As far as kits go when you order a kit you get everything needed to build a complete rifle except the stripped lower, so for about a couple hours time, and about 625.00 you can build a 24" varminter or maybe for a lil more or a lil less almost any configuration you like. The upper that comes with the kit is fully assembled and headspaced so all you do is put the parts in the lower and attatch the stock. This you could do with only a leatherman if it were the only tools you had.