AR 15's...

[Cosmoline]

I picked up a government carbine and love it. There are a lot on the market at the moment. Very well built, extremely reliable and accurate. They're also light weight as AR's ought to be.

I would really like to see a sub-$1000 ar put 2-3" groups at 200 yards.

I saw that a few weeks back at the range. A fellow I know had built one up for less than $700 that was driving tacks while I watched. Mind he's an AR expert and had found some outstanding deals on the parts, but it's far from impossible.

 

[SublimeSilence]

If you want to be 100% happy with your first purchase DO THE RESEARCH!!! When it comes to AR's there are a billion and a half choices on what to get. You need to narrow things down past price point for what you want to really get something you won't complain about or most importantly SINK more money into.

I own a Rock River Arms AR. I will say two things bad about it. The barrels are very heavy and the rails that come with the RRA's are heavy and badly designed(but well made). Otherwise they are great guns, I've literally had 1 jam in 10k rounds. The triggers on RRA's are really sweet and compared to my friends colt it's night and day.

This all being said. You need to find out what you want from many of the main components. Such as the barrel(IMO most important choice). Barrels determine the weight of the rifle and honestly it all depends on what you want to do with the gun, or might want to in the future. Carrying an 8 pound RRA with a 2 pound optic + ammo through the snow on a coyote hunt isn't as fun or easy as it may seem.

All this being said, a great company that if I was in the shoes of purchasing my first ar-15 after everything I know now would be spikes tactical.

 

[kwelz]

PSA had a few go out with the wrong gas tubes. They corrected the issue, though. A representative of PSA posts regularly on ar15.com. Nearly every body who had purchased PSA has been satisfied, if the mentions on ar15.com are any indicator.

Well I trust Ar15.com reviews about as much as I do the guy holding a sign asking for change on the side of the street.

That aside I know know that PSA has reached out to the people who had the problems and I commend them for that. However the fact remains that there are some real problems that they have yet to address.

1: If they are doing basic QC checks on their rifles how did this get through?
2: If they are supposedly test firing each rifle how did these rifles make it out the door?
3: They still have not addressed the questions about the source of their parts when some industry insiders started pointing out some inconsistencies in their claims.

I have said before and I will say again. I hope PSA turns out to be another BCM or DD. There are very few companies providing a GOOD AR on the market right now. But at this point there have been a few worrying occurrences. Heck all this doesn't even address the misaligned Feed ramps that a lot of people are getting.

 

[rustedangel]

Does anybody want to chime in about Spike's Tactical? I've been trying to decide which way to go for a black rifle for a while now, and they seem to do all the "so you want to buy an AR-15" checklist items at a reasonable price. I was leaning towards a Colt 6920 but after handling a few rifles found the mid length handguards feel more comfortable to me.

 

[wingman]

I think it all depends on your needs,what type of shooting,how much,etc, researching a purchase for the AR is a nightmare IMO, I think its one rifle with the most misleading/incorrect information out there,dedicated forums believe in only mil spec zombie killing weapons battle rifles, while 99.9% of the AR's will never see a fight.

I purchased a Stag Model 3 added a Geissele SSA-E trigger it will shoot under1 moa with my reloads,I'm a target shooter so it fits my need,low round count no "dumping a 30 rounder" to see smoke coming out the forearm.

Stag has a 3G model now that comes with a Geissele trigger built for 3 gun competition down side msrp over $1200 may do better out in the market.

 

[ejpk]

You might want to consider a Stag Arms AR-15, Model 3. It has a flat top with picatinny rail and comes with no sights, so you can add what you want. It includes the Diamondhead aluminum forend/rail system. List price: $895, but street price (in Indiana) is ~ $780.00.
http://www.stagarms.com/product_info.php?cPath=13_22&products_id=208

 

[SublimeSilence]

Spikes tactical allows you to get what you want for a great price. The many different options on barrel shrouds and stocks is a nice thing imo.

Colt is a great choice too but I don't like the stock/barrel shroud they come with. So for me that would be another $200+ I'd have to sink in to change both out.

Spikes tactical on price point is really fantastic. They're simply really well built guns for a good price that come in a variety of configurations. You really can't beat them right now on that. IMHO they are the best company to buy from in the 700-900 price range.

BTW if you are buying directly from their website it's better to get the upper and lower separately. Also another really good suggestion people have said already is to get the best upper you can afford and either build yourself the lower or buy a cheaper one like a stag or something along those lines. Generally with uppers you get what you pay for but with lowers many companies overcharge, again that's just my opinion. An example of this for me would be Noveske. IMO their uppers are worth the $1,000+ they ask for them, but there is no way their lowers are worth 500-700+ depending on the model.

 

[gotigers]

Daniel Defense, Bravo, Spikes, PSA are my choice in order of quality/price at this point. IMHO. YMMV

 

[kwelz]

What the heck is a barrel shroud?

 

[RatherNotSay]

I think he might be talking about the hand guards.

 

[kwelz]

I figured as much as well. People need to at least learn the proper terms for parts. Not to mention that the stock and hand guards are pretty much the least important parts of a rifle when you purchase it.

 

[SublimeSilence]

Honestly I've heard the "hand guards" called so many different names idk what to call them properly.

