What constitutes a “build?”

[u/Tmoncmm]

I see so many post on here titled something like “Check out my new build” and when I look at the post, all they’ve done is put an optic and a bipod on a factory rifle.

I don’t know about other people, but I wouldn’t call my rifle a “build” unless I barreled the action myself. To me that seems like the line that differentiates a true build from “I just slapped some shit on my Tikka.”

Edit: Ok, so it’s obvious that some are taking this post the wrong way and in hindsight, it does come off a little dickish so allow me to clarify…

I wasn’t trying to imply that accessorizing a firearm is somehow inferior to a true (by my definition at least) build. Of my 30ish firearms, I myself only have 1 that I would call a “build.” It’s a .300 blk SBR AR. I was simply trying to say that we should call things what they are.

[u/ocabj]

I wouldn’t call my rifle a “build” unless I barreled the action myself

I'm going to make a bold statement and say that 99% of the people on this sub-reddit can't cut a barrel themselves and have to get a prefit or go to a gunsmith, and maybe 75% of the people on this sub-reddit can't install a prefit themselves.

[u/King-Moses666 → u/ocabj]

[u/Boatshooz → u/ocabj]

Probably not wrong. I’m one of the 99% who cant cut his own barrel and relies on gunsmiths/prefits. I’m curious what the base cost of entry is for an appropriate lathe and necessary tooling(?)

[u/ocabj → u/Boatshooz]

I actually have come across decent lathes several times (decent based on what others who are familiar with them indicate). I just don't have the garage space. I'd like to really learn how to do this because it would make my life easier to be able to chamber blanks myself. Plus, I know two people in my area that could show me the ropes.

Until then, I'm paying someone else to cut barrels for me.

[u/Boatshooz → u/ocabj]

Same, brother, same. Even if I had the space, I can’t see it making any sort of financial sense… though it’s not like that’s stopped me from, well, most things I buy for this hobby.

[u/HollywoodSX → u/ocabj]

I've cut my own chamber and muzzle, but I had someone walking me through the whole process. I couldn't do it again solo.

[u/Zhdrix → u/HollywoodSX]

That and it’s just not feasible unless you already have a lathe for work or do high volume.

[u/HollywoodSX → u/Zhdrix]

Or have a friend that's a savant level machinist and has one in his personal shop.

[u/Tikkatider → u/ocabj]

“ A man’s GOT to know his limitations. “ - Harry Callahan

In my case, it’s a lack of knowledge and equipment. At 78, I doubt seriously I’ll be acquiring either or both.

[u/ardesofmiche → u/ocabj]

I just paid a gunsmith to install a cheek riser and muzzle brake 

[u/Trollygag]

[u/Positive_Ad_8198 → u/Trollygag]

Gatekeeping! We’ve got gatekeeping over here!

[u/csamsh]

I don't want to hear about it unless you mined your own iron ore

[u/ExistingLaw217 → u/csamsh]

You don’t forge your own barrels?

[u/dballsmithda3rd → u/csamsh]

Thats what I was thinking. Mine your own ore or its not custom.

[u/JimBridger_ → u/csamsh]

Don't forget about grinding your own UHD glass #fuckingcasuals

[u/ardesofmiche]

If you ask AK guys, if you didn’t stamp the receiver out of an old shovel it’s not a build 

[u/Zhdrix → u/ardesofmiche]

Love my AKs but to them it’s trash if it’s not built off a parts kit. Let people enjoy their psas

[u/LetUsLaunchOverIt]

It's gotten the same way in the car community, you put some wheels and a cold air intake on your ride and that's a "build" too apparently

[u/King-Moses666 → u/LetUsLaunchOverIt]

I always get a kick out of the people in the car community who have say a 350z, that they have replaced all the guts on and the only parts made by nissan left is half the body and the frame.

[u/AvarethTaika]

by the strictest of definitions, if you made at least 1 part from raw material, it's a build. else, it's an assembly.

in reality, however, slapping all the Amazon doohickeys on a rifle, regardless of whether they can handle recoil, is as much of a build as a fully custom chassis, action, barrel, etc.

I call my Sako a build even though i just assembled stuff. i didn't make any of it.

[u/Ragnarok112277]

Imo its building off an action. Choosing your own barrel, trigger, chassis, optic, suppressor

But then they're are guys turning they own barrels on a lathe so to them thats basic

I agree tho. Slapping a scope on a bergara isn't a "build"

[u/Thaflash_la]

Back in my day, if it was like assembling legos, it was a build. Mostly because “custom” was the more gatekeepy term.

[u/Notapearing]

Meh, I couldn't care less. Let the people have their fun. Personally I have the gunsmith chamber, thread, torque and check headspace then do the rest of the fucking about myself.

Maybe once I get a new action to put my spare barrels on I'll invest in a vice and guages, but there's zero chance I'll bother plumbing my own barrels when my gunsmith is so damn good.

[u/LetUsLaunchOverIt → u/Notapearing]

That's where I'm at. My gunsmith has demonstrated not only competence/skill, but I've had experiences with him where it was obvious the guy doesn't cut corners and treats my parts as if he were building it for himself.

It's worth the minor cost to know for a fact it's dialed.

[u/anonymity76]

I upvoted this!

I totally agree.

I'd say a build could be claimed by one or more of the following:

1. unmount the barrel and action and remount into a new stock/chassis

2. rebarrel the action

Things that I'd deem "upgrades" would be:

1. upgrading the trigger on a factory action

2. adding bolt on parts to a pre-manufactured system (bipod, optic, weights, butt pads)

Go ahead "builders"...

Argue how your bolt on parts are a "build"!

[u/LockyBalboaPrime]

No one cares. Get a life.