HA, I don’t need a craptastic rifle for that. I can do it all by myself.
AR15's question
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Shawn Dodson
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Sons of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW) or Bravo Company (BCM). Both use Microbest bolt carrier groups, are properly gassed, and are properly assembled, torqued, and staked. They withstand hard use without failure and have very good reputations. Excellent quality and value.
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I'll chime in for the OP and agree with a majority here, PSA. Gunny said it, they have lower/mid/upper tier stuff, GREAT sales, lots of times free ship, ammo deals, ammo/mag combos,etc.
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE , IMHO and I've had custom gun built for me in exotic calibers, etc $$
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE , IMHO and I've had custom gun built for me in exotic calibers, etc $$
br549arkie
Member
I have a PSA premium upper built on a Anderson lower with PSA parts. Does just fine and I'm happy with it.
That was the start of my "cheap" build that wound up over $1,200
I think my First PSA upper with an Anderson lower was about $400
I have well over $1,500 in another one.
Sometimes rolling your own isn't any cheaper but I like picking what goes into it and putting them together.
earlthegoat2
Member
The race to the bottom hasn’t quite reached the point of even needing to worry about who makes a “bad” AR.
Give it time though.
For pedestrian ARs that are a bit of a feel good about yourself step above PSA, Aero and Spikes are what I like.
Give it time though.
For pedestrian ARs that are a bit of a feel good about yourself step above PSA, Aero and Spikes are what I like.
My first PSA upper had a slightly turned gas block that would touch the hand rail. No big deal, I just loosened it and set it right. My premium FN upper from PSA has been excellent. Every AR maker has lemons. Some just have baskets, some have crates of them.
There was a thread on ARFCOM not to long ago about which brands of AR's to avoid. Of course Radical Firearms, Davidson Defense (and all names they run under), and BCA were at the top of that list. Vulcan and Hesse made the list too.
And we all know that every company lets an occasional lemon slip out. What matters is how many lemons get out and also how each company handles things.
And we all know that every company lets an occasional lemon slip out. What matters is how many lemons get out and also how each company handles things.
Necessary_Nutrient
Member
PSA has stopped communicating with me on an AR issue with Bolt release, I just gave up.
My recommendations would be S&W, Rock River Arms, Windham Weaponry then Daniel Defense in ascending order of cost and quality. My most accurate stock AR by far is a RRA Varmint A4
My recommendations would be S&W, Rock River Arms, Windham Weaponry then Daniel Defense in ascending order of cost and quality. My most accurate stock AR by far is a RRA Varmint A4
45/30-06OKIE
Member
My dad has a Rock River 5.56 SBR that is very nice.
halfmoonclip
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If it ever comes time to sell, the Prancing Pony is always a help.
Moon
When your minimum budget approaches 1,000 for a factory built rifle, let me know. Work a fairly specific budget or the dozens of choices will drive you in circles, and confusion.
There's an entire sub-market from less than $500 to $1,000. Others can tell you about the lower priced, or budget stuff.
My suggestion is land on a minimum price, and start narrowing down choices close to that amount. Keep in mind- sales on holiday weekends will drop them enough to save on the cost of sales tax or more, if you want to save another 10 percent, give or take.
There's an entire sub-market from less than $500 to $1,000. Others can tell you about the lower priced, or budget stuff.
My suggestion is land on a minimum price, and start narrowing down choices close to that amount. Keep in mind- sales on holiday weekends will drop them enough to save on the cost of sales tax or more, if you want to save another 10 percent, give or take.
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Space Ghost
Member
I clicked on this.
I read the OP's question.
I wondered (as did a few others) about his budget, the intended use... bla, bla...
Then I went through all the answers and discovered the OP hasn't even been back since Monday.
Pal, I think nothing less than a H&K 416 will do.
I read the OP's question.
I wondered (as did a few others) about his budget, the intended use... bla, bla...
Then I went through all the answers and discovered the OP hasn't even been back since Monday.
Pal, I think nothing less than a H&K 416 will do.
500 for an occasional shooter. 4000+ if your a commando special operator.