Also with the issue on hand guards being unimportant I disagree. The hand guard on my RRA rifle weighed nearly 2 pounds. It was a massive chunk of aluminum that got super hot all the time. I switched to the troy trx and I can't be happier. The gun is lighter and the hand guard doesn't heat up after a ton of use. On the issue of the stock being pretty much unimportant and more of a comfort/looks issue I agree.

All I'm saying is that a hand guard you want can cost anywhere from $50-$200+ why not get it right the first time so you don't have to spend extra money like I did?

I rushed into my purchase. I'm trying to throw some comments out there that haven't already been said is all.

 

[kwelz]

I said the least important part when you purchase it. They are the most easily replaced parts. I run all DD and Troy rails for a reason. I also don't base my gun purchase on what hand guards come on it. Colt comes with plastic handguards and an be easily replaced. I would rather do that than buy a sub par gun with a nice rail. Or worse a sub par gun with a sub par rail like the RRA you mentioned.

 

[SublimeSilence]

There is no need to make snide and smarmy remarks.

When someone wants to spend 700-900 on a gun and the colt 6920 costs roughly 1k+ then that's not exactly giving a helpful recommendation is it? Also if they have 1k to spend and they don't like the plastic hand guards on the colt and perhaps want to get a troy trx, then that means they will have to spend another $150 which puts that person way out of their budget.

Why not get it all right off the start? There are plenty of quality uppers to pick from and you don't have to buy the upper/lower at the same time. Just get the upper with what you want and the lower with what you want separately.

 

[kb58]

Don't overlook buying something lighly-used, especially someone's $2000 "pet project" that he put the best of the best into it, for $1000. Those pop up all the time, especially in this economy.

 

[RatherNotSay]

I said the least important part when you purchase it. They are the most easily replaced parts. I run all DD and Troy rails for a reason. I also don't base my gun purchase on what hand guards come on it. Colt comes with plastic handguards and an be easily replaced. I would rather do that than buy a sub par gun with a nice rail. Or worse a sub par gun with a sub par rail like the RRA you mentioned.

I dunno, if I can buy a $1300 rifle with a monolithic upper instead of getting a basic ar and spending the money to replace it. It's convenient is all I'm saying. "Necessary?....no

 

[RatherNotSay]

I wouldn't mind this setup.

http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z...ndard-kit-black-ctr-stock-moe-grip-p-590.html

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...ight-Weight-p/bcm-urg-mid-16lw bfh vtrx11.htm

 

[Girodin]

Don't overlook buying something lighly-used, especially someone's $2000 "pet project" that he put the best of the best into it, for $1000.

Around here people seem to think those are worth $3k. Of course I'm blown away by all the folks asking $1200+ for their rock rivers and the like.

I did see a nice Daniel Defense for $900 (probably a $1400+ rifle new) so there are good deals out there.

 

[Damon555]

Here's an AR that can shoot 2-3" at 200 yards with a parikinsons patient behind the trigger....And to top it all off it's a lowly DPMS.

 

[gotigers]

nice Damon. What glass is that?

 

[JustinJ]

And to top it all off it's a lowly DPMS.

I don't think anybody has ever questioned the ability of DPMS rifles to shoot straight. Its reliability and durability issues that have been raised.

 

[Waywatcher]

I don't think anybody has ever questioned the ability of DPMS rifles to shoot straight. Its reliability and durability issues that have been raised.

Source(s)?

 

[kimbershot]

psa! i bought a house less than 5 miles from palmetto shooting range in ridgeland sc. they sold out to palmetto state armory. on a foray there several weeks ago, they were running a sale on their stripped lower--49.95!! it's beautiful and will make a great foundation for my next build--seriously considering a dissipator configuration. i don't think you would go wrong with their stuff.

 

[accrhodes]

I want to say that I recently was in your shoes - and I decided to build my own and boy am I glad that I did.
I found a lower on sale locally and purchased it (it was a Bushmaster) and assembled the rest piece by piece so I could research every product I put on my gun. Here is a list of my parts that I used and I am VERY happy.

Bushmaster Lower
DPMS Lower Parts Kit
Magpul Mil Spec CTR Stock
ATI MilSpec Buffer Tube Package
BCM BFH 16" Upper Receiver Group
BCM Bolt Carrier Group
BCM GunFighter Charging Handle
YHM Mid Length Lightweight Free Float Rail
Magpul PMags

All I can say about BCM is WOW - Talk about top notch quality. The barrel is chrome lined and cold hard forged which should last as long if not longer then any barrel out on the market. I am extremely impressed. The Magpul accessories are top notch. I am very happy with this set up. If you shop wisely you will come in just under $1100 (I found alot of the items on sale) but the quality is great.

I wish you luck and I hope you go the route of building your own. If you have any questions feel free to let me know.

 

[JustinJ]

Quote:
I don't think anybody has ever questioned the ability of DPMS rifles to shoot straight. Its reliability and durability issues that have been raised.

Source(s)?

Umm, the internet. What kind of source are you expecting? I said people often question the reliability of these rifles. There is no implication there of a referenced source or even a claim as to the validity of said questions. I am speaking about general comments frequently posted of bad experiences with DPMS rifles and what i've heard from others in person. I have had personal experience shooting one DPMS AR15 and did find it to jam more frequently that other ARs i've run.