Do I buy my friend's rifle or pass?

[kentuckyMarksman]

Friend of mine has an Aero M5E1 rifle, 20" Ballistic Advantage barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor, 15" Keymod handguard, SLR adjustable gas block, Geissele SSAE trigger, Magpul UBR stock, Aero 308 BCG, and JP Rifles Silent Recoil Spring. He has a Bushnell DMR ii 3.5-21x50mm FFP scope in a JP Rifles 20 MOA mount. He's asking $1100 for the rifle without optic, $1900 with optic.

I've been interested in a Large Frame AR for a few years and have been collecting parts. I actually within the past month got the last of the parts for my build, but haven't had time to assemble it yet. I have collected the following: Zev Large Frame receiver set with 16 7/8" mlok Zev handguard, JP Rifles 22" 6.5 Super Match barrel assembly (includes thermal dissapator, adjustable gas block, gas tube, muzzle break, and high pressure bolt), JP Rifles LMOS bolt carrier, JP Rifles heavy silent recoil system, Magpul PRS stock, Geissele SSAE trigger, Scalarworks 30mm scope mount, Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm mrad FFP.

I spent a fair amount on my build, just thinking I could buy his and sell the parts for mine and get some cash back, but at the same time, I don't know if it's worth it to do that, or if my build would outperform his rifle. Would it be smart or dumb to buy his rifle when I'm building my own rifle? Or should I try to buy his optic and mount from him for $800, or should I pass altogether?

 

[rjacobs]

Build your rifle.... the barrel you have is better IMO(mine is a HAMMER with 123's). The bolt you have is nicer. Trigger is the same... You have a better stock...

Why not screw your gun together... take you an hour... done...

 

[HiDesertELR]

The Aero M5E won't allow you to use anything other than an Aero handguard, if I'm not mistaken. At least the older ones don't. Something to consider anyway.

Sounds like you have a good start to your own build, I'd keep going and have that pride of building "your rifle".

 

[rjacobs]

The Aero M5E won't allow you to use anything other than an Aero handguard, if I'm not mistaken. At least the older ones don't. Something to consider anyway.

I have an Aero M5 receiver set of some kind and I have an SLR handguard on mine. Built it around 4 years ago I guess... Maybe 3ish...

 

[Hobo Hilton]

Build your rifle.... Very little is learned when "buying". Take your time, shoot a few photos for future reference, work up your load, shoot it and do the trouble shooting yourself..... You may see a time in your life when you can't just order part's off the Internet. Collect a few spare parts and have the reassurance that when things go bad you can keep your weapon running.

Hobo

Hobo

 

[Jscb1b]

Buy his and build yours.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

 

[HiDesertELR]

I have an Aero M5 receiver set of some kind and I have an SLR handguard on mine. Built it around 4 years ago I guess... Maybe 3ish...

The M5E, "E" for enhanced didn't take another brands handguard. I think the regular M5's you can use another brand handguard. I think. Middle aged man with head injuries here, so, I could be wrong.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Build your rifle.... the barrel you have is better IMO(mine is a HAMMER with 123's). The bolt you have is nicer. Trigger is the same... You have a better stock...

Why not screw your gun together... take you an hour... done...

Yeah, it's tempting to build mine, as I do believe mine would have a better barrel and stock. Just need to take the time to do it. I have young kids, and even getting an hour to do that can be hard.

The Aero M5E won't allow you to use anything other than an Aero handguard, if I'm not mistaken. At least the older ones don't. Something to consider anyway.

Sounds like you have a good start to your own build, I'd keep going and have that pride of building "your rifle".

Thanks! I've assembled all of my AR15s, so there is a pride factor there. Probably what I should do.

Build your rifle.... Very little is learned when "buying". Take your time, shoot a few photos for future reference, work up your load, shoot it and do the trouble shooting yourself..... You may see a time in your life when you can't just order part's off the Internet. Collect a few spare parts and have the reassurance that when things go bad you can keep your weapon running.

Hobo

Hobo

Sound advice.

Buy his and build yours.

It's tempting.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Is $800 a good deal for that scope and mount if he sells that separately? Or pass? Seems like it's well below MSRP, but I have no experience with Bushnell.

 

[MtnCreek]

If you don't have time to put it together you're not going to make time to shoot it. Sell the parts now rather than selling the complete rifle in two yrs for less with 40 rds down the barrel.

Take up crochet.

 

[Ravenworks]

Is $800 a good deal for that scope and mount if he sells that separately? Or pass? Seems like it's well below MSRP, but I have no experience with Bushnell.

Yes it's a good price and a nice scope
What mount?

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

It's the JP Rifles Flat Top 34mm Scope Mount with 20MOA Cant. It's this mount:

JP Rifles

www.jprifles.com

 

[Ravenworks]

^ that will work

 

[WestDesertPRS]

Yeah, it's tempting to build mine, as I do believe mine would have a better barrel and stock. Just need to take the time to do it. I have young kids, and even getting an hour to do that can be hard.

I'm in the same boat and usually end up in the garage at weird hours working on those kinds of projects. Nothing like hammering roll pins at midnight!

 

[acudaowner]

the only person to deside that to me is you do you like it , want it feel the need for it ? can you afford it ? buy it then Its your money / choices you know better than I how your friend treats his guns does he throw them around like trash or treat them as somethintg prized ? good luck on your desision . and

 

[hlee]

Everything in your build list is higher quality than the parts in his build. You're not going to get out of your parts what you bought them for- especially factoring in tax and shipping costs. You'll have less total investment if you bought the other rifle- assuming you can flip the parts you have- but you will be in that new rifle for substantially more than the purchase price. Build with the parts that you have.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Everything in your build list is higher quality than the parts in his build. You're not going to get out of your parts what you bought them for- especially factoring in tax and shipping costs. You'll have less total investment if you bought the other rifle- assuming you can flip the parts you have- but you will be in that new rifle for substantially more than the purchase price. Build with the parts that you have.

Good advice! Thanks!

I'm taking next week off from work. Hopefully I can build my rifle then.

 

[stello1001]

Always buy more rifles, and more ammo...

 

[hlee]

Good advice! Thanks!

I'm taking next week off from work. Hopefully I can build my rifle then.

And when you're done, buy your buddy's rifle too...