AR-15

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assistant77

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Hey Guys, just wanted to pick everyone's brain for a few minutes. I am slowly trying to increase my collection of firearms. As of this writing I own a sr9c, ruger 10/22 and a mossberg 500. My next gun purchase is going to be an AR-15 style rifle. My question is what should I be looking for? I know there are a lot of different manufacturers, any idea which ones are better then the next? Are there any particular specifications for which I need to be looking for? Thanks in advance.
 
Armalite as in AR, the original. fair price, proven, not high dollar like some of the new manufacturers. if you got the money spend it, but Armalite or Colt speak for themselves.
 
Look for mil-spec rifles with full auto bolt carriers, chromed bolts, chrome lined barrels and M4 feed ramps, barrels are preferably made by FN or another government supplier. Colt Sporter or LE 6920 or the PSA M4 variant are both excellent, as is the S&W MP15 line, the MP15 Sport by S&W will only set you back about $700 and is very well reviewed.
 
The current Armalite is not the original.

For the OP, what do you want to do with the rifle and what is your budget?
 
Save enough money till you have about $1500.00 - $2000.00

Seek and find one of the following:

LMT
Daniel Defense
Colt 6920
BCM
Noveske
SPIKES TACTICAL
STAG with $100.00 "Plus Package" milspec upgrade.
Smith and Wesson Mp15a (has 1:9 twist)

You are looking for HPT/MPT barrels and bolt carrier group. Chromed 1 in 7 twist barrel and 5.56 Milspec chamber.

Watch Brownells for sales on their Milspec grey magazines with green followers. OR Magpul P-mags.

Buy 10 of them...$150

Buy an EoTech model 517....~$400-450

You'll be happier if you wait and buy one of the above. Cheepie AR's that are non Milspec aren't the same gun as a proper spec built one. The quality magazines listed... work. An AR is only as good as it's mags. With out them it is a single shot.

The Eotech is a good optic as is Aimpoint. Either will do you fine.

Armalite is not the Armalite of yesteryear. They aren't the quality of the guns listed above..

Check with www.ammoman.com or www.ammotogo.com and buy 500 or 1000 round cases of XM193 (55 grain) or M855 (62 grain) ammo

The above might be more than you were braced for but if you are serious about getting into a good AR that will last you and is something you can bet your life on. IF you want a plinker your fine to go with Bushmaster, Armalite or DPMS...in that order.
 
There certainly are a lot of opinions on what makes a good AR.

PSA has mil-spec kits starting under $500, add a $60 lower and your gtg.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits.html




Mac's Precision said:
Armalite is not the Armalite of yesteryear. They aren't the quality of the guns listed above..
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You need to check your facts. Current production ArmaLite AR15's compare with any rifle on your "list" plus they are the only manufacturer that has a lifetime warranty.
 
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two things that are always givens on my list

SS barrel

NOT an M4 Profile Barrel. the only reason for one is mounting a grenade launcher.

I think Mid length Gas Systems are a very good idea.

I like chromed BCGs. I like Free float handguards. I like M1907 slings, and Magpul AFGs.

I wish they made an ACE skeleton Stock shorter than the A2 length, but longer than the entry model.

Good Ammo & Good Mags. Personally, I dislike 30 round mags- they make it hard to get down in the dirt.
 
It's really not as simple as "what do I look for".

There are so many variations in AR-15s, so asking the question in that way is sort of like asking, "what do I look for in a car?"

AR-15 is simply a pattern that many different rifles for many different purposes are built on.

A lot of it depends on what you want to use it for and how much to spend.

Start there, and then people can give advise that you can use.
 
Save enough money till you have about $1500.00 - $2000.00
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If you can afford it, there is certainly nothing wrong with spending that much. There are some really excellent AR style rifles and carbines available in that price range.

On the other hand, there are a number of perfectly reliable and accurate guns available for half that price in the form of build-it-yourself or ready made guns. Don't get talked into spending lots of bucks unless you want to.
 
For the average shooter just about all of the major manufacturers will work out just fine. Find the best deal and buy it.
 
You have to decide just what you want to do with it, then go from there. An up and rapidly rising company is Palmetto State Armory, like mentioned by Madcratebuilder. They are "mil-spec", utilize FN barrels, and are very well made. It will not cost as much as many others, since they are still trying to get their name out as a company to compete against.

