First AR-15 Suggestions

[rs525]

Good day all. This is my first posting and may be my only posting to the site but we'll see how it goes. I am a relatively new gun owner who owns a couple of pistols and want to eventually get my own AR-15. I want to go with a retro style Vietnam/Cold War era military esque rifle because I love the classics over the new "tacti-cool" guns. I'm trying to decide between these different factors:

• 20 inch rifle barrel or 14.5 inch carbine barrel (WITH pinned and welded extended flash hider). I do hear the 16" barrel (in this case 14.5 with Pin and Weld) is most versatile
• A1 or A2 style upper
• Preferably a lighter barrel, but if an A2 or M4 style barrel is better let me know
• I want to only shoot 55 grain or 62 grain FMJ ammo since it's the original and cheapest around
• No interest in mounts, removable sights, removable carry handles, or anything like that, just plain iron sights
• Only for target shooting. Not planning on doing long distance target shooting (Longest range near me is 200 yards)
• NO "Commando" length barrels like 11.5 inch. Too loud, less range and don't want to deal with NFA tax.
• Not a priority, but I would like to have it be something that was used extensively by the US armed forces and keep it as mil-spec as possible
• Edit: These guns are only meant to represent replicas, NOT actual Colt Ar-15s

This post is directed to all you AR-15 experts out there. I am only interested in having one AR due to lack of funds. If I had to have just ONE AR-15 from the parameters listed, what would you suggest? What would be most versatile for a newcomer like me? How would I go about building it? Sorry for the long ramble, but just wanted to be as specific as possible because everybody has their own opinion and it can be hard to figure out what's best. I'll also post a poll if anyone is interested. Thanks.

 

[Charlie98]

If your ammos is going to be primarily 55grn, you will want 1:8 or 1:9 rifling... not all 1:7's will play nice with 55's.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

None of the above.

 

[armoredman]

For my, the first AR factory assembled I purchased was a Palmetto State Armory Freedom series, and it has been flawless for not so many shekels. If the ONLY thing you are looking for is "mil spec" then try to snag one of Brownells retro ARs they put together. Me, I just go with what works, and PSA flat out works.

 

[BigBL87]

For my money, I wouldn't buy a Colt to be honest. That's not to say they're bad, but you're paying a premium for that pony and for the same price you could probably get a better quality rifle.

 

[rs525]

For my money, I wouldn't buy a Colt to be honest. That's not to say they're bad, but you're paying a premium for that pony and for the same price you could probably get a better quality rifle.

I didn't say I was buying a Colt. I just wanted to make it resemble one of the older colt models.

 

[BigBL87]

I didn't say I was buying a Colt. I just wanted to make it resemble one of the older colt models.

Gotcha, with all the models listed being Colts I missed that.

 

[twarr1]

I’m partial to the A1E1 because I carried one of Uncle Sams. But I would recommend the M16A2

 

[Anchorite]

I started a thread elsewhere on getting into ARs. Wealth of information there and throughout THR. It is easy to see(read) who has experience and knows what they are talking about.

That said, there are a multitude of AR manufacturers at our disposal, not just Colt. My only advice is don’t limit your options. Take your time, do some research, see what options are popular(and unpopular), and you will make a well-informed choice and overall feel better about it.
Disclaimer: I have not yet made my decision - probably will sometime Q1 2022.

 

[Charlie98]

It really boils down to how you ultimately want to use your rifle. 16" AR's are handy, but not so good as a target rifle. 20" AR's are good hunting and target rifles, but feel like a boat oar... particularly with a fixed stock... compared to a 16" carbine with a collapsible stock. Heavy barrel? Light barrel? These are all questions you need to cipher out for yourself.

I have a Colt AR-15 H-Bar... an A2 with fixed carry handle, I mostly bought it because it was pretty close to what I carried in the Army. Although I shoot irons about 95% of the time, I really wish I would have bought one with a removable carry handle, or just a flattop to start with. As it is, I wound up building another 16" carbine, which has become my go-to go-everywhere rifle because it's so handy, and another 20" flattop... with a scope.

Nice thing about an AR is... if you buy something and you wind up wishing you had something different, even a minor item, it's an easy thing to change it, even something significant like the barrel or upper.

 

[mcb]

I would avoid Colt like the plague but given all the restrictions on what the OP wants I would just buy whatever Colt configuration appeals to you most OP. You seem to know what you want, buy it. Any of them will do what you want to do with the rifle.

 

[rs525]

It really boils down to how you ultimately want to use your rifle. 16" AR's are handy, but not so good as a target rifle. 20" AR's are good hunting and target rifles, but feel like a boat oar... particularly with a fixed stock... compared to a 16" carbine with a collapsible stock. Heavy barrel? Light barrel? These are all questions you need to cipher out for yourself.

I have a Colt AR-15 H-Bar... an A2 with fixed carry handle, I mostly bought it because it was pretty close to what I carried in the Army. Although I shoot irons about 95% of the time, I really wish I would have bought one with a removable carry handle, or just a flattop to start with. As it is, I wound up building another 16" carbine, which has become my go-to go-everywhere rifle because it's so handy, and another 20" flattop... with a scope.

Nice thing about an AR is... if you buy something and you wind up wishing you had something different, even a minor item, it's an easy thing to change it, even something significant like the barrel or upper.

It's just for target shooting.

