The black rifle calleth

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Orcon

Orcon

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I keep getting this urge to buy an AR. As a man who doesn't really care for ARs, I find this to be disturbing. It all started when FN announced their Military Collectors line, I saw that flat top A4 clone and I haven't been the same since. I know that mil-spec designation does not necessarily mean that it is better than (or sometimes even equal to) commercial options, it is at least a standard that I am familiar with. In all honestly it's simple nostalgia that really makes me want the FN M16 but is that nostalgia worth the extra 600 bucks?

What are some good quality options closer to the $1000 dollar range that a guy could get into?
 
I know what you mean- I want an A2 clone. I was actually issued an M16A1, but borrowed some A2's from a friend for Ft. Ord's post rifle match. (Our A1's had been through hell-VN- and showed it.) The match was shot out to 600m, no way our A1's could even stay on the sillhouettes at that range. But were we able to at least finish in the middle of the pack after al little familiarization. The A2's were very accurate, they were still new then.
Hard to argue with the original, the FN-it's what you were issued, I'm guessing,
 
Orcon

A Colt AR15 SP1 Sporter was the second rifle I bought when I was a whole lot younger (my first rifle was a Ruger 10/22). I always wanted an AR for as long as I can remember; I even was buying magazines, magazine pouches, ammo, and even a bayonet, some time before I even could buy the rifle.

Of course back in day the Colt was the only game in town. Nowadays there's almost too many manufacturers and models to choose from. I think if I were in the market for another AR I would probably be looking at the Colt LE6920 or the Colt AR15 A4. I know, I know: old habits are hard to break.

IAIPpvy.jpg
 
Why not just build one go to gun shows buy the parts you want I built mine for under $500 I found a RRA stripped A2 upper with sights for $100. that was the start stripped
lower $50 I think i payed $200 for the barrel it took a wile for me to find a 20" one
but i was in no rush have fun i had it for a wile then sold it
 
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The relatively new Colt Trooper, model LE6920R, has been getting good reviews, and is selling in the $700-750 range. It has parts people would pay extra for already on it. Seems like a great deal for the money, and because it's a Colt, it's a true military spec gun. Also because it's a Colt, it will always have a good resale value.
 
Build one, you say? I would totally blow my budget and/or buy mismatched propriety parts if I built one.
 
There's an epic thread at AR15.com that discusses brands that have endured some really harsh conditions over time (the poster owns a range in Las Vegas, if I recall correctly). The short version is that Adams Arms (I think that was the budget one), Colt, and Daniel Defense have performed well for him.
 
do not build one from scratch, instead buy a complete lower that you want. if you want a rifle stock, get it, if not find a lower that you want or like. visit your local shop to and handle a few to see what type of lower furniture you like, then buy the one you want.

next, figure out what aesthetics and functions you want out of the top half and buy a complete upper

pin them together and you have the best of everything: a completely unique rifle that you hand picked AND components that are professionally assembled and are not all premium proprietary parts. . . .AND you are within your budget.
 
I just purchased an LE 6920 Trooper Patrol Carbine. It's not been to the range yet, so I'll withhold an official opinion. However, I will say that if it performs as well as it handles/feels it should be an absolute pleasure. Especially given the setup it came with in relation to its $700 cost.

But...... I think you said A4 was more to your liking. Not sure on total cost but I'd consider BCM A4 and the Colt AR15 A4 if a 20" A4 rifle was something I was in the market for. If not, consider the Trooper.
 
md7 said:
But...... I think you said A4 was more to your liking
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I really do prefer the rifle length to the carbine as the weight and the long sight radius seem to make it easier to shoot. The only time I qualified with a carbine, I shot a 28; it was embarrassing.

Thanks for everybody's input. I spent some time comparing the upper and lower combo packages with the features I want, now the price on the FN doesn't seem too unreasonable. Short of a build from scratch, I'd not be saving much in the end. I'll just have to save my allowance for a few more months.
 
Orcon said:
Build one, you say? I would totally blow my budget and/or buy mismatched propriety parts if I built one.
Click to expand...

It helps if you have a finished AR-15 as a reference point for your first build, but you might find the build process pretty satisfying. Lowers are pretty straightforward to assemble, and reasonably priced uppers are easily available (already assembled). Even if building isn't in the cards for you on this one, you might enjoy it for a future acquisition (and AR-15's are like potato chips... it's hard to have just one). To give you an idea on pricing within the past year:

1) I built a camping/truck gun/plinker AR-15 for myself a while back. Total cost for the completed rifle was right at $375, plus an additional $90 or so for a Troy rear sight on the flat-top upper (the rifle had an A2 style front post).

2) I just finished building a DMR style rifle. I used a match barrel (White Oak Armament), a match trigger (Geissele National Match), and sourced all of the parts individually to fit my tastes. Total build price on this one ran around maybe $1,150 (I'd have to pull receipts to know for sure -- but I could have shaved a few bucks in a few spots with some more careful shopping). That rifle should shoot the socks off of most AR-15s, but I won't know for sure until I get it to the range.
 
Jackal said:
Whatever you decide, just remember, this IS the "good ole days" of AR's. Stack'em deep while their cheap.
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No doubt. I bought my first AR-15 in the 1990's, and I've never seen the market as good for these guns as it is right now.
 
My first experience with the M16A1 was in 1980 at Fort Knox. I being a country boy easily earned an expert badge for it. After basic and AIT since I had a 19 foxtrot mos I never fired it after basic. As a tank driver my weapons were the 1911 and the M3 grease gun.
Until last year when I bought a entry level 300 AAC Blackout built by Radical Firearms a Ruger mini 14 pleased me for 223 as it was far more reliable than the finicky Colt I had trained with.
The Colts tight tolerances gave it it's accuracy but almost turned it into a laboratory tool due to the functional issues in field conditions. So far I am pleased to be an AR owner but still don't own a bulky,heavy 1911. I guess my 6 years with it were enough and I'm satisfied with my Sig 220 and XDS for 45 caliber. Best wishes
 
While building your own sounds like a fun project, there's something to be said for the immediate gratification of buying a pre-built AR, a bunch of ammo, and targets. Then blasting the targets to little shreds.
 
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