First AR-15 - Under $ 1,000.00 - Any Suggestions

[Beach Nut]

I'm thinking about buying a AR-15 to add to my modest gun collection.
I've got a couple of AKs so I am not new to semiauto rifles but I am
a newb when it comes to the AR-15 platform. I would like to get a
reliable, well built AR-15 with for under $1,000 as a starter rifle.

There are a bunch of manufacturers out there and plenty of choices
so I am looking for the best bang for my buck in 5.56 NATO. What
features should I look for and what do y'all suggest?

 

[C-grunt]

I read Colt was making an A4 model rifle. I would think it would be similarly priced as the 6920 which can be had right at 1k. Otherwise for a rifle length I would go with PSA.

 

[JustinJ]

I believe you can get one from BCM, or at least a complete, upper, lower, BCG and charging handle for under a grand.

 

[Infidel4life11]

Basic: 1/7 Cold Hammer Forged barrel, Mid Length gas system. The barrel is the center piece you will never wear it out. I've had one of these with no issues.
http://www.cmmginc.com/product_p/55ad3a1.htm

Same as above with extras
http://www.cmmginc.com/product_p/55a5244.htm

M&P Sport: No frills no dust cover but has a 1/8 5R barrel
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57784_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

M&P MOE mid length gas system 1/8 5R barrel Magpul MOE
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57784_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

BCM: Top of the line. Not in your price range but you'll never need another rifle
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-RECCE-16-AR15-Bravo-Company-carbine-rifle-s/144.htm

 

[C-grunt]

I forgot that BCM make a rifle. That would also be a great option.

 

[Jackal]

http://palmettostatearmory.com/

They make a quality mil-spec AR at an unbeatable price, but they do make you wait about 1 month for it.

 

[Quentin]

If you can go slightly over $1000 I'd go BCM or Colt. BCM is the way I went because I wanted midlength gas.

If you must stay under $1000 then PSA and Spikes can put together a great AR with as many milspec parts as legally possible for a civilian to buy. I also have a PSA upper (however selected a superior BCG from BCM) and must say I'm very impressed.

 

[nastynatesfish]

If you can find one now and not at rediculous prices is key. I'd just look àt a dpms or Olympic. I have both and enjoy both trouble free. My oly K8 was 950 out the door

 

[Fishbed77]

If you must stay under $1000 then PSA and Spikes can put together a great AR with as many milspec parts as legally possible for a civilian to buy

Indeed. You should look no further than PSA or Spikes for an AR-15 under $1000. There is no reason at all to consider the various rifles by Bushmaster, DPMS, Olympic, RRA, or Windham in that price range. A PSA or Spikes rifle will be better than any of them and likely cost less.

In fact, I have seen no discernible difference in quality between the standard carbines from PSA, Spikes, Colt or BCM (both PSA and Spikes get a number of parts from FN or FN's suppliers, and we are all aware that FN knows how to make a mil-spec AR-15 - namely the M16A4).

 

[nastynatesfish]

I could build you of put you on a place to get parts to build your own complete for about 750. Depends what you want out of it. Range use, target, varmint?

I built the one on the left as it sits right at 1000. It's a 6.8spcll the oly arms k8 on the right. You don't need a high dollar rifle to have reliable fun with. Look at new frontier or redX arms also

 

[Knightsofnee]

Just spend a little more and get the Colt 6920. It is the standard for the breed and will hold its value better than anything in its price range. Almost all its parts are Pentagon approved. If you go PSA make sure you get the good bolt carrier group (Carpenter 158 bolt), not the cheesy one they offer.

 

[thefish]

I picked up a m&p15-t for $1, 099 a month ago and I've been happy with it.

 

[Jackal]

If you go PSA make sure you get the good bolt carrier group (Carpenter 158 bolt), not the cheesy one they offer.

I agree with this 100%. PSA sells both.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

Indeed. You should look no further than PSA or Spikes for an AR-15 under $1000. There is no reason at all to consider the various rifles by Bushmaster, DPMS, Olympic, RRA, or Windham in that price range. A PSA or Spikes rifle will be better than any of them and likely cost less.

In fact, I have seen no discernible difference in quality between the standard carbines from PSA, Spikes, Colt or BCM (both PSA and Spikes get a number of parts from FN or FN's suppliers, and we are all aware that FN knows how to make a mil-spec AR-15 - namely the M16A4).

So you're saying that you see a discernable difference between PSA and Windham but not PSA and BCM? Go figure!

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[VegasAR15]

I would probably say Spikes, PSA or S&W for under $1000. Bravo Company is totally out of rifles at the moment. If you want a complete rifle, I would maybe up your limit just a little bit and get a Colt 6920, if nothing else you have major brand recognition and they will hold their value better than most. Look at the 6920 rifles selling for $2000+ just a few months ago.

