AR newbie needs some buying guidance.

[Kymasabe]

Sold my last AK tonight, my spare stocks and all my 7.62x39 ammo. I think I'm done with AK's for a while and am thinking about buying my first AR gun. I was looking at an AR at the local gunshop, was a DPMS? Sportical? No carry handle, no sights, no forward assist, asking $695 new. I asked if anything inside was chrome lined and they said "no, and it doesn't need to be".

So, at that time I left and decided I'd better ask here what should I be looking for? DO I need a forward assist? I don't need or want a carry handle, unless it's removable. I like collapsable stocks, I guess I'm more of a carbine guy so what's that M4 or something like that?
Little help please.

 

[taliv]

you do not need a forward assist.
no need for carry handle.
sights, you're gonna want

i'd definitely recommend chrome lining UNLESS the barrel is stainless steel of the match variety, which of course, the sportical isn't. i suspect if the local gun shop's inventory was chrome lined, they'd have insisted you couldn't live w/o it.

You can get cheaper guns of same quality, or you can get much better guns for not much more. I can't think of any reason to buy a sportical.

 

[Frankl03]

Aim surplus has some great deals on ARs for around the same price. The brand is Delton which I'm sure is every bit as good as dpms and has forward assist and a front sight plus magpul furniture.

Here is a link:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1DTIM4MOEBLK&groupid=11

They are sold out right now but I would contact Aim and see if they have more coming in.

For about $100 more on Gun broker you can get an S&W M&P 15 $798:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=175809974

Good luck!

 

[Quentin]

Since you're new to the AR world I wouldn't be in a hurry to buy right now. Instead this is the time to read and research so you don't buy the wrong rifle and/or pay too much. Handle a lot of them and try to shoot as many as you can. You'll find lots of features that you like and many you don't like. The choices are mindboggling but in time it starts to make sense and you can find THE rifle that fits you best.

We really can't tell you what to get, only you can - after surveying the lay of the land and cherry picking what YOU want. Really you're in the fun period of buying an AR now and you'll soak up information like a sponge. I guarantee you'll make a better decision a month from now than you would today. You may even build a custom AR like many of us have done.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

What is your objective with your desired AR?

Plinking?
Home defense?
Hunting/varmint shooting?
Long range precision shooting?


Each of these categories can have a different type of configuration. Do you plan on putting an optic on the gun or want the option? If so then you are going to want a flat top receiver. If you plan on varmint hunting you may consider a forend configuration that allows the attachment of a bipod. Home defense can be any type of gun but a 20" heavy barrel is not preferred for close quarters.

I ended up with a no frills A-2 style gun with a fixed carry handle upper receiver with regular handguards and a 6 position telescoping stock. I did put a 14.5" Noveske barrel on it and installed a hydraulic buffer. It doesn't look like much from the outside but I ended up with a 6.5 pound super accurate rifle. It does what I need it to do.

 

[jem375]

Most of the major manufacturers make decent AR's that will work for the average shooter and a forward assist is really not needed and likewise a chrome lined barrel unless you are shooting fully auto. It is amazing that in all the wars we fought in the past with non-chrome lined barrels that we are still alive..lol..... We have 3 non-chromed AR's in the family and somehow after all these years they still work..lol

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Here is a very good thread answering most of the questions you probably have:

http://forums.officer.com/showthread.php?81462-So-you-want-to-buy-an-AR-15-huh

Check out CDNN you can get a S&W M&P, a better gun for $100 less.

 

[dougw47]

http://forums.officer.com/showthread.php?81462-So-you-want-to-buy-an-AR-15-huh

Awesome amount of info...I never knew!

 

[MAKster]

CDNN is now selling brand new Smith & Wesson M4 rifles for $599. I think it is fair to say that AR prices are now at an all time low.

 

[Frankl03]

Wow! Awesome price on a decent AR! I got the CDNN add yesterday. If I was looking for an AR I would not hesitate at that price!

 

[skidooman603]

Plinking?
Home defense?
Hunting/varmint shooting?
Long range precision shooting?


I was wondering when someone was going to ask him the most important of questions "what ya going to do with it"
I shoot NRA Highpower and nothing much else with my AR's. Some guys want to predator hunt, most really just want to have fun and throw lead down range. If the latter is your bag any of the lesser expensive AR's will do. Hang whatever goodies ya want off it and have at it!