All good advice so far, my answer with pictures-





My first build and the process as awesome, don't regret a thing; BUILD

It's Frankenstein's Rifle!

I like manufactured one, Custom AR just cost too much! 

Noveske factory SBR on top
Colt factory SBR on bottom

I guess it depends on what you want. I'm building a 300 blackout, with the help of my son [ some of you may know him, starts with a K ends with an A ] he's been an AR fan for a long time, I've always been more of a big bore kind of guy. He's finally convinced me that the AR platform is worth the trouble as it's light, and can be built to whatever specs I want. I'm about $1,250 into the build and just have the trigger group left as the major part purchase [ less optics ]. For that money [ since he's helping me for free ] I'm getting a custom, free floated, state of the art weapon, built to my specs,  for half the price of "off the shelf" guns, that I would probably tweak to my tastes anyway. I'm getting everything I want, and nothing I don't, and if there's something I don't like, I can change it.

 I guess it really depends on what you want it for, strictly for home defense, there are certainly cheaper options, especially if you don't want to mess around with tuning and whatnot. For my purposes, this is the way to go.

Jeezus, I'm turning into an AR nerd. 

I like fun guns.

Im not worried about accuracy, hell if I can hit paper at 50 yards , Im go to go.

Then again its hard to aim with iron sights blasting away at 5 rds in 6 secs. (not rapid fire according to the RO)

This is two 5 round magazines shot in 60 seconds to include the mag change (NRA Rapid fire) at 200 yards. Custom gun at Puuloa.

This is two 5 round magazines shot in 60 seconds to include the mag change (NRA Rapid fire) at 200 yards. Custom gun at Puuloa.

no one shoots like that anymore 

I guess it depends on what you want. I'm building a 300 blackout, with the help of my son [ some of you may know him, starts with a K ends with an A ] he's been an AR fan for a long time, I've always been more of a big bore kind of guy. He's finally convinced me that the AR platform is worth the trouble as it's light, and can be built to whatever specs I want. I'm about $1,250 into the build and just have the trigger group left as the major part purchase [ less optics ]. For that money [ since he's helping me for free ] I'm getting a custom, free floated, state of the art weapon, built to my specs,  for half the price of "off the shelf" guns, that I would probably tweak to my tastes anyway. I'm getting everything I want, and nothing I don't, and if there's something I don't like, I can change it.

 I guess it really depends on what you want it for, strictly for home defense, there are certainly cheaper options, especially if you don't want to mess around with tuning and whatnot. For my purposes, this is the way to go.

Jeezus, I'm turning into an AR nerd. 

your son's name is Kendra?
 

This is two 5 round magazines shot in 60 seconds to include the mag change (NRA Rapid fire) at 200 yards. Custom gun at Puuloa.

My targets look like this in an afternoon. Don't think all the bullets made it to paper at 50 yrds.

Doesn't seem to have 200 holes.   

Yee Haw
 

OK, I'll go with custom build. I already have a free lower that I got. I don't know what it is though. What are the components of an AR to build one? I want to research the parts I want to purchase.

complete LPK
bolt carrier group
charging handle
tube and stock
complete upper

Also in order what is the most important components so I can go better parts for those and maybe skimp out the rest.

Also in order what is the most important components so I can go better parts for those and maybe skimp out the rest.

Trigger , barrel and Bolt will make a lot difference.
 other items are just preference.

Yes I still do not have an AR-15. Now it's time to start researching. Why would one custom build an AR over one they can buy? Let's say your budget is $3,000, would you be getting parts that are much better and still fit together nicely. At the same time what about warranty? Does the manufacture cover the whole rifle if a part break? If I go custom I'm assuming there is no warranty.

You can probably ignore most of what's been said. Responses often come without reading/understanding what is actually being asked...

The reason people build their own "custom" AR can vary. It can be anything from improving accuracy, personal satisfaction, or because they saw it on YouTube, etc.

Since you're still new to all of this, building your own is probably not the best choice for a first AR.

Thanks. I never really looked into AR's as everyone has one. As far as price I have no idea what one geos for. I just looked up Novesky and they had one for $2900 so I was assuming that was around an average price. I want one more for home defense and plinking around. I'm not going to use it for competition. I mean I want it accurate too but I don't want to have to baby it. So all manufacture AR's do not offer 5.56?

Any basic "off the rack" AR will fit your needs...$2900 is NOT average.

Buy a completed upper as the upper requires special tools to assemble.

So basically,  you can assemble the lower yourself with basic home tools and a small punch.

Alot of small springs and pins.

I got a free DPMS LR-05K lower. Is this any good? Since it was free I picked the most expensive one out of the bunch.

http://www.dpmsinc.com/223556-Lower-Receiver-Stripped_p_28.html

I got a free DPMS LR-05K lower. Is this any good? Since it was free I picked the most expensive one out of the bunch.

http://www.dpmsinc.com/223556-Lower-Receiver-Stripped_p_28.html

how did you get a free lower?  Inquiring minds want to know. 

BTW:  would you really want to be throwing around and actually using a more expensive receiver?   DPMS will work just fine. 

I got a free DPMS LR-05K lower. Is this any good? Since it was free I picked the most expensive one out of the bunch.

http://www.dpmsinc.com/223556-Lower-Receiver-Stripped_p_28.html

Most forged aluminum receivers are the same.  The main difference are the rollmarks. 

your son's name is Kendra?
 

Yes, he's been asking about you, why you haven't called or sent flowers. He misses you.   

Most forged aluminum receivers are the same.  The main difference are the rollmarks. 

For the most part I agree, but one thing I know is that I DON'T want any play (wobble) in-between my upper and lower receivers.  It doesn't affect anything, but this is a personal preference.  Although most receivers are basically the same, I would bet that some of the tolerances are a bit different. 

Buy a completed upper as the upper requires special tools to assemble.
So basically,  you can assemble the lower yourself with basic home tools and a small punch.
Alot of small springs and pins.

I would go to some LGS and put your hands on some to get a feel of what your preferences are as you may find one what fits what you want off the rack, especially with what your budget is.  With that said, this is the route I would go IMO as alot of the lower components are things that you want to fit your needs ex: pistol grip (differnet size hands), trigger group (personal preferences), and stock (to get a comfortable cheek weld).  Another thing you may want to consider is how long of a bbl you want.  If you are looking to strictly use it for HD and plinking with a RDS of some sort, a 14.5" bbl w/ a welded muzzle device to 16" may be an option that you may want to consider.

Yes, he's been asking about you, why you haven't called or sent flowers. He misses you.   

yeah, i miss "him" too
i'll see kendra this weekend and next weekend and we will make up for lost time

how did you get a free lower?  Inquiring minds want to know. 

BTW:  would you really want to be throwing around and actually using a more expensive receiver?   DPMS will work just fine.

It was a deal at OGC. Buy so much and pick a free lower. It's been registered but sitting for over 6 months.