I have used ARs since 1968. Used them in social situations. I'm between 500 and 4000.
MarshallDodge
Member
I'm still not sold on SOLGW as they use Ballistics Advantage barrels, but my experience with several BCM uppers has been excellent. Really a good value for the price paid.
My experience with PSA has been good as well, although I would definitely rate BCM as the better product.
45/30-06OKIE
Member
Yeah I put together a BA 24in 223 Wylde 1-8 twist upper and I swear my 10.5 5.56 1-7 twist Palmetto upper shot just as good if not better with the 77gr stuff. So I'm probably not going to be getting BA or Aero barrels anymore...
halfmoonclip
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These kinds of posts are often interesting reads, but you have to wonder if the OP knows anything more than he did before he asked.
I got on an E-bike forum, and I asked, as a first time E-biker, what should I get. Got similar results as surveys here, buy a bike, build a bike, use this many volts or hub motor vs mid (a great deal of E-bike esoterica that I didn't remotely understand).
Finally got a bike with the same powertrain as a buddy's, and have been very pleased.
Often, that is the easiest way to actually accomplish something; too much info is just overwhelming.
Anyway, hope the OP got something useful.
Moon
I got on an E-bike forum, and I asked, as a first time E-biker, what should I get. Got similar results as surveys here, buy a bike, build a bike, use this many volts or hub motor vs mid (a great deal of E-bike esoterica that I didn't remotely understand).
Finally got a bike with the same powertrain as a buddy's, and have been very pleased.
Often, that is the easiest way to actually accomplish something; too much info is just overwhelming.
Anyway, hope the OP got something useful.
Moon
Ignition Override
Member
A neighbor (retired Army officer) reads very little about guns before buying them. About five years ago he bought a nib ATI “AR”.
I watched every third round either double feed or stovepipe etc.
He then came over to shoot my very reliable imported rifle chambered in 7,62x39. Yes-you know which type of gun…
Anyway…. he found a way (Internet) or a local person who made his ATI run reliably. No thanks. No ATI for me.
No US-made guns should be able to leave the factory with such troubles, includes manyUS-made Century.
ATI stopped production of their US-made budget AKMs…when some nib guns failed during some First public tests at gun ranges.
I watched every third round either double feed or stovepipe etc.
He then came over to shoot my very reliable imported rifle chambered in 7,62x39
. Yes-you know which type of gun…Anyway…. he found a way (Internet) or a local person who made his ATI run reliably. No thanks. No ATI for me.
No US-made guns should be able to leave the factory with such troubles, includes manyUS-made Century.
ATI stopped production of their US-made budget AKMs…when some nib guns failed during some First public tests at gun ranges.
wesmonster
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- 392
I've owned & still own a lot of brands so I'll post my experiences, regardless if the OP got carried away by squirrels or if he's still on the board:
First was a Rock River Arms 16" AR, well made, heavy profile unlined barrel, VERY accurate, WAAAY overgassed. Great quality but not cheap.
Bravo Company/BCM is my best AR, and the most expensive by far. I mainly bought it cause at the time there were few options for a pencil profile lightweight midlength upper. Good chrome lined barrel. My favorite.
At least a half dozen PSA uppers on a mix of PSA, Rock River and Anderson lowers. I don't think I paid over $300 for any complete (with bcg) upper. Most are various calibers like 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel, 9mm, etc. PSA is always a safe bet, good value for the money and good customer service.
Had one Anderson 10" 5.56 upper that was as accurate as my BCM but let it go cause while I have a few AR pistols in other calibers 5.56 was too much blast.
I still have a Radical Firearms 10" 7.62x39 upper minus bcg. Shoots fine, nothing loosened up. Bought it cause it was SUPER cheap on sale from AIM Surplus and I already had a good bcg. But RF's customer service must be lousy from what I've read so I bought it knowing if there were issues, it's on me.
Bought two Alpha Shooting Sports uppers in 7.62x39 and 5.45x39, both good shooters. No complaints.
