To 80% or not to 80%?

[thejibbles]

Greeting fellow Outdoor Traders. I am beginning the journey of 1000 miles of becoming a gun nut and I have come to you all for guidance, as I have encountered one of my first forks in the road.

To build or not to build.

Because anonymity is my top goal: It will be a frosty day in the hot place before I willingly allow the Feds to know about my firearms.* That killed any thought I had of buying a nice new shiny gun off the rack at the local dealer. (The first gun I bought when I was young and dumb was at a gun show and has some paperwork. Sadly however, it fell out of its holster while I was on a boat in Lake Hartwell. May she sleep in peace.........)

Due to the US dollar becoming worthless, the cost of everything increasing, and general gun snobbiness: I realized I am not finding the kind of deals I'd like from the used market. If I am going to Spend 800+ on a firearm I want it to be exactly what I want and the condition I want. (@ all those guys out there who want to fight and say "I KNOW WHAT I GOT, don't lowball me" after I ask why they expect 700+ for a USED Norinco SKS that looks like it was pulled out of blender lol)

So here I am... looking down the pipe at exercising my 2nd amendment rights DIY style.

I have a few friends who have bought AR lowers and milled then, and some who have bought AK sheets and pressed them so I roughly understand the work and care that goes in to this. However, I want to know more. Good places to source parts, AK vs AR, tips and tricks to avoid pitfalls in order to create a reliable weapon etc etc etc. Or I'm looking for someone to slap me and tell me I am crazy to think that this will be an easy fun summer project and I should give up the dream before I turn my garage into a full fledged Metal Shop.

Edit:
*I know being anonymous is like saying you believe in Santa. It's a cute thought, helps you sleep at night, but it's not real. However 90% or reality is perception and I'm a dreamer. Im going to keep pretending my VPN, cash purchases, and fake account information is hiding me. I also have some cheap tin foil hats should any of you be interested. Alex Jones approved.

 

[TresMonos]

Lots of good items listed here for private sales. All you need is a handshake for those.

 

[fast306stang]

"It will be a frosty day in the hot place before I willingly allow the Feds to know about my firearms."

You're here. They know.

Welcome to the Trader!

 

[Bandwidth]

A couple things:

AR's will be MUCH easier to build than AK's.
AR's will be MUCH cheaper to build than AK's (fewer tools, etc).
You won't save any money by milling out your receiver vs. buying one on the used market.
If you're looking for anonymity, you won't achieve that by purchasing an 80% kit online...or generating a user name on a gun site.


If you're looking at a fun project...awesome, dive in. If you're expecting to save money, you'll be disappointed.

 

[UptaCamp]

"It will be a frosty day in the hot place before I willingly allow the Feds to know about my firearms."

You're here. They know.

Welcome to the Trader!

^^^This. Anonymity doesn't exist on the internets anymore

 

[fast306stang]

I have a few friends who have bought AR lowers and milled then, and some who have bought AK sheets and pressed them so I roughly understand the work and care that goes in to this. However, I want to know more. Good places to source parts, AK vs AR, tips and tricks to avoid pitfalls in order to create a reliable weapon etc etc etc. Or I'm looking for someone to slap me and tell me I am crazy to think that this will be an easy fun summer project and I should give up the dream before I turn my garage into a full fledged Metal Shop.

I vote AK. But if you're like me, they're addictive. I'm buying mags at $200 each, and I'm looking at one I *think* I can get for about $350. But the main reason I like AKs is even during election years, ammo is available and half the price of 5.56. I enjoyed my ARs but I let them all go because $1/round ammo every 4 years sucks. I can still get a case of 7.62x39 for $4-$500 easily today. $800/case of 5.56 is out of the question for me.

A good AK will probably cost more than an AR. Mags are more expensive also. So there are 2 sides of the coin. It's really up to you to decide what you prioritize and what you like.

 

[Bandwidth]

I vote AK. But if you're like me, they're addictive. I'm buying mags at $200 each, and I'm looking at one I *think* I can get for about $350. But the main reason I like AKs is even during election years, ammo is available and half the price of 5.56. I enjoyed my ARs but I let them all go because $1/round ammo every 4 years sucks. I can still get a case of 7.62x39 for $4-$500 easily today. $800/case of 5.56 is out of the question for me.

A good AK will probably cost more than an AR. Mags are more expensive also. So there are 2 sides of the coin. It's really up to you to decide what you prioritize and what you like.

But is the AK the best option for someone building a firearm from either a flat or an 80% lower?

 

[thejibbles]

I vote AK. But if you're like me, they're addictive. I'm buying mags at $200 each, and I'm looking at one I *think* I can get for about $350. But the main reason I like AKs is even during election years, ammo is available and half the price of 5.56. I enjoyed my ARs but I let them all go because $1/round ammo every 4 years sucks. I can still get a case of 7.62x39 for $4-$500 easily today. $800/case of 5.56 is out of the question for me.

A good AK will probably cost more than an AR. Mags are more expensive also. So there are 2 sides of the coin. It's really up to you to decide what you prioritize and what you like.

I appreciate that information, as it helps with my first Gun Nut Fork in the Road which was East Vs West, AR vs AK, .556 vs 7.62 etc... I started realizing the cost to go bang was a lot bore stable with the AK than the AR, especially with all the nutty-ness last year. I was unaware of the Rifle to Rifle and the Mag to Mag price difference. Gives me more to think about!

 

[Bandwidth]

I appreciate that information, as it helps with my first Gun Nut Fork in the Road which was East Vs West, AR vs AK, .556 vs 7.62 etc... I started realizing the cost to go bang was a lot bore stable with the AK than the AR, especially with all the nutty-ness last year. I was unaware of the Rifle to Rifle and the Mag to Mag price difference. Gives me more to think about!

And that'll be a 5.56. not a .556

 

[thejibbles]

And that'll be a 5.56. not a .556

new guy errors strikes again