AR-15

[Jcalder]

I've kinda got a hankering for an AR. I'm pretty ignorant on them so what brands should I stay away from. What brands should I look at. I'm not looking for anything over a grand. I know people build them but I have no idea what's available and what isn't. I did look at some psa uppers, lowers, and complete rifles but I'm just not sold on it yet. Some advice would be greatly appreciated. And yes, I know this isn't the right time to be buying one.

 

[RUGER]

Good luck!

 

[Antler Daddy]

You might be able to just pick one up off the ground after a battle.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Last I checked there were still some available out there. Really what you decide on should depend on the purpose you intend to use it for. Rural king has had some very good deals online, however I have not checked their stock status lately.

Great thing about them is they are easy to upgrade, granted you can find the parts.

 

[Tenntrapper]

I think it would mostly depend on your intended use. I'm not in to ARs, they just don't do anything for me. However, I've had a few of the less expensive ones, and one really nice one. The less expensive ones were the DPMS, and S&W brands. The "nice" one was a Windham Vex SS. Two completely different intended purposes...and weights.
You like piddling with guns, you might try getting a lower and build what you want. Just my .02 cents.

 

[TNhunter]

Go with PSA they're good to go. You'll get more for your money with them.

 

[Jcalder]

You might be able to just pick one up off the ground after a battle.

If it ever honestly comes to that that would be my plan.

 

[duckriver]

I've got a few and are around a lot of them. The 2 best imo bang for the bucks right now are the iwi Zion-15 and the sig tread coil. I just got the coil and a buddy got the Zion and we've done a fair amount of shooting the last little bit with them. The are both excellent for the price point.
I've also got one I built. It's my favorite but off the shelf those 2 beat the M&P 15 I had and are better than my dads Ruger Ar- 5.56
The Ruger and m&p are about the same

 

[philsanchez76]

Im not an AR guy so I don't know about brands etc. But there isa gun show in Lebanon coming up in the next week or so. I went to the last one in early December and they had plenty of ARs

 

[Remington700]

Depends on the quality you want and what you want to spend. If I were buying I would want a Colt 6920 or 6940. Although they will be a premium since Colt has stopped making them. I would also look at a BCM. These are high quality AR's. There are several good ones out there.

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

Palmetto State for the money.
Look at wikiarms too. There's still some out there.
Remember ammo is at a premium too. So factor that into your budget.

 

[TheAirMan]

Unless you just want the fun of building it, you won't save much if you are just wanting something basic. Palmetto has a completed upper and lower parts kit for $500. There stripped lower will run you a little over $100 now. They will get you with tax and maybe shipping on the lower. I've seen the M&P's online for $700 lately. Also, the m&p will come with a rear sight. I'm pretty sure the palmetto wont. Now how they compare to each other quality wise, I cant really say. As stated before ammo will probably be double what it was, if you can find it. Also, allow some in the budget for some extra mags.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Cannot speak for psa stuff, have no first hand experience with them. Aero precision is very good especially for their price point.

If you can find one, rock river was at one time very good, my varmint model is still one of the most accurate rifles I own.

If looking to build one, would look at ballistic advantage barrels. For the money, they are hard to beat imo.

 

[duckriver]

My next will be either a POF or FN. I've always loved FN guns

 

[MUP]

Just a side note, PSA offers free shipping on certain items from time to time as well. I've taken advantage of it a few times in the past.

 

[Huntaholic]

PSA is good to go! Probably the best value out there honestly. Ive got or had pretty much all the brands out there and PSA is as good as any and better than most.

 

[PossumSlayer]

Psa held up great on the YouTube meltdown videos.

 

[Crow Terminator]

That's sort of the allure of an AR, they are pretty much the same and most all accessories are drop in and fit all brands. It more the less comes down to how you want it to look, aka how customizable you make it. They all break down the same way. They all take the same mags. Well, at least for the 223/556. That is probably the biggest difference, the calibers IMO. Some companies have tighter tolerances and higher end accessories on them out of the box and some you are just paying for the name brand. PSA makes good stuff for the price. Radical brand ain't bad for the price either. Any of them are inflated prices right now and expect to pay right around $1 a round for FMJ 223/556 ammo right now. I almost would like to have one in .308 or at least 7.62x39 but that ammo is hard to find too.

