Best brand/price point for first AR?

IloveTHIS said:
Title. I'm looking at getting my first AR soon. The weird thing with AR-15s and I guess guns in generally really is that you can find new AR15s from $400 to $3000. How much better is a $1000 Bushmaster from a no-name $500 rifle? Do they all pretty much have the same reliability and shooting accuracy, and it just comes down to features and looks?

itll be used just for recreational shooting one a month, and possible home defense if I need to light someone up.

What are some manufacturers to look for and avoid?

liberals need not reply
Click to expand...


What's your budget?

What type of shooting and optic set up are you looking for? Irons, reflex, red dot, acog, 1-4, 1-6, 1-8, or a higher powered scope.

Stay away from cheap stuff imo, that includes bushmaster. They do not have the same reliability or accuracy.

I recommend building one. Out of the box I recommend Colt as the cheapest option, around $800. Beyind thst you can look at stuff like lmt, bcm, etc. After that stuff like building is imo the best option.
 
A few of my friends have built really nice ARs for well under $1000. The most expensive part will probably be the optics.
 
Just bought my first AR about a month ago - Colt LE6920 Magpul Ed., just over $1000 with a case and a couple extra mags. I added a red dot for $180.

It was between that and the S&W. I think next year I will get the S&W AR-10.
 
RerouteToRemain said:
What's your budget?

What type of shooting and optic set up are you looking for? Irons, reflex, red dot, acog, 1-4, 1-6, 1-8, or a higher powered scope.

Stay away from cheap stuff imo, that includes bushmaster. They do not have the same reliability or accuracy.

I recommend building one. Out of the box I recommend Colt as the cheapest option, around $800. Beyind thst you can look at stuff like lmt, bcm, etc. After that stuff like building is imo the best option.
Click to expand...
I want to stay under 1000 unless the quality difference makes it impossible to not justify shelling out a little more.

Red dot.
 
I have a tried and true Colt, and am happy with the decision.
What to spend depends on what you're using it for. Weekend shooter, you could spend less and still achieve the desired results. Competition shooting or where your life might be on the line, spend the extra cash.
I'd opt for a chrome lined barrel if you were gonna shoot thousands of rounds down it and wanna be able to pass it down to your kids.
 
FacePunch said:
In unaltered flight it can, but it tumbles, changes direction, and loses energy after it touches something. Your comment has no bearing on shooting inside of a house.
Click to expand...

That being said, a kid was shooting nearby and managed to get a round over a huge field and through a small forest and the round still penetrated an exterior and interior wall of my parents house.
My mom was like "What was that?" while I'm trying to dig a foxhole with my teeth on their tile floor.
 
Smith and Wesson , Colt , ECT or any number of other reputable brands will be fine . Id stay away from the bottom of the barrel 4-500 dollar ARs and Rugers as they are often not milspec, and not completely compatible with standard AR parts in the case of Ruger.

Get a colt 6920 and call it a day.
 
IloveTHIS said:
I want to stay under 1000 unless the quality difference makes it impossible to not justify shelling out a little more.

Red dot.
Click to expand...

Imo the quality difference is significant. $4-500 AR's are trash. Fit, finish, quality of parts/materials, reliability, etc.

Cheapest brand I'd personally go is Aero. You could do a builder set from them.

16", Mid length gas, quality trigger, quality bcg, quality barrel. Good muzzle device as well. That will make a $1000 rifle feel like a $2000+ rifle.

I'll be able to add to this more later(part suggestions) You should start a thread in the link I provided though. It is where you will get the best responses.
 
IloveTHIS said:
Title. I'm looking at getting my first AR soon. The weird thing with AR-15s and I guess guns in generally really is that you can find new AR15s from $400 to $3000. How much better is a $1000 Bushmaster from a no-name $500 rifle? Do they all pretty much have the same reliability and shooting accuracy, and it just comes down to features and looks?

itll be used just for recreational shooting one a month, and possible home defense if I need to light someone up.

What are some manufacturers to look for and avoid?

liberals need not reply
Click to expand...




Colt LE 6920 is the best bang for the buck imo. You can get them for around a grand.


They used to be considered the best one to get some years back. My understanding is that they still are up there.
 
If I were to do it again, the Ruger AR 556 MPR kinda calls to me.
 
your first will never ever be your last, so personally i would start with a lower budget build, i suggest taking a look at PSA, they have deals that are really good.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/

their rifles aint bad, and once you get into shooting more you will keep on adding so i'd buy a cheap one first, familiarize yourself with the rifle and soon enough you would want to build your own, thats where you start with the higher ends. but then again thats what i would do.
good luck with your search and keep us updated on what you decide to get.
 
