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What is a Furniture-Less or Nearly-Complete AR?
A furniture-less or nearly-complete rifle is one that comes with a barrel, gas block, and assembled uppers and lowers (meaning you get an installed upper and lower parts kit), meaning it just lacks a stock, handguard, and grip.
Why Buy One?
Well, with a nearly-complete rifle you get everything you need, and nothing you don’t. That means you can buy all your other parts separately to ensure you get exactly what you want without paying through the nose for them from a custom builder or paying for parts you’re planning on swapping out anyway. Now, you aren’t getting a true custom build because you aren’t starting from the ground up with an empty upper and lower, but you’re getting something that you can be reasonably sure will work properly and with minimal effort on your part. In fact, many of the manufacturers that sell these nearly-complete rifles do so because they’re already making them for other “manufacturers that are just going to slap their furniture on it and call it a day.
Finishing Your Nearly-Complete Rifle
First, I’m going to recommend checking the sales listing for the nearly-complete you’re planning on buying against our AR-15 parts list so you know exactly what you’re getting and what you’re going to have to buy after. Generally, though, you’re going to need the following to complete your rifle: You may need other things like a gas tube or trigger, but those are, respectively, cheap and commonly replaced parts anyway so it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for you. I’d also advise you to make sure your nearly-complete rifle comes with a BCG (bolt carrier group) and a charging handle like all the ones listed in my recommendations at the end of this article.
Best Stripped, Furniture-Less, or Nearly-Complete AR
Alright, here’s the fun part. I’ve included recommendations for nearly-complete rifles from manufacturers that I trust (Anderson and Aero) so these rifles, and they are rifles that have to go through an FFL, will make a great base for you to start building on.ANDERSON MANUFACTURING – AR-15 OEM 16″ RIFLE W/FRONT SIGHT BASE ($419.99)
$500
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
AERO PRECISION – OEM MID-LENGTH 16″ RIFLE ($569.00)
Aero is, by far, my favorite manufacturer of quality AR receivers and handguards. I’ve built maybe a thousand AR-pattern rifles (I used to work as a gunsmith) and they have the highest quality-to-cost ratio of any manufacturer I’ve worked with. Their nearly-complete rifles are no exception to this standard of quality. Of course, you’d be alright to just buy one of their complete rifles, but it’s perfectly understandable if you still want to just go with a nearly-complete one and then add the other parts you want.
$570
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
AERO PRECISION – 308 AR 18″ OEM RIFLE
“But Matt,” I hear you say “What if I want to shoot long range/hunt/compete in heavy metal 3Gun comps?” Worry not, dear reader, I’ve got you covered.
$940
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
AERO PRECISION – 6.5 CREEDMOOR AR 20″ OEM RIFLE
Finally, we have my personal favorite, something for the true long-range enthusiast out there. If you’re looking for something that can ring the gong at 1000 yards, this is a great place to start. My next rifle is going to be built off this nearly-complete set because I’m going to be using all-Aero stuff anyway. 6.5 Creedmoor is a great cartridge, and it’s already carved out space as one of the best AR-10 cartridges for when you really need to reach out and touch something from a long ways off.
$1,000
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
11 Leave a Reply
I have been looking at the 6.8SPC II. or the .300 Blackout Why 6.5 Creedmoor?
6.8 SPC and .300 BLK can be built on a standard AR-15 lower, however, 6.5 Creedmoor is too long and requires an AR-10 lower.
.300 BLK is a heavy round that was designed for a short barrel and to work great while suppressed. If you run it like that then your max range is about 200 yards, if you run supersonic ammo then at best you're getting from .300 BLK is about 250-300 yards.
6.8 SPC was designed to possibly replace 5.56mm and to be more powerful than 5.56mm with a slightly shorter range. Field testing of the cartridge with special operation forces were positive, however, the cartridge was never adopted and as far as I know is no longer in field testing due to the fact that the range is just to short even for modern combat. Because of this, 6.8 SPC didn't really take off and is quickly getting left behind.
If you want something harder hitting with a shorter range than 5.56 NATO, I would recommend .300 BLK.
6.5 Creedmoor is the complete opposite side of the picture, it is designed for long range and really shines at 700-1200 yards and can be pushed out to 1400 yards.
Thank you for your insight. My thinking was to purchase an AR upper in 300 BLK or the 6.8SPC for hog hunting. Since I live in Illinois I can't get a supressor! I wasn't looking to spend on a complete gun.
For hog I would absolutely go ..300BLK then!
6.8 SPC definitely has more effective range than .300 BO. It was designed by the AMU to provide 50% more power than 5.56 from a 14.5" M4 barrel and to be used in a combat role. Use of M4's in Afghanistan showed 5.56 lost too much power from the short barrel compared to 20". .300 is even shorter ranged due to the much heavier bullet which has a lot more drop past 200m. Since .300 BO was actually developed as a suppressed round for varmint shooting it's role is shorter ranges - it was called .300 WHISPER then. AAC just ripped it off.
There are 6.8SPC weapons in use in the MidEast, a variant with larger magwell for polymer mags is also available. For the most part a lot of us with 6.8's use the for deer or hogs, in which role they are quite successful. It's my primary deer rifle every year.
6.5 Creedmoor is, in my opinion, the best precision AR cartridge, but it's a long action cartridge which means an AR-10 instead of an AR-15.
What about 300 blackout
I've built three AR-15's now with Aero Precision upper / lowers because of their quality and price. I've been fortunate to find them on sale from Brownells (last year or two) for much less than anyone is asking now. I decided to "bite the bullet" and invested in Geissele armorer tools plus a few more from Magpul & Brownells. Makes swapping barrels, muzzle devices and stocks a breeze. I really wanted to be able to buy different barrels that meet my requirements for accuracy & budget. One can't really do that with a "bones or stripped" build from one manufacturer. I recently picked up a "Ballistics Advantage" 22 Nosler 18" barrel before they disappeared like the dinosaurs.
Does any reputable manufacturer offer a "bones" version of a 16", 9 mm rifle/carbine?
What about Stag Arms?
I was unaware Stag sold a near-complete, but I've had good luck with their stuff. I'd say go for it.