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

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Check the sporting goods section of your local Wally Worlds for a Colt 6920, in either plain or Magpul flavors. It seems that with the panic dying out Walmarts across the country have been starting to get stock back, and the price they sell them for is pretty much unbeatable.
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far! It looks like I have some homework to
do. Is my understanding correct that AR-15 parts from different makers are
pretty much interchangeable? This gives me even more options and choices
to make if this is true. AKs are easy to work on, even for someone who
has little mechanical inclination like me. Is the same true for AR-15s?
 
PSA is the best bang for the buck IMO. I have put together 3 of them and they are great. The best thing about them is all the different options you have on barrel length and profile, and gas system length. No other mil spec mfg. gives you as many options, or as low prices.
 
Vigilante X said:
Thanks for the suggestions so far! It looks like I have some homework to
do. Is my understanding correct that AR-15 parts from different makers are
pretty much interchangeable? This gives me even more options and choices
to make if this is true. AKs are easy to work on, even for someone who
has little mechanical inclination like me. Is the same true for AR-15s?
Click to expand...

AR parts from different sources tend to be interchangeable but the quality can vary wildly. It's usually a surprise when a part actually won't fit but common to get lower quality if you don't research parts and vendors.

ARs are easy to work on since they're pretty much Plug'N'Play. AKs tend to require more hand fitting when you replace parts. If you can work on an AK then the AR shouldn't be a problem.
 
So you're saying that you see a discernable difference between PSA and Windham but not PSA and BCM? Go figure!
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That's exactly what I'm saying. PSA and BCM are mil-spec (aside from the obvious lack of a happy switch). Windham uses both 1:9 twist barrels and commercial buffer tubes/stock, which knocks them down a few rungs.
 
I've picked up 2 BCM RECCE Rifles this week, one 14.5" and a 16". Yes BCM is out of stock most of the time but with shipping I have $1250 in each rifle found them online. Colt, Spikes, PSA, Daniel Defense, BCM, Noveske, and S&W all make outstanding rifles among a few others. If you are starting out just getting your feet wet with an AR then maybe a BCM or DD isn't for everyone.

When this question comes from people who are new (depending on what their shooting) I try to start some where simple IE M&P Sport, Sig M400, Colt 6920. For the people who are going to shoot the crap out of an AR, go to courses with professional instruction I go a little higher IE your mid length Mil-specs. Not saying any other rifle won't get the job done but the extra insurance in quality parts and build never hurt anyone.

For your ave Joe who is only going to put maybe 550rds through their AR then yes a DPMS is going to be just fine.

My school of thought is to get a little more Rifle then what you need.
 
My school of thought is to get a little more Rifle then what you need
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I agree with this. I recently ordered myself a PSA upper (I got it for almost half the listed price, on sale) Got to love an FN barrel: http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...ped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

Also got a PSA parts kit/stripped lower. Then I got a good MPI 158 bolt/chromed carrier: http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...lt-carrier-groups/m16-bolt-carrier-group.html

And to round things out, a BCM Gunfighter grip and BCM Gunfighter charging handle. All told, I'm about $800 into this AR, and its nearly ideal spec. Light, tough, accurate, good quality, with the features I want and none I dont.
 
Shmackey said:
To throw a curveball, I like what I'm seeing out of Windham Weaponry.
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I know I'm going to hurt someone's feelings but personally, I wouldn't purchase a Windham (regurgitated Bushmaster) when I could get something from PSA or Spikes for the same price.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
In my opinion, the Colt 6920 is THE standard by which all ARs are judged. However, I haven't seen one for less than 1100, even at Walmart, and most stores I've been to have them around 1200.

I opted for a 6920 instead of an RRA build after I read about how Colt conducts quality control vs. RRA.
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far! It looks like I have some homework to
do. Is my understanding correct that AR-15 parts from different makers are
pretty much interchangeable? This gives me even more options and choices
to make if this is true. AKs are easy to work on, even for someone who
has little mechanical inclination like me. Is the same true for AR-15s?

I think you might want to ease in to this before you go "All In" on a build.
I don't want to dampen you enthusiasm, but unless you've done this before and have all the tools you need IMHO, you may be better off waiting a month or two and buying a little better AR or getting a little more information and maybe watching someone assemble from a box of parts first.
It isn't rocket science.
You can pick up a nice D.D. for $1350 or do a build and invest a bit in tools and get an education on parts and assembly.
 
FWIW, only having shot an AR once and looking to buy one, I am very leery of one cobbled together by a DIYer of unknown capability -- new or used. Do stock ARs hold value better than customs?
 
OilyPablo said:
Not many want somebody's home build.....just saying.
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Depends what it is. I have a build that has a unique lower receiver among other high quality parts. I have had a few offers at local ranges.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
Get some knowledge before building. It's like a car engine. You can buy the parts and watch the videos and do it yourself. Is it going to run as reliably as a factory built product? Probably not unless you KNOW what you are doing.
 
OilyPablo said:
Not many want somebody's home build.....just saying.
Click to expand...
Totally true. Because they are so many people slapping together ARs nobody wants a "throw together" so factory gun he value better.

Now on the other side of that coin I've built a few for friends that turned around and brought me more work. Now I have people I don't know saying they saw one of my builds and want me to build one for them.

I starting out you should buy a factory gun and shoot the crap out of it learn how it works and more importantly learn what works for you. I started with bushmasters RRAs and Olympic arms. Now days my standard rifles are built to mil spec, 1/7 CHF 4150 CMV barrels mid length gas systems heavy buffers and all that jazz.

I still have the sport models and a RRA (non flat top) and they have their place. But my go to, SHTF are all rifles that you can't break.

And a totally personal opinion here the colt 6920 enhanced is what all "better" ARs are to be judged from. That is as close as a factory rifle can get (do to NFA and gun laws) to what we carry in the military. Yes there are others with more stuff and less price but the 6920 is the base line for mil spec.

Windhams are not bad guns granted they're not top tear but you can do worse way worse.
 
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I'm partial to my Spikes mid-length for only $879. Have shot it side by side with my Dad and his LE6920 and we both like shooting my Spikes better. Probably due to it being a mid-length I'm sure.
 
Warp said:
BCM > PSA >> Windham > most home builts

IMO/IME
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I definitely agree with this assessment. To many people are slapping together AR's now a days which makes it hard to trust that you're getting a good rifle.

I will say though that ever since building my own, I will never purchase another complete AR whether it's factory or home built. The process of purchasing all of the parts and actually building it is to damn fun. Also, as long as you know what you're doing, building the rifle yourself is about the only sure way you know that everything is assembled correctly and the parts are what they say they are.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
I lump BCM, PSA and Spikes in together. All 3 use the correct parts (or better). My favorite option is buying PSA upper/lower (PSA forged lowers made by Aero Precision, gets no better than that, they also use FN barrels, which are imho the best around) and BCM LPK/BCG/CH, although the PSA M16 BCG is a nice product as well.
 
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