Iv'e wanted an AR style rifle for a while now, but most of them I see are between 800-1500 dollars ,WAY outta my price range.Though it would be"nice to have a expensive "top of the line" AR, i'm on a rather tight budget, make that a VERY tight budget. Im not gonna put a billion useless attachments on it, so I dont require 10 different rails. Just an upper one for mounting sights ad optics. So basically I want an afforable no frills "bare bones" AR, either a kit or full rifle. Any suggestions?
Budget AR15?
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Carolina Kalash
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Olympic Arms has ARs for under that price range, IDK if they're any good or not though...
to be honest, imo there is no real "Budget" AR-15, for whatever reason, they're pretty much all expensive...
to be honest, imo there is no real "Budget" AR-15, for whatever reason, they're pretty much all expensive...
Birddog1911
Member
Absolutely do NOT buy an Oly; do a search and you'll find plenty of reasons why.
You might get very lucky and find a used budget gun for less than $800, but be cautious. As far as new CMMG used to have, and might still, a bargain bin. Their quality isn't the best, but a buddy of mine loves his.
Palmetto State Armory has about the best prices for new, quality, ARs.
Buy a stripped lower, a lower parts kit, and then look for a complete upper. That is about the best way to save as much money as possible.
You might get very lucky and find a used budget gun for less than $800, but be cautious. As far as new CMMG used to have, and might still, a bargain bin. Their quality isn't the best, but a buddy of mine loves his.
Palmetto State Armory has about the best prices for new, quality, ARs.
Buy a stripped lower, a lower parts kit, and then look for a complete upper. That is about the best way to save as much money as possible.
coondogger
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Oh I don't know. I have a an Oly and it works just fine. I keep it clean and it keeps me entertained. I'll bet it would even keep me safe if need be. As one poster here noted with perspicacity, 'you're not going to war; you're going to the range'.
fanchisimo
Member
I'd recommend DPMS. I had a sportical in the past and put thousands of rounds through it with no problems. I wish I'd never gotten rid of it, but at several gun shows, I've seen them for as low as $600.
Birddog1911
Member
Coon, I'm glad that your Oly hasn't given you trouble. But you can't deny that there are dozens, if not more, of absolute horror stories regarding Olympic. Receivers being out of spec are the most common complaints. Bolts as well. In fact, the only thing Oly did right, and they did it very right, is their barrel. You might not be going to war with it, but try replacing some of the parts.
S&W has gotten a very good reputation, but I don't know if they are within the OP's price range.
S&W has gotten a very good reputation, but I don't know if they are within the OP's price range.
Jeez even 600 dollars is I bit out of my price range... I feel poor now. Are there any decent inexpinsive AR alternatives out there? I'll be mainly using it for just casual plinking, fun, and varmit shooting. It needs to be fairly accurate but not like a target rifle. I have my .308 for 250-400 yards, so i'd say the maximum range ill be using it is about 175-250 yards.
kwelz
Member
If you are talking plinking then look at a S&W M&P22. Cheaper to shoot and can be had in the 400-500 range.
This is what a co-worker just got. A bit cheaper but laking a forward assist. Not a problem for a range gun. They are pretty hard to find right now because of the price.
tnxdshooter
Member
Cheapest and best value I have seen is the Smith and Wesson M&P sport model. Around christmas Sportsman's Warehouse had em on sale for 589. If I had the money I would bave gotten one. They are regularly priced 689.00. I have heard nothing but good things about them.
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PSA had their 16" carbines for $600 but I think may be sold out now.
I hate to be "that guy" that says to just save up a bit more, but if you are only shy by $50-100 and it will really open up your options, maybe it is the best thing to do.
'course I hate when someone asks for a good AR for $700 and someone says "just save up and get a real AR.... ____'s can be had for only $1100!" :banghead:
I hate to be "that guy" that says to just save up a bit more, but if you are only shy by $50-100 and it will really open up your options, maybe it is the best thing to do.
