AR15?

[LHRGunslinger]

I've suddenly had a desire to get an AR15 to compliment the AK I'm plotting on purchasing. It seems that just about everyone and their sister makes an AR15 and I honestly have no idea where to start with this. Right now I'm not looking for the best money can buy. I'm just lookin for a nice range toy/SHTF gun. Not too expensive but still a solidly built weapon.

 

[EdLaver]

DPMS Sportical...

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Complete Lower receiver $225, and a Spikes Complete upper from AIM surplus for $479. Magpul rear sight $55.

You get a great quality gun that is also inexpensive.

 

[68wj]

Check out some used rifles and then decide if you are looking for something basic or a lego gun that you can attach all your gizmos to. There is a whole world of AR variety out there.

 

[TylerPearce]

I got a brand spankin' new stag for 600 plus an sks that i didn't care for. It shoots great and hasn't had any malfunctions. It is just the standard model 1.

 

[LHRGunslinger]

I'm not financially ready to go out and pay for anything yet.

 

[Bullnettles]

It seems if you get a lower from any of the big names (I have a few from DPMS and RRA, neither have given me problems, and some from a guy with a milling machine... also no problems), you shouldn't have an issue on quality. Are you wanting to build out the lower or buy complete?

 

[LHRGunslinger]

I'm thinking of buying complete cause I don't know jack about building.

 

[Onmilo]

The most commonly purchased and not necessarily the best option, is the 16" carbine with a flat top upper receiver.
Sky is the limit for stock and grip and optic and iron sight options, then you can choose your sling and magazines,,,,
Also decide on a muzzle brake, flashider, or plain unadulterated muzzle.
Pick one from a big name brand and you won't go wrong.
I tend to favor Bushmaster for factory rifles mainly because I sold them for twenty years and know the line pretty well but DPMS and Colt genuine maker rifles are not what I would call bad choices either.

 

[Kwanger]

You are right, there are so many choices out there right now - competition is a good thing for us consumers though

CDNN have a great deal going on Smith and Wesson M&P15s at the minute, depending on the model you choose, can run you as little as $600 after a $100 mail in rebate. I have an M&P15 that has been nothing other than accurate and reliable after thousands of rounds with all sorts of ammo brands, so thats my personal recommend.

 

[speaksoftly]

AR15.com is a fantastic source btw.

I have a Smith & Wesson MP15T that I've been 100% happy with.

 

[bri]

I picked up a spikes mid-length a couple weeks ago:

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113&products_id=443

I used a coupon code "GRANT" to get 10% off, don't know if that's still active or not.

I'm not an AR expert, but fit/finish looks great to me and it hasn't failed in the first 200 or so rounds.

 

[UniversalFrost]

del-ton makes some really nice uppers (and lowers for that matter). other option is to troll gunbroker or auction arms for an upper and lower that are complete and just go that route.

also, many folks are selling their AR's for cheap, now that the obama craziness is nearing an end (that and many are now out of jobs and need the cash).

I just put together the following

Plum Crazy complete carbine lower with 6 position stock $120 shipped (same folks that made the Carbon 15 lowers for bushmaster and same material that Bushmaster is making their ACR out of) plus they are local for me and lots of folks down here are buying them and putting lots of rounds through them with no problems (and a lifetime warranty if you do have a problem)

del-ton A4 16" CAR upper (with YHM 4 rail hand guards) $350 on gunbroker (with BCG) was a real deal and just kept looking till i found this deal

mag-pul BUIS $50 on midwayusa.com

6 bushmaster 30rd mags (54 shipped) found them right here on the for sale section

so i have a real cheap AR build that is ultra light weight and not out a lot of cash...

next build will be with another plum crazy lower and either a 6.8 or 6.5 upper (need to get the cash together first)

 

[greyling22]

+1 to hgunhntr and kwanger

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I'd probably just get a Bravo Company upper and your choice of lower (or bravo company lower too). If you can push two pins (and you better, or you'll never be able to clean your AR) you can assemble it yourself. It's a bit more money (but still under $1k for the complete rifle) but a large leap in quality up there with the more expensive brands like Noveske and LMT.
If you want to spend less I think you'd be hard pressed to beat the S&W M&P from CDNN (I think they are $599 or so in the last catalog).
Just be careful, they multiply

 

[Brian Williams]

If you buy it in pieces you will not have to pay the 11% govt tax on complete firearms.
That 11% does go for sporting purposes.

 

[kwelz]

Buy a BCM upper and lower.
Or even better:
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=MID-750-C

 

[wnycollector]

Dont be afraid to "build" your own AR! If you buy a complete lower and complete upper...all you have to do is put in two pins!

I just added up my 1st AR to my collection a few weeks ago. I picked up a RRA national match complete lower w/A2 stock for $330 (including shipping and transfer) via gunbroker and a Del-ton flat top w/ 20" government profile barreled upper for $420 shipped. I topped it off with a burris PEPR scope mount and a centerpoint 2-7x32 scope I stole off my Saiga. I have ~$800 into the rifle and it's a sweet shooter. I love the lighter weight barrel...it makes the rifle feel like the AR's I shot 20 years ago!

