Looking to purchase my first AR. I could use input/advise.

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Definitely some savings getting the upper and lower separately. So basically I could buy this:

PSA 16" 5.56 NATO 1/7 M4 Premium - With BCG and Charging Handle(upper)

and this:

PSA AR-15 Complete Lower Magpul MOE Edition - Black, No Magazine

I would still need a rear sight of course. But what about the two pins? Are they included in the lower?
 
Yes, they are included in a completed lower. You'll see when you get it how simple it all is. The pins are retained within the lower receiver, don't fall out, and usually all it takes is a push of your thumb to fully snap them in place to mate the receivers.
 
Colt 6920. After 2013 they no longer come with the carry handle included so you have to buy that if desired ($50.00 for a milspec one).
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Neo where can you find carry handles for $50? I bought a Rock River take off that was unused and it was $100. Thanks.
 
One thing that I'm surprised at so far in this thread, is why hasn't anybody asked what you want to do with the rifle? Do you want an M4gery/carbine, or a rifle? Is it for zombies or shooting small groups on paper at longer distances?

The answers to these questions will help you to determine what to buy...

Second is buy a complete upper and stripped lower. Putting the trigger group and other parts into a stripped lower takes 20-45 minutes depending on your tools and skill level. Watch some YouTube clips to get an idea.
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I have done this level of "build" a few times now. I am not the most "mechanical" person so if I can do it, anybody can. It was even kinda fun, and I'd recommend it because I think you'll get a better idea of how your rifle works/functions if you assemble it yourself.

You can buy a "lower build kit" and a stripped lower (can be found for as little as $50 or so). Then buy a complete upper and you're set. I like the look of this kit I'm a Magpul fan:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/catalog/product/view/id/1717/


Another fun thing you can do with your AR-15 is custom colors. If you buy all Magpul "furniture" in the "flat dark earth" color (aka FDE), you can dye it to create pretty much any color you want. Some people dye multiple times in different colors to create cammo patterns and what not. You can do this with the RIT dye you buy for $5 at Wal-Mart. Just do a google image search for "fde dye ar-15" and you can see some of the possibilities. I did this with my wife's rifle, she wanted it to be blue (see attached photos).
 

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Buy your own furniture to suit your needs / preferences.

Colt 6920

This one comes with furniture. Both are quality rifles that will hold their value and are within your stated budget.

Colt 6920 with Furniture

No affiliation, but have purchased here before with good results.
 
Sounds like post #6. Very good advice.
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Jimster, you are correct. I liked the idea a lot when you mentioned it. This is the route I am going to take. It'll probably be a few weeks until I have the funds put together though. Which brings up another good point to assembling a stripped lower. I don't have to buy everything at once. It can happen in stages. I am a heavy equipment mechanic by trade, so I am not too worried about assembling the lower receiver. Plus, Youtube can always come to the rescue, haha.

One thing that I'm surprised at so far in this thread, is why hasn't anybody asked what you want to do with the rifle? Do you want an M4gery/carbine, or a rifle? Is it for zombies or shooting small groups on paper at longer distances?
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David4516, I should have mentioned this in my original post. My main use for this AR will be mostly recreational. I would prefer to leave the irons on, no optics. This would really help me improve my open sight skills. Say out to 200 yards or so. Also, like I did mention this will be my first AR. So, it doesn't have to be a top of the line. And like you mentioned, It isn't rocket science to put one together. I know for a fact I will have a lot more pride in ownership if I put it together myself.
 
O.P.,

I am acquiring my A.R.'s the same way you are. I have brought Anderson's stripped lowers for $45.00 at a fall gun show. Upcoming major surgery means my builds will be spread out over several months.

The only advice I have to offer is buy at least 10 magazines while they are cheap.
 
My main use for this AR will be mostly recreational. I would prefer to leave the irons on, no optics. This would really help me improve my open sight skills. Say out to 200 yards or so.
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Ok that is very good info to work with. If you're going with irons I would avoid anything with a "carbine" gas system. I'd go with either a 16 inch barrel and mid length gas system, a full blown rifle (20 inch I think?), or a 16 inch "dissipator" style (short gas system but with rifle sized hand guards).

The reason is you get better sight radius. Should make shooting with irons easier.

http://jerkingthetrigger.com/2013/02/14/do-dissipators-make-sense/

As far as sights themselves, I'd go with the run of the mill front sight tower, and get a higher end rear sight. I have a Daniel Defense rear sight that I really like. They're pretty expensive to buy new but you can find them used on ebay, I think I paid $25 plus shipping for mine.

https://danieldefense.com/components-parts/a1-5-fixed-rear-sight.html

As for the barrel, I would go with a light or "pencil" barrel. The heavy barrels are often times still thin under the hand guards, so I don't really see what good they do. They just throw off the balance of the rifle, making it very "nose heavy". For some reason the "pencil" barrels cost more money, which seems backwards to me, as they require less raw materials to produce. But I think it's worth the extra few bucks to save weight and improve balance, unless you're just on a very tight budget.

On last thing: I'd avoid the temptation to get a quad-rail. I had one for a while and discovered that I didn't use 99% of all that rail space. All it did was add alot of sharp edges to my gun for me to slice my hands on. I went with a Magpul hand guard instead, you can attach small segments of rail where you want them, and leave the rest of it smooth.

Hope this is helpful advice.
 
My advice is to buy the nicest AR you can afford. There are many who will tell you entry-level ARs are plenty good, and that home-built rifles from parts kits are the way to go. That may be true for some, but it has never worked out that way for me. I have owned a half dozen or more ARs over the last 10-12 years. I started out going the cheapest route, and my first two ARs were assembled from kits on stripped lowers. They were mostly OK for casual shooting, but they were sometimes finicky about ammo and were never completely reliable. Ultimately, both guns suffered serious parts failures when I pushed them hard at a two-day Appleseed shoot. That led me to get rid of my entry-level rifles and invest in something serious. I ended up with a complete BCM upper and LMT lower. That rifle has been a complete joy. Even when pushed hard, it has NEVER given me trouble. So, as I said, just get something nice to begin with.

More recently, I bought a Colt 6920 in their "OEM" configuration. As someone has already mentioned above, these are mostly complete Colt M4 carbines lacking only a handguard, stock, rear sight, and triggerguard. With shipping and an FFL fee, mine still cost under $750. I bought an M4 stock and double-shielded handguard from BCM for under $50. I already had a rear sight and triggerguard, but these can also be picked up for little money. Right now, I have about $800 in a brand-new Colt. When entry-level parts kits guns can cost upwards of $600, the OEM Colt 6920 is hard to beat.
 
My 2 cents worth is to look at Spikes Tactical. I own a couple and very happy with them and they are within your price range. Colt 6920 is also a consideration.
 
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