Now, LMT, Colt, Daniel Defense, BCM, all of these companies have built themselves an excellent reputation as a hard running platform. I love all of these companies, I recommend them, but I do realize that some shooters will never run their rifles hard enough to worry about "general" quality. There are plenty of customers who are completely happy with their rifles that are built by what would be considered, by many, to be lower quality companies.
 
madcratebuilder says: "You need to check your facts. Current production ArmaLite AR15's compare with any rifle on your "list" plus they are the only manufacturer that has a lifetime warranty."

Actually....IF your curious..

BCM
Daniel Defense
Noveske
LMT
Armalite
CMMG
Stag
Rock River
Olympic

All have a Limited Lifetime Warranty.


W.E.G. Says: "I'm going to recommend the most expensive AR you can afford."

Actually What I suggested was that he save up $1500-2000 because the total investment of getting into an AR15 with EVERYTHING he needs to make it a completed package. The gun can cost anywhere from 800-1200 on the low end. Optics could run from 100-800 depending on what he wants. 10 Mags will run him $150... 1000 rounds of xm193 will run him about $325.

So for example a DPMS will run him about $800
A cheepie red dot will run him $100

ammo..325

Total $1225

OR if you want to go higher end

A Colt 6920 is about $1100
An Eotech is 425
10 mags 150
ammo 325

Total $2000

So while you can just discuss the cost of just the gun...it is an entire package. It will cost him at least 1200 to have it and run it like he wants. I am being realistic here. Anyone can quote low ball sale price numbers on JUST the gun....but after you get into it and find there is more, more, more.. Why not brace the guy for what it is going to ultimately cost?
 
I agree with Mac's Precision, I recieved a Franklin Armory (lower) Adams Arms(upper) AR from my son for Christmas, IE free, but even after I de-California it, I still had to buy magazines, ammo, optics and the other things that make it fit me and my style of shooting. It isn't just the cost of the gun, it's the whole package! One nice thing though, there are TONS of things that you can do to an AR to make it fit you and your budget!
 
I too am looking at getting my first AR. In the short time that I have been buying guns I am finding that I seem to be happier with paying more for a higher quality gun than saving a few bucks. Even if the higher quality makes absolutely no difference to how well I shoot I still appreciate the workmanship and engineering long after I have forgotten or got over the initial cost. This is certainly not the case for everyone and I often wish that it was not the case with me. Such is life. I have pretty much settled on a complete left handed rifle from Noveske and am now trying to figure out which optic to go with.
 
At G&R Tactical for $1060 and in stock
View attachment 595510
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920MP

or if you can wait until they can get more in stock, for $965
View attachment 595511
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920

BCM, also a good value offers this-
View attachment 595512
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Mid-16-AR15-Bravo-Company-s/142.htm

You can always get a rifle kit & stripped lower from PSA. I would suggest sticking with kits offering FN made barrels. I like this one as it has the FN hammer forged barrel
8980_3.jpg

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...forged-mid-length-light-weight-rifle-kit.html
 
For what it's worth, I went through the same process I while back and settled on a CMMG M-4 profile. It's 16", 1 in 7" twist.

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/item/147-M4-1227 You can now get one that comes with the MBUS rear sight stock.

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/item/556-M4-CHF-1829

All I've done to it so far is remove the carry handle and put on a Magpul MBUS rear sight ($35). I'm very happy with it. Although I carried an M-16 for years, I prefer the rear sight down close to the barrel axis over the stock carry handle setup. So far I've put about 600 M193 rounds through it and about 400 of my own reloads. Nary a hiccup. I also prefer the 20 round mags. The 30 rounders do get in the way. Either way, Magpuls are the way to go. Two good deals on 55 gr. M193 right now are:
http://www.glensoutdoors.com/Federal-XM193-5-56-x-45mm-55-Grain-FMJ-BT-500-p/xm193f.htm

http://wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=9017&dir=18|830|845

Reloading adds yet another dimension to the fun of having an AR.
 
R-15 Remington-bought on and is light weight and shoots like a house of fire. Only thing I see a problem with is the trigger. Hope to have that solved with a Jewell trigger. JP
 
Like in many of these threads, there is more to it than simply which one do I buy. We need a budget as well as a purpose.

A guy looking for a bench rifle will look for different parts than a guy looking for a 3-gun rifle who will be looking for different parts than a guy who is looking for a carbine class rifle who will be different than the casual shooter looking to have a little fun at the range plinking on the weekends. Nobody is wrong in their interest, just realize that certain uses call for different specs to be the most effective.

