Lost interest in building one about a year ago. Just started looking again and the few places I looked everything was out of stock.
I ordered that 599 stag upper and LPK deal right at the beginning of november. At the time it was a 5-7 week waiting period. I checked the website yesterday and it is saying 18-20 weeks now. And they already charged my credit card. I also need to find some receivers, but I'll wait until I get the other stuff in and hopefully vendors will have new stock and lower prices by that time.
I think that wait time is for new people only. I ordered on the 20th and the wait time was 8 weeks then. I hope so anyway . The lady on the phone said it might be here before the new year, and if not then in early january.
Last build I did was a little over a year ago. I had to wait for most of the parts I wanted then too. Perhaps not as long as now but there's always some waiting. Get it over with and order now.
I don't know what specifically you guys are looking for, but I know Essential Arms at least has stripped lowers in stock right now. Just took them about 1 week to process my FFL and ship the package. The other good news, is that their stripped lowers are only $115 SHIPPED. Heard nothing but great reviews on them, but if anyone is curious, I can let you know in a couple days how the quality is when it gets here.
I wish they answered their e-mails or their phone, I kept trying a few weeks ago with no answer so I paid $158 shipped for a Aero Precision lower.
Although I did get through, and get my order in, I will agree with that. I first called and left a message, and never got a call back. The next week, I called and got an answer and spoke to them in person. After that, I would get an answer about every 3rd call to them, but I never left a message again with fear of them not getting it. They are a "mom and pop" type shop who manufactures and sells their own product, so I can understand them being overwhelmed and a bit behind right now with the way the market for these is going... but it really is no excuse for not returning calls. In my experience though, if you are persistant with them, once you get ahold of them, they are great and easy to deal with.
I ordered a stripped upper and got it shipped next day. Stripped uppers are pretty easy to come by Im talking complete uppers
Every time I've been to Bass Pro, they have those camo-print Remington AR's in stock. Probably north of $1500 nowadays and come with tiny little 5- or 10-round mags, but if you're hurting for an AR, might be a way to source one.