Bear Creek Arsenal 6.5 Grendel 20" stainless upper- on sale crazy cheap a few years ago with a bcg, VERY accurate shooter, has held up well over the years. I'd recommend BCA if you're on a budget. Their customer service seems to be good and their selection is close to PSA.
I've swapped just about every upper here listed with every lower including Plum Crazy, New Frontier, and Mag Tactical. Everything fit everything with no excessive slop or functional issues.
And don't buy a polymer lower....ask me how I know....
First was a Rock River Arms 16" AR, well made, heavy profile unlined barrel, VERY accurate, WAAAY overgassed. Great quality but not cheap.
Bravo Company/BCM is my best AR, and the most expensive by far. I mainly bought it cause at the time there were few options for a pencil profile lightweight midlength upper. Good chrome lined barrel. My favorite.
At least a half dozen PSA uppers on a mix of PSA, Rock River and Anderson lowers. I don't think I paid over $300 for any complete (with bcg) upper. Most are various calibers like 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel, 9mm, etc. PSA is always a safe bet, good value for the money and good customer service.
Had one Anderson 10" 5.56 upper that was as accurate as my BCM but let it go cause while I have a few AR pistols in other calibers 5.56 was too much blast.
I still have a Radical Firearms 10" 7.62x39 upper minus bcg. Shoots fine, nothing loosened up. Bought it cause it was SUPER cheap on sale from AIM Surplus and I already had a good bcg. But RF's customer service must be lousy from what I've read so I bought it knowing if there were issues, it's on me.
Bought two Alpha Shooting Sports uppers in 7.62x39 and 5.45x39, both good shooters. No complaints.
Bear Creek Arsenal 6.5 Grendel 20" stainless upper- on sale crazy cheap a few years ago with a bcg, VERY accurate shooter, has held up well over the years. I'd recommend BCA if you're on a budget. Their customer service seems to be good and their selection is close to PSA.
I've swapped just about every upper here listed with every lower including Plum Crazy, New Frontier, and Mag Tactical. Everything fit everything with no excessive slop or functional issues.
And don't buy a polymer lower....ask me how I know....
Fact is that for most, you can buy just about any AR, within reason, and be completely satisfied with it. There was a time when there were some firms selling ARs with receivers made of 6061 instead of 7075, but I think that's a thing of the past.
I haven't bought a complete anything, in terms of ARs, in over 20 years; but if I was to buy one now, I'd likely get a Bravo Company or if willing to splurge, something along the line of a Knight's. Don't get me wrong, I've shot plenty of PSAs and BCAs and stuff like that, and they ran fine. Really, the biggest problem I've seen with budget rifles is quality control related in terms of their assembly. Most problems that I encountered were remedied with a set of hex wrenches.
The biggest reason that I would steer clear of budget options is the little things. MIM parts that would be more prone to breaking, for example. Not from normal use, but from abnormal stuff that just seems to happen to some of us. There are still manufacturers using 6061 buffer tubes. Personally, I much prefer forged parts and 7075 buffer tubes. Just one less thing to worry about, but again, these are things that most will never worry about or have to worry about.
For a budgetish AR, I'd go wth Aero. They've been around and seem to have their crap wired right. I also know MANY that I steered toward the Smith and they are all happy.
I haven't bought a complete anything, in terms of ARs, in over 20 years; but if I was to buy one now, I'd likely get a Bravo Company or if willing to splurge, something along the line of a Knight's. Don't get me wrong, I've shot plenty of PSAs and BCAs and stuff like that, and they ran fine. Really, the biggest problem I've seen with budget rifles is quality control related in terms of their assembly. Most problems that I encountered were remedied with a set of hex wrenches.
The biggest reason that I would steer clear of budget options is the little things. MIM parts that would be more prone to breaking, for example. Not from normal use, but from abnormal stuff that just seems to happen to some of us. There are still manufacturers using 6061 buffer tubes. Personally, I much prefer forged parts and 7075 buffer tubes. Just one less thing to worry about, but again, these are things that most will never worry about or have to worry about.
For a budgetish AR, I'd go wth Aero. They've been around and seem to have their crap wired right. I also know MANY that I steered toward the Smith and they are all happy.