AR 15, $2,000 - $3,000 Your choice?

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Skinny Pete said:
Out of honest curiosity, what does your proposed rifle do that the Fulton I mentioned above does not?
Well except having to be assembled, not come with a refund & lifetime warranty, and cost $700 more?
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It will be more accurate, have better controls (fully ambidextrous), have a far better trigger, and be better ergonomically (have a better grip and adjustable stock). The $700 price difference isn't all that significant given the difference in component quality.
 
Me personally, I'd probably take a Brownells XM177 replica and spend the other $1000 on 2 or 3 boxes of ammo.

If you want a range shooter, I'd just buy whatever cheap 16" carbine the gun store has. They're all turnkey these days.
 
Mosin Bubba said:
Me personally, I'd probably take a Brownells XM177 replica and spend the other $1000 on 2 or 3 boxes of ammo.

If you want a range shooter, I'd just buy whatever cheap 16" carbine the gun store has. They're all turnkey these days.
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Compared to ~2006 the difference between the cheapest AR and one two to three times more expensive, has greatly narrowed. Build quality and materials are much better across the board.

If you want to spend a little more than is needed to get a nice rifle, I'd grab whichever BCM (for a "duty" type build) or a WOA (for a precision type build) upper tickles your fancy and build an Aero lower out with whichever stock and trigger appeals to you.
 
js8588 said:
It will be more accurate
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What is the guaranteed accuracy of your build?
Fulton guarantees < 1.5 moa but all of mine have been sub-moa
Which is one of the reasons bone stock Fultons so often dominate national matches

have better controls (fully ambidextrous)
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I've never had a problem shooting left or right handed
And I don't know anyone else who has either
All I see is more unnecessary complexity

have a far better trigger
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What makes your builds trigger "far better" than their 2-stage national match trigger?
Especially since Fulton so often dominates matches

and be better ergonomically (have a better grip and adjustable stock).
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I have never had an issue with the grip, nor the stock
Not to mention that you can order it with any grip or stock you want
They offer multiple configurations

The $700 price difference isn't all that significant given the difference in component quality.
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What are these specific quality differences you speak of?

I'm still not seeing what one does that the other doesn't
 
With that sort of budget, I'd get Brownells to send me a WWSD carbine headed my way.
Mind, that's only about $1800 of your budget, so, you'd have plenty left over for an RDS and magazines and ammo.
 
Skinny Pete said:
What is the guaranteed accuracy of your build?
Fulton guarantees < 1.5 moa but all of mine have been sub-moa
Which is one of the reasons bone stock Fultons so often dominate national matches


I've never had a problem shooting left or right handed
And I don't know anyone else who has either
All I see is more unnecessary complexity


What makes your builds trigger "far better" than their 2-stage national match trigger?
Especially since Fulton so often dominates matches


I have never had an issue with the grip, nor the stock
Not to mention that you can order it with any grip or stock you want
They offer multiple configurations


What are these specific quality differences you speak of?

I'm still not seeing what one does that the other doesn't
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Your Fulton is a fine rifle. If I were in the market for a Vietnam era clone, I'd consider it. It's a great tool for shooting matches. OP said his budget was $2k-$3k, so I "built" something better than factory in that range.

Yours is good enough for you. I'm glad. Enjoy it.
 
AlexanderA said:
There are diminishing returns when it comes to AR's, or AR parts. After a certain point, more money does not translate into noticeably better quality. What I'm trying to say is that above about $1,000, the extra money is likely to be wasted. I've been collecting AR's for a long time, and I don't believe I've ever spent more than about $800 for one (with the obvious exception of the full-auto ones).
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A top shelf barrel, fore-end, and bolt carrier group will run you $1000 alone.
 
I’d buy whatever is on sale this week at PSA and then I’d buy $2500 in ammunition. And then I’d be able to pat myself on the back for bring much more experienced in real world use of an AR than most of the guys who are sporting DD, Knights, and the like.
 
js8588 said:
Your Fulton is a fine rifle. If I were in the market for a Vietnam era clone, I'd consider it. It's a great tool for shooting matches. OP said his budget was $2k-$3k, so I "built" something better than factory in that range.

Yours is good enough for you. I'm glad. Enjoy it.
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Interesting that you dodged each and every point/question

Further, he didn't say he wanted to build one, but rather...
"I'm not sure if building one in this price range is a better idea or buying one"

Followed by...
"Not being able to handle it worries me but in that range I would guess there's some kind of try it time period? Anyway, suggestions?"

So I suggested a well proven builder that offers a 30 day full refund as well as lifetime parts & labor.
And again, it can be ordered in multiple configurations as I stated.

