So I want an inexpensive AR.....

[heathen]

Okay guys before you give me the third degree about how it's next to impossible to get a decent quality AR on the cheap, just hear me out a second. Here's the deal, my wife who's currently in the Army reserve is having some trouble with weapons qualification. Her unit is still issued the M16A2, and I'm looking to pick up the least expensive bone stock 20" AR I can find. I know I should just save my pennies and get a Bushmaster but I don't think I could ever justify such an expensive rifle to her. So since I know nothing about the lesser expensive ARs and money is tight right now, I'm turning to you guys for help. What is the best bone stock A2 clone I can get for the cheapest money. Should I consider building a rifle or is this not all that feasible anymore? Please help me help my wife.

Thanks, Heath

 

[Black Snowman]

From what I heard the DPMS offerings are about as inexpensive as you want to go before you start losing signifgant quality and service. This is all 2nd/3rd hand but the DPMS rifles I've handled have looked and felt well made.

 

[W Turner]

I would recommend buying an inexpensive .22 lr semi-auto and finding an ammo that it likes. If you work on the basics of position, breathing and trigger control, the platform isn't as much of an issue.

If the fundamentals are sound, it doesn't matter what you are using.

W

 

[laynlow]

My Rock River A4 was 649 bucks. Hi quality and affordable. A kit rifle would save a little more or you could piece one together buying used on the AR15.com equipment exchange.

 

[Badger Arms]

I'm going to vote for the Bushmaster. Save your pennies and buy it. You'll be much more satisfied in the end. If you do go the 'kit' path, ensure you use good parts and get a Chrome Lined barrel. I'm a convert, myself, having once doubted how useful this feature was.

With the Bushy, you get what you pay for.

 

[Swamprabbit]

In my experience, about $600 is about as cheap as you are going to go to get an AR that will be reliable - and that is a used rifle price. You may just stay patient until you find someone who has one but is really needing cash and get one cheaper.

The other way to look at this is that if you buy a quality AR at a market, or below, price, chances are good that you will at least get your money back should you sell it later. This way you can buy one, shoot it for 6-12 months then sell it and come out with almost no money lost on the investment except what you paid for ammo. Sounds cheap enough for me.

 

[Bridger]

Look into getting a stripped lower and building that up yourself. Then look around for a decent upper, though you might want to get Bushmaster's govt profile barrel.

 

[VG]

You want cheap marksmanship training with an AR? See if there are any CMP affiliated clubs in the area. The CMP distributes Garands and AR15's to affiliated clubs for Civilian Marksmanship training. Many of them charge $10-20 to shoot a 50 round CMP match, and many of them have clinics with (usually) ex-military coaches to offer advice. Some let military and juniors shoot for free.

These matches build confidence rapidly. They are in many ways more difficult than the Army BRM qual requirements. Try the West Virginia State Rifle & Pistol Assoc. - http://www.wvsrpa.org/, or the CMP website - www.odcmp.com. Garryowen.

 

[Zircon]

Here's a second on the Rock River Arms recommendation. You can go to RB Precision or ADCO and get some great deals. It turns out if you buy a completely built upper and completely built lower you can get both of them for about $75 less than a completed rifle. And, of course, just insert the two pins and you have a completed rifle.

Good luck.

 

[heathen]

Guys, thanks very much for the advice.

W Turner, I agree completely with the idea of training with a quality .22 and just working on the fundamentals. In fact we have been doing that with good success.
I guess I was just looking for another reason to buy a new rifle! And I think for once she might actually go along with me in buying a new gun since it would be mostly for her.

I'm thinking at this point that I might just buy an RRA lower and possibly a model 1 upper when funds permit. What is the general concensus on the model 1 uppers? I have read of at least some bad experiences with their products. Thanks agin guys, Heath

 

[DMK]

I also agree with W Turner. If you and your wife want an AR, that's great. IMO, every American should have at least one. OTOH, if your main goal is to help your wife shoot better, get a good quality, reliable .22LR. Buy a couple thousand rounds of ammo and go shooting every weekend, practicing at different range targets. Then get some parts a little at a time and build a nice AR.

Take a look at ADCO's website. Steve has great prices, good quality products, quick service and will take care of his customers. He's my first stop for anything AR related.

www.adcofirearms.com

 

[Domino]

.223 Plinker

I've seen this Olympic Arms AR for sale at Guns-N-Stuff for $500, although I believe this model is a 16" barrel. As far as quality control I doubt that there is anything wrong with this rifle, its just a bone stock rifle without all of the extra crap and cost. I've been considering one, but like U I want the 20" barrel. 16" are kinda silly if you ask me.

 

[MacPelto]

Zircon, very nice! Can you tell us a little more about the sight setup on that bad boy?

Mac

 

[ScottsGT]

I bought my RRA upper and lower seperate and also saved about $75 in Fed. Excise Tax. RRA told me last week in an E-mail that the engineers are working on a .22LR upper. That's what I'm wanting for mine!

 

[Zircon]

Zircon, very nice! Can you tell us a little more about the sight setup on that bad boy?

Mac

The Trijicon ACOG is the TA-11F with the chevron reticle and the extra eye relief. Front iron site is GG&G, and the rear BUIS is the ARMS #40. Front rail is the light weight Yankee Hill Machine forearm. Upper is the RRA 16" varmint barrel, and lower is RRA with the 2-stage NM trigger.

At the same time I was building this rifle, I also built up a RRA-based Tactical 20 with 22" Pacnor barrel. Unfortunately I haven't shot it yet.

Believe it or not, I took the rifle rock chuck hunting in April. The illuminated reticle of the ACOG worked great in among the shadows of the rocks out to about 150 yds. Beyond that, 3.5X just wasn't sufficient magnification for something the size of a 'chuck.

 

[natedog]

Why not the best of both worlds...an AR-15 in .22LR. http://www.dpmsinc.com/22_lr.html