If you are looking to build or customize a firearm that looks and shoots exactly the way you want it to, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better gun than the AR-15.
Of course, you always have the option of buying an AR-15 but anyone can buy a rifle. Building an AR at home is considered a time-honored American tradition that dates back to the time where people would actually build armory-level firearms at home.
Maybe you want to save money, or you want to use parts that are actually high-quality. Regardless of the reason, building your own AR-15 is always rewarding. However, there’s the tough part of selecting the parts to build the gun.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of AR-15 parts kit that you can easily buy these days.
Selecting parts kit for the AR-15 can be quite a chore. So, we have done all the research plus personal experience to bring you some of the best AR-15 parts kit for your hard-earned money.
Best Of Ar15 Parts Kit Comparison Table
Product | Image | Details |
|---|---|---|
 | Brownells is one of the top suppliers of gun parts and accessories in the States. | |
 | You’re looking at another impressive lower parts kit and that’s due to the unbeatable price. | |
 | Here’s another lower parts kit for building your shiny AR-15, and it’s another kit for a great price. | |
 | It’s easy to notice the price of this kit and dismiss it altogether. However, you need to look at what’s included to really appreciate the value of this package. | |
 | Here’s another kit from CMMG and is marketed towards the budget buyer. |
Why Build With An AR-15 Parts Kit Instead Of Buy?
Buying is always a good option especially if you consider yourself to be a casual hobbyist. There are many great quality ARs that you can buy in the market. However, many gun enthusiasts prefer building the rifle part-by-part and picking components that will contribute to exactly the kind of rifle that they want to shoot.
Let’s talk about some advantages of building your own AR-15.
How We Chose Our Ratings For These AR-15 Parts Kit
It’s worth repeating that selecting the best AR-15 parts kit is not easy. There are many kits and brands on the market that it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the sheer number of options.
We chose these kits based on a number of factors like specifications, features, quality, and of course, price. We have also checked out the reviews for the following kits and factored them into the kit ratings.
In other words, we’ve done our homework and we guarantee that you can’t go wrong with any of these AR-15 parts kits.
Top 6 Best AR-15 Parts Kit For The Money
Below is our selection of the top AR-15 kits that you can get today:
Price: $$$
Brownells is one of the top suppliers of gun parts and accessories in the States. So it’s not really a surprise that they offer one of the best AR-15 lower parts kits on the market.
The Brownells MOE AR15 Lower Parts Kit includes almost everything you’ll need for building the lower of an AR-15. It even includes the buffer tube assembly and stock which are usually not included in most kits. However, the inclusion of the premium buffer tube does drive up the price of the kit.
To even take the build kit to a higher level, this package also includes the Magpull MOE stock and pistol grip. The stock and grip should make a significant difference in your AR’s handling. Plus, these extras can really help you stand out from other folks who have the usual mil-spec.
If you have a decent budget, this is a great lower part set that you can get.
Price: $$ (currently on sale)
You’re looking at another impressive lower parts kit and that’s due to the unbeatable price. Don’t get us wrong, this budget kit is far from being terrible. DPMS is a well-known brand in the AR-15 community, so even their budget parts are quality.
The DPMS AR-15 Lower Parts Kit is a standard mil-spec build that includes the following standard parts:
Trigger spring, trigger pin, hammer spring, hammer pin, disconnector and spring, bolt catch, bolt catch plunger, bolt catch spring, bolt catch roll pin, selector, selector detent, selector detent spring, (2) takedown detents and springs, pivot pin, rear takedown pin, buffer retainer and spring, magazine catch, button and spring, screw and washer, triggerguard assembly, pin, hammer, trigger and pistol grip.
The kit may not have the bells and whistles of the previous kit but that also means that it doesn’t come with a premium price. This is a great kit that offers insane value. It’s perfect for those who are attempting their first build.
Price: $$
Here’s another lower parts kit for building your shiny AR-15, and it’s another kit for a great price.
The CMMG AR-15 Survival Kit is an almost complete kit. The kit includes:
Ejector, ejector/selector spring (2), extractor, extractor spring and buffer, extractor pin, ejector roll pin, receiver takedown pin, disconnector, gas ring (3), cam pin, carrier key screw (2), firing pin, firing pin retaining pin, receiver pivot pin, takedown/pivot pin detent (2), disconnector spring, hammer spring, trigger spring, hammer/trigger pin (2), selector detent and takedown/pivot pin detent spring (2).
This is a cost-effective solution if you’re looking for small parts to replace your old, worn out ones or gone missing. The only drawback that I can find is that the kit lacks the repair parts that are usually found in other (usually more expensive) kits.
Still, for the price, it’s hard to complain.
