I don't really know a whole lot about ARs and wanted to get a few more opinions from some that are knowledgeable in this area. I have been looking around at my ar options quite a bit lately then i Was considering building one but don't think I'm going to go down that road just yet. I've been looking for a 16-in free float barrel with a mid-length gas system so something pretty standard but I wanted it to be as lightweight as possible and I'm not too worried about the trigger as I plan on upgrading it regardless. I was looking at some of the ones marketed as ultralights with the pencil barrel and the carbon fiber but that's a little out of the budget. Would like to try to keep it in the $800 range what would you guys recommend? I also considered putting a 300 hamr barrel on it in the future, but who knows. Thanks
AR recommendations?
- Thread starter NChunt1
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In that price range, I think I would sort through the Palmetto State armory rifles, or look at aero precision complete rifles. While I don't personally own psa, I have heard nothing but good things about them. I have had a fair bit of experience with aero and ballistic advantage barrels and parts though, and haven't ran across one yet that I could not get to shoot well. Rock River has some "value" rifles, but not sure they have anything that fits what you are looking for in that price range. Back when I bought my first one, their varmint rifles were incredibly accurate.
There seem to be several good deals available right now. I like the PSA suggestion for your budget, but I would stay away from BCA.
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For $800, look at BCM Cosmetic Blem uppers (then just buy a built PSA Lower) or IWI Zion Z15. Those are going to be two of the best quality factory-built AR15s for under $1000
J.A.F.O.
Well-Known Member
All of the priors mentioned will perform well at your price range and most of the others will too. I would recommend to save enough to get your rifle then at least the same amount or a little less (no more than half) for your optics. Swamp Fox lpvo's and honestly all of them, are hella bang for your buck.
Palmetto State Armory upper and lower.
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I really like the Ruger AR556, and the PSA models are also very good quality starter rifles.
Make sure you pickup at least a couple hundred rounds to go with it.
Make sure you pickup at least a couple hundred rounds to go with it.
But once cry once lwrc
That's if you want to buy a turn key dead reliable gun that comes with everything you need
That's if you want to buy a turn key dead reliable gun that comes with everything you need
Ruger AR-556. Love mine and I have others that cost more. I'd definitely buy another.
For an AR I would echo the opinions of getting an upper and lower, as well as bcg and charging handle, from PSA. You can pay just about as much as you want for one out there these days, but if you're wanting super precise accuracy, that would be more in line with buying a bolt gun, IMO. AR's, for my use, are multiple round firepower weapons. Ymmv
My advice, don't get suckered in to name brands. All lowers are the same. Spend your money on a good upper with a quality BCG (bolt) and barrel. As far as furniture, less is more. Get a Vortex red dot and a good light….done. Name brands don't stop threats. A well trained YOU and a tool that goes bang does.
$700 will get you a very nice rifle.
$700 will get you a very nice rifle.
Decide what range of bullet weight you want to shoot then you can decide who offers that twist rate , been happy with my BM, not sure I ever read that all lowers are just alike, reckon I aint read enough lol. I don't want a polymer lower just to save weight ymmv
This. If you're not familiar with AR's, PSA will fill the bill for a new AR owner.
Might as well just watch the classifieds here and try to get one that's within your budget. If you are a normal human being you will want to make changes, or maybe even sell it and buy something else. So just jump in and get started. 
I'll offer a couple of tips for a first timer and others can offer theirs….
If you are going to put an optic on it, buy a flattop or an optic ready that doesn't have that tall front sight post.
Buy a 5.56. Don't buy some designer caliber that you won't be able to afford to feed. 5.56 and .223 ammo is as cheap as you are going to get.
I'll offer a couple of tips for a first timer and others can offer theirs….
If you are going to put an optic on it, buy a flattop or an optic ready that doesn't have that tall front sight post.
Buy a 5.56. Don't buy some designer caliber that you won't be able to afford to feed. 5.56 and .223 ammo is as cheap as you are going to get.
Better yet would be to go with one with a 223 Wylde chambered barrel. They can withstand the higher pressure of the .556 ammo, but will yield better accuracy.
Omega
Well-Known Member
Another vote for PSA, great barrels and very good builds. You can upgrade parts later when you figure out what you want to upgrade, then get into building your own. The brand names are good, but you pay for the name, with not much more than that to show for it.
Swampster
Well-Known Member
Forget it and step up to .308. Will do anything the 223 will and more when you need (want) it. Still have good ammo availability and selection. I don't know if anything in that price range would be desirable - spent about 3X that.
Depends on what you want to do. I have a couple in 308's and 6.5 cm's, and they have their place, but are also a good bit heavier. Original poster appeared to be looking for an AR15.
Midsouth has had some really good deals on delton "completion" kits. I have no first hand experience with them, but have heard pretty positive reviews.
I have a PSA ar15 upper and lower in 556. Then I have a 6.5 grendel BCA upper side charging ar15 with a PSA lower .Then an AR10 .308 BCA side charging upper with a BCA lower. Probably gonna change out the trigger at soem point. Love them all 3. Agree with @Swampster step up to a ar10 in .308 (It is heavy) can get all size mags for it. I carry 10 round mags for hunting have a couple 5 rounders too. Really like the side charging models from BCA. Also agree not all lowers are identical. Many have different trigger configurations and some different mags just don't work right. I know some of y'all don't like BCA but I've had nothing but good experiences with them. As with all of them. Give them a good going over when you get it done checking all the push pins and nuts,
DC219
Well-Known Member
I just bought a Ruger SFAR chambered in .308 with a 16 inch barrel and have been very happy with it. The weight is very close to that of my M-4 platform and it's very accurate with a variety of factory loads, as well as hand loads. Its cycled everything I've put through it without issue. I've settled on a 130 grain Barnes ttsx handload that will make a great all around big game load.
Crappieaddict
Well-Known Member
I'll throw in a vote for PSA, however, I would never personally own one of those super dangerous "Assault Rifles." I think that only the police and military should have them……I almost got through all of that with a straight face! 
I have a smith and Wesson sport that I like a lot. I also built a PSA rifle. It's very nice. No issues what so ever. They usually have some pretty dang good deals on blemished guns. That's what I bought. I couldn't find anything wrong with it at all
I wondered how those would do, time will tell. The Remington r25 gen 2 was also lighter and shorter than the standard dpms platform. They sold a bunch of them, but they weren't compatible with the standard dpms uppers and even the barrels were different. I considered building one, but then thought I really prefer having the options of the standard dpms platform. Whatever way a person goes, ar's can be built or upgraded to be extremely accurate.
Del-Ton makes a nice rifle. Especially for the money.
I'm going to pick one up in a 20". Looks like a fun platform.
DC219
Well-Known Member
If you watch YouTube, you'll see a number of cycling issues. I think the first run of them didn't have the gas block ironed out. Apparently, they've changed that. I bought it knowing I may have to get the new part from Ruger. The rifle I got is a winner. Most surprising is the consistency between different ammunition.
