yes another AR question

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sola7

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I'm getting ready to add another rifle to my collection even though the misses says she'll leave me if I keep buying guns, she sure is gonna miss me. Anyway I'm looking at the Olympic ar 15. I can get it for around 780.00 out the door. Basic rifle with a solid buttstock. I really like the style and customization of the ar. Anyone have any other ideas? I would like to stay in the ar style. Also would it be to my advantage to piece one together. As always thanks for the good info.
 
You are going to get a ton of opinions. Mine is to spend a few extra bucks and get something a little nicer than an Olympic. If you want the ability to customize, make sure to get a flattop upper and not a fixed carry handle.
 
For that kind of money there are many choices. I know nothing about the Olympic other than a friend I respect for his knowledge of ARs would rather have a sharp stick than an Olympic. Sorry just passing on what I have been told.
 
Best deal out the door is an M&P15 Sport for around $600... I'd look into that. There's a thread or two on how great those have been so far out the block... the only thing missing from those is the forward assist, and a dust cover, which depending on your school of thought are do-withouts.
 
I have looked into the m&p but can't seem to find one here in the people's republic of kalifonia.
 
they can be found since they are being made with the bullet button. that said I was able to build my most recent ar-15 for less than 700 starting with a stripped lower. to stay in this budget you will need to build your upper not have some one else do it but if your good with your hands it's not too hard.
 
Olympic is a poor excuse for a rifle, they have a well-deserved bad reputation, and for 780 you can do much better. Please do some research so you don't get burned. I'm not gonna preach 'buy mil-spec!' but if you want a budget gun then pay a budget gun price. If that Oly is the only AR your local store has I suggest looking for a different store because they are asking 100-150 dollars too much for an Olympic Arms. I suggest Spike's or S&W as the minimum quality you should buy, they are generally well regarded.

Like I said, do some research before buying. I would hate to see you post a few days or a week from now about your new Olympic Arms you just brought home from the shop. Consider buying online, you will save a ton of money over local gun shop markups, which is balanced out by shipping and transfer fees so for the same amount of money spent you will have a better rifle at the end of the day.
 
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Look for good internals and forget about any brands.
'Mil spec' is an overused and oversold term.
Even 'mil spec' Colts are having some serious QC issues in the last 2 years.
Many parts of many different brands come from the same mills.
There are barrel companies that cut them for up to 3 dozen different makers, all mill spec. LOL!
 
It really depends what you are looking for. I have heard from more than a few people that Olympic rifles are very accurate. They have a reputation for not being the most reliable rifle in the world, but most of that is easily fixed. At that price, I'd be looking at other options myself, but for an accurate range rifle it probably isn't a terrible choice. Most of the hate for Oly is either second or third hand or comes from guys who push a rifle really hard. At the nearly $800 price point you have a lot to pick from.
 
Almost all ARs are accurate, it's inherent in the design, so no worries there. What the different brands will determine is the quality of materials, testing/inspection, and shortcuts taken.

I have first hand experience with Olympic Arms and it was a shoddy rifle, cast upper and lower receiver (note they don't do this anymore, they are forged nowadays), terrible FSB can't, and parts that would loosen (FCG holes oversized and out of spec, and buffer tube unscrewing).
 
Being in California complicates things for you. I've never done any business with Atlantic Firearms, but they do have whole California Legal section on their website - http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storecategory94.aspx. If nothing else, it's a good reference. The Stag Arms & Del-Ton rifles they show are priced similarly to the Olympic you're looking at. Stag, and Del-Ton aren't top end, but they're nicer than Olympic. I owned an Olympic at one time, and used to sell Stag & Del-Ton when I was in gun retail; so I do have hands on experience with those brands.
 
Thanks I may have to reconsider. I was thinking about buying online but figured it would cost more to ship to a licensed dealer. Ill have to check around. Thanks for the input on Olympic, I've heard some good but I guess more bad than anything.
 
Almost all ARs are accurate
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That depends on your definition of accurate. Most are combat accurate but many are not what I would call target accurate.
 
My Mini 14 shoots better than my neighbors Oly and he is not happy and has had trouble with customer service which is sad as they are here in our back yard. Have heard others have had good luck with them, but not me personally. Go shoot one before you buy? Better to spend more if needed.
 
as others said. There are better rifles for that money.

benzy2, what is target accurate?
 
I bought my Del-Ton for ~850 out the door, including taxes. That M&P mentioned above looks like a waaaaaay better deal.
 
I have bought 2 Palmetto State Armory lowers, several lower parts kits and many other parts. PSA is good to go.
 
Just purchased a Stag Model 3 $735, quality control appears to be very good, first range session no failures accuracy excellent using an Eotech going to install a scope to see what it will do at 100 yards,overall I'm pleased.
 
I have a Bushmaster with an 18" Douglas Premium Match barrel. It is a superb rifle. For the guy that said AR's are combat accurate, I am sure there are a ton of shooters that are shooting groups as good as most bolt guns with the exception of benchrest rifles. If you have good glass, good ammo and a great trigger, an AR is extrememly accurate. My AR shoots .5 in groups with decent ammo if I do my part.
 
Piece it together...it's fun and you can take a little more pride in it because you built it. Aero precision lower with a kit from M&A parts and you will have around 600 in it and the one i got will shoot 1 MOA. Just a thought.
 
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