What's the best AR for an AR noob?

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I've looked hard at a couple of Bushmasters and they were lacking the staking on the bolt. Local shop got a (new to me) brand - Doublestar, IIRC. Those looked quite nice and were about a $100 cheaper. Be interesting to see if anybody has run one enough to check quality.
 
That's funny - I have two Bushmaster BCG's, one from this year and another made in 2006 or so, and both have solid staking of the key to the carrier. On the 2009 one the staking is downright severe, like they were going overboard to demonstrate it was staked. I'm not saying you didn't see a failure, just saying I don't think it's a problem with all. Really easy to check in the store before buying.
 
The more I look at Bushmaster, the more I think they have two production lines or something. One line good, one line bad. The one our contractors carried in Iraq worked great, were staked right, absolutely no complaints.

:confused:

Ones I've seen here have poor attention to detail and some of the locals have had performance issues. Then again, couple of buddies have zero complaints.

I just don't know.
 
The Stag lower is fine. Honestly the one thing you don't need to worry about is the lower. They all come from one of I think 3 manufacturers. Basically a lower is a lower is a lower. The parts put on the lower make a difference though. Mine has the standard 6 position stock which is like all the rest. Mine also has the standard trigger group which sucks. It is something that needs replaced but too many other things are ahead of it in line.
 
I'm thinking that I need to get a Stag A2 lower or the RRA lower, just got to see which one has the better looking logo, since their practicly the SAME thing. :) I am going to get an RRA A4 standard upper with a DPMS A2 rear sight and a 1:8 SS bbl.

I don'tind if re rifle dosent have a perfect finish, I paint my rifles.

Thanks
 
Yeah the only real difference between the RRA lower and the Stag lower will be the slight color difference and if the RRA lower has the NM trigger in it if you buy them complete. Otherwise they really are all the same and you are paying for the stamp on the side.
 
I picked up a DPMS NATO Sportical for $699, and set of UTG irons for $30.

It has proven reliable in the field as well as on the square range, with commercial 223 as well as 556 NATO loads, with all types of magazines tested (D&H, C-products, Immortals, P-mags, and L5's).

Accuracy is acceptable, and the entire weight of the unloaded rifle is probably still under 7lbs.

I will probably upgrade to a better upper and sights someday, but all I require at the moment is a reliable home defense / ranch land patrol rifle, and the Sportical does those jobs very well.
 
I think I've found exactly what I want at www.rguns.net

They've got a smoking deal on the DPMS A3 SDM Rifle, it's only $1,180!!! It's got a SS barrel, bipod, A2 front sight/gas block, and a quad-rail!!!

I've never heard of this site, are these people for real, or trying to steal my money?

Thanks
 
R Guns is a real company and seems to have great deals on DPMS. I haven't personally dealt with them but they've certainly been around for a while.

I picked up a DPMS NATO Sportical for $699
Click to expand...

So NATO is so impoverished now that it's issuing the DPMS Sportical? :) The Sportical comes in two flavors but last I checked both flavors were NATO cartridges (5.56 and 7.62x51)...
 
I think that I'll pick up the DPMS A2 SDM (well I sent an email to rguns confirming the rifle is a 5.56) and a DPMS low-profile A2 rear sight

Thanks
 
My suggestion would be a 16" barrel, midlength upper, flash suppressor (not brake), flattop with BUIS, not too heavy, chrome lined with 5.56 chamber, 1:9 twist, and an inexpensive red dot on top until you get more experienced with the rifle and figure out what kind of optic you might want. An adjustable stock would be nice since you don't yet know what length of pull you'll find most comfortable, or what kind of shooting you'll prefer. That's about the most "generic" all-purpose AR I can think of, and you can take it in several different directions depending on optic and accessories.

As far as manufacturers, pretty much any reputable manufacture who provides a rifle in that configuration.
 
I appreciate the suggestion for a 16" AR, but I want a 20" AR. That's exactly what I'm thinking if I ever get a 16" upper, but I need to buy an M1 Grand before that 16" upper. :)
 
The more I look at Bushmaster, the more I think they have two production lines or something.
Click to expand...

I think Bushmaster has quietly done the same thing as Colt and set up an LE/Military line and a civilian line, with the civilian rifles getting less attention (much like the Colt Sporter rifles aren't as well done as the Colt LE rifles).

I've never owned a multi-million rifle manufacturing company, so I am not sure what the economic advantage is in having two separate lines of very similar rifles; but I guess there must be one.

I've noticed the same thing though. I examined a Bushmaster M4gery in Academy the other day and it still had the older chisel staking on it; but I've seen pictures of guys with new Bushmasters who have staking per the -9.
 
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