Best out of the box AR for around $1k

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Infidel4life11

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Ok everyone we've all had our thoughts about this topic. Using cheaperthandirt for prices I have came up with a list of good AR's for the money. Using the idea of 1:7twist barrel, Mid length gas system and mil spec parts being the standard for a good out of the box AR. I have included some 1:9 and carbine length gas systems as well. In order of price low to high:

Rock River LAR-15 Mid-Length A4 Semi Auto
What it has going for it- Price, mid length gas system and two stage trigger
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/82078

Bushmaster MOE M4
What it has going for it- price, Magpul MOE furniture set, weight, back up rear sight.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/63789

S&W M&P15 MOE Carbine
What it has going for it- Price, Magpul MOE furniture set, Weight 6.5lbs
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/58561

S&W M&P15 MOE Mid Magpul Spec Series
What it has going for it- Price, Mid length gas system, 1:8 5R barrel, flared magwellMagpul MOE furniture set.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/80161

Bravo Company USA MID-16 Mod 0- Probably the best buy.
What it has going for it- Price, 1:7 Hammer forged barrel, mid length gas system, BravoCompany nothing they don’t touch
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/2-BCM750-121

CMMG AR-15 MOE
What it has going for it- Price, mid length gas system, 1:7 barrel, Magpul MOE furniture set, Good family owned American Company
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-G55A5244

Colt LE6920MPFDE M4
What it has going for it- Price, Mil Spec, 1:7, , Magpul MOE furniture set,
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/82397

These last two for a few hundred dollars more gets you so much more IMO. I've seen both of thses rifles run in the crapest of conditions and do it well.

Knight's Armament SR-15
What it has going for it- Everything but price about $1800, Ambidextrous controls, Free float hammer forged 1:7 barrel, Gun-Cote taupe finish, match trigger.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/2-KNAC24002-T

Bravo Company USA E.A.G.
What is has going for it- Hands down one of the finest AR-15’s I’ve ever handled. It’s almost $2k but I’d pay it over and over again for this kind of quality
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/2-BCM741-EAG-BK

Now don't get upset because I left some brands out. There is just some options I perfer over others and price around $1k was the biggest thing.
 
Of those, the Colt 6920 would be my first choice and the BCM MID-16 would be my second.

The Bushmaster and Rock River would not be on my list of $1000 ARs. The Bravo Company USA E.A.G. seems very over-priced for what it is - basically their standard "mil-spec" carbine with lots of added doo-dads (many of which you don't need) that you could install yourself for a lot less money.
 
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Any of the Smiths first, same reason as Spy. I'll add customer service second to none.

Second, RRA LAR. Great trigger, really great.

Lastly, out of your +$1000 rifles, id go KA SR-15.
 
Unless your going to be shooting over 300 yards a 16"barrels is enough so add the M&P sport to the list and buy it. Spent the other 350 dollar on optics and ammo. No dust cover or exterior mounted FA but not needed.
 
Im a colt fan; but also own a bcm becuase colt does not offer the configuration i wanted on my last gun (20" government profile).

Ill be honest the quality on the bcm and colt appear to be even. And generally bcm goes sliightly cheaper but no pony! Its a tossup

Why would you pay the same for a rock river or bushmaster?
 
I would go with a Colt or a BCM based on the exact configuration you want. Colt doesn't offer mid-lengths, but I do love the monolithic upper of the 6940.
 
BCM, makes weapons for the warfighters so does colt and Knights. Not everyone needs a mil-spec rifle but could enjoy the Pros of one. I will not say this brand or the other is the best but for out of the box guns I love them all.
 
I guess its slightly out of the stated price range, but CDNN is clearing out S&W M&P-15 tactical carbines for $1099. That strikes me as one of the best deals going.... If I didn't already have a M&P ORC, I believe I would jump on it.

The 1 in 9 twist really isn't a big deal to me, it should sling 70gr projectiles fine, and I don't really see a need for civilians to go heavier than that. It seems like spec ops folks are trending towards heavier bullet weights for their increased lethality, but as civilians we aren't constrained by the rules of the hague, so why not just pick a better bullet design in a normal 5.56 weight?
 
