Suggestions for new AR

[Monster Zero]

I'm looking to get into my first AR sometime soon.

I'm hoping to get some suggestions on which ones to consider. These are the things I want:

Price point: Middle of the pack is good. Nothing wrong with least expensive so long as the quality is there. Don't want "cheap". Pricy is absolutely ruled out, i.e. Colt, Sig.

Barrel: Prefer 16", would consider 18".

Sights: I want TOTAL FLAT TOP so I can put my own iron sights on, front and back - with a great big ol' ghost ring aperture. If there's a flip-up/flip-down feature with two apertures then so much the better. I'll probably go to an optical sight later, after I've accumulated all the other stuff to go with it:

Upper/Lower changeability: It would be nice if I could at some point get a new upper for a new caliber, i.e. .300 blackout, etc. However I might consider giving this requirement up for a nice unit otherwise.

Mil-spec standard: I prefer a manufacturer that remains true to Mil-spec, although I'd consider a nice unit that departs from mil-spec. (Case in point, the Savage recon whateveritis that is total flat top with flip up sights front and rear.)

I've looked at the Ruger, Savage, and Eagle Arms. My understanding is Eagle Arms is a mil-spec unit and the Ruger and Savage are not. I did like the Savage though. Nothing against the Ruger, I suppose, except the fixed front sight.

Anyway, open to discussion, and all suggestions are appreciated. TIA.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

All standard ARs will allow you to swap out uppers.
I’m not sure who told you Ruger and Savage aren’t mil spec. I’ve never heard that.

For a factory gun Smith and Wesson are a great value. Good first AR, and support from a great company.

Another option I like is PSA but you have to snap the upper to the lower. Catch a “blemish” lower on sale and you’ll get a killer deal. They have lots of options as far as furniture and uppers so it’s just finding what you like and want to spend.

There are tons of other options but for a first AR I’d say don’t spend a lot. Get one. See what you like, what you dislike then get it what makes the most sense.

My first one I thought I got what I wanted. Sold it. The second I picked together via a PSA lower and upper. I’m wrapping up a full custom build and now planning number four as I enjoy them so much.

So welcome to the club and be warned they’re not called adult Legos for no reason.

 

[imashooter]

I'd consider this Colt CCU "mid-priced" in the great scheme of things. hard to beat this for the price. https://gunprime.com/product/colt-combat-unit-m4-carbine-5-56-16-1-mlok-30rd-le6960-ccu/


https://www.colt.com/Catalog/Rifles/Colt-Combat-Unit-Carbine

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Palmetto State Armory has had some 18" stainless free-floated uppers that have REALLY tempted me from time to time. They make me want to build a Mk 18 clone, and I don't even want a Mk 18 clone.

Something like this. PSA offers a million different variants of it, and they all go in and out of stock depending what's on sale, but they all sell for $300-$350 with a bolt included.

This is the weekend sale right now, $370 for the upper and a set of flip up sights. If you don't want them, wait a few days and I guarantee that something similar without sights will be on sale for a little cheaper.



http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-...er-with-mbus-sight-set-bcg-ch-5165447683.html

Among factory rifles, the Savage wouldn't be a bad choice at all.

 

[SamT1]

Check out the radical firearms line from primaryarms.com they are a really good value if your an online shopper.

You really can’t go wrong. If you have a local store with good selection I’d go handle a bunch. There’s a local to store to me (abilene, TX) that has 25 ish different ones on the shelf from 400 to 2500? They are priced right and the guys at the counter can walk you through any of them you want to talk about and probably coach you on what to buy with your budget and end goals. It’s hard to find a store like that, but they are out there.

 

[SharpDog]

Hardened Arms. I have one of their uppers and it's great. Great price and the Melonite finish is very good. They also sell uppers in many of the popular calibers. Rifles start at $550:

AR15 Rifle Upper Assembly:

• Hardened Arms M4 Feed Ramp Flat Top Receiver
• Black anodized mil-spec finished upper receiver
• Feed ramps for increased feeding reliability on barrel and upper
• Laser etched T-Marked upper receiver
• 4150CMV Mil-Spec Steel 5.56 Barrel Machined In House
• Black Melonite Finish
• 1/9 Barrel Twist
• Chambered in 5.56 NATO (will also fire .223 ammo)
• 16" M4 Profile barrel with M4 Extension
• .750" diameter at gas block
• 1/2x28 threaded muzzle/barrel
• Low profile gas block
• Barrel dimpled to secure gas block
• Carbine length gas system
• A2 flash hider
• HD Quad Rail free float 10" hand guard without end cap

Hardened Arms Forged Lower:

• Mil-Spec 7075 Forged Lower
• Mil-Spec Dimensions
• Mil-Spec Lower Parts Kit Installed
• M4 Collapsible Stock Installed
• Works with all standard AR15 magazines

https://www.hardenedarms.com/ecCat_43-

 

[Cayce Charles]

Check out J&G sales and Classic Arms. Both have sales going on..........actually I THINK CDNN also has some great prices. This is, price wise, a great time to be looking for a AR.

I personally am not a AR fan having used both the AR and M14 in Vietnam.

 

[MistWolf]

Price point:...Pricy is absolutely ruled out, i.e. Colt, Sig.

Currently, Colts are not pricey. If I were in your shoes, I'd grab that CCU imashooter posted a link to. If I didn't have to let the credit cards cool off after some expensive auto repairs, this post would be "Thanks, imashooter! Just ordered one!"

 

[someguy2800]

One thing I've noticed looking at AR's in stores is that adding a free float handgaurd with a rail on the top apparently doubles the cost of the rifle for some reason. So if your going to buy something off the shelf and you are at all handy I would consider buying a $400 S&W or the like on sale somewhere and put the handgaurd and flip up sights of your choice on it.


Or just pick out a complete upper and lower of your choice with the hardware you want on PSA's website and order them.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

One thing I've noticed looking at AR's in stores is that adding a free float handgaurd with a rail on the top apparently doubles the cost of the rifle for some reason. So if your going to buy something off the shelf and you are at all handy I would consider buying a $400 S&W or the like on sale somewhere and put the handgaurd and flip up sights of your choice on it.


Or just pick out a complete upper and lower of your choice with the hardware you want on PSA's website and order them.

The varying prices on free float handguard is insane. Some cost as much as a complete upper. Others aren’t so bad.

IMHO the S&W is a great value on a solid gun. And if OP doesn’t like it between the low initial cost and the S&W name it should hold value if bought at a good price.

 

[Jesse H]

What are your plans with the gun?

 

[someguy2800]

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/uh...132582253&mc_cid=cdb1fe9531&mc_eid=f7caf70a51

 

[Fleetman]

Using Bear Creek uppers and New Frontier lowers, its simple to assemble a fleet of them. Top is 7.62 x 39mm and the bottom .300 Blackout;