Budget AR15?

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Birddog1911 said:
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.
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I disagree even with the barrels. They are right down the road, in the army we tested some of their gear. I also owned one. The bolt carrier looked like it was filed to shape. The hammer and trigger engagement surfaces are parkerized --forget about polishing it. They are super close, just a few exits past Ft. Lewis, but I don't go there. Ever.

Rainier Arms is where I go. If don't know what you are getting into, they at least don't sell junk. Not sure about how high it will go. Call them and ask them what you asked on here, they may be able to build you one from budget parts that aren't junk parts.

Also ask them if they have any parts on their sales table that will work on your rifle. They do custom work for people and have stuff left over, good deals on that table, but you won't find that stuff online. I HIGHLY recommend Rainer, mostly because I've been in there and seen how they do business. I trusted them to blind pin a suppressor mount on a barrel, was REAL concerned about how it would turn out. Boeing welder did it, looks like it was made that way. Looks like you could screw it off but you can't --the weld is hardly noticeable.
 
Ryanxia said:
Stag Arms are $760 new at my LGS. A1,A2,A3. Hard to beat that :)
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Stag I think is Rainier's budget line. I haven't used 'em, but I kind of trust Rainier not to sell junk at the moment. White Oak is another.

I'll also give you some advice from someone who has a ton of experience with the AR. The barrel is the most important part, splurge on this if you can. The trigger is next --you don't need a super expensive one to do what you want. A little time and polishing will turn a DPMS trigger into a 4.5lb match trigger. No joke. The bolt and carrier are next, but if you just get milspec you'll be fine.

Decent receivers cost as much as junk ones too. Noveske is a little pricey, but they are the best. I also have an Aero Precison set, it isn't too bad, but not the best either. Oly used to make decent receivers, but I'd still stay away.

Heard good stuff about White Oak barrels. Rainier has those too. That is about all the advice I can give on building a budget AR. Go milspec at the minimum and you'll be fine.
 
A Person said:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=411537958
Does anyone know anything about this? It has good reviews. It is a bit outta my price range... but if I saved up enough money...
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I think you answered your own question. You're not going to get a new rifle for under $600, which leaves pretty much leaves you the used market or an su16a/b in the high $400s, which really isn't a bad gun for casual plinking/backpacking. Either spring for new, save some up or go used AR/new keltec. Not many other choices.
 
I've been shooting my my Olympic AR since the 90s and I have over 2500 rounds through it without a problem but I came across the following:

Searches related to Olympic Arms problems included:

Rock River Arms Problems

Stag Arms problems

Bushmaster problems

DPMS problems
 
I agree with 5-2-7. Del-Ton is the way to go for your budget. Pick up a stripped reciever at a local gun shop or gun show for $80 (no transfer fees that way) and buy the rifle kit. Get a flat top and buy a flip up rear sight. Add a couple mags and you'll be right at that $600 mark. You can get a Primary Arms optic down the road for a little bit of change. Just to warn you once the bug has bitten you there is no turning back.
 
To the OP - You're not going to get any lower than $525 for a new AR and I doubt that you will find a "lightly" used one for less than that either. Anyone who built an AR for $525 to $550 is going to keep it or use some of the parts for upgrading and others to sell - - - at a profit, 'cause the parts are in most cases worth more than the sum of the parts.

If budget is tight and all you want is a look-a-like for plinking, look into the Mossberg 702 Tactical. It can be had for about $250 and you can shoot the 22LR rounds all day long w/o breaking the bank. Add all the accessories you want to mall-ninja it out.
 
kwelz said:
Most of the (alleged) threads have been on ARFcom.
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Ive only heard good things about PSA and the quality of their products, I wouldn't let a thread that supposedly existed but disappeared change your mind. I presonally recommend Bravo Company and YHM products. one of their uppers, a parts kit and a stripped lower could be had for under $600-$700.
 
i think if i were to get another ar, and do it on a tight budget, i would have to try one of those p.s.a. setups.

according to all the things that folks say makes or breaks a good rifle, they are the best you can possibly get.
 
Lead time and the rifle not being in stock was really the main reason of going local of my purchase. Not regretting getting the Smitty at all... But the PSA was a leading contender for a long time on my list.
 
Bought a S&W M&P Sport in November for $625 and I'm more than pleased with it. It's totally made in USA too.
 
If I were going to build an AR on a tight budget I would get a PSA upper and put together a lower with the best deals I could find. If the budget was even tighter I would probably get a New Frontier Arms complete lower for $100. That combined with a PSA upper is complete rifle for $480 or so. I plan to get a NFA lower for a .22LR upper I have. If it seems to be decent I'll probably do a lightweight build with one and a PSA upper. Such a gun wont replace my Noveske as my go to but from what I have seen so far it would be my choice over a Oly, del ton, or some of the others mentioned in this thread.
 
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