Estimate what it costs to build an AR-15. Select your purpose and quality tier to get an itemized cost breakdown with current component price ranges. Toggle accessories on and off to match your budget.
Building an AR-15 costs $500 to $900 for a reliable budget rifle, $900 to $1,600 for a mid-range build with a quality barrel and trigger, and $1,600 to $2,800 for a premium setup with top-tier components. High-end builds run $2,800 to $5,000 and up. Those figures cover the rifle itself. Add $200 to $1,500 for an optic, weapon light, sling, and magazines depending on the tier you select above.
The two line items that swing the total the most are the barrel ($70 for a budget profile up to $650 for a match-grade blank) and the optic ($100 for a budget red dot up to $3,500 for a high-end magnified scope). The trigger and bolt carrier group are the next largest costs. Most first-time builders land around $1,500 to $2,000 all-in once an optic and accessories are included.
Building is cheaper than buying an equivalent factory rifle at the budget and mid-range tiers, saving roughly $100 to $300, and it lets you pick exactly the parts you want instead of a fixed factory configuration. New to the platform? Start with our first AR-15 build guide, price your tier and use case with the calculator above, then open the rifle builder to pick exact components, check compatibility, and see live pricing on your parts list.
A budget AR-15 build costs $500-$900 for the rifle alone, while mid-range builds run $900-$1,600. Premium builds with top-tier components cost $1,600-$2,800, and high-end 'gucci' builds can exceed $3,000-$5,000+. These prices include the rifle only. Add $200-$1,500+ for optics and accessories.
Building is typically cheaper at the budget and mid-range tiers, saving $100-$300 compared to equivalent factory rifles. At the premium tier, the savings narrow. The real advantage of building is choosing exactly the components you want rather than settling for a factory configuration.
The barrel and optic are typically the most expensive components. A quality barrel runs $150-$650 depending on tier, while optics range from $100 for a budget red dot to $2,800+ for premium magnified scopes. The trigger and bolt carrier group are the next largest costs.
At minimum you need an armorer's wrench, a vise block (upper and lower), roll pin punches, a torque wrench, and anti-seize grease. A complete AR-15 armorer's tool kit costs $50-$150. Some builders also invest in a bench vise and specialized barrel nut wrenches.
It is possible but challenging. A bare-bones rifle with a stripped lower ($50), budget upper assembly ($200-250), mil-spec lower parts kit ($40), and basic stock + buffer kit ($40-60) can come in under $500. However, this excludes optics, sights, and accessories. Most builders find the $600-$800 range offers much better reliability and accuracy.
A home-assembled AR-15 from individually purchased parts typically runs $500-$900 at the budget tier and $900-$1,600 at mid-range. The savings over a factory rifle come from skipping retail markup and picking the components you actually want. Add $50-$150 for the basic armorer's tools you will need: an armorer's wrench, vise block, roll pin punches, and a torque wrench.
Federal law allows building a rifle for personal use without a serial number or FFL transfer, as long as you are legally allowed to own a firearm and you do not sell or distribute the build. State and local rules vary: California, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Hawaii, and others restrict 80% lowers, ghost gun kits, magazine capacity, and feature sets. Check your state attorney general's office before ordering parts, especially any 80% or unfinished receiver.
$900-$1,600 for the rifle covers a reliable mid-range build with a quality barrel, mil-spec bolt carrier group, M-LOK handguard, and a decent trigger. Add $300-$700 for a red dot or LPVO, a weapon light, a sling, and 5-10 magazines. Most first-time builders end up around $1,500-$2,000 all-in once optics and accessories are included.
Stripped or complete lower receiver, lower parts kit, stock and buffer assembly (buffer tube, buffer, spring), upper receiver, barrel, gas system (gas block and gas tube), bolt carrier group, charging handle, handguard, and a muzzle device. Optional but expected: optic and mount, backup iron sights, weapon light, sling, and at least one magazine. Tools: armorer's wrench, vise block, roll pin punch set, torque wrench, anti-seize.
Use the Configurator to select specific components, check compatibility, and get a complete parts list for your build.
Launch Configurator