Question on AR-15 Value

[jmsmith76]

Hey fellas, little background on the gun. I bought all the parts individually to build up a tack driver/hunting AR-15 that I had been wanting and I built the gun myself back in November/December. Due to my busy life, I have yet to make it to the range to shoot the gun (shameful, I know). Well, now it's looking like it's about time for me to bite the bullet and raise some cash to buy a ring for my girlfriend, so I'm thinking of selling the gun, which would hopefully get me the rest of the money I need.

My question for y'all is, would the gun be worth more as it sits now, never fired, completely assembled and bore sighted, or would I be better off taking it out to the range to shoot a few rounds and test the functionality of the gun before listing it? This was my first AR build and I'm confident that everything was assembled properly. I took a lot of time researching and making sure I knew what I was doing before I dug in. Also had a buddy help me out that has built AR's before. Everything appears to be in good working order and I checked the headspace on it as well. There's no reason the gun shouldn't function properly, but I wouldn't feel right if I sold a guy a gun and it ended up having an issue.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Wallace's]

Ummm, first build. I say say shoot it first if you are positive you assembled it correctly. Definitely would verify that you built it correctly. Also, you should list what is going to make this a tack driver???

Home built rifles rarely bring big money unless they have high dollar components/optics. Plus the AR market is flooded. Most home build I have been seeing lately are $550-$800

 

[jmsmith76]

Ummm, first build. I say say shoot it first if you are positive you assembled it correctly. Definitely would verify that you built it correctly. Also, you should list what is going to make this a tack driver???

Home built rifles rarely bring big money unloads they have high dollar components/optics. Plus the AR market is flooded. Most home build I have been seeing lately are $550-$800

I guess some folks may not classify it as a tack driver, but it's built more for accuracy than you're average carbine.

It's got a 20" HBAR chambered in 223 Wylde, free float handguard, RRA varmint trigger, MOE Rifle Stock and a Redfield 3-9x52 scope on it.

I wanted a stable platform with a good barrel chambered in 223 Wylde with a light, crisp trigger pull. Nothing too crazy fancy, but I did spend a good bit of coin on it. $550-800 wouldn't even come close to breaking even or make it worth selling it for me.

 

[Shovelhead]

Market is swamped... Shoot it ............

 

[Wallace's]

What brand receivers did you use? I built my National match 20" HBAR for $814. Can't see having much more in it unless you bought some expensive billet components? Also, how heavy are those triggers?

 

[Wallace's]

Also, forgot to ask what free float forearm you went with, those can get pricey! Lol

At the end of the day though, my match rifle would probably only sell for $600 right now...even though she shoots sub MOA :-( People got to hate on a traditional A2 20" rifle..lol

 

[user 71]

Market is swamped... Shoot it ............

I agree. Right now, it would almost be better to dis-assemble and part it out if you really need the cash.

I would hang on to it, shoot it to make sure everything is good, and enjoy it.

I really like my home builds but I know that I would probably be looking at $0.70 on each dollar of cost if I had to move any of them right now. And that's at the high end. Even factory built guns are tough to move when you have acceptable quality manufacturers (like DTI, Windham, and others) selling complete rifles for ~$700.

 

[dial1911]

I'll trade you a three stone ring for it 1.25 karat center stone with .5 carat side stones in a nice white gold setting- only worn by one woman... although I got it back because she was sleeping with her manager. One lightly used ring for an untested rifle?


Kidding- like others have said, I think there's more of a market for parts than complete rifles at the moment. Always guys out there that want to upgrade parts.

 

[jmsmith76]

What brand receivers did you use? I built my National match 20" HBAR for $814. Can't see having much more in it unless you bought some expensive billet components? Also, how heavy are those triggers?

Nothing too fancy, no billet components. I don't have the parts list in front of me right now but I can get it if you're interested. The upper and lower are pretty standard milspec parts. The lower is made by Tactical Machining, I can't remember the brand of the upper right off hand. The barrel is a Criterion. I went with a UTG Pro rifle length forearm, I couldn't see spending $170+ on a forearm. The UTG had good reviews and is well made. The MOE parts added some extra. I think it was a little over $100 for the stock and buffer setup, plus the MOE grip and trigger guard. I put a RRA scope mount on it, the price and quality are great. The RRA trigger is supposed to be 3.5-4 pounds. I figured I would be in it about $1000 and I broke that by the time I got the scope, mount and all the little odds and ends needed to finish it off. Compared to everything out there at the time, I felt like I got pretty good deals on most of the parts. There were a few that I found for cheaper after the fact, but oh well.

 

[jmsmith76]

Market is swamped... Shoot it ............

I agree. Right now, it would almost be better to dis-assemble and part it out if you really need the cash.

I would hang on to it, shoot it to make sure everything is good, and enjoy it.

I really like my home builds but I know that I would probably be looking at $0.70 on each dollar of cost if I had to move any of them right now. And that's at the high end. Even factory built guns are tough to move when you have acceptable quality manufacturers (like DTI, Windham, and others) selling complete rifles for ~$700.

I'll trade you a three stone ring for it 1.25 karat center stone with .5 carat side stones in a nice white gold setting- only worn by one woman... although I got it back because she was sleeping with her manager. One lightly used ring for an untested rifle?


Kidding- like others have said, I think there's more of a market for parts than complete rifles at the moment. Always guys out there that want to upgrade parts.

Definitely not opposed to keeping the gun, I can get the money in a few more paychecks and I'd sure as heck like to keep it and actually get to use it. I've just been under some pressure to hurry up lately.