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Help finding a first AR-15

8K views 36 replies 19 participants last post by  squekydad  
#1 ·
Hi guys (and gals!),

I'm looking to jump into the deep end and get myself an AR-15. I'm looking for a decent entry level AR-15 that's under $1000. Here are my requirements:

  1. Full build. I don't have the time, space, tools, or resources to build my own.
  2. As I said above, under $1000. I have my wife's blessing to get one but I don't want to push it and I actually like being married =).
  3. I want it in .223/5.56. The main reason I'm getting this is for home defense as well as target shooting. If I want a .22, I'll probably get a Ruger 10/22 takedown.
  4. The ability to add optics of my choice, whether RDS, flip up iron, or larger scope.

I've looked at a few, mainly DPMS and Olympic. I've been reading mixed reviews but I think I can take the risk.
Anyways, thanks in advance for your help!
 
#2 ·
DPMS, Colt (LE6920) and Smith & Wesson M&P 15 come to mind for your price range and needs.

All of those were sub-$1000 before recent panic but still above that threshold now - although dropping monthly.

You could consider holding for a few months...maybe even save a couple extra bones for an SR-556 (go FB, model 5902 - mine was 1395 pre-panic)?
 
#4 ·
I was looking at the Rugers but even if I wait, I think my price point is still stuck at $1000. How do you like it though?

On another note, I've noticed that a lot of the entry level AR's have the heat shield only and not a quad rail. How hard is it to remove that and replace it with a quad rail?
 
#3 · (Edited)
Love to help but I'm new to the AR platform. I did build my own, well I built the lower and then added a complete Spikes upper. Mine came in at right around $1K. I've also since added a complete Spikes AR-15 that I paid around $1300. Neither of these 2 options fit your requirements.

I would say be patient and maybe save up a bit more in the event that a decent rifle becomes available just above your budget. One of our LGS has had some AR-15 lately but they are requiring people to buy a $400 optic. Not a bad policy in order to keep the quick profit gougers from scooping them all up.

Also keep in mind you are on the Ruger forum and Ruger just so happens to make a rifle that some will argue is a better option than the AR-15 - the mini 14. I have both and would have no issue recommending either one to someone. You should be able to find a mini 14 for under $1000.

Oh, also if you do end up with one that has "mixed reviews", don't fret. AR-15 are like 1911 or erector sets. The possibilities are endless. You could easily go with a lower price AR-15 and then over time upgrade some of the parts as you desire and/or can afford it. Trust me you may not want to mess around with it now, but if you are like me you will develop the urge very quickly.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Both of those models will serve you fine. There are a bunch of people who insist that anything less than full mil spec isn't worth buying. They absolutely have to have "fighting" quality equipment and anything else is crap. Don't believe it for a second.

Let them buy the "fighting" grade stuff that in civilian world has a 1 in a million chance of ever needing to be used in a life threatening situation.

The chances that your "lower quality" AR15 will fail in such a situation is probably also about 1 in a million.

Your ability to keep any rifle properly maintained and keeping good ammo in your inventory has a greater effect on the reliability than most people realize.

One of the local "black rifle" stores in my area has a low end DPMS model that they specifically don't clean. The last I heard was that it has fired over 5000 rounds without any malfunctions.

I've seen high end, major brand name AR15 models have two or three jams in a range trip where only a few hundred rounds were fired.

Yup, you get what you pay for, but sometimes a person is overpaying for something they will never need.
 
#10 ·
This was my initial impression. Most of these companies wouldn't be in business if their products were THAT poor. I think for my purposes, I'm going to stick with DPMS. I've been reading more and more reviews (instead of working haha) and most people say that it's a great starting point for getting into the AR-15 world.

Thanks again for everyone and their input! Hopefully by this weekend I'll have a new addition to my collection.
 
#11 ·
I recently bought a M&P15 and am very happy with it.It doesn't have a receiver dust-cover which is only an issue if you are in combat in the desert day after day. The barrel is not chrome lined but S&W has a new coating process.
The gun saved me enough money to buy an Aimpoint optic.
 
#13 ·
I'm not an AR expert, but I've learned a few things with mine.

Setting your sights for one under $1,000 is definitely doable. But I advise looking around at different ones judging them by how they're made, not who made them. So here are somethings to consider. I wish I'd known these before I bought mine, but fortunately, I kind of lucked out.