So, still curious to find out specifically is so much "better"... ;)
 
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Skinny Pete said:
Interesting that you dodged each and every point/question

Further, he didn't say he wanted to build one, but rather...
"I'm not sure if building one in this price range is a better idea or buying one"

Followed by...
"Not being able to handle it worries me but in that range I would guess there's some kind of try it time period? Anyway, suggestions?"

So I suggested a well proven builder that offers a 30 day full refund as well as lifetime parts & labor.
And again, it can be ordered in multiple configurations as I stated.

So, still curious to find out specifically is so much "better"... ;)
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I think it probably comes down to the point that he doesn’t feel like engaging in a silly argument with someone whom obviously has his mind made up already. Enjoy your Fultons. Nobody said they were bad rifles. No need to get in your feelings because somebody else chose to go a different route.
 
You can buy a Larue match grade upper for $750 and their MBT trigger for $100, and mate that to the complete lower with Magpul stock that PSA is selling right now for $180. Excluding shipping and a transfer fee, you would be into a match grade carbine with all the important parts guaranteed for life by an industry leader for $1030. Or, you could get a complete Larue branded rifle for $2,000, if you are into lower receiver markings. If all I was concerned about was performance, I would get the PSA lower, and just end up with a spare trigger group in my parts bin. $1030 + shipping and a transfer fee would leave a whole lot of room in your budget for optics and other accessories, ammo, etc.
 
js8588 said:
Oh, this will be fun. I'll GarandThumb this & go tip to butt...

Muzzle device- https://www.cmttac.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=205
$84.99

Barrel- Well, you didn't say what you want it to do, but I'm going to assume MOA capable but also will hold up under long strings of fire. https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier-arms-mountain-mod2-5-56-nato-barrel/ $300

Gas block- https://www.rainierarms.com/v-seven-weapon-systems-titanium-750-gas-block-set-screw-ionbond-blk/ $88.27 (I only use these anymore. The reduced weight up front makes them just a little handier)

Gas tube- https://bootleginc.com/product/bootleg-sbn-gas-tube/ $15.99

Handguard- https://www.at3tactical.com/products/doublestar-cloak-m-lok-free-float-handguard-15-5 $179.99 Have this on one of my builds. Love it.

Upper Receiver- https://www.wingtactical.com/firear...eivers/spikes-tactical-billet-upper-receiver/ Will be a thermal fit with your barrel and already has the forward assist and dust cover. $243

BCG- https://www.wingtactical.com/firear.../lantac-enhanced-full-auto-black-nitride-bcg/ $261.99 Finest BCG on the market in my opinion.

Charging handle- Everyone is crazy about the Radian Raptors. I do have one. This is my favorite, though. https://nextlevelarms.com/product/nlx-556-charging-handle-best-ambi-ambidextrous-ar15/ $83

BUIS- https://www.primaryarms.com/magpul-mbus-pro-flip-up-sight-set-black $159.99

Lower Receiver- https://ar15discounts.com/products/dirty-bird-multi-cal-forged-ambidextrous-lower-receiver/ Ambidextrous bolt catch AND bolt release. My favorite lower on the market $279.99

Takedown/Pivot pins- https://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPTDP-223-SET I always buy the oversized pins to ensure the snuggest possible upper/lower fit. $28

Mag Catch- I use these on all my builds. https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...extrous-black-sku100040296-137349-247950.aspx $49.99

Mag Release Button/Spring- https://www.forwardcontrolsdesign.com/EMR-HC_p_23.html $19

Trigger-
Single Stage: https://velocitytriggers.com/product/steel-cased-ar-trigger/ $159.95

2 stage: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003413461 $189.95

Trigger/Hammer pins- I always get the nitrided pin set https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/product/gen-2-mod-3-nrthp/ $38

Safety- Now here, Radian got it right. I put their 45° talon safety on everything https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RADIAN-TALON-2LEVER $52.95

Trigger Guard- https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/billet-trigger-guard-anodized $24.99

Grip- it's a personal thing but I've really become a fan of the LaRue A-Peg https://www.larue.com/products/larue-tactical-a-peg-grip/ $11.99

Buffer Tube/Castle Nut- https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/PWS-AR-15-ENHANCED-BUFFER-TUBE-MOD-2-p/pws-4g2btmb1.htm $99.95

Buffer Spring- https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003402417 $25.99

Buffer- slickest, quietest buffer I've ever used https://www.wingtactical.com/firear...ffers/v-seven-enhanced-ar-15-carbine-buffers/ $50.44

Stock- Plenty of cheek weld, locks up solid and just enough weight to balance out that barrel https://www.wingtactical.com/firear.../magpul-acs-adaptable-carbine-stock-mil-spec/ $89.95

$2378.41 without me shopping around for deals or discount codes. Probably could get that down to $2250 or better. Comes out to a rifle with better features than anything on the market.
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Super fun reply! It was like opening christmas gifts going to each site! That was fun as all get out! Very enjoyable! Thanks! and Thanks again! Awesome job!
 