 

[Bigswede3423]

I'll echo PSA. I've built two using their stuff and it's good with good pricing. I would definitely buy from them again.

 

[Wildcat]

If you can find one, rock river was at one time very good, my varmint model is still one of the most accurate rifles I own.

Mine too, best varmint gun I have. I also have a few "defense" AR's.

Might want to check out Classic Firearms. They have different brands coming in all the time and offer good prices.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Might want to check out Classic Firearms. They have different brands coming in all the time and offer good prices.

Just got an email this morning from classic. They have a good variety in a wide price range.

 

[WTM]

PSA makes some pretty good entry level with the freedom line, probably better than the mp sport 2. at least the forearm grips come with heat shields. i ran both pretty well here while back. no jams with mixed ammo and accurate enough to kill in a defense situation. keep in mind that most of these entry level rifles are over gassed but managable if you know how to shoot one correctly or fit an adjustable gas block.

myself i like the a2 style even with a red dot or whatever.

 

[Jcalder]

My main objective is gonna be a defense gun. I'm not looking to deer hunt with it but may coyote hunt. I like the fact I can get an adjustable stock to fit me, the kids, the wife, and anyone else without changing stocks. I'm not so sure I'll set it up with a scope but I'll probably do some type of red dot.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

I'll be the 3rd to recommend Rockriver. They are pricey but mine will cloverleaf at 100 all day long. Of course if your looking for a more defensive rifle vs a hunting rifle, that might not be as important. I'll also agree that PSA is a great gun for the price.

 

[backyardtndeer]

My main objective is gonna be a defense gun. I'm not looking to deer hunt with it but may coyote hunt. I like the fact I can get an adjustable stock to fit me, the kids, the wife, and anyone else without changing stocks. I'm not so sure I'll set it up with a scope but I'll probably do some type of red dot.

Any 16 inch carbine will work for that purpose. Classic actually had a couple in stock that might interest you. I have no first hand experience with either though. Heard kinda mixed reviews on the diamondback. The JRA is supposed to be pretty decent but both are in stock and under a grand.

 

[duckriver]

Mine too, best varmint gun I have. I also have a few "defense" AR's.

Might want to check out Classic Firearms. They have different brands coming in all the time and offer good prices.

Agreed. The one I built has a rock River upper. It's a tank

 

[Huntaholic]

PSA freedom line is a dandy entry level AR that will serve you well. If you step up in their lineup you can get chrome lined barrels. In fact they use FN barrels on some of their higher tier stuff and nobody makes a better barrel than FN. I own ONE complete factory rifle, a Colt 6920. Out of all the ones Ive got or had, the Colt is the sloppiest fit, least accurate AR Ive ever had. If things keep going and they keep rising in price I will sell it and the Acog on top of it for the right price.

 

[Jcalder]

Any 16 inch carbine will work for that purpose. Classic actually had a couple in stock that might interest you. I have no first hand experience with either though. Heard kinda mixed reviews on the diamondback. The JRA is supposed to be pretty decent but both are in stock and under a grand.

I looked at the jra. By the looks it's close to what I want and doesn't break the bank. The iwi mentioned earlier has my interest as well, since I like the hand guard that it has, but also has a chrome lined barrel.

 

[Jcalder]

PSA freedom line is a dandy entry level AR that will serve you well. If you step up in their lineup you can get chrome lined barrels. In fact they use FN barrels on some of their higher tier stuff and nobody makes a better barrel than FN. I own ONE complete factory rifle, a Colt 6920. Out of all the ones Ive got or had, the Colt is the sloppiest fit, least accurate AR Ive ever had. If things keep going and they keep rising in price I will sell it and the Acog on top of it for the right price.

I'm leaning heavily to the psa. Very few complaints out there on them.

 

[EastTNHunter]

I'll agree on PSA. Good stuff for the price