First AR-15 purchase ?

This thread may help. It is ongoing currently with this one.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=741703

highly recommend building your own. you will learn a lot and its easy.

Look up Rock River.

I would go M&P with your criteria or build a PSA. Personally, I would save up an extra $100 and get a Colt. Will hold its value much better and is very highly regarded.

I'll never buy another complete AR again. I'm an advocate for building, all the way. You can build a $1200 rifle for south of $900 if you buy the right stuff at the right time.

I am not an AR guru, though I do own three. Just got a complete AR on a cyber Monday sale at ARFCOM that appears similar to the one you listed. Mine was $750 complete. Has a quad rail, etc. Only put maybe 30 rounds thru it so far, so jury is out on quality. Function has been flawless.

My S-I-L just got a complete upper from PSA this past week for $399

FWIW..local dealer here sells a lot of AR's and really likes Stag

tuj said:

highly recommend building your own. you will learn a lot and its easy.

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+1 I knew nothing before starting, now I know how to dis-assemble it if necessary, and how it functions.

I'll second the Rock River Arms suggestion. Their accuracy can't be beat, especially for their price.

I think I'll just make a recommendation, per the OP's request, rather than trying to convince him to do something that isn't germane to this thread.

Check out this Windham Weaponry @ $749 @ Joe Bob Outfitters. Be sure and look at the specs: Chrome-lined, 4150 steel barrel, etc.

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/cat...cat=307&show=40&page=1&brand=Windham Weaponry

S&W M&P15s are going for $799.99 around here. Though I'd suggest "building" your own. I put a complete PSA premium upper (without BCG and charging handle) with Midwest industries FF rail on PSA magpul lower. Then I went ahead and put a Fail Zero BCG and a BCM gunfighter charging handle into it. Grand total spent $820

I messed up. My complete cyber Monday AR was $650 from ARFCOM. It was a one day deal, limited quantity. I know it's long gone, but it's an example of good deals if you are patient.

You could always buy a complete lower, such as this one at PSA, and then pick up a nice upper as well. PSA & Aim have had some good ones very reasonable lately.

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Until I had my first AR, I didn't understand how good of advice this is. Taking 10 seconds to snap one together saves $100.

You might be able to find a Windham Weaponry in that price range. There is nothing wrong with a S&W Sport under $700.

Otherwise, buy a complete upper and build the lower. Lowers are very easy to assemble. This is the best option to get exactly what you want. Get the upper with the parts you want, but get the lower with standard parts to keep the price down. Then later you can easily swap lower parts to what you really want. Just start with milspec parts.

If you go the PSA route: PSA has some good deals and some bad deals. Stay away from PTAC. Get PSA labeled parts. Also be warned, PSA's shipping is extremely slow. Just look up the PSA industry page at AR15.com. I ordered a blem upper receiver 2 weeks ago and it has not shipped. That is typical. Uppers can take months to ship.

I bought a Rock River Arms AR and sold it during the last scare.
Great gun, but after doing more research, I wanted my own custom job.

I also believe in building your own now.

My new baby is a Colt M4 SOCOM Profile upper with a 14.5 barrel pinned to make it legal.
Custom lower made by Alamo Tactical here in San Antonio.
Cerakoted in FDE.
VLTOR EMOD Stock
Eotech 553 in tan.
Surefire M900V.
It's way easier on the pocketbook to buy a little at a time instead of buying the whole thing at once and IMHO, the end results are more satisfying.
And don't get discouraged if you can't find the parts you need at one site.
There are dozens of places you can pick up stuff from people that are selling stuff they no longer want.
I know that the same upper is still being sold on Gunbroker by the same company that sold me mine.
And Alamo Tactical has more lowers available so you can get both without waiting.

S&W ... lifetime warranty and inexpensive

I'm in the same boat here. Looking at buying my first AR this spring, but I want to build it if possible to become more familiar w/ the frame and mechanisms. I have fired them several times before, but it's time to own one myself.

A few questions..
1) Is there any brand of parts folks would suggest I stay AWAY from?
2) Barrel Length? Any suggestions? I'm looking for something that would work for plinking, general defense and post-SHTF type situations (just in case). Everywhere I look I'm seeing 16" barrels. Should I go longer or keep there?

Any suggestions/info dumps are welcome.

Any suggestions/info dumps are welcome.

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Look at the stickies at the top of this page. There's over four pages of stuff people used and why. Styles, brands, prices, sources....everything

redneck2 said:

Look at the stickies at the top of this page. There's over four pages of stuff people used and why. Styles, brands, prices, sources....everything

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Thanks for the point at that sticky. Not sure HOW I missed that. Answered a TON of questions. But I still have one nagging one. Barrel Length.

I see everything from 16" to 20" out there in the "This is how i built my rifle" thread. Obviously, I know longer barrel can equal better accuracy at range, but I'm not going to be varmint hunting or shooting targets beyond 400 yards. Like I said above, "'m looking for something that would work for plinking, general defense and post-SHTF type situations (just in case). "

Can anyone make any recommendations regarding 16" vs 18"?

Building is a good option. I like PSA quality, (hate waiting for the stuff I ordered from them).

If you decide to build I would get an extra parts kit for spares. You may or my not be like me but I can't tell you the number of small parts I have mangled or just plain lost when it shot across the room.

Building also gives you the rifle you want! I like Spikes Tactical for building. I think their quality is on par with BCM and Colt. But their stuff will cost you a little more than PSA. When you can get Spikes Tactical Midlength for $800 just buy it

Factory built rifles come with full warranties, easier to resell if needed. They (Spikes) come with a hard case, flip up sights and a Pmag. All of that would be extra if you built.

PSA has some great deals but you have to get in on them right away or they are gone!

Also check gun deals.com

Just my $.02 Ymmv

egyas said:

I know longer barrel can equal better accuracy at range

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not better accuracy..but more velocity.

16" is fine for home defense and easier to move around.

Just get 1:7" twist if you plan to shoot bullets heavier than 62 grains. A lot of people like the 77 grain Hollow Point Match bullets for self defense.

Thanks!

OP I'm assuming you were like me and want an AR-15 ready to go without piecing everything together...I know you specifically asked about a Stag Model 3.

I have a Model 3L and its been great. I've shot 800-1000rds since I've had it and it hasn't failed me NOT ONCE. For the $ they are hard to beat IMO. I've shot and held many different brands of AR's in the $700-$900 range. And for the features,fit and finish, quality, and warranty. The Stag Model 3 is hard to beat.