Besides looking at fully assembled rifles, look into fully assembled uppers and lowers. AR-15's aren't like 1911's, where every part is custom fit. Most parts are interchangeable. You might find it cheaper to buy fully assembled upper/lower than a complete rifle.

Also, it would do you well to sit down and write out what you want from this rifle. Hunting? Plinking? Target shooting? Self/Home defense? Or they're so cool, you've just got to have one? Any of these are good reasons, but might change what you're looking for.

I'll cover some basics. Rail. Look for a flat top and quadrail. The old M16 handle isn't very useful and most people get rid of them. With a flat top and quad rail, you can dress up your Barbie gun any way you want.

Sights. BUIS are what I recommend. That stands for Back Up Iron Sights. Meaning, they flip down out of the way when you don't want to use them.

Barrel. What length do you want? I think the most popular barrels are just over 18" which is carbine length. You can get shorter or longer, but this is a good all around length for most of us. If you need one a different length, ask yourself why. Shorter ones are more compact. Longer ones are... well, longer. They don't really add accuracy or velocity out beyond 18". Do you need it chrome lined? Probably not, unless you live where it's really humid and/or you don't plan on cleaning your rifle properly. Chrome barrels are not more accurate than plain barrels. In fact, defects in the plating process might actually negatively impact your rifle's performance. Twist. Most 18" AR's are 1:9 twist. Some are 1:7 and some may be higher than 1:9. The lower the 2nd number, the faster the bullet spins when fired. The subject of twist can get really involved. Just know that 1:9 is a good twist for most uses.

Charging System. Most AR's use a DGI system (Direct Gas Impingement), however some use a pistol/rod/tappet system. Ruger's use this piston system. DGI systems are slightly lighter and possibly more accurate and longer lasting. Piston systems run cleaner and don't get the chamber area nearly as hot. Getting an AR too hot, can cause a round to cook-off, or fire due to heat. Unless you're rapidly firing 2 or 3 full mags without resting in between, this isn't likely to happen. But it's less likely to happen with a piston system. DGI systems advantage is that they exert straight back pressure on the bolt carrier group (BCG). Piston systems on AR's create slightly angled force on the BCG, which may impact accuracy and service life. But DGI systems blow the dirt and crud from the barrel back into the chamber/BCG area. Because of this, many AR users run them "wet", meaning they really oil them up to keep them working - again, another subject.

BCG - I highly recommend a Nickel Boron plated bolt carrier group. This is a hard, slick coating that really extends service life and reliability. You can easily buy a rifle without one and replace it later, if you choose. They're essentially a drop-in part. I added mine. I ordered it from Brownell's and it's made by Spike's Tactical. Staked gas key. Make sure your gas key (an L shaped tube that goes into the bolt area and the other end goes into the gas tube) has two bolts on it. They're subject to violent shaking when the rifle fires and will most likely become loose if they are not staked properly.

Lower. Most lowers work fine as is. Some have do-dad's that you can easily install yourself, such as ambi-selectors, etc. Your basic GI trigger, IMO, is not a bad trigger. Of course, you can always buy a better one and usually those are drop-in parts, too.

Charging handle. Most guys will replace their charging handle, since the GI version doesn't often give you a very good grip. I've put a Bravo Company charging handle in mine. YMMV

Optics: Way too much to cover in this post. Again, consider your purpose of use. Hunting? Maybe you want a scope. But most of us prefer a red dot system. Red dots allow instant target acquisition and show you where your round will hit. They also allow you to shoot with both eyes open much easier than a scope. The rule of thumb here, is that good optics aren't cheap and cheap optics aren't good. I've got an EOTech MPO III on my AR, which comes with a 3x magnifier. This magnifier will flip up/down so that you can easily use your red dot with or without it.

Co-witness. Co-witness is when you can see and use your iron sights with and through your optic. It's good to have, but not mandatory. I have flip up/down BUIS on mine and they co-witness with my red dot setup.

There is a set of 4 books written by Patrick Sweeney about AR-15's. They're available on Amazon.com. These are highly recommended. Here's a link to the first one. Amazon.com: Gunsmithing - The AR-15 (9781440208997): Patrick Sweeney: Books

Good luck and have fun. Sometimes searching and researching is half the fun of owning any firearm.