Things to look for on all rifles. Quality of the bolt/bcg. Sure, a non-tested bolt may work just as well as one that has been HPT/MPI and shot peened but anymore you can find bolts that have been tested for the same price as those that haven't making it hard to justify untested bolts. Staking of the gas key should be checked on all bolts. It's easy to do and while that doesn't give a manufacturer a justification to do it wrong, it's easy to fix at home if it wasn't done well.

If you want a fighting rifle, I'd first look at a Colt 6920 and adjust from there. Many listed here and on "the chart" (google it) will show what has been determined as necessary for such a rifle and will list the makers that follow those guidelines. The 6920 is the old gold standard and anymore can be found under $1000. Other options in that rifle type can also be had under $1000 but many are options you will have to build. Not a problem at all but if you want a warranty a complete rifle is a good option. Chrome lined and now chrome lined hammer forged barrels seem to be the big draw.

If you want a 3-gun rifle it seems many have gone with an 18" mid-weight profile barrel, big comp on the end, smooth float tube with the ability to mount rails where you want. Triggers for these can range a bit but the current trend seems to be the Geissele 3g trigger or the ATC AR-Gold trigger.

For the dedicated paper puncher there are many options. You can go with a WOA Service Rifle or Match upper if irons are your interest. WOA uses Wilson barrels which shoot better than their price point suggests but seem to shoot out a little before more expensive barrels. Not a big deal for most and for all but the best of us it would be hard to tell the accuracy difference or notice the barrel life difference. Most companies have their choice of heavy barrel upper out there. Most of them shoot pretty darn well but are a lot of weight for anything but shooting from a fixed position. For precision paper shooting in any position but from a bench, a nice 2 stage trigger seems to be ideal, the best of which is the Giessele Hi-Speed in your choice of spring weights. Off a bench a light single stage is typically a better option.

For the casual range rifle there are a few standouts. PSA has some dirt cheap options. Some of their cheaper options aren't the fighting rifle preferred chrome lined or 4150 steel but they will work very well for casual use. S&W has a sport model which comes in around $600 and is a heck of a deal. Del-ton has changed some of their practices for the better and are still a great price point for a build. A basic BCM can be had for $800 or so when finished which will satisfy all the carbine class guys without breaking the bank. I'm sure there are many many more mid-range options that will never let a light use shooter down in any way that matters.

Moral is to pick quality options that fit your uses and budget. Every budget has better and worse options for a given need so look over what you want to do with what is accepted as quality parts and pick from them.

If you narrow down your desires/budget (and don't say a do it all because you will have to sacrifice something to do another job well) we can suggest more specific parts/companies from there.
 
I like Rock River, just picked up one of their 18" ATH uppers and I'm really pleased with it. There are plenty of good name brand mid priced rifles available (such as DPMS), no need to spend anywhere close to $1500 for an AR. I value accuracy over the ability to blow through thousands of rounds of milspec ammo while dragging the rifle through the mud and sand, but that's because I don't have to drag mine through mud and sand for a living.

For me personally:
I like fixed stocks but one of my lowers has a 6 position stock because a junior shooter uses it sometimes, the others are all fixed (and I like the Ace stocks).

I like mid weight barrels around 18", I have no need for the barrel to be cut for a grenade launcher. I have uppers with barrels from 16" to 20" in bull barrel configuration for bench/varmint shooting.

I like free float tubes, I can't think of any reason I would not get one.

I like a good trigger, factory triggers generally suck. I have, or have had on AR's, JP, Rock River Match, CMC drop ins, and all of them are a huge improvement over most factory triggers. I like a nice crisp break around 3 1/2 pounds for my AR's.

I like flat top uppers. For people that are going to war they can mount back up iron sights and cowitness them with their optic. For all the rest of us we can just mount our optic and be done with it. I can't see spending money on something like an ACOG unless you are going to war with it. A good 1-4 or 2-10 scope with illuminated reticle seems perfect to me.
 
I find myself in the PSA camp right now. My second AR is a PSA upper with an essential arms lower and a daniel defense parts kit. I am also going with a standard A2 stock right now. This all comes in at about $850. That leaves money for magazines and ammo.
 
For a high-quality and reasonably-priced AR, I'd be looking at Spikes Tactical, Palmetto State Armory, or BCM.
 
Although I would say avoid PSA at this point. They have gone from something to watch hopefully to a company to avoid completely after the last couple months of pretty big mistakes.
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Curious. I'd like to hear some specific examples that would indicate quality problems across the entire brand.

All I've seen are complaints about shipping wait times around the holidays (small company + big sales). Never any problems with quality.
 
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