Affordable M4

I did some research on building an affordable M4 rifle. After paying $1200 and some change for a Remington R-15 and not wanting to break the bank, I started looking in to building one. Well I got the price down a lot, but still wasn't satisfied. I stumbled across www.tacticalammunition.com that sells uppers to your specific requirements (includes bolt/carrier and charging handle). The basic M4 upper on that site is $370 + $17.88 shipping. For a few dollars more you can get a quad-rail. I also knew of the Plumcrazy lowers, and thought i'd give them a shot. For $119.95 at www.joeboboutfitters.com and free shipping, I took a chance. JoeBobOutfitters sells the New Frontier Armory LW-15 lower for $99.95 (same lowers as the plumcrazy c-15). Add whatever your local FFL Fee and your set. Put over 200 rds through it and have nothing but good to say about the upper and lower i bought. Overall i think i did pretty good making a M4 for a lot less than you can get elsewhere (the CDNN price for the M&P is a great price also).

$512.83 For the basic M4 upper with standard M4 Handguards, 16" heavy barrel, utg quadrail gas block, bolt/carrier and charging handle.
This included shipping on the upper and the $25 FFL Fee on the New Frontier Armory LW-15 lower.

If you get the plumcrazy lower it will be $30 more...

This is interesting info to me. I've been wanting a AR for a good while now but just haven't ever pulled the trigger on getting one. This just may give me the incentive to go ahead and get a upper and lower to put together a AR.

Put another 150rds thru mine and couldnt be more pleased, i did get the price down a little more, it just depends if u wanna go basic $497.80
this rifle consists of the NFA lower $99.95 plus ffl fee
and a dpms sportical flat top upper from midwayusa $359.99 plus $12.86 shipping
The upper is on sale thru 2-29-12
it DOES NOT have a dust cover, brass deflector or foward assist (brass deflector would be wise to have if u shoot left handed, otherwise its not something that is needed)

upper
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/416788/dpms-ar-15-sportical-flat-top-upper-assembly-556x45mm-nato-1-in-9-twist-16-light-contour-barrel-chrome-moly-matte-with-glacierguard-handguard-single-rail-gas-block-flash-hider

Great information. I just did this myself. I got the DPMS Oracle flat top with the railed gas block for the exact reason you mentioned, it has the brass reflector and I shoot lefty. I almost didn't check Midway, but then remembered I get a discount by having a C&R. I ordered mine one day last week, the site was getting HEAVY traffic and as I was shopping the less expensive stuff was going out of stock as I was refreshing pages. I should have my rifle this week. Now I just need to find optics and sights.

As far as optics go, there are endless options. I prefer a red dot, bought a tasco from wal-mart for $30... It works great! If your going iron sights, I would advise not skimping on them... had some bad dealings with cheap iron sights. But everyone is different and thats what makes these guns perfect for customizing to your own personal needs. Good Luck and Happy Shooting!

Thought I would let you know that I bought 1000rds of Brown Bear ammo from www.sportsmansguide.com for $211 (thats with shipping)... Thats the cheapest I've found anywhere. Wal-Mart is selling Tula for $4.95 plus tax for a box of 20rds if you dont want to go the bulk route. And yes both my guns feed that stuff like its going out of style. Like I said earlier, I went the $1200 AR route and was shooting white box winchester ammo and federal in it (same result "It went boom everytime") but what people call cheap ammo is in fact just AFFORDABLE AMMO!!!