 

[rs525]

I would avoid Colt like the plague but given all the restrictions on what the OP wants I would just buy whatever Colt configuration appeals to you most OP. You seem to know what you want, buy it. Any of them will do what you want to do with the rifle.

Like I said in the first post, these are not actual Colt brand ARs, just replicas using uppers and lowers from other manufacturers

 

[mcb]

Like I said in the first post, these are not actual Colt brand ARs, just replicas using uppers and lowers from other manufacturers

Take a look at Palmetto State Armory then. Good prices on decently build guns and they have configuration similar to the ones you reference in your poll.

 

[Charlie98]

It's just for target shooting.

That doesn't narrow it down. I have 3 different AR's 'just for target shooting.'

But in all seriousness, just kick it old skool with an M16A2 style AR... it's hard to beat it as an all-purpose shooter.

 

[rs525]

Take a look at Palmetto State Armory then. Good prices on decently build guns and they have configuration similar to the ones you reference in your poll.

Couldn't find anything I wanted. Everything is out of stock or has a removable carry handle, nothing really retro.

 

[mcb]

Couldn't find anything I wanted. Everything is out of stock or has a removable carry handle, nothing really retro.

Given the current societal pressures and resulting market, availability is almost always going to be an issue for at least the short term.

These are some very nice retro rifles if that is what you are after.

https://www.brownells.com/aspx/general/clientpage.aspx?bapid=606

 

[BreechFace]

When I hear...

I want to go with a retro style military esque rifle because I love the classics over the new "tacti-cool" guns.

I think Vietnam era SP1 or M16A1, triangle handguards A1 Upper, 20” barrel 1:14 or 1:12 twist.

Your original post needs refining as to your desire for said AR15. It seams you did define it more with this:

It's just for target shooting.

If the above is the case then I would look at the two options below.

If you want a good "irons only shooting classic" than I would look hard at:
https://www.windhamweaponry.com/firearms/rifles/223-556-caliber-rifle/a1-government/

If you want a good "irons with the ability for optic shooting classic" than I would look hard at:
https://www.windhamweaponry.com/firearms/rifles/223-556-caliber-rifle/20-govt-rifle/


A pinned 14.5" to 16" length (M4 clone) makes no sense for target shooting and what your desires are for the purchase. Those would be more CQB/SD or all around ranch rifle purposes.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

I didn't say I was buying a Colt. I just wanted to make it resemble one of the older colt models.

Ahhhhhh, well, you didn't type that. You typed all Colt variants and we all interpreted your question exactly as you presented it ... rather than trying to read your mind through cyber osmosis of some kind.

If you might only afford one then go with a PSA M4 entry model of some sort. Go with a flat top then add a set of decent MagPul pop-ups and add some decent optics of your choosing that you might cowitness through ... then buy at least seveen Gen 2 or Gen 3 magazines and spend all the money you've saved on ammo.

While 1:7 may be a bit fast for 55 grain M193 or whatever it is, it'll serve your purposes just fine out to a couple of hundred yards in a pinch, especially for defending your home and property. Meantime, invest in as much 62 grain surplus ammo has you can find at a reasonable price. They make a lot of personal defense type 62 grain ammo. Get a couple of mags worth of the boutique stuff if you don't roll yer own.

Although, ask yourself, what are the odds of you having a shootout in or around your home while defending your property and loved ones?

Then ask yourself, woukd a good shotgun be a better choice in your case?

Target shooting is your objective you say? What sort of target shooting requires an AR 15 in 5.56 that a good 22LR will not satisfy for much less money?

 

[theotherwaldo]

I've assembled four ARs in different formats, but the one that I like best was build from an A2 surplus parts kit is my favorite.
New barrel and receiver, of course, as well as a few small parts, but everything else original.
Probably not the prettiest, handiest or most accurate, but I like it.

 

[rs525]

Target shooting is your objective you say? What sort of target shooting requires an AR 15 in 5.56 that a good 22LR will not satisfy for much less money?

Sorry I thought I was pretty thorough in my first post. I could shoot 62 grain bullets, it's just 55 grain is a little cheaper and more accurate from what I hear. Also as for .22 I also plan on getting a conversion kit for an AR eventually.

 

[rs525]

I've assembled four ARs in different formats, but the one that I like best was build from an A2 surplus parts kit is my favorite.
New barrel and receiver, of course, as well as a few small parts, but everything else original.
Probably not the prettiest, handiest or most accurate, but I like it.

So far in the poll a 20" A2 style seems to be what's winning if I could have just one AR that does it all.

 

[Charlie98]

I could should 62 grain bullets, it's just 55 grain is a little cheaper and more accurate from what I hear.

Yes... and no.

Any generic FMJ ammo is not target ammo, it is designed for MOBC (Minute of Body Cavity) accuracy... whether one shoots better or not is between the bullet and the barrel, quite frankly. You are correct... box stock 55grn FMJ is likely the least expensive ammo available, although generic 62grn (M855, et al) isn't far behind. As I mentioned previously, some 1:7 barrels don't shoot 55grn well... my H-bar is one of those. 4" at 100yds... and, yes, I know what I'm doing behind the trigger.... but 62grn bullets, and particularly the 62grn Hornady BTHP's I'm loading right now, suck everything up into a respectable 1-1.5" @ 100yds.

 

[rs525]

I think what could also help narrow it down for me is what sight system is better: A1 sights that are more simple and sleeker or A2 sights that are more adjustable?

 

[Airborne Falcon]

This is my first posting and may be my only posting to the site but we'll see how it goes.