AR-15 style rifle help

[I shoot from da hip]

I'm interested in getting an AR style rifle. I've fired a few over the years..from a stock Colt to a Troy Defense more recently. I am not experienced enough to know which would be good to start with...style, caliber, etc. There are way too many brands and options, so I'm relying on you guys that have more experience and some good input on which would be good for a beginner, but something I won't get bored with. I want something affordable. Looking to spend between $800 - $1200 for a reliable, fun to shoot, solid rifle. If anyone is aware of any package deals going on maybe with a scope or has any good advice for a novice on these types of rifles, please share. I have a friend who has built a few, so I'm curious what everyone thinks on the buy vs build idea.

 

[JamieZ]

My first gun was an RRA 223, for like 1200 dollars. Then as a novice I decided to build one, then another, then another. Building them is a cake walk. As far as which caliber to purchase,,,Ive got 2-223's, a 6.8 and a 204. The gun I love the most because of the caliber is 204. Its a super fast flat shooting little bullet with excellent accuracy.

I built 2 high end guns which to me includes a high end barrel and a good bolt. Went with Lilja for the barrels and dont remember the names of the bolts. Some high end parts that make them prettier but not function any better,Billet Seekins parts. Also put Geissele triggers in each one of them.

 

[JamieZ]

You can build better than you can buy,,,just an FYI

 

[kev74]

If you're not very particular and just looking for something to play with, you can find a nice rifle for close to half of your budget. Check out gun.deals for an idea of whats available.

For my first, I bought a receiver and a rifle kit. By putting everything together myself, it gave me a good understanding of how the gun works.

 

[MilesTeg]

As hinted to above, first question would be are you looking to build or buy?

 

[UltraT]

I'd go with 5.56 for the first one, just for the novelty of it being the original round for the AR15, but there's lots of good AR calibers out there.

Like @meketrefe says, all the mechanical accuracy comes from the barrel, chamber, and bolt-chamber lock up (and I guess muzzle device sometimes). All the other stuff is for ergonomics, attachments, or cosmetics. And of course you'll want good sights to make the most of the accuracy. A good trigger also makes a big difference in you being accurate.

 

[dwa12479]

Build it. Then you get one the way you want it the first time. They're not hard to do.

 

[I shoot from da hip]

thanks for the feedback so far. gun.deals does have some decent deals on there. That makes it easier to decide. Maybe I should just spend less for my first one to get my feet wet and practice? I'm torn...I feel like I should take advantage of my friend's knowledge and have him help me build one.

 

[Jem45472]

First, need to decide between a fixed mag or featureless rifle. For the first ar, definitely go for 5.56, the other calibers can come later. Buy a stripped lower, and your choice of assembled uppers or a rifle build kit from psa. You can build something nice within your budget.

 

[meketrefe]

Look at the local deals that dealers might buy bulk thus better prices. You will find amazing prices on RRA, stag, troy, cmmg, etc.. and alike.
Brands do not mean much but the internals is what matters.
Also I would consider staying away from the M4 tacticool style cut barrels, carbine gas ports and standard handguards
as one can easily and inexpensively add a more reliable and versatile mid length with an affordable floating handguard.
The good thing about some of those brands is that they have nice mid budget offerings and necessary points of inspection (QA) during assembly.
So one doesn't need to go to fancy brand names or expensive receivers and rails to get virtually the same functionality or even better.
You could also build or get a nice complete upper and the lower is like building a lego but I would also stay away from the cheapest
kits that do not give the quality and reliability of other options. Cheap becomes more expensive over time.

Or talk to the @bulletguy here and he will set you straight with something cool.

Remember the outer brands mean something but also might mean nothing.

Critical components that are the beating heart of the AR and Direct Impingement system are
-Quality barrel and stay away from carbine porting and M4 type cuts.
-Quality gas block group.
-Quality Bolt and Carrier.
-A nice trigger will give you an edge for accuracy work.

The rest of the parts are secondary. They are just a shell as soon as they are up to spec many good receivers
and rails. I would only add a decent well priced floating rail/handguard just because it gives so much
more versatility. Something that is well ventilated to allow heat to scape yet it will protect your hands
from the heat should it come to rapid fire needed.

Good luck.

 

[meketrefe]

First, need to decide between a fixed mag or featureless rifle. For the first ar, definitely go for 5.56, the other calibers can come later. Buy a stripped lower, and your choice of assembled uppers or a rifle build kit from psa. You can build something nice within your budget.

Hi Jem, that would be if the BS SAFE restrictions apply to him. We don't know.
PSA kits are a hit and miss situation like many other kits from other retailers so I would not suggest this route for a firs time AR shooter.

 

[I shoot from da hip]

Hi Jem, that would be if the BS SAFE restrictions apply to him. We don't know.
PSA kits are a hit and miss situation like many other kits from other retailers so I would not suggest this route for a firs time AR shooter.

how do I know if this applies to me?

 

[meketrefe]

how do I know if this applies to me?

Several possibilities:

Do you live in NY State?
Would you keep the Rifle in NY State?
Are you Law Enforcement or other privileged class?
Do you have a registered lower as so called AW with NYSP?
Does anyone care about NY SAFE in your area including you? Legally a Dealer needs to comply
with SAFE restrictions.

 

[I shoot from da hip]

Several possibilities:

Do you live in NY State?
Would you keep the Rifle in NY State?
Are you Law Enforcement or other privileged class?
Do you have a registered lower as so called AW with NYSP?
Does anyone care about NY SAFE in your area including you? Legally a Dealer needs to comply
with SAFE restrictions.

FML

 

[speedkills27]

You can build better than you can buy,,,just an FYI

+1

 

[Bananabandit]

Build it. I have about $700 into a rifle and a half. Yes...a full rifle plus the full lower. Nothing special though.

 

[Frankly]

Happy to sell you a decent upper and Leupold scope for $500, all you need is a built lower and bolt carrier group ($300-$400) and have yourself a nice rifle.

 

[meketrefe]

FML

sorry not sure what FML means ??

 

[I shoot from da hip]

sorry not sure what FML means ??

FUAC my life

 

[I shoot from da hip]

Happy to sell you a decent upper and Leupold scope for $500, all you need is a built lower and bolt carrier group ($300-$400) and have yourself a nice rifle.

got pics?

 

[Marine Cpl]

The easiest way for a newbie is to buy a complete upper shipped to your door and a lower to your FFL. Buy the complete upper with the handguard and barrel of your choice.

As far as fixed mag or featureless, with featureless, you can actually retain the rifle's function as designed. Any malfunction is quickly remedied by dropping the magazine.

 

[meketrefe