Build or Buy: (Pretty Much) Every Argument for and Against Gun Parts Kits

Unless you really like spares, or you have extensive repairs that you need to make cost-effectively, the only real reason you’d be looking for a specific gun parts kit is because you wanted to complete a build yourself.

Which is precisely what some people do. Rather than waiting in line for the NICS to come back, some tinkers prefer to invest in parts kits and then build their platforms custom, from the ground up.

For some, this is much more attractive than it is to others. Let’s take a closer look at why some shooters choose this avenue, as well as the counterpoints.

Why Build?

First, let’s take a look at why you might want to get a gun parts kit and build effectively from scratch.

• Flexibility: If you buy a gun parts kit and use that to build your platform, you’ll be able to do whatever you want in terms of what parts you add. Granted, you’ll have all the parts you need in a complete kit (minus the frame or receiver, which will require an FFL transfer) but building from the ground up gives you the flexibility to make the changes you deem necessary along the way.
  
  
• Beat the shortages: Ammo is not the only thing that’s been scarce over the past 5, nearly 6 years. Guns have experienced shortages too, and prices have gone through the roof. There’s less demand for parts and kits; therefore, following this route may make it easier and more accessible for you to build what you want rather than biding long lead times and shortages.
  
  
• It’s educational: You can’t build a whole gun from a parts kit without learning a lot about firearm mechanics, unless of course you already have that knowledge. But for most laymen, it’s a highly educational process and you’ll understand all the firearm’s parts and their purpose a lot better if you build one.
  
  
• It might save you some money: There is a case to be made that building with a kit might actually cost you more money, but if you’re savvy about the kit you use, it’s totally possible for you to save money building with a kit rather than buying a new gun.
  
  
• You can make customizations along the way: This is perhaps the single most compelling reason to build a functioning firearm from a parts kit. If you don’t like a stock gun, it’s more work to buy spare parts and disassemble the gun and replace them. You’ll still necessarily need to get parts for upgrades with a kit, but you also can just make the customizations as you build it. Want to add a different barrel or trigger or muzzle device? With a parts kit, it’s potentially easier.
  
  
• You’ll know how to make repairs when it becomes necessary: Because you won’t be able to help learning about how the firearm works as you build, when a part fails on your firearm, two important things will happen. One is that you’ll be better equipped to diagnose the failure in the first place. The other is that since you installed it in the first place you’ll likely know better how to access, remove and replace it when you need to.
  
  
• It’s enjoyable: The last argument in favor of building with a parts kit is subjective but we would be remiss not to mention it. For some, the process is simply enjoyable. Some people like to work with their hands and any shooters for whom this is true will likely very much enjoy the process of building with a kit.

Why Buy?

Now, this overview wouldn’t be fair without the requisite counterpoints, and there are plenty of them. Here are some of the reasons that building with a gun parts kit is not a preferable option for so many.

• Convenience: It’s a lot of work and not particularly easy to build a gun with a parts kit - although it is not particularly hard either. But the point is that it is in nowise convenient by comparison to simply going to the shop and buying a complete firearm.

• Time savings: Depending on the complexity of the firearm and its action, it could take several hours if not longer to fully assemble the whole thing. It will take even longer if you buy a frame or receiver blank and complete the milling at home. If time is a concern for you, then the parts kit route is probably not the economical solution.

• It’s easier: If you don’t like working with your hands and like shooting or hunting more than you like creating, then the parts kit route is not for you. Just go to the shop and get what you want, ready to fire.

• No technical knowledge is required: While there are harder tasks out there, knowing how to assemble a firearm from a parts kit, even if you have all the tools necessary as well as all the parts, does require some technical knowledge. Without someone to help you through the process (or at least good reference materials) it’s not the easiest thing to undertake. By contrast you can go to a show, fill out the 4473, wait for the NICS check, and be on your way.

• You don’t care very much about customization or the process or building: If you don’t really care about making any customizations to the platform, or to tinkering with performance, then there isn’t much argument towards you using a parts kit and building that way. Going to a shop and just buying what you want is an easier proposition.

Shop Gun Parts Kits, Tools and More Here

Thinking you’re ready to take on a project entailing building with a gun parts kit from the ground up? Or perhaps you just want some spares? Either way, we have you covered. Check out our collection of gun parts and kits and if you’re looking for something specific that you don’t see listed, get in touch with us.