Looking to get into AR's

Which AR?

  • Colt 6920/6940

    Votes: 31 27.4%

  • S&W M&P 15

    Votes: 20 17.7%

  • Other

    Votes: 35 31.0%

  • Custom Build

    Votes: 27 23.9%
  • Total voters
    113
  • Poll closed .
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Rhyno37

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May 29, 2010
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Location
Central Illinois
After saving up about $1300 for my next gun fund, I'm looking to AR's this time. I'm not terribly familiar on what's good and what's bad so fill me in.

When I buy a gun, I usually buy it as an investment, and plan to keep it my whole life. I will probably only use the rifle for target shooting. A couple of rifles have caught my eye.

The Colt LE6920/6940 I've really taken a liken to. While it does seem a bit more expensive, I've heard its what most AR's are judged by these days, and is mil spec. I assume it would keep its value quite well.

The second rifle I was looking at is the S&W M&P15. Not any model in particular. I've been quite please with all my guns from S&W, and they have great customer service.

Those are the two rifles that appeal to me most. My last option is I could build one, but I really have no clue on that.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.
 
I recommend shopping around for a stripped lower and build your own lower. It is not very hard, and you can save some $. I am not up to assembling an AR upper, I I bought one assembled.

If you decide to buy a complete one, I have a SW M&P, nice gun, no problems with it. I have also shot a couple of other M&P ARs, they shot well also. I don't have any experience with the Colt AR's.

AR's are a lot of fun. Look around at the different calibers as well.
 
sansone said:
ARmalite is 100% milspec everything,
and lifetime warranty
Click to expand...

No, they are not. The rifling of the Armalite is 1:9. Milspec is 1:7.

Other admittedly unimportant differences is that the milspec M4 is select fire and the barrel length is 14.5".

There may be other differences as well, such as handguard type.

If you like the Colt, buy it. They work well and hold their value. There are a couple of online vendors that can get you a complete Colt for around $1k
 
Bravo Company upper and bolt carrier group with your choice of lower. You can't go wrong with Bravo Company (BCM), and their prices are pretty good.

Mine has been 100% with steel cased ammo.

That way you'll have enough left over for a good rail/handguard/tube and optic.

While colt might make a good gun, there is no reason to ever pay their prices.
 
Upper: BCM Standard barrel 14.5", Middie gas system, Larue 12" rail, pinned PWS 556 compensator

Bolt carrier group: BCM standard

Lower: Order any complete lower from your local toy store. These are easy/cheap to tune/change later on. I like LMT's complete lowers.





Or just get a simple Colt 6920 to start out with.
 
I agree with the BCM recommendations. $1300 will get you a fine rifle. Pictures are required after the purchase.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk
 
MistWolf said:
No, they are not. The rifling of the Armalite is 1:9. Milspec is 1:7.

Other admittedly unimportant differences is that the milspec M4 is select fire and the barrel length is 14.5".

There may be other differences as well, such as handguard type.

If you like the Colt, buy it. They work well and hold their value. There are a couple of online vendors that can get you a complete Colt for around $1k
Click to expand...
Which vendors? I see bud's has it for $1199.

Seems like everyone likes BCM. How hard is it to build a rifle with no experience?

I think I might just buy a complete AR for my first, then maybe do a custom build later on, not quite sure though.

And I though barrels had to be at least 16" to be legal?
 
You can pin a muzzle device to bring it back up over 16 and make it legal. I personally prefer 14.5 inch guns. But I don't suggest them to someone still learning. Removing them can be a pain.
 
Rhyno37 said:
Which vendors? I see bud's has it for $1199.

Seems like everyone likes BCM. How hard is it to build a rifle with no experience?

I think I might just buy a complete AR for my first, then maybe do a custom build later on, not quite sure though.

And I thought barrels had to be at least 16" to be legal?
Click to expand...

You dont build anything. AR's snap together. You can unsnap the upper in 3 seconds and shake all the parts out.

Get a BCM built upper, they have all kinds, slide in a BCM bolt carrier group, snap on a complete lower.

No building required.

A 14.5" barrel can be bought with a A2x flashhider or a PWS 556 Comp pinned and welded in place bringing the barrel length back up to 16" total. A 16" barrel is actually 17" long due to the screw on flash hider. A 14.5" plus flash hider is 16.1" total.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...iver-LaRue-Tactical-p/bcm-urg-mid-14 lt12.htm


Go to AR15.com
Go to the ar15 tab
Go to "buildyour own" forum
There is a sticky on how to build AR's from scratch. It's good to see how they work and are assembled. Then you'll know how you can buy completely built sections and then just click them together.
 
Looking at Bravo Company's website with the list of their configured uppers can be overwhelming to someone who's new to the platform. It was at least to me.

Make sure you do your research and think about the accessories you want before purchasing the upper. Buying once is normally cheaper than buying and then changing the accessories later. Then go to Bravo Company's website to purchase the upper. Also note that you can have an upper sent directly to you. The lower receiver is the only part that will require the NICS check.
 
Get yourself the S&W. It will serve you well as a first AR. Use the $$ saved to buy ammo for practice. No need to spend the extra cash for milspec. You aren't going to be running around a jungle or desert, are you? The S&W is a good rifle that will last you a long long time. Once you really get into ARs, you can buy an upper in another caliber.
 
Research the current AR chart. For the money you want to spend you can buy the two pieces "upper" and "lower" and save money. If you want complete AR's: among tops are Daniel Defense, Bravo Company, LMT, Noveske, LaRue and Colt....and others- these rifles are truly battle ready and will withstand a ton. I am on my second AR. Bought a cheap DPMS first (fine no issues), Daniel Defense was 2nd rifle. Next will be a custom build probably some combo of DD, LaRue and Bravo.
 
Start with a Colt. If you don't like the AR platform, the Colt will be worth more if you decide to sell. Just saying.
 
What is the general consensus on the Daniel Defense DDXV?

I recently saw some pictures of a member's on the forums, and I must say it looks quite sexy.
 
What is the general consensus on the Daniel Defense DDXV?
Click to expand...
Daniel Defense is in the top tier with Colt, BCM, and a handful of others. Their cold hammer forged barrels are about as nice as you'll find.
 
in order:

Bravo Co.
PSA
Spike's

They have the best names for the best prices. PSA is my fav at the moment, but Bravo is probably better. PSA is just more affordable.

Mix and match an upper and lower.

No matter what you get, it wont be exactly what you want at a later date. Get a quality manufacturer and shoot it. As you learn you can upgrade or change it.
 
Build your own.

Actually, assemble your own. It isn't really building.
You just buy the parts and assemble.
You will spend a LOT less than $1300.
If required, pay a gunsmith One Hour of labor to check headspace.
 
Additional note:
Most folks buy the upper already assembled,
that's the part that would require tools and inside knowledge.
 
i'll go out on a limb here, i just bought a new rock river arms last week. i'm a newbie to ar platform rifles so, i was a little bit intimidated about "building" one. i'm sure the comments on here are dead on the money as far as building one goes though. i bought the tactical entry model. it's got a 16 inch chromoly barrel, 2 stage trigger, removable carry handle, and a limited lifetime warranty. I did read the entire warranty paperwork and basically, as long as you're not an idiot with the gun it sounds like they'll take care of things. I also called RRA about a break in period on the barrel. The gentlemen told me the barrels are hand lapped from the factory, test fired and need no break in period. it also comes with a real nice hard case. All of it for around $950. I did lots of research and rock river has great reviews from what i read.........cheers, hvychev77
 
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