The FrankenGun.

  To build or buy, that is the question that preoccupies our people, or something like that. I have had so many  tell me that they will only run "X" maker of rifle, they buy said high dollar rifle shoot it then a year later it looks nothing like the rifle they bought. With all the "swaps" they made to the rifle they are no longer running that "X'' maker's rifle anymore. My first thought after seeing the change is usually, "So why did you buy and not build?"

  I get the fact that "X" makes a great rifle, even bone stock it runs fantastic. The onslaught of aftermarket gadgets and whizbangs for the AR, no wonder humans have a hard time keeping their rifles in a stock configuration. Most manufacturers run components as well as complete rifles, so getting a matched upper and lower can be done without buying the rest of the parts you will be replacing in a year.

  Of course there are the tacticool gimmicks on the market. The replacement stock that allows for the "full-auto" effect. the magwell grip attachment, the bipod foregrip, etc. Don't worry I have had my fair share of these items. Lets not forget the smaller bits and pieces that have been engineered with speed and ease of use by every manufacturer out there, the ambi safety, mag release, charging handles, etc. Though these are not technically gimmicks, everyone makes the most durable on the market. Depending on the circles you run in not having certain makes of these items gets you laughs and derogatory comments from the local "operators." Each of these items where built to fill a niche in the market, as hoakie as it might be, someone thought it a great idea. For those of us not running rampant through the sand, and wholly depending on the quality of equipment to keep us alive. There is nothing wrong with running a particular "gimmick" item. That is if you can handle the ounces added and it functions as needed when needed.

  A guy I know bought a frankengun from a small company in his area and paid a decent penny for the rifle. It had all the names attached to it, right out of the box it had some issues with reliability. Yes, mixing manufacturers can pose an issue in one form or another but with a little finagling and a rotary tool we had it running like the well oiled machine it was designed to be. The price paid for that frankengun out weighs the price of another local frankengun I know of. Just because it was built with "name brand" items did not allow for it to run or be more accurate than the cheaper made rifle. On the other hand one can create a highly accurate frankengun with the right amount of knowledge of parts. Be mindful that there are items in your build that need not be expensive and will not hinder the accuracy or reliability of the rifle. Knowledge on the subject is plentiful, though whether or not it is complete truth or someones personal preference is another matter.

  With all the information rattling around in the webiverse and products-a-plenty online you do have the ability to build that AR pattern rifle with exactly what you want without paying extra for the parts you will be swapping out later. As of this post we are seeing prices of complete rifles dropping like rocks, one should still do their homework to get the best bang for the buck, either building or buy and swap. Either way you go make it what you want, don't be intimidated by the social media operators out there.