Help with my first AR?

[ThatGuyHank]

So I've finally succumbed to the urge and I plan on buying an AR-15 as my next gun purchase. Unfortunately I live in the wonderful state of NJ and a "standard" AR isn't exactly legal. I am limited to one evil feature and with every AR-15 on the planet it is the pistol grip. Therefore I must forego the flash hider, adjustable stock, bayonet lug(man those drive by bayonettings are getting real bad aren't they?) and grenade launcher.

Looking around for a deal I found the DPMS "Lo-Pro Classic". It has a target crown muzzle with no threading and an A2 style fixed stock making it legal for me. It comes in at around the 600-700$ range which seems inexpensive for an AR even if it is devoid of all the good features. I've never done business with DPMS or any AR company for that matter. It'd be rather helpful if some of you could perhaps give me some insight as to the quality of DPMS and if you have experience with the "Lo-Pro Classic" that'd be nice as well. If there are other companies or models of firearms that you think would a better option please feel free to speak your mind on the matter.

 

[kwelz]

DPMS works really hard to produce the worst possible product they can. I would look elsewhere. I suggest BCM or Daniel Defense. However if you are looking to go cheap then look at Spikes or Smith & Wessen.

 

[colt1911fan]

I have 2 DPMS AR-15s they do what I need them to do. They're not the best AR out there but I don't believe the worst either. @KWELZ why do you say their such a bad rifle?

 

[kwelz]

/sigh. I really wish I would just save my pervious posts so I could copy and paste when this question comes up.

DPMS problems include:
Lower grade materials.
Lack of MPI/HP testing for barrels and bolts. (or any other testing for that matter)
Lack of QC
Bad chambers.
Broken parts from the factory.
Bad LPKs including mismade parts and oversized pins.
Many many more.

And before you ask, yes I have owned a number of DPMS rifles and had issue. I also sold them as a distributor dealing with orders of dozens or even hundreds. The number of issues was staggering.

 

[~Abstract~]

I like my DPMS.


That said...you should be able to build one from a complete upper and lower for less than $700...

 

[MistWolf]

A DPMS should be a much better rifle than it is for the money they charge. You can assemble a good quality rifle from Palmetto for that much or less.

I am no legal expert, but can you not have a muzzle device in NJ if it's permanently affixed to the barrel?

 

[ThatGuyHank]

I am no legal expert, but can you not have a muzzle device in NJ if it's permanently affixed to the barrel?

Any muzzle device whether fixed ro removable is illegal. On one of my AK's I bought a chrome lined barrel that had a slash compensator on it and I made it legal by cutting it off and recrowning it. Even just having the barrel threaded is illegal.

Has anyone dealt with Del-Ton AR-15's? They too seem to be in the "Budget AR" category like DPMS. I am looking to build/buy a fully functioning rifle for under 800$(probably should have put that in the original post).

 

[HOLY DIVER]

Palmetto State can fix u up for$800 i think

 

[Michael R.]

i think you should get the ruger sr-556. Its a great piston driven gun without all the jamming issues of a direct gas ar. But it is a little pricey, around 1500-2000 dollars, but i think it will be worth it in the long run compared to the dpms ar-15.

 

[wingman]

Hank, I've been researching gun purchases since I begin using computers the AR15 without a doubt has the most information of any rifle IMO,however a lot is seriously flawed more emotion then anything, if you go to some AR forums they speak as if they are preparing for war threating if you don't purchase a colt or Daniel defense your own mother won't like you. I think some guys have just watched full metal jacket too much.


My suggestion decide what you can spend pick a company that provides a life time warranty purchase the gun + lots of lube + 1000 rounds of ammo go have fun. It's a learning experience and a fun ride, enjoy.....

 

[mshootnit]

how much money are you guys getting for each PSA plug you put in over here?

 

[subierex]

I am limited to one evil feature and with every AR-15 on the planet it is the pistol grip. Therefore I must forego the flash hider, adjustable stock, bayonet lug(man those drive by bayonettings are getting real bad aren't they?) and grenade launcher.

Oy vey. Your government at work.

Makes me happy to live in a relatively free state, where I can have both a bayonet lug and a flash hider. Oh the humanity.

 

[ThatGuyHank]

i think you should get the ruger sr-556. Its a great piston driven gun without all the jamming issues of a direct gas ar. But it is a little pricey, around 1500-2000 dollars, but i think it will be worth it in the long run compared to the dpms ar-15.

That's a whole lot of pricey. While piston guns are nice in the fact that they redirect the heat and grime away from the bolt carrier group there ARE other places for failure in them that a DI gun doesn't posses. I do not want this to turn into a debate on DI vs Piston but I will be sticking to DI for my first AR.

if you go to some AR forums they speak as if they are preparing for war threating if you don't purchase a colt or Daniel defense your own mother won't like you. I think some guys have just watched full metal jacket too much.

