longjohn

I just got off the phone with Crocs, and I ordered an SEI receiver to mate with the parts I picked up at HRA M14 USGI Parts Kit Nice Grade A+ Kit. My goal is to build a high-quality standard M14.

By my math, I'm already in for $831 on the receiver (plus shipping & fees) plus $1195 for the HRA parts kit, which is $2026. I still need to find an HRA bolt, which may run about $225? That puts me at $2251. I still need an armorer to put the tricky bits together, which will add more cost, although I'm not sure how much.

Crocs is selling complete builds (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=325899224) with some SEI parts and a barrel for $2399 (plus some fees and shipping I assume). If that ends up being $2450 shipped, then that's a difference of about $200, which doesn't include the cost of having it put together.

So, it might end up costing about the same. Which route would you go, and why?

Flanders

If i was in your shoes i would find what gunsmith you going to use and what hes asking for charges. Second would be wait time, it might be much faster as well to buy the built one.

geeck

I started putting mine together myself... I own more than a few, and less than enough. However what I found is M14/M1A's are like a box of chocolates (ya never know what ya gonna get).

Doing my best Andy Rooney impression here: Did you ever notice... when the CMP kits started coming out, NOS parts started popping up all over the place... What was really happening, re-park tanks were working overtime all over America.

Now, some of those kits had decent parts but after looking at a few of them I decided against that "pig in a poke" I opted to pick and choose each part that went into my builds.

You even have to be careful when buying "new" parts from builders who also sell parts retail. I've gotten barrels that were supposedly 10-20 thousands short chambered and about the same long on the shoulder for indexing, just to find out they had to have been fitted or attempted fitted on a receiver. I find the only reason a lot of builders bother selling parts retail is so they have a pool of parts to pull from when building commercial receivers. Including the bits and pieces for those now NOS CMP kits.

I don't have a problem with that at face value but don't cut and grind (or re-park) on it first then try to sell it for new. Which btw a lot of builders claim us amateurs do (cut & grind) then return the part in a condition it can't be used or resold - and want it covered under warranty.

If you're gonna buy a rifle other than like a SAI which at least has a reasonable warranty, insist on a 3 day non-firing inspection. Bring along a friend (familiar with the platform if you're not) to your FFL along with a inspection point check list. (you can find one on this forum) a set of calipers and do your homework. I don't even do the transfer if it doesn't pass this initial inspection... That's why I do it at my FFL (make sure he's cool with before hand) Then I do a really close inspection when I get it home. It's amazing how low peoples expectations are these days for what is acceptable to push out the door.

Caveat Emptor

randywms

Spot on with your assessment. You never really know what your going get. Rather build by the piece or get inspection period.

BlueOvalFan

Builders charge around $300 give or take for a complete build. More if you desire NM mods.

Harleystoo

If you have the tools and gauges, do it yourself. There comes alot of pride with owning something you built. But as all the forementioned warnings, there are more self-serving thieves that have entered our sport (and lives). Bought a number of parts over the last few years in which the seller claimed "like new" but it was half worn out. And magazines: there are SO many that are flooding the market that are fake USGI. I just got 2 BRWs today that were repros.
As to Croc's guns, I have been amazed at SAI rifles going for $2500-$3000 when his all USGI, Smith (machined) receiver-guns were just sitting there. To have someone install and headspace a barrel can easily be $150; the rest you could do.
Bottom line (if you don't have the tools): order a Croc gun, have it inspected as mentioned above, and sell off the parts kit. I've seen those going presently for over $1500.

Firedude67

NICE!!!
Croc won't do you wrong.

lord of war619

I might be wrong I will check but the rifles on GB need to be built and are not in stock rifles, it says to reserve the receiver first and you can customize it

MemphisMachinists

You may find it hard to find a really nice HRA bolt for less than $325. You already have the parts kit from Forceman. If the parts you got from him are really good and they propably are, build that kit. Or better yet buy another reciever and build two. If you don't know how to inspect the parts yourself, find some one you trust to help you. You may have another issue you are not considering. You are putting a used chrome lined barrel on a commercial reciever and likely a used bolt. Headspacing is sometimes a bit dicy in this combo. It may take more than one bolt to find one that perfect combination or you may settle for a headspace that is not exactly what you want. You are probably going to want to send it to someone with enough parts to swap out bolts untill they find that majik needle in a haystack. Am I correct in a ssuming you want a "correct" HRA rifle.