I've built my own AR 15. It is not that difficult, it is more about your ability to read and select parts based on reading the right sources and knowing what you want, than it is about the ability to turn a wrench.
If you are going to build your upper, you need two or three tools: an armorers wrench, a torque wrench, and a vise block.
If you are going to stick an assembled upper on a lower you build, you don't need any special tools really, though there is a special wrench for the castle nut on carbine-style receiver extensions (where the stock is attached).
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Is this true from everyone's experiences here? I think it might have been because he had a .243 AR hanging on the wall that he needed to sell.
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That is ridiculous. It is the other way around if anything. .308/7.62x51 NATO is the standard for an AR 10. 90% of the AR 10's out there are chambered that way.
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From my experience a DPMS Bull barrel vs. just about any other $$$$ brand can keep up pretty well. Very few can shoot past the rifle itself for the diffences to matter.
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My uncle has a DPMS AR 15 with a big bull barrel that shoots pretty good. However, as much as I don't want to be a snob, I'm going to be. Most of the DPMS internal parts are junk. I've heard that it is different on their AR 10's than their 15's, but at least with AR 15s, the DPMS is only for a guy that is going to shoot it a couple hundred rounds a year. The gas keys on the BCG's are not staked properly, they are not shot peened, they are not magnetic particle tested, they are chambered in .223 instead of 5.56, etc. Also, that bull barrel shoots good, but you are sacrificing most of the benefits of a handy carbine to get it. The bull barreled AR 15's are so nose heavy and poorly balanced. They weigh 2 pounds more than they should, and the weight is in the wrong place. A good medium profile barrel should be just as accurate. It might be a little different with an AR 10, because it is already a heavier battle rifle, but putting a huge bull barrel on it makes it a "bench only" gun, and that just isn't how I shoot.
If you are looking for parts,
www.bravocompanyusa.com is where it is at.
www.palmettostatearmory.com is also very good.
www.brownells.com has some good stuff, but also some junk.
www.magpul.com is great too.