Well I am most certainly not going to Tacticalize my rifle, I have no need for Quad rail systems, vertical foregrips/bipod combo, pizza cutter, mosquito repellent and all other manner of "interesting" things to hang off of my gun. As for those believing that they will need to hang upside down and shoot bad guys coming for their stamp collection, well, more power to them. I don't find it necessary (although the times I've tried it I found it to be rather enjoyable when everyone else in the group didn't take it so seriously).

Oy vey. Your government at work.

Makes me happy to live in a relatively free state, where I can have both a bayonet lug and a flash hider. Oh the humanity

I actually sent a letter to the governor's office explaining how removing the weapons ban we have in place now and implementing a "Shall Issue" carry system as well as becoming a Gold Star Open carry state will help boost NJ's ailing economy. With all of the VERY popular firearms that were normally illegal now being sold to eager NJ gun owners the taxes collected by the state will increase along with monies collected from carry permit fees. To a governor that seems rather stuck on the fiscal issue in this state it would seem like a no brainer to implement some rather simple changes. I am not saying it will fix all of our problems but it definitely wouldn't degrade our situation any further /rant

 

[OhioChief]

Del-Ton is a very good place to shop. I find the parts and complete upppers to be of sound quality. The customer service is good. They are reliable. I built a complete rifle from Del-Ton (well 90% from Del-Ton) and it's a damn nice rifle. My neighbor liked it so much he bought it from me. I'm a fan.

 

[ugaarguy]

i think you should get the ruger sr-556. Its a great piston driven gun without all the jamming issues of a direct gas ar.

LOL - the myths never die do they?

 

[sansone]

i think you should get the ruger sr-556. Its a great piston driven gun without all the jamming issues of a direct gas ar. But it is a little pricey, around 1500-2000 dollars, but i think it will be worth it in the long run compared to the dpms ar-15.

I hope the 556 can shoot more accurately than the mini-14

 

[sansone]

Del-Ton is a very good place to shop. I find the parts and complete upppers to be of sound quality. The customer service is good. They are reliable. I built a complete rifle from Del-Ton (well 90% from Del-Ton) and it's a damn nice rifle. My neighbor liked it so much he bought it from me. I'm a fan.

delton is just ok. Customer service is fair to poor. Workmanship is fair. DPMS over delton for sure. ARmalite invented the AR and they lap bores / dandefense is great also

 

[colt1911fan]

+1 for palmetto state and @KWELZ I was just wondering I haven't heard to many bad things about them. Mine work fine thats all I care about, thanks for letting me know that looks like I'll continue building mine then.

 

[bri]

i think you should get the ruger sr-556. Its a great piston driven gun without all the jamming issues of a direct gas ar. But it is a little pricey, around 1500-2000 dollars, but i think it will be worth it in the long run compared to the dpms ar-15.

I'm gonna take a wild stab and guess you have zero experience with the AR platform.

If you did have time with an AR, you'd know this statement to be untrue...

 

[Ben86]

i think you should get the ruger sr-556. Its a great piston driven gun without all the jamming issues of a direct gas ar.

Jamming issues. LOL

My favorite AR brands are Bushmaster and S&W. Stag arms is also pretty good. I would highly recommend getting a flat top receiver, even maybe an optic read carbine then add what you want to it. I also like magpul stuff, so the MOE models are also my preference. Hopefully these brands make something that will be allowed in your oppressive state.

 

[ugaarguy]

ARmalite invented the AR

That Armalite was the small arms division of Fairchild Aviation, and they're long out of business. The current Armalite is a company in Illinois that is Armalite in name only. Just like the current Springfield Armory in Illinois has nothing to do with the original US Armory at Springfield, Mass. Of course I don't see current SA fans going around saying that the current SA built so many US '03s, Garands, etc.

 

[TonyAngel]

Hank, if you're willing to wait, you can give Spike's Tactical a call and see if they can accommodate you. Spike's has been the leader in bang for the buck lately. They sell good stuff at a good price and I certainly wouldn't consider their basic rifle a "bargain" model.

 

[tonytor58]

Just picked up a stag model 1for around $800 nib. Its finish is great and seems well put together, I will let you know when I shoot it this weekend. It has a detachable carry handle so you can add optics later.

 

[arizona98tj]

So I've finally succumbed to the urge and I plan on buying an AR-15 as my next gun purchase.

You can get a new Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport in the neighborhood of $600. It has a 5R melonite coated barrel. 5.56mm chamber. There is nothing on the market that compares to that for the price. Put an scope on it, a pair of iron sights, or a red dot and you are ready to go. Seriously, take some time, use Google, and do your research. I don't own one....but if I was looking for yet another AR, it would get above average consideration before I spent my money. I am quite sure that S&W makes a CT compliant version.

 

[gotigers]

I would start with PSA, Spike's, BCM. If you need a NJ legal, it may be easier to build yourself to get exactly what you want.