 

[ForumSurfer]

AR15.com is a fantastic source btw.

Dont be afraid to "build" your own AR!

Half the fun is just putting it together. It's not difficult to do from scratch at all. It will, however have a drug-like affect and you'll need more ar's.

 

[goredsox]

with the M/LE users of the AR world moving away from the direct impingement gas system - I've been looking at less expensive alternatives using piston-driven systems. Right now, I'm really curious about the Kel-tec SU-16C with the collapsable AR stock adapter. I've seen these at a combined price of around $780. I've had a Keltec P11 for 10yrs... and it's been amazing. I wonder what others know about the new SU16's.

 

[benEzra]

Lots and lots of good info here:

www.m4carbine.net

For an all-around AR, I really like a 16" chrome lined barrel, midlength gas system, fixed front sight, flattop upper with flip-up rear sight (for ease of mounting an optic if you later choose to), adjustable stock. It's a versatile configuration that will do target shooting, 3-gun/USPSA, home defense, plinking, SHTF, whatever.

with the M/LE users of the AR world moving away from the direct impingement gas system - I've been looking at less expensive alternatives using piston-driven systems.

I don't see that happening; even SOCOM has decided to stick with the M4 instead of buying the SCAR-L, so I certainly don't see new piston 5.56x45's going to the general military. (The SCAR-H is another matter, but it's being issued as a DMR because it provides 7.62x51mm capability in a near-M4-sized package, not because of piston vs. DI issues.)

A properly set up DI AR is just as reliable as a piston AR; very, very few AR failures are the result of the DI system, as opposed to magazines or improper assembly.

Right now, I'm really curious about the Kel-tec SU-16C with the collapsable AR stock adapter. I've seen these at a combined price of around $780. I've had a Keltec P11 for 10yrs... and it's been amazing. I wonder what others know about the new SU16's.

The Kel-Tec SU-16 is a fine carbine, but it is not as reliable under hard use as a DI AR, piston or not. The Kel-Tec is designed first and foremost to be light and compact, and at that it absolutely excels; AFAIK there isn't a non-SBR .223 carbine on the market that stores more compactly than a folded Kel-Tec. If you want a light, easily transportable carbine that is reasonably weather resistant and won't be crawling through the mud with it or putting magazine after magazine through it, it is just about perfect, but from a durability and reliability standpoint the DI AR still edges it out, IMO.

 

[Zerodefect]

There are Ar builders out there that build a Tier1 combat/defense grade rifle for about the same price as regular Ar's like Bushmaster.

My BCM is equal or better than my Colt 6920.
Colt, LMT make a great rifle.

Whatever you get, leave room for Magpul Pmags, those alone nearly double the reliability of Ar's. Also keep an eye out for ambi safety levers. A must have part to add for serious work.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M4-Carbine-AR15-Bravo-Company-lightweight-s/150.htm


Avoid piston ar's, get a XCR, SCAR, or ACR if your after pistons. Avoid Vulcan, Hesse.

 

[LHRGunslinger]

Well in that case I might as well build one seein as it'd be cheaper.

Would it be cheaper to get a complete lower or to throw it together myself?

 

[TonyAngel]

Man, if you don't know anything about ARs, I would NOT suggest building one. Yes, they are easy to put together, but if you don't know what you're doing, it's easy to wind up with a $600, or more, pile of parts that won't shoot right.

Either get a complete rifle or just order a pre-assembled upper and a pre-assembled lower and slap them together. Take note that it's not unusual to do the latter and wind up with an upper that won't go on to the lower and then have two vendors pointing at each other saying that they other's part is out of spec.

If you want to play it safe for your first AR, get the Smith from CDNN. For what, $599 or 699? I don't think that anyone can build an AR of similar quality for less money. I love BCM, but the Smith from CDNN only costs a little more than an upper from BCM plus the bolt/carrier group.

 

[alemonkey]

If you do your research it's not a big deal to build one from scratch - I just put together my first one from a stripped upper, lower, barrel, etc and it works great. I'm really glad I did it that way. I have a much better understanding of how everything works and I used all top shelf parts. If you can assemble tinker toys and you're fairly mechanically capable you can assemble an AR. If you're interested go to the Build It Yourself forum on AR15.com and you'll find everything you need.

The big stumbling block in building IMHO is buying all the tools. You'll need an upper receiver vise, armorer's wrench, torque wrench, and possible some proprietary wrenches depending on what handguards you go with. I already had the torque wrench but I still ended up spending about $100 in extra tools (I also bought an upper receiver lapping tool).

If you're going to buy a complete upper look at Bravo Company or Spikes. They start at around $500 and go up from there depending on how fancy you want to get. I would definitely buy a stripped lower and assemble it yourself, it's easy to do and a good learning experience.

The S&W deal is one of the best going right now. I don't think you could assemble a rifle of that quality for that price at home. The local shop is offering either a $100 rebate or 4 free mags. Spikes also has a great deal on complete rifles - $799 for what is generally considered a nearly top of the line rifle.