First AR, where to start?

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crawdaddy

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Alright, I think I'm finally going to get an AR. I know there is probably a million threads on this but I didn't find exactly what I was looking for in my search. I really don't know where to start. I'm looking for a "run of the mill" Ar, nothing real fancy and it doesn't have to be nit on a nat's nut accurate. I'm just looking for a good reliable ar and i'm not above building my own, I just don't know where to start. Would be very grateful for any advice y'all can offer. and please no Chevy is better because it's a chevy kind of stuff.
 
look through the 2nd post in the reading library sticky at the top of rifle country
 
I just bought my first AR (my only black rifle) a few days ago. I looked all around. Called gun shops etc. Got a Colt 6920 at a good price. I went with Colt because they were discounting the price and throwing in some freebies. I also figured that if I ever sold it the Pony on it might help me move it as Colt has a devoted following. Likewise, If Colt tanks and no more are made, it's value will increase. That was my reasoning for choosing Colt. I don't think you will go wrong with most ARs. I think the technology is figured out, tried out, tweaked to the max and very reliable.

I would have ended up going with CMMG as their prices are pretty low in the bargain bin. However, their customer service is non-existent. I called several times and could never get anyone and despite leaving message, email etc. Never got a response while trying to get their FFL for my dealer. So, no deal. You luck may differ.
 
1. Decide what you're really going to use it for.

2. Decide whether you will want optics or irons.

3. Set your budget

4. Go over to AR15.com and read, read, read
 
Just get a Colt 6920 for a smidgen less than a grand (the market is overflowing with them) and stop obsessing over every little detail. It'll be reliable, good quality components, and ready to rock out of the box. Shoot, shoot, shoot, then add stuff that you want to try.

The most important thing to remember about ARs run them wet with lube. No big deal, it's just the way it is. It'll run dry/little lube for several hundred rounds, though, if you must.
 
my vote goes for the DPMS Sportical, thats a great rifle for what you pay for it
2nd would be a del-ton M4
now if you have deep pockets go NOVESKE best AR in my opion thats what am saving to buy next
 
Set your budget and build your own. You will learn alot along the way and will be lucky if you come within 300 dollars of your budget, heck 500 dollars.
 
I'm sure there's lots of brands out there that will do you well. I'd just make sure you buy the one that suits your purpose. I got the Colt 6920 before I researched enough and ended up with the wrong rifle for what I wanted to do in the end. I have several friends at work that shoot service rifle competition (Camp Perry), wanted to do the same, and I didn't know enough to avoid things like carbine barrel length and collapsible stock. I would have been just as content with a 20" barrel and A2 stock and would have been legal for competition to boot. Not to say I don't like my 6920, but it doesn't do what I really wanted, so now I'm stuck buying an extra A2 stock and match upper or maybe just a whole new rifle. The nice thing about the AR's though, is interchangeable stuff so I could potentially use at least some of what I have.
 
I would probably start at ar15.com. There's alot to know about ar's, especially if you're thinking about building one.
 
Colt, BCM, LMT, Noveske, hell even S&W. All can be had for around 1K or less and all will treat you right.

Check out M4carbine.net and look over some of the information there.
 
Another thing to do is check out ar15builder.com

It'll give you a good idea on what's available, so you can figure out exactly what kind of AR-15 you want, and how much it'll cost.
 
I now have two.... first was the DPMS sportical... I am still quite pleased with it... I was looking for something that was lightweight, quick to fire, fast target acquisition.....etc.. I sacrificed some accuracy in that format but gained everything I was looking for..

Second was a heavy barrel rock river with full free float handguard, ace stock, and target trigger...

I think i have my accuracy/range, and portability/speed bases covered.

decide what you want most and go for that... but know you will have to compromise something no matter the format. In the AR format, you cannot get both a 500 yard tack driver and a lightweight off hand shooter in the same gun.
 
Budget is going to be the primary factor in determining what you get.

If you intend to buy a production rifle, features are going to be the next factor. If you want the closest thing to a real M-4, it's gonna be a colt. If you want a mid length flat top with no front sight, look at Armalite. If you're after a 24" heavy fluted barrel varmint AR, check out DPMS. You get the idea.

But whether you build or buy, just stick with quality stuff.
 
crawdaddy said:
Alright, I think I'm finally going to get an AR. I know there is probably a million threads on this but I didn't find exactly what I was looking for in my search (what are you looking for?). I really don't know where to start(what are you going to use the AR for?. I'm looking for a "run of the mill" Ar, nothing real fancy and it doesn't have to be nit on a nat's nut accurate (ok, you don't need a 20-26 heavy match barrel, high powered scope or match trigger). I'm just looking for a good reliable ar and i'm not above building my own, I just don't know where to start ( a 16'' M4gray "m4 semi auto copy" or 20''-Rifle Lenght "m16 semi auto copy" will do just fine). Would be very grateful for any advice y'all can offer. and please no Chevy is better because it's a chevy kind of stuff.
Click to expand...



this is simple if you follow the steps.

start here (cheap but good things to buy)


CMMG Lower $99 (without trasfer fee);)
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/CMMG_MOD4SA_AR15_.223_5.56x45_Lower_Receiver.html


Del-ton kit $465-485 :p
http://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Rifle_Kits_s/1.htm

spend about 1hr of your time building your own Lower

the price of knowing you build your own AK... PRICELESS.....:neener:


or....


you can skip all that and get yourself this

DelTon DTI-4 for $669

 
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Any AR15 will be at least fairly accurate... What other requirements do you have? What will be it's primary purpose?
 
Friends don't let Friends buy Olympic Arms!!!

CBRGATOR: they have been going for under 1K at a few sources online for the last week or so. Also there have been a number of people reporting them for under 1K at a couple gunshows. sturmgewehr.com Marks outdoors and a couple others as well have had them NIB at that price.
 
Build one...doit..

Just get a lower reciever from somewhere, I got a Roggio Arms one and it works great, I love it.

Then pick up a Complete kit which is basically the whole upper receiver usually preassembled and all the parts for the lower receiver.

I had no clue what I was doing and I built mine within about an hour just watching videos on youtube and following this guide i found on ar15.com it was really easy and it shoots perfect, The whole thing cost me about $500 something.

I personally ordered my kit from blackthorneproducts which has a horrible reputation though I had no problems at all with my kit, other people might suggest ordering a kit from model1sales or del-ton
 
I personally ordered my kit from blackthorneproducts which has a horrible reputation though I had no problems at all with my kit, other people might suggest ordering a kit from model1sales or del-ton
Click to expand...

Horrible doesn't even begin to describe Blackthorne/Vulcan/Hesse. Absolute s*** somewhat describes them.

Here's a picture of one of their lowers:

Mvc-330s.jpg
^^That's after two shots, yo. Makes Olympic look like Noveske.

(Image posted by DougW of THR.org )


When a company changes their name frequently in an attempt to get away from their bad rep...well, does that tell you anything?
 
thanks for all the replies, sorry i was kind of vague in my original post. I guess i'm more or less looking for an m4 type rifle...i'm just not interested in all the gadgets and stuff hanging off them...probably just going to mount a scope on it. I just don't want to get burned...don't want to buy junk...I like the idea of building one myself for knowledge and cost. I just want something more or less for plinking and i hate to say it SHTF. I'll probably get a 20" upper in the future, but for now something semi light and handy.
 
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