Considering buying an AR15 type rifle, advice?

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I have learned too with tools for my work, that when I buy more expensive tools from a higher quality maker, that down the line after they have been used heavily, they prove better than cheaper brands.

I think now I have a real good idea what I would like to put together. I get paid at the end of this month in a manner that should allow me to pay for most of this, if not at least all the upper components.

This does not mean that I will stop reading though. I am learning more every thread I read or review I stumble on that these are some pretty wicked rifles.

I just hope I get mine before they get banned again, if they do.
 
I just hope I get mine before they get banned again, if they do.
I don't think there will be another serious attempt at a ban. The AR-15 platform is now the most popular civilian centerfire rifle in the United States, and more Americans now own "assault weapons" (as defined by H.R.1022 et seq) than hunt. You still occasionally hear pro-ban noises from a few dinosaurs in Congress and the media, but the broad-based hysteria in favor of a ban a la 1994 is just not there anymore.
 
Well, in that case, I won't worry too much. But as soon as I can get one of these, I will get one. And being that I have settled on BCM as my brand of choice, will be in store for a good weapon. I will be waiting for them to get more of their complete lowers in stock, so I can have a 100% BCM rifle.

Thanks much!
 
I think benEzra's right that there won't be another AWB in the near future. Clinton and his party paid a high price for the 1994 ban and it hasn't been forgotten. So now, especailly after an unpopular health care law, Congress is in no hurry to pass laws to take away ARs and AKs from millions of law abiding people. Also the tremendous increase in gun sales after the Obama election has been noticed in Washington and antigunners are laying low for now. But we do have to remember there are many there who want to take away our 2nd amendment rights if we don't protect them.

I think you'll love the BCM, G. And by buying the lower separately, you won't have to pay the 11% excise tax on the upper. That's one reason people buy a stripped lower (which is by law "the firearm"), you only pay excise tax on about $100 instead of $1000 for a complete rifle.

You could save $40 or so going with someone else's lower but your AR wouldn't be worth as much as a full BCM if you had to sell it.
 
That's always an added bonus. Not that it is completely stripped, but buying the pieces separate and putting them together will at least get me started on a better understanding of how they function. I am a hands on learner, I have to hold it and work with it to really get it, much more than just reading and such.

That is good too with regards to it being a complete BCM... so I think it will be worth waiting for them to get the lowers in stock.
 
Well I just emailed bravocompanyusa and I am going to try to get my information with my FFL dealer squared away now, so I can grab one of those lowers as soon as they come in stock.

Tom Petty- The Waiting is the Hardest Part
 
A few months ago I assembled my first AR, a BCM/LMT mixmaster. I didn't go with the midlength, I went with a 16" carbine because I wanted something a little more conventional for my first AR. Part of me wishes that I had built a complete BCM rifle instead of using the LMT lower, but that is just vanity on my part as my mixmaster has been good to go from the first round. Good choice on the BCM, you'll never regret buying quality gear.
 
good choice, G. Just remember that you can always get lowers locally, since all AR parts are pretty much interchangeable, barring certain stock diameter thicknesses and the obvious size difference stuff.

Also, do not let the chart influence every decision you make for ARs you may get later. For the exception of staking the end plate and the proofing and reinforcement of the bolt, everything else is very subjective. Going by the chart will limit your choices to pretty much ONE setup and maybe four makers, despite others making and offering other setups that could meet your needs and wants quite well. "Milspec" does not necessarily mean 'better', it just means 'better for piece of mind' - and that is even true for guns meant for serious use.
 
Thanks for the support. I was doing some thinking, and I noticed I was going to go with a lot "lower tier" rifle for about $700-800. The one I am going to put together from BCM is only around 900-1000. In thinking, I realized that it was not all that much more to get one that will be more reliable and give me a better experience with my first AR.

I can already imagine building another one in the future. The one here will help me learn what to do next.


:D
 
Yeah, we get a lot of new people wanting a $700 AR and asking what's best. Of course the correct answer is impossible unless the person himself clearly knows what he wants. In these type of threads there is a feeling out process in the replies of more knowledgeable folks where we try to prod the new guy into making some difficult decisions. Some like yourself listen and soak up the information and some get defensive and go away. You hate to chase off people by telling them to spend more money but usually that is the right answer to these lowball AR questions. Unfortunately many of those people will have buyer's remorse when they start "getting it" a few month too late.

Glad to see you've got a good grasp of what to do now, G - you do get it. And this thread can be helpful to others just starting out. Oh, and have we ever really talked about barrel length? You know BCM is just now releasing a 14.5" middy to go along with their 16". And some people swear by a 14.5" carbine length gas system as the most maneverable. While other like an 18" or 20" with the rifle length gas system. It might be wise to go handle all the ARs you can right now before buying!
 
True, I will see what I can do. I have a fairly tight schedule and there are no gun shops within a reasonable distance to where I live. I look on google and there are a few listed but of course they don't exist anymore. I would love to handle a couple if not shoot some too.

With regards to the barrel length, I was thinking a 16" might be the best compromise between maneuverability and distance accuracy. I don't see me ever having to really shoot more than 100 yards with it, it would probably be much closer. I plan to buy a 30-06 bolt rifle for my long range shots.

I am trying my best to get all the info I can and understand what you guys have been telling me. I would not want to try to save a few hundred bucks to really regret it a year from now. I consider myself a safe gun operator, but I do not consider myself any sort of firearms expert. That is why I come here. And I have been amazed at the out pouring of assistance and non judgemental advice I have received. It is very much appreciated.
 
With regards to the barrel length, I was thinking a 16" might be the best compromise between maneuverability and distance accuracy. I don't see me ever having to really shoot more than 100 yards with it, it would probably be much closer. I plan to buy a 30-06 bolt rifle for my long range shots.
I tend to agree with you here. A 14.5" + permanently attached flash suppressor is a tad shorter than a 16" + flash suppressor, but the 14.5" provides significantly less velocity and energy compared to the 16", and is noticeably louder. I think 16" is a good compromise, not too long for HD and not too short for decent performance at range.
 
I went with a 16" middy for my build last year. Never regretted it. I can see the attraction for 14.5" but would still go with 16".
 
Well, I talked to my FFL. He said he has not heard of Bravo Company USA but admitted that there are so many AR15 type makers out there, and since they are not his primary source of business, there are plenty he does not know about.

However, he was telling me he could get me a Stag, DPMS, Olympic Arms, all for around $900-1000 for the setup I am looking for. He said he has a bunch of catalogues from his sources, and so I am going over there Monday to see what he has to offer. He also said everything he orders he can get really quick, much less than a month.

I will advise what he has for me when I find out... hmmm
 
Kinda priced high for a Stag, DPMS or Oly. And not in the same league as BCM. No doubt he makes more profit from an outright sale not a transfer. Of those three I like Stag the best but you can do better. Not trying to talk you out of anything but be careful not to get fast talked into something you'll regret later...

And remember, he's already admitted there's a lot he doesn't know about ARs.
 
True. I just will see what he has. He was just telling me from what he knows and what he has dealt with. He is an uncle of a good friend of mine, so I don't think he would try to pull one over on me.

Also, he said he would be happy to help me get the BCM. I just have to set him up with the order form and such for the lower receiver and he will get it ordered for me when they are in stock.

I can order the rest myself and have it sent home.
 
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