'course I hate when someone asks for a good AR for $700 and someone says "just save up and get a real AR.... ____'s can be had for only $1100!" :banghead:
Birddog1911
Member
There are a lot of folks who have bought PSA and been completely happy. I've got one of their lowers on one rifle, and an upper on another. Both have been flawless. Cold hammer forged barrels for much lower than other companies.
newfalguy101
Member
I would suggest building ( really more assembling than "building" ) from a kit and lower.
Buy the bits and pieces as you can afford them and spread the cost over a few months or so to ease the money crunch.
I have sold and helped build a couple of Del-Tons and have not had a lick of trouble with the builds.
Buy the bits and pieces as you can afford them and spread the cost over a few months or so to ease the money crunch.
I have sold and helped build a couple of Del-Tons and have not had a lick of trouble with the builds.
I know Im going to hear some flack about this, and a bunch of crap about "mill spec" but I've had Olympic ARs before and never had any issues with them. Infact when I got mine my father and my brother also each got one. They still have them, I only sold mine to funding a new hunting rifle project. Current price from atlantic is $599.
Here is the one I had for a good price.
Here is the one I had for a good price.
trickyasafox
Member
honestly, I've been in your boat.
I have no qualms about used gear. ARs are not complicated to work on. When I was in your position I did this:
Bought a used Calvary arms lower. Yea the company is defunct and if you crack the polymer you might be in trouble, but mine has been completely fine. Also I suspect they will be back in action as a company eventually.
After shipping and transfer it ran me 115 bucks. Make sure you get the pins with the lower.
Buy a LPK, buffer, and spring. total from palmetto will be about 65 bucks. You can sell the a2 grip and recover between 5 and 10 of that, as you won't need it.
At this point- you have a complete lower for about 175.
Alternatively, you can occasionally get stripped lowers from companies like palmetto, DSA, or others for 55-60 shipped, plus transfer. Figure about 75-80 bucks all said and done. PSA has a kit for a complete A2 lower build for about 120. so you could go a traditional lower route for about 200 bucks. I've done it both ways and have little preference. The Cav Arms lower is A1 length, so if you prefer a shorter LOP it is probably a better option.
For uppers, if you are in a no-ban state you can get a DSA for 275+ shipping, then hawk AR15.com for a complete bolt and charging handle (80-90 bucks) and you will have a fully functional rifle for about 530.
If you can be patient, you can find some killer upper deals used on forums. Especially if you don't mind A2 style guns with carry handles- which honestly, I think is better on a budget build as you don't have to buy sights.
If you buy your gear used, and are patient, I think it is very doable for right around 500 bucks- and also you can spread out your purchases to make it a less painful experience.
Another option is to buy a Del-Ton rifle kit for 465, pillage it for the parts needed for the Cav Arms receiver, and sell the left overs to try to keep cost down. Depending on what you can get for the stock, buffer tube, a2 grip, etc- you could probably sneak under that 530 mark previously mentioned and have all new stuff (except the receiver- which occasionally do come up in 'like new' condition).
I have no qualms about used gear. ARs are not complicated to work on. When I was in your position I did this:
Bought a used Calvary arms lower. Yea the company is defunct and if you crack the polymer you might be in trouble, but mine has been completely fine. Also I suspect they will be back in action as a company eventually.
After shipping and transfer it ran me 115 bucks. Make sure you get the pins with the lower.
Buy a LPK, buffer, and spring. total from palmetto will be about 65 bucks. You can sell the a2 grip and recover between 5 and 10 of that, as you won't need it.
At this point- you have a complete lower for about 175.
Alternatively, you can occasionally get stripped lowers from companies like palmetto, DSA, or others for 55-60 shipped, plus transfer. Figure about 75-80 bucks all said and done. PSA has a kit for a complete A2 lower build for about 120. so you could go a traditional lower route for about 200 bucks. I've done it both ways and have little preference. The Cav Arms lower is A1 length, so if you prefer a shorter LOP it is probably a better option.
For uppers, if you are in a no-ban state you can get a DSA for 275+ shipping, then hawk AR15.com for a complete bolt and charging handle (80-90 bucks) and you will have a fully functional rifle for about 530.
If you can be patient, you can find some killer upper deals used on forums. Especially if you don't mind A2 style guns with carry handles- which honestly, I think is better on a budget build as you don't have to buy sights.
