
How much you're willing to pay for that lower, and how likely you think it is that a ban will actually pass, is something YOU have to determine. I would advice caution from buying into the fear mongering... and I would also advice equal caution from becoming complacent and thinking it
can't happen. both extremes will not lend to healthy decisions.
So, advising on the assumption a ban will pass (because if one doesn't pass, you don't really have any questions that need answer):
You need a stripped lower. You can get one on Gunbroker right now for $350-$400. Retail is $90-$150. You're paying that surcharge for peace of mind, and the ability to have it in your hand NOW. Your other option for NOW would be to try going to a gun show this weekend, you'll probably find one on sale for $300-$350 (go early).
A bird in the hand, two in the bush, and all that jazz.
If you think a ban will pass, but not for another 3-4 months, then you have other options. You can watch SlickGuns like a hawk and, waiting to pounce on a batch of lowers put up for sale or preorder. "in stock" generally doesn't ship for another 2-4 weeks. Pre-orders typically ship in 3-8 weeks. Make sure you find out before you buy.
BOTH of these pages will have listings for lowers on them:
http://www.slickguns.com/category/accessories
http://www.slickguns.com/category/rifles
POLYMER lowers: Lots of guys will thumb their noses at a polymer lower. I kinda am that way, but mostly because it doesn't fit MY needs. BUT a polymer lower does have it's place in the world, and they can be pretty danged durable (and because it flexes more, it can actually be more durable in some cases where metal would be irrecoverably bent). A bigger disadvantage to them I think than a perceived lack of durability, is a lack of customize-ability. Many times the Stock is fixed, etc. (that's actually a good thing - more mass, fewer small parts and joints to break). Either way, if you're flat broke, you want a plinker AR to have, hold and enjoy at the range or take hunting, A
quality polymer lower is an option. And it's typically running only around $170 these days. You won't have much flexibility, but it will do the job.
I think that sums up what I know at the moment.
It should go without saying that you'll need to pick up a few magazines as well. A magazine capacity ban, in fact, has a much higher chance of passing than anything else.