Oh, and one last thing. Don't buy a lot of one type of magazine before you verify your rifle runs well with them. Every gun is different. Most guys prefer the MagPul Pmags, but there are other makers that make good mags, too.
 
#17 ·
Although I have seen a few starting to appear on the racks in my local stores, FINDING may well be the operative word ...

Good Luck, let us know how it turns out!!
 
#18 ·
Well guys I have good news and bad news....

Good news first!

My LGS actually had a few Bushmasters and Colts on SALE. The Bushmaster and Colt already had front and rear flip up sights and were priced at $800. From my research that was a steal. They also had a DPMS for $700 and a Palmetto State for $750.

Bad news :(

My sister in law needs financial help so......there goes my new rifle. SO CLOSE! I'll probably wait until July when it's my birthday and hopefully prices will drop a little by then.
 
#24 ·
Just for some perspective, CTD is trying to sell a Colt LE6920 for $2,595! :eek:

I don't know what MSRP is for that model, but as usual, with most things from CTD, it seems priced ridiculous.
 
#25 ·
I was holding one of those at my LGS the day after the shooting in CT. It was selling for $1300. It was gone the next day when I went back to buy it.

No regrets, I ended up building my own and then lucking into a brand new Spikes, both of which I would put up against the Colt any day.

So I could buy one retail in San Diego for $1300 back in December, that puts the CTD price into perspective.
 
#27 ·
Colt AR

I bought this one from Walmart about 3 weeks ago, paid a little more than 1k, but i felt getting a Colt LE6920 was worth the money, i have since added a few accessories that i ordered from Amazon that were reasonably priced, I did step up a little on the sight & got the Burris AR 536 & very glad i did. Yesterday was the first time i have had a chance to shoot it & it is sweet. One picture shows it before modifications, they are a beautiful rifles, A few accessories makes it look very nice, i also have a front rail grip for it
Amazon.com: Burris 300210 AR-536 5x36 Sight (Black): Sports & Outdoors
 

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#28 ·
I bought this one from Walmart about 3 weeks ago, paid a little more than 1k, but i felt getting a Colt LE6920 was worth the money, i have since added a few accessories that i ordered from Amazon that were reasonably priced, I did step up a little on the sight & got the Burris AR 536 & very glad i did. Yesterday was the first time i have had a chance to shoot it & it is sweet. One picture shows it before modifications, they are a beautiful rifles, A few accessories makes it look very nice, i also have a front rail grip for it
Amazon.com: Burris 300210 AR-536 5x36 Sight (Black): Sports & Outdoors
Congrats! You've got yourself a nice rifle at a good price. I just feel sorry for anyone that buys one from CTD (cheaper than dirt, if you're not familiar with the acronym). They're charging the same price I paid for my FN SCAR 17S a couple of years ago, when they were first on the market and virtually unobtainable. Plus, the SCAR is a much better rifle than the AR, though it's roughly based on the AR platform. Just saying, a Colt LE9260 shouldn't cost the same as a SCAR. I'm not disrespecting Colt. They make my EDC weapon, my Defender .45. Colt don't make no junk! :D

(sorry, my grammar went out the window on that last sentence) :rolleyes:

BTW - nice optics! ;)
 
#29 ·
First let me say I'm not big into ARs, I keep trying but just cant seem to get warmed up to them. A shooting buddy of mine on the other hand..... I dont think he even knows how many he has. He has several of the "fighting" grade $2k and up ARs and yet the one I see him bring out the most, and the only one he has that I'v never seen malfunction even with a slidefire on it, his S&W MP15 sport that he paid $650 for new. I'm not sure if its true or not but I'm told that DPMS and the S&W ARs are the same, all made by DPMS. Another that does have my intrest still is the Sig M400.
 
#30 ·
DPMS and Remmington are both owned by the same parent company. I find it hard to believe that DPMS would build the S&W models.

Since there are only about 4 companies who forge the lower units, I could believe that DPMS and S&W "may" get their forgings from the same place...don't know if that is true, though.
 
#32 ·
You are arriving at this ball game too late.

My advice would be to wait until the current crisis has past. Get a Mini-14 instead.

Later, when Bubba needs the money to rebuild the transmission in the F-150, have a bunch of hunnert dollar bills to wave at him.

This is a good time to sell an AR-15, but not a good time to buy one.