Which AR ?

[Walkalong]

I need to replace my AR-15. I have none at the moment. I want an entry level type AR. Nothing real fancy. Oly Arms makes one. I have shot one of these recently and liked it, although it has no good way to attach optics. I know you can mount a rail to the carry handle, but don't care for that method. Rock River Arms makes a couple that look interesting as well. The AR1200X, but I want a standard stock, the AR1225X, the AR1205X really interests me with its rail/sight setup like the AR1229X, but again, I would want the "entry stock"(plain standard stock)
Their AR1215X, is about like the Oly plain rifle, but around $300 more. Is it worth that much more. What other AR's should I consider? Thanks. AC

 

[Sry0fcr]

Just so I can be the first to say it... Assemble a better rifle for less money. Heh.

 

[Shadowangel]

Yep. I built my own with zero experience. Used a Doublestar stripped lower, and a carbine kit from J&T Distributing. Works amazingly well, wasn't hard to assemble, and turned out exactly how I wanted it, piece for piece. All for about $600, and higher quality than the Olympic Arms models I tried out while deciding what to buy.

 

[Roadwild17]

Dont get an oly, they arent trully Mil-spec. Go with a Bushmaster, Colt, Rock River, DMPS, or stag.

 

[Walkalong]

Yep. I built my own with zero experience. Used a Doublestar stripped lower, and a carbine kit from J&T Distributing.

Links?

 

[Lonestar.45]

IMHO, the best way to get into a good quality AR, without building, is to buy a complete lower and a complete upper separately and just pin them together. That's what I did.

At the last gunshow I picked up a Stag complete lower for $245. They also had Rock River complete lowers for $230 (this is with the 6pos collapsible stocks). Another vendor had complete uppers in all styles in the $450-$500 range, all Rock River and Bushmaster stuff. If you do it like that you can get a RRA or Bushmaster quality rifle for around $700.

If you don't get any gunshows in your area, go to PK Firearms http://www.pkfirearms.com/store/start.aspx and pick out a complete upper. You'll be able to get a Bushmaster, RRA, or DPMS delivered to your door for around $500 or less, depending on what you want. (I bought the Bushmaster Superlight Upper w/flat top from them and I'm very pleased).

Then find a complete lower somewhere. RGuns.net usually has DPMS complete lowers in the $200-$220 range. Get it shipped to your local FFL, pay a transfer fee, and for around $700 you'll have a great gun.

Del-Ton http://www.del-ton.com/ also has complete uppers, many for around $400. Snap that onto a complete lower and save even more, and you'll still have a very quality gun. There's lots of ways to do it. Whatever you do, don't limit yourself to the prices and selection your local brick and mortar shops, you'll be selling yourself short if you do. Good luck.

 

[ChrisMG]

If you're looking for a complete rifle the S&W MP15 rifles are great. I just purchased a MP15T (not quite an entry level AR) and am extremely happy with it.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Get a complete upper from somewhere like this.

http://mooneysfirearms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=50

or www.aimsurplus.com.

Stag Arms is the way to go for your upper. The best quality for the money.

Then get a complete lower of some type (doesn't even have to be Stag Arms) at a gun show or gunstore.

You should be able to do it for around $800.

 

[kentucky_smith]

www.jtdistributing.com

 

[Walkalong]

Something like this?

What about the bolt carrier assembly etc. Wouldn't I be better getting it matched to the upper, and how do I know if it is matched to it or it just has one with it?

 

[RSVP2RIP]

I think that when you buy an upper it should have a matched bolt in it. Other wise you have to get reamers and guages and that gets expensive unless you rent. But you can't do it to chrome lined barrels...just get an upper or barrel that has a bolt with it.

 

[kentucky_smith]

New upper, new bolt, you're good to go. They'll wear in together. Barrel is already headspaced.

 

[glockman19]

I got a Stag.

Complete rifles:
http://www.lanworldinc.com/Stag Arms.htm
Upers:
http://www.lanworldinc.com/Uppers.htm
Lowers:
http://www.lanworldinc.com/Uppers.htm

Chris is a great guy call him 801-878-4880

 

[hrgrisso]

Dpms

DPMS Entry level rifles are 715. For the time and hassle not to mention a warranty, if you can get it for MSRP or less, go for that!

 

[kennyboy]

I love my RRA Entry Tactical. I have fired about 500 rounds out of it so far without a problem. It is very accurate and of high quality.

 

[10-Ring]

I really like my RRA but if you're truely on a budget, check out moel1sales.com

 

[Walkalong]

Not on a budget, just want to spend it wisely.

 

[Shadowangel]

I got the Doublestar lower off the ar15.com equipment exchange. was $100 shipped. Just search for doublestar in the EE, and you should find it.

The kit I got from http://jtdistributing.com/store/kits_car.html Includes everything but the stripped lower. Assembling the lower is a piece of cake if you have any mechanical aptitude at all. I actually enjoyed it, and have helped friends assemble a couple of them now.

Edit: Seems Doublestar lowers are sold out at the moment, but I got mine from this guy - http://www.kisermunitions.com/?page=shop/browse&category=lowerreceivers_doublestar. They're great lowers, though. Good finish, excellent fit, well made.

 

[KC&97TA]

Don't go the "Buy it all in one piece CHEAP Route". Please do your self that favor. Build it your self from a stripped lower and a fully assembled upper.

The Nice thing about an AR-15, is you can build it piece by piece and spread out your payments for as long as you want. CMMG Lower $128, Quality RRA Lower Parts Kit $70, but stocks are all pretty much the same, till you get to a 88 possition adjustable, a standard 4 position is as good as a 6, so $50 for a 4 position adjustable or a fixed A2 stock... the Upper is the most expensive part to the puzzle, go with a quality Upper for sure, my NM Rock River Arms holds less than 1 MOA @ 1000 yards, my other Tactical Entry holds less than 1 MOA at 750 yards on a 16" barrel. The NM upper was around $700, the Tactical Entry was around $560.

I spread my 2 AR builds over almost a years time. I never would have done this except I'm in a Communist State were I can't buy a real AR off the shelf.