If you buy your gear used, and are patient, I think it is very doable for right around 500 bucks- and also you can spread out your purchases to make it a less painful experience.
Another option is to buy a Del-Ton rifle kit for 465, pillage it for the parts needed for the Cav Arms receiver, and sell the left overs to try to keep cost down. Depending on what you can get for the stock, buffer tube, a2 grip, etc- you could probably sneak under that 530 mark previously mentioned and have all new stuff (except the receiver- which occasionally do come up in 'like new' condition).
I have one AR that was a gift from a great friend of mine. Now that I have that one I want more. I am looking hard at picking up a PSA lower and then getting other parts as money allows. I am in no hurry for the second rifle so I can afford to wait and part it out. But if you do not have the time look at the CMMG Bargin Bin rifles, just need to add a rear sight, PSA or BCM. All make a great rifle for not too much money. I mean heck yeah I want a LaRue OBR or a JP CTR-02 but I doubt I'll ever have that kind of money to drop on a rifle. And if I did I get a Shiloh Sharps anyway...
Birddog1911
Member
Have to address what BigMag said. Sorry, but there is a reason that so many companies strive to meet, and exceed, military specifications. And it's not crap. Is mil-spec the best? No, it's not. But a company should strive to atleast meet that spec, not stay far below it.
Like I said earlier; just google search Olympic (Oly) rifles, and you will find plenty of evidence of out of spec receivers and other parts. To the point that many parts could not be replaced due to the receivers not even being able to meet up with other parts; like they should.
There are many budget minded options out there, that do not require you to buy a rifle that may give you serious trouble in the future. Also, look at a companies reputation for how they treat customers in the off chance that they let a lemon out the door. It happens to every company. How many lemons they let out the door is important, too.
Like I said earlier; just google search Olympic (Oly) rifles, and you will find plenty of evidence of out of spec receivers and other parts. To the point that many parts could not be replaced due to the receivers not even being able to meet up with other parts; like they should.
There are many budget minded options out there, that do not require you to buy a rifle that may give you serious trouble in the future. Also, look at a companies reputation for how they treat customers in the off chance that they let a lemon out the door. It happens to every company. How many lemons they let out the door is important, too.
MikeRussell
Member
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits/16-hammer-forged-m4a1-rifle-kit.html
plus
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/receivers/psa-ar15-lower.html
roughly $620 plus shipping & transfer fee (and you do some assembly)
OR
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/psa-16-m4-upper.html
plus
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/receivers/complete-psa-ar15-lower-moe-edition.html
roughly $700 plus shipping & transfer fee.
plus
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/receivers/psa-ar15-lower.html
roughly $620 plus shipping & transfer fee (and you do some assembly)
OR
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/psa-16-m4-upper.html
plus
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/receivers/complete-psa-ar15-lower-moe-edition.html
roughly $700 plus shipping & transfer fee.
My first I was on a budget like yourself. You can get a rifle kit from Del-Ton with everything you need except for the stripped lower starting at $465. The upper is already assembled, headspaced and test fired for you. Prices for lowers have come way down, it's not hard to find them under $80 locally if you look a bit and under 100 is even easier to find.
If you can stack Legos (TM) you can put one of these kits together. You can upgrade parts after the fact as your whims and finances desire, but I've found their kits to be pretty decent stuff.
If you can stack Legos (TM) you can put one of these kits together. You can upgrade parts after the fact as your whims and finances desire, but I've found their kits to be pretty decent stuff.
coondogger
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"But you can't deny that there are dozens, if not more, of absolute horror stories regarding Olympic."
Birddog, you're right about there being a lot of dissatisfied Oly customers on the internet. And maybe I've been uniquely fortunate, but I haven't had any trouble with mine. Which is the only one I'm really qualified to weigh in on.
Birddog, you're right about there being a lot of dissatisfied Oly customers on the internet. And maybe I've been uniquely fortunate, but I haven't had any trouble with mine. Which is the only one I'm really qualified to weigh in on.
kwelz
Member
I would avoid PSA at this point. They have had a number of issues popping up. From the wrong parts being shipped to people, to gun with the wrong gas tube, to a recent situation where a guy got a gun with a live round chambered.
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