Best value in AR type rifles?

[go_bang]

I am curious as to what the best value is in the AR-15 style rifles that are out there. Is there any company out there making a good rifle at a relatively low price compared to the rest of the makers?

 

[Gary G23]

http://www.stagarms.com/

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

Check out DPMS. Their prices among the best, the quality of their guns is top-notch, and their service can't be beat.

 

[JesseL]

Olympic Arms 16" Plinker Plus. MSRP $595.00

I doubt you will find a lower price on a new, forged receiver, factory built, warrantied, AR.

 

[Rob1035]

the build it yourself route is one of the best, you can save money, the build is relatively simple, and you learn your gun very well.

 

[possum]

i own a bushmaster, and had one before that, and i love thm, but if i was in the market for an ar i would agree with lobotomy boy, i would go dpms as well they are great rifles. i would have probally went dpms when i bought my last ar but the gun shop didn't carry them.

 

[CZ-100]

Olympic Arms 16" Plinker Plus. MSRP $595.00

I doubt you will find a lower price on a new, forged receiver, factory built, warrantied, AR.

I have an Oly Plinker, and have put over 2,000 rds thru it with no problems, I paid $499 for it a couple of years ago.

 

[lycanthrope]

the build it yourself route is one of the best, you can save money, the build is relatively simple, and you learn your gun very well.

+1. No doubt.

 

[jsdavenport]

I'll have to agree with some of the other gentlemen about building yourself. If you buy a lower for around 100 or so ( I perfer double star lowers, but that is just my opinion). You can get a kit from model1sales for 470. You'd be out for under 600 and about one hour work. An AR is an easy to build weapon, especially if you are just putting together a lower and bolting on an upper. Have fun!

Oh yeah, and either wear safety glasses or turn your head when putting some of the detents in the lower. A man could loose an eye in a hurry if one hit you right.

 

[Frog48]

The best price I've found locally is $850 for a Bushmaster, at Academy Sports.

If anyone knows of any places in Fort Worth or San Antonio areas that have NIB AR's for significantly less than that, and regularly have them in stock, let me know. I'd be VERY interested.

 

[Ala Dan]

Once In A Lifetime Deal~! On A Prancing Pony

I got a post ban COLT M4A3 type AR-15, slightly used with NO box or doc's
for $700 + 9% sales tax.

 

[go_bang]

Thanks for all the info so far, everyone. Regarding the build-it-yourself route, are there any gotchas to be aware of? Are the parts all pretty much compatible regardless of the make, or are there incompatibilities to be aware of?

 

[wdlsguy]

Consensus over at ar15.com seems to favor Del-Ton or J&T Distributing. I am a happy Del-Ton customer.

 

[soul_rapier]

If you buy a colt lower i have seen the pin sizes are different watch out for that ..gun broker has all the parts for the lower look up parts kit .

 

[soul_rapier]

Sorry clicked one to many times

 

[lycanthrope]

If you buy a kit the pivot pin detent installation tool, electrical tape and some roll pin punches are all you need. Actually, you really don't need the tool , but it's worth the money unless yo uhave a friend or three hands....

The tool is part number 080-216-011 at Brownells.

Use the tape to protect the finish of the lower when you install the pins.

 

[wdlsguy]

Or just use a single-edged razor blade to hold in the pivot pin detent while installing the pivot pin.

When you buy a kit, the upper half is usually completely assembled, so all you have to assemble is the lower. Complete instructions for assembling a lower can be found here.

 

[jsdavenport]

I never thought of the single edged razor, thats not a bad idea. I always used a guitar pick and it works like a champ.

To the poster: Building an AR yourself is very easy. There really isn't any gotchas to speak of. Any lower you buy (aside from a big hole colt lower) will be compatable. One of the best deals I've found is a double star lower from titleII for 99 dollars shipped. I'm about to get three myself

 

[Mot45acp]

RRA

I get RRA lowers plain or pistol use only for $110 out the door price. The cool part is if I order 3 or more there are usually 2 consecutivley numbered. I need to order 5 so maybe I can have pistol, carbine, and rifle all consecutivley numbered that would be cool

 

[mrmeval]

Build mine on Rock River lower with a model 1 kit for the rest of the parts. A friend did the assembly. To buy it with what it has it would have been about 1100 but I paid 800.

 

[cheaptrick]

I would like to AMEN the "build it yourself" posts.
No better way to learn the AR than building it yourself.

If you are remotely inclined, it would be well worth your time.

 

[rangerruck]

for pure ar type, I would say olympic is about 100 bucks cheaper than everyone else. if it can be ar like, i would say kel tec, which is about 100 bucks less than that.

 

[go_bang]

Thanks again for all the responses. I'll refer back to this thread when the time comes.

One question on the Olympic Plinker Plus, is this rifle designed to be used pretty much as it comes or are there ways to trick it out? From the pictures it looks like the carry handle is integral to the top receiver. If I wanted a different set of sight mount I guess I would have to replace that entire piece.

 

[lycanthrope]

You can easily mount a carry handle or optics to a flat top receiver, but mounting optics to a carry handle puts them up pretty high. Go flat top.

 

[AK-74me]

Kiser Munitions over at the EE on ar15.com has got some good deals on stag, I just odered a complete upper tonight for $485 with ARMS#40A2 BUIS on it, M4 profile, with chromed lined chamber and barrel.

He also has complete lowers for $235, or stripped Stag lower for around $100.

BTW these are shipped prices too, not bad for what you get IMHO.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=22&t=335496