Inexpensive AR-15

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Pistolman36

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Call me a newbie, and im sure this has been talked to death before, but when im done converting my Saiga-12 I was going to turn my attention to finally getting an AR-15 rifle. Im not too familar with them and Im on a bit of a budget. When I start a gun, I like to learn as much as possible about them. So here it goes.

So what are some good entry level ARs? Bushmaster seems like a nice gun for the price. Panther Arms does too. Dunhams Sports has the ATI AR for about $700 which is about where I want to be. Id kinda like the M4 Configuration with the flat top and railed forend. Im sure these can be added on later. What other upgrades are a must for part time shooter, who doesnt compete, but wants a well working, dependable rifle that will kill zombies when the dead finally walk the earth?(lol)
 
DSA are good for the money, I got an early AR from them that is very nice, my dad got an upper a year ago from them and it appears to be made differently then there old stuff, not bad just not as nice.
http://www.dsarms.com/ZM4-Flattop-Carbine-Rifle-556-Nato---DSZM4CV1R/productinfo/DSZM4CV1R/
http://www.dsarms.com/Lowers & Uppers/products/59/

If you just want to shoot it you dont need anything fancy a detachable carry handle or a back up iron sight setup will work just fine for anything you will ever need it for. I say save your money on the fancy toys that you want to hang on it and buy the nicest rifle you can afford. And then save up for the rail and all the other stuff you want.
 
Buy a aero precision lower reciever and a model 1 16'' or 20'' rifle kit for 480. For 600 you have a well made rifle.
 
You could build a pretty darned good one for your budget. Like Bryan stated, get an Aero Precision or Surplus Arms and Ammo lower. You could also join AR15.com, and get the special with Palmetto State Armory for $65 shipped. Then your lower parts kit, which would run about 65-80; now you have more money for an upper.

Del-Ton makes a decent "budget" upper, but you could buy a base M4 style upper from Daniel Defense or Bravo Company and still have some money left over.

I told another member yesterday looking at a new platform that you cannot overlook the costs of getting outfitted for your new rig. Magazines, sling, sling adapters, case, cleaning kit, and of course ammo all bring your prices up. Don't go crazy getting 20 magazines right off the start; a couple will do you fine.

Best of luck to you.
 
ok, i get the feeling i am going to catch some flak about this, but......you really need to do some looking before you buy, dont buy on a whim. Personally, i will never buy a dpms, delton, plumb crazy, olympic arms, or a few others. I just bought an armalite for about $800 from cheaper than dirt( i have no affiliation with cheaper than dirt, just a loyal customer), flat top, m-4 style carbine with an m-203 step down barrel, bayonet lug and bird cage flash suppressor. For me it was between the bushmaster and armalite, well, the armalite was cheaper and had a lifetime warranty, bushmaster does not. But, You really need to look close before you buy, just my .02, good luck man.
 
I wouldn't lump DPMS or Del-Ton in the same category with Plum Crazy or Oly, but you have a good point. OP has a lot to choose from.
 
Smith & Wesson was running a deal for $699 on their ARs. They are much closer to the mil-spec guns like Colt than DPMS or Del-Ton is.
 
bushmaster just hit the market with a new entry level rifle. just released at the las vegas dealers convention back in jan. they are starting to hit the shelves here for $630.
 
You can buy yourself a cheap lower receiver for like $65-$85 on sites like Gunbroker.com and buy parts kit from AR15Products.net. And build it from parts for under $700.

I've used their parts, look the same as DPMS and Bushmaster. Same keyway marked uppers, and have never had issues with them. All their parts are mil-spec and drop right in.

I think I used a pair of channel locks with ducktape to install the bolt catch roll pin, and trigger guard roll pin, and a flat head screw driver for grip screw, the rest of the parts just popped right in, you don't need a bunch of fancy tools. For the collapsable stock, you need a cheap stock wrench, for the A2 stock, just a flat head screw driver.

I've put together 20+ of those kits for friends, with no problems. Cheapest way I know other than buying used at gunshow.
 
Doublestar AR's for around $650 at Budsgunshop.com

I got one for Christmas and it is a GREAT rifle!
 
So what are some good entry level ARs? Bushmaster seems like a nice gun for the price. Panther Arms does too. Dunhams Sports has the ATI AR for about $700 which is about where I want to be. Id kinda like the M4 Configuration with the flat top and railed forend. Im sure these can be added on later. What other upgrades are a must for part time shooter, who doesnt compete, but wants a well working, dependable rifle that will kill zombies when the dead finally walk the earth?(lol)
Click to expand...

For $760 you can get a Spikes Tactical M4 profile carbine. Spikes makes and tests everything according to milspec. Does that means that other stuff will not work fine? Of course not. However, it does make it far less likely that you will encounter problems with questionable workmanship. Why spend as much or more on something with less of a guarantee?

If you want to do it really cheap, then get a surplus ammo & arms complete lower and get one of the DSA ZM4 uppers. Add a Bolt carrier group and charging handle and you are done.

Surplus Ammo complete lower: $165
DSA ZM4: $275
RRA BCG (from joe bob outfitters): $95
Charging handle (get from wherever): $20

Total: $555

But, if you are going to spend $700+ get something that is built to milspec.
 
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I've used their parts, look the same as DPMS and Bushmaster. Same keyway marked uppers, and have never had issues with them. All their parts are mil-spec and drop right in.
Click to expand...

While they are made from the same materials that the milspec calls for, they are not tested in accordance with milspec which requires high pressure testing followed by magnetic particle testing for bolt and barrel. Bushmaster makes fine stuff, but if you are looking at an AR in the $750+ range why would you not get a spikes or other maker that puts their parts through the required testing?
 
If you are willing to spend $700, go with $800 and get a Spikes - they are properly tested as has been said, and WILL be higher quality for that money.
 
not so fast DEL-TON is offering hpt/mp tested 1/7 chrome lined barrel upper for $460 or u can get this upper in a rifle kit for $530 (everything u need less lower receiver) my buddy bought one these uppers and has around 600 rds through it so far no issues at all and shoots 1moa @ 100yds

p.s. the bolt is tested also
 
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i would look at model 1 sales and del-ton. Then get a complete lower and have the custom rig you want for the price of standard rigs. If you just want to get one that's ready to go smith and wesson and dpms are a good value.
 
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