If it were me at the moment I would at least partially build my own. Figure out exactly what you want in a rifle, find that upper in stock at PSA, Bravo Company, Aim Surplus, etc and order the complete upper. Then build your lower however you want. If you want a basic upper, Aimsurplus has these in stock right now for a pretty good deal. http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIM16GOV

 

[Beach Nut]

In response to the post by nastynatefish, it would be mostly a range gun but it
could see some action as a varmint rifle. (coyote control) I'm not going to be
doing any 1000 yard shooting or anything like that with it so a simple optics
package would be fine. I'll leave the target shooting to my bolt actions.

 

[eastbank]

go to walmart and buy a colt wmle 6920 for 1069.00. and if and when you want to move on you will not loose money on it as they hold their value and will just keep going up. here is a chart of spec,s on some of the ar,s out there. eastbank.

 

[Quentin]

So you're saying that you see a discernable difference between PSA and Windham but not PSA and BCM? Go figure! ...

I think I get what you're saying but have to side squarely with Fishbed on this one.

If you look critically at Windham, PSA and BCM, the Windham clearly is an average comspec offering when you compare the barrel, BCG, receiver extension, etc. The BCM is about as well made as you're going to get for the money and its parts are clearly above reproach. The PSA is quite close to the BCM in all areas except for the BCG. You should avoid their 8620 steel bolt and go for their Carpenter 158 steel bolt or even buy the BCM BCG as I did.

 

[HankR]

Is waiting a couple of months an option? If I was to bet, I'd bet on cheaper new ones and quite a few very lightly used ARs on the market.

 

[lpsharp88]

I got my M&P 15 Sport for $587 plus tax in Summer 2011, I don't know if they're at that level right now, but it's a GREAT budget rifle. It has been flawless through a couple thousand rounds, can't recommend it enough

 

[btg3]

^^^
That's what I'm expecting. Thinking November.

 

[OilyPablo]

Your cost limit is a good one but for a few hundred more you can get a Daniel Defense. $1299.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Daniel_Defense_M4_Carbine_v2_30_Round_p/02-094-06101.htm?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+DDM4&utm_content=4th+of+July+Savings+from+Primary+Arms&utm_campaign=2013+July+4&_bta_tid=3.cFU.ByEONQ.ESGg.yFT2..AXgwGQ.b..l.BStr.b.UdFvQA.UdFvQA.jhxFhQ&_bta_c=5k2lboehlk31xnaofrh1hiec42cnx

Plug in the DDM4 code:

http://info.primaryarms.com/public/...yFT2..AXgwGQ.b..l.BStr.b.UdFvQA.UdFvQA.jhxFhQ

 

[ObsceneJesster]

I think I get what you're saying but have to side squarely with Fishbed on this one.

If you look critically at Windham, PSA and BCM, the Windham clearly is an average comspec offering when you compare the barrel, BCG, receiver extension, etc. The BCM is about as well made as you're going to get for the money and its parts are clearly above reproach. The PSA is quite close to the BCM in all areas except for the BCG. You should avoid their 8620 steel bolt and go for their Carpenter 158 steel bolt or even buy the BCM BCG as I did.

Yes, this is what I was getting at. It's no secret that BCM sells one of if not the most highly sought after BCG due to the kind of track record they have in QC/Testing. In my opinion, the BCG is probably the most critical part in any AR and can easily make or break the system.

There is also the charging handle. When it comes to the CH, the BCM's are also arguably the best. It's nice when you get a complete rifle and it doesn't come equipped with a flimsy piece of crap. I don't know if you've personally broken one but I've broken two. Since installing BCM Gunfighters in all of my AR's I have yet to break one.

Lastly, there are little things such as the pinning of the FSB. I don't know how many pins you've tried knocking out of a FSB but it's not exactly easy. I've knocked pins out of a Colt, a PSA and most recently a BCM. A few good whacks with a large pin lessened the Colts and PSA's pins right up. The BCM on the other hand. Well, I couldn't loosen them up through whacking them with a large pin and hammer. After about 50 whacks, I admitted defeat and took the barrel to a local smith who ultimately had to Dremel a little material off of the FSB to loosen the pins up.

I know the whole story regarding the FSB seems pretty irrelevant but it just showed me how solid a BCM rifle is assembled.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[InkEd]

..... of 2015?

 

[Panzercat]

Mossberg MMR is reported to be a pretty good, reliable budget rifle. Free floated barrel out of the box, quad-rail forarm, 6pos stock. Drawbacks are no forward assist rolleyes, no dust cover, barrel is not chrome lined. Oh, and the name Mossberg.

I'm assuming you want to preserve a price to value ratio of some sort while actually being able to obtain said AR and still have some of that 1k to spend. I've seen it regularly availible as low as $650 to $750.