I think Nightlord hit it.

If I were to build one it would be to go as light as possible, but not what you're looking to do.

That said, I'm not sure most people will appreciate a $3k AR more than a $1k AR unless they have spent a lot of time with them.
 
brewer12345 said:
If I were dying to blow that much, i would buy a Daniels Defense or Alexader Arms 6.5 Grendel tricked out to my specs.

Spend $750 on a good AR and the rest on ammo and mags.
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I like a lot of DD's stuff. It's probably just me but I have yet to pick one up and be beyond disappointed in their triggers. I bought a Black Rain .308 because of what the guys at my GS drooled over this build. Very pretty gun. The trigger, well, how about dragging a brick through a gravel patch and seemingly breaks at random positions. Then the 2.5 MOA with match grade ammo. The frek'n ridiculous muzzle "pinecone" thing good for stripping your skin off. $2,500 of crap! I had the joy of chatting with the owner about his outrageous claims he had on U-tube. How he would use any part of any gun he sold in any match he would be in. I challenged him to eat these works. All in all, it's not worth the time to chase anger. I've kept it as a lesson learned. So any time I pick up a DD with a crap trigger I can't help but recall Black Rain.
 
N555 said:
Unless you are doing a boutique cartridge I would build two or three $1,000 guns.
I don't even know how to spend a $1,000 on one rifle.
I guess I could blow several hundred dollars on an inferior trigger compared to what I can do with a basic one.
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I get this idea. I've got a bunch of AR's in numerous styles and builds. quantity is just not quality.
 
edwardware said:
It sounds to me like you're specifying price instead of capabilities. . . which usually indicates that you haven't done the work of defining what capabilities you want.

It's your money, but I don't think, "it costs more than the others" is a valuable feature.
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Understandable, but I believe it's far more rare to have a cheaper product do a better job than one that costs more.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
I think Nightlord hit it.

If I were to build one it would be to go as light as possible, but not what you're looking to do.

That said, I'm not sure most people will appreciate a $3k AR more than a $1k AR unless they have spent a lot of time with them.
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I don't consider myself in the "most people" category. As mentioned, I've built and own what I would believe to be beyond this category. My Wife and I have several pieces of "Do you guys really shoot those?" -vs- behind glass. I just really enjoy a piece of art that functions as well as it looks.
 
gun'sRgood said:
I don't consider myself in the "most people" category. As mentioned, I've built and own what I would believe to be beyond this category. My Wife and I have several pieces of "Do you guys really shoot those?" -vs- behind glass. I just really enjoy a piece of art that functions as well as it looks.
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Then, I think the ones Nightlord listed is where I would look. There may be higher levels of boutique ARs but I'm not aware of those.

Meant no insult with the "most people" comment, didn't want anyone to pay for something they could not appreciate/understand. When it comes to many things in life I am a "most people" myself. $100 meal or a $1k meal I would be just as happy for instance (more happy with the $100 one as I have $900 left actually).
 
664E8BA2-80F1-4CCD-8F57-8A2E7A15CBC1.jpeg Not sure if they’re “worth the money” but I had a TON of Cabelas points and got a Daniel Defense DDM4V7. The factory trigger wasn’t what I wanted (knew that going in) so I threw in a geissele.

Overall construction, fit and finish, smoothness, and accuracy is much better than any budget AR I’ve shot.

Again, I’m sure they’re overpriced but I love this rifle.
 
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edwardware said:
It sounds to me like you're specifying price instead of capabilities. . . which usually indicates that you haven't done the work of defining what capabilities you want.

It's your money, but I don't think, "it costs more than the others" is a valuable feature.
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Ouch! That's a bit harsh. You make that judgement on so few facts. Oh and you could not be more wrong. If you don't like the post, please feel free to not respond. Thanks.
 
marksman13 said:
I think it probably comes down to the point that he doesn’t feel like engaging
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I think it actually is due to the fact that he cannot stand behind his own assertions.
After all, who asserts X isn't as accurate as Y when they have zero experience with X...
Just sayn' ;)

in a silly argument
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There was no "argument", none. Very specific assertions were made and I asked for some factual support for those assertions, yet none were provided.

with someone whom obviously has his mind made up already.
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Um yea, that was the question asked by the OP... "Your choice?" See how that works :)

Enjoy your Fultons.
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I do :thumbup:

Nobody said they were bad rifles.
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I never said anyone did

No need to get in your feelings because somebody else chose to go a different route.
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I'm not the one who got upset and ran away from a few simple questions :D
 
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