Last edited:
also, check out windham weaponry, i love the one i have. i dont see any mention of them here, am i the only one who thinks they are good rifles? lol
 
Trigger and barrel then optic. That is where you should spend your money. Not on cool handguards, rail systems, or stocks.

I will part from many others who don't want a $500 trash rifle. To me a lower is a lower is a lower. Same with the upper. Maybe the bolt makes a difference. But....meh. Take and $500 platform: Windham, Palmetto, etc. Then buy a POF/CNC/Whatever trigger. And a Vortex optic. VIOLA!~ If you want to add money, get a CHF barrel from PSA on your upper receiver. If you really want some sub MOA then grab a money barrel like Noveske.

But I can build you a rifle for $1200 that will have an optic and outshoot most of your $2000 brand name rifles. It won't be sexy but that mofo will run.

I suggest you think about building your own rifle. You will swell with pride knowing you put this thing together. It's easier than you imagine.
 
Here is a $1100 ish build that will shoot/feel like a $2000+ rifle.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...ripped-lower-receivers-5-56mm-prod113319.aspx

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...5-m4e1-enhanced-upper-receiver-prod71088.aspx

https://graniteridgeoutfitters.com/...ed-M-LOK-Handguards-Gen-2-APPG100002-GEN2.htm

15" mlok no barrel nut needed ^

https://graniteridgeoutfitters.com/...Muzzle-Device-COMBO-SALE-BA-VG6-COMBO-556.htm

16" .750" with VG6 epsilon

https://www.rainierarms.com/jp-lower-parts-kit-minus-trigger-assembly/

https://graniteridgeoutfitters.com/JMT-Saber-Single-Stage-Drop-in-Trigger-SABERTRIGGER.htm

https://www.graniteridgeoutfitters....lack-Nitride-556-Bolt-Carrier-Group-R0081.htm

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...aptor-lt-charging-handle-5-56-prod104896.aspx

https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BCM-STOCK-HARDWARE-KIT

With H buffer ^

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...rts-kits/ar-15-upper-parts-kit-prod84515.aspx

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...-tubes/ar-15-gas-tube-melonite-prod44888.aspx

Mid length ^

Btw brownells for the free shipping and $20 off of $200+ use code M8Y


Whatever stock and grip you want. I like the Magpul moe SL mil spec stock and orginal ergo suregrip


https://www.gunsmidwest.com/magpul-moe-sl-carb-stk-mil-spec-blk.html

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...ermolded-polymer-black-4005bk-874748000000.do
 
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ruger-ar-556-556-semiautomatic-rifle#repChildCatid=1364736

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/bu...with-mini-red-dot-optic#repChildCatid=1589488

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/co...-law-enforcement-carbine#repChildCatid=582102

https://www.academy.com/shop/browse/outdoors/shooting/firearms/rifles/semiautomatic-rifles--1


Or just save your hard earned money and get a HiPoint
rimg.php
lisa45.jpg
 
Alternatively, a cheaper set up basically ready to go.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-...per-with-bcg-ch-mbus-sight-set-516447488.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-...agpul-moe-edition-black-no-magazine-7065.html

On to triggers, single or 2 stage, whichever you prefer with kns anti walk/rotational pins

http://www.primaryarms.com/kns-hamm...d-2-non-rotating-154-inch-nrthpmod2-154-black

2 stage trigger

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...s/ar-15-super-dynamic-triggers-prod44068.aspx

Super dynamic enhanced ^

Code M8Y

Single stage

https://graniteridgeoutfitters.com/...ght-2-3-4lbs-4lbs-ELF-3-Gun.htm?productId=316

Straight trigger imo

Code TRIGGER15

Good muzzle device options

Tactical comp with good muzzle rise control and decent flash suppression

https://www.opticsplanet.com/precision-armament-afab-hybrid-muzzle-brake.html

https://www.opticsplanet.com/precision-armament-accu-washer-muzzle-device-alignment-system.html

VG6 epsilon is good for half the price, more muzzle control but more blast. However you can buy their cage device to combat this. Makes it similar to the afab, but you have to option to use or remove the cage.

Just epsilon

https://graniteridgeoutfitters.com/...6-Muzzle-Device-APVG100004A.htm?categoryId=-1

W/ cage

https://graniteridgeoutfitters.com/...uzzle-Device-VG6-CAGE-COMBO.htm?categoryId=-1
 
Lol, I was reading thinking WTF? Then realized there are states beyond CT, lol. So jelly of you guys that are not restricted.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
1,236,408
Messages
55,418,452
Members
174,765
Latest member
durbanik916

Share this page

Back
Top