From my experience, their customer service is top notch, which is a biggie for me. If you are semi familiar with power tools you can finish the lower. There are a ridiculous amount of youtube how to videos that will walk you through it. Seems daunting at first but its easier than you think. Plus 80percentarms will replace a lower if you fuck it up, so you have that to lean on. Putting the lower kit together is a cake walk, then you can buy a complete upper if you don't want to deal with putting all those parts together.
If you like to tinker with shit at all, you will enjoy the process of making your own. You can even get kits that come with a router and bits if you don't have all the tools needed.
So I have a decent amount of DIY power tools (at least for working with wood) -- is this process going to create a significantly less reliable weapon (even if I do everything right) vs something machine created?
If you take your time and do everything correctly, it should be just as reliable as anything else. You don't have to build one at all, you can also find a complete lower that is in stock and purchase that, and then purchase a complete upper you like thats also in stock, if the thought of building one is a bit daunting (I know it can be). The two (upper/lower) slap right together. You would have to do a background check to get a complete lower though. I did that with my first AR, then I started swapping things out (new trigger, things like that). After I did that a bit I built one from the ground up. That might be a good direction for you to go as well. I just like building them and I always recommend that. If you can build one you can build 100 that don't technically exist.
Check places like midway and cheaper than dirt. You'll find pretty much everything you need to start getting a rough idea of what you want. Just keep in mind there are certain things you'd need to pay attention to. If you get a barrel that is shorter than 16" you'll need a lower that is set up with a pistol brace to make it 'legal'.
Damn, no kidding. 12-15 week wait. The building was just a suggestion. You could always buy a complete gun, or a complete lower and upper and you would be set.
If I can have 6 guns in commiefornia, I think you will be alright.
From what I can see, stay away from 38 special and 40s&w. I own a 40 and luckily we had a good amount before things started looking scarce. At least here.
Go to your local gun store and check some out and see how they feel.
That's kind of what I'm looking for recommendations on -- where to go, who to trust, etc
80% arms lower kit and jig, then buy complete 5.56 build kit and ammo. Might need it sooner rather than later.
Would you recommend this site? https://www.80-lower.com/ar-rifle-kits/
Any recommendations on expertise level needed to self assemble, or can it be done by anyone?
Anything on there in particular good recommend?
80-lower is a good place as well but I would recommend these guys https://www.80percentarms.com/.
From my experience, their customer service is top notch, which is a biggie for me. If you are semi familiar with power tools you can finish the lower. There are a ridiculous amount of youtube how to videos that will walk you through it. Seems daunting at first but its easier than you think. Plus 80percentarms will replace a lower if you fuck it up, so you have that to lean on. Putting the lower kit together is a cake walk, then you can buy a complete upper if you don't want to deal with putting all those parts together.
If you like to tinker with shit at all, you will enjoy the process of making your own. You can even get kits that come with a router and bits if you don't have all the tools needed.
So I have a decent amount of DIY power tools (at least for working with wood) -- is this process going to create a significantly less reliable weapon (even if I do everything right) vs something machine created?
If you take your time and do everything correctly, it should be just as reliable as anything else. You don't have to build one at all, you can also find a complete lower that is in stock and purchase that, and then purchase a complete upper you like thats also in stock, if the thought of building one is a bit daunting (I know it can be). The two (upper/lower) slap right together. You would have to do a background check to get a complete lower though. I did that with my first AR, then I started swapping things out (new trigger, things like that). After I did that a bit I built one from the ground up. That might be a good direction for you to go as well. I just like building them and I always recommend that. If you can build one you can build 100 that don't technically exist.
Check places like midway and cheaper than dirt. You'll find pretty much everything you need to start getting a rough idea of what you want. Just keep in mind there are certain things you'd need to pay attention to. If you get a barrel that is shorter than 16" you'll need a lower that is set up with a pistol brace to make it 'legal'.
Seems like the build kits are all oos on https://www.80percentarms.com/
Damn, no kidding. 12-15 week wait. The building was just a suggestion. You could always buy a complete gun, or a complete lower and upper and you would be set.
Any recommendations on where to buy? Would you trust online?
If I can have 6 guns in commiefornia, I think you will be alright.
From what I can see, stay away from 38 special and 40s&w. I own a 40 and luckily we had a good amount before things started looking scarce. At least here.
Good luck, buy anything you can now.