Price: $$$
The Wheeler Engineering AR-15 Armorer's Kits is not the more affordable kit out there but it comes with an extensive list of parts for tuning, cleaning, and building an AR.
Technically, this is not an AR-15 parts kit but rather a package for repairing, cleaning and maintaining your custom AR-15. For about a hundred bucks, you get the following gunsmith parts and tools:
AR15 Combo Tool, Torque Wrench, Upper Vise Block Clamp w/ Gas Tube Alignment Tool, Pivot Pin and Roll Pin Installation Tool, Mag Well Vise Block, AR -15 Adjustable Receiver Link, Custom Fitted Carrying Case
The tools included have good quality and are designed for precision for building an AR-15. The kit is also very user-friendly so it’s perfect for beginners. It even comes with a durable carry case. One nitpick that I can find is that the wrench can be too think and the bit set isn’t that strong.
Price: $$$
It’s easy to notice the price of this kit and dismiss it altogether. However, you need to look at what’s included to really appreciate the value of this package.
The Bravo Company AR-15 BCMGunfighter Enhanced Lower Parts Kits is not your standard kit for beginners and casual gunsmiths. This kit includes upgrades that are ideal for hardcore gunsmiths or competitive shooters. On top of some standard pieces, the kit includes the following upgrades:
You have a premium pistol grip that offers more comfort than a standard grip. Also, you have a best-in-class trigger group for a crisp and clean break. Bravo Company really did a good job of assembling a high-end kit without shooting the price all the way up. Highly recommended for the serious builder.
Price: $$
Here’s another kit from CMMG and is marketed towards the budget buyer.
The CMMG AR-15 Lower Gunbuilder's Lower Parts Kit almost has all the parts needed for building the lower of an AR. For less than $50, you get the following pieces:
Takedown pin, receiver pivot pin, takedown pin detent (2), takedown pin detent spring (2), hammer and trigger pin (2), safety selector, selector detent, magazine catch, magazine catch spring, magazine release button, bolt catch, bolt catch plunger, bolt catch spring, bolt catch spring pin, buffer retainer and buffer retainer spring.
As you can see, it’s a pretty extensive list of parts. However, you will have to buy other parts separately like the pistol grip, hammer/trigger, grip screw, disconnect spring, etc., since they’re not included in the kit. That sounds like a deal-breaker but for the price, you’ll understand why some parts are left out.
Personally, I’d get this kit mainly for replacement purposes.
Buying Guide
The thing with customizing your own AR-15 is that there’s an endless combination of parts possible. So it’s practically impossible to suggest a combination that will work for everyone – after all, everyone has many different needs and requirements.
However, that won’t stop us from creating a buyer’s guide to help you choose the parts that won’t lead to buyer’s remorse. Here are the factors that you need to consider:
Premium Or Mil-Spec Build
The type that you want to build can dictate the parts that you need. Most mil-spec builds require the most standard and accessible parts, resulting in a dependable build that will provide you with the basics. For a beginner, a mil-spec build should make for a good first attempt.
On the other hand, premium builds are assembled based on personal preferences. There’s bound to be a component that requires more performance or durability, thus it can become expensive. Premium builds tend to disregard matters like weight.
Budget
As mentioned, buying AR-15-gun parts can be fun but it can get expensive as well. So it’s important that you set your budget before attempting to shop around. Set a budget and stick to it as much as possible when purchasing your parts.
We encourage that you shop for high-quality parts since they will serve you best in the long run. My rule is that, if you can’t afford it, save some more. Fortunately, you can buy a high-quality AR-15 parts kit that won’t break the bank.
Buy Complete Kit Or Pieces At A Time?
Each option has its own set of pros and cons. Again, this will all depend on your personal preferences. If you want to customize your AR all the way, then you will likely end up buying separate pieces at a time to meet your needs. However, buying parts one by one can be very expensive.
On the other hand, buying a complete kit is almost always the less expensive route when customizing an AR-15. It’s also a lot less tedious since you won’t have to shop around for parts one by one. On the downside, you won’t have much room to customize your gun.
Brand Reputation
There are many companies that are retailing gun parts, accessories and kits – some are excellent while some can be questionable. Fortunately, it’s easy to find reviews, feedback, testimonials, and referrals from actual customers these days.
With a good, reputable brand, there’s a good chance that you’ll quality components that are worth the investment.
Found A Good AR-15 Parts Kit Yet?
There you have it! Some of the best kits that we can find that should be worth your time and money. Some of the kits are not that inexpensive but they amazing value that goes with their price tag.
The key to getting the best Ar-16 parts kit is to identify what you want and having a good time shopping around. Good luck with your search!
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