6920. Just really hard to go wrong with them. I've been shooting mine a ton for the past year. The only problems I've had were minor and related to feeding from certain magazines. The carbine itself just goes and goes and goes. Fine 2MOA accuracy, which is consistent and excellent for a carbine with no accuracy mods. In addition to being loads of fun too shoot from the stances, it's single-handedly annihilated all the myths I'd bought into about the AR-15.
 
Windham on the low side of $1000 (in the $800's at most places) and Daniel Defense on the high end (though you'll have a hard time finding one for less than MSRP right now, as they are so backordered).
 
Colt 6920 or BCM Mid16. I'd start with those 2. The others are decent options too, but the last two you listed are kinda overpriced for things you can add yourself. I am a fan of the Knights FDE setup, very nice!
 
S&W M&P15 MOE Mid Magpul Spec Series
What it has going for it- Price, Mid length gas system, 1:8 5R barrel, flared magwellMagpul MOE furniture set.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/80161

Bravo Company USA MID-16 Mod 0- Probably the best buy.
What it has going for it- Price, 1:7 Hammer forged barrel, mid length gas system, BravoCompany nothing they don’t touch
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/2-BCM750-121
Click to expand...

I'd go with one of those two, preference to the BCM if the $ isn't an issue.
 
BCM or Colt for me out of your choices, Daniel Defense is fantastic also, awesome CS.
 
Not another one of these threads agian. One just got closed a couple of days ago.

S&W MP 15 is my recommendation since I own one.
 
I would like to add Palmetto State Armory. Look up buying an upper and lower and you will likely be under $900. As far as quality of parts, fit and finish, price, and just all out beauty (as pretty as an amalgamation of plastic, aluminium, and steel can be) it matches well with Colt or BCM. In a few years if they are still around they will probably be as expensive as Colt or BCM. A few years ago people were telling me that anything less than Colt was junk. I asked many about BCM and it was always the same answer, not Colt then it's junk. Now a few years down the road and they are a force on the upswing with all things being equal (or as close as possible) BCM is on par in many folks minds as Colt.

Palmetto is a rising star, just like BCM was just a few years ago. Also their prices are like BCM's used to be, cheaper than most. I had never heard of them until just last year and started watching them grow. On most forums they are highly reguarded, along with most AR loving folks thinking quite highly of them. Just my humble opinion. You could definately do worse.
 
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You won't see me shy from any brand per say. I've seen some take a dump but took the time to figure out why. I run guns pretty hard to stay good at what I do so I need a gun to keep up which is why I like mil-spec. I agree your normal everyday American doesn't need mil-spec and the latest greatest do-dad, they can get away with a $400-$600 AR and will never have issues. BCM get my top pick just cause I know those guys and know how much pride they put into what they do. And to be honest I will probably own every gun on that list and then some in the next 5years assuming ObamaGuns doesn't go into effect lol jk. There is too many combos out there for me to be content with one. And that my friends is why I love "Murica" EFF YEAH
 
Hound, please post a link. Everybody if I left something out you feel fits the good AR build please by all means post a link put that brand out there and why. If you don't like a brand say just that and leave it alone please.
 
I would (and recently did) go Colt LE6920. But a BCM, Daniel Defense, or Noveske, if you could get one for that price, would be a most excellent choice as well.

I make this recommendation under the assumption that there is a possibility the gun will be used defensively and reliability, durability, overall quality, etc, are expected to be second to none. If making small groups on paper at the range is the most important use for the gun, I cannot argue against a Smith and Wesson or similar.
 
Both RRA and Stag Arms would serve you well in your price range... or close. A 1in 9 twist works well. I prefer the RRA LAR 15 national match two stage trigger is really nice IMHO. I intend to have one installed in the Stag. I enjoy the piston driven Stag, but the trigger is a bit stiff for my liking.
 
Here are the links to PSA that were requested: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/receivers/complete-psa-ar-15-lower-classic-edition.html

and

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/16/psa-16-m4a1-upper.html

Most uppers will run you $550 or less with all the fixin's (BCG, Charging Handle, Sights, and handguards). That lower is $239, all together under $900, hell it's under $800! I just outfitted a 20" upper for $477, and right now they have free shipping. It was the best deal by leaps and bounds above everybody else as far as price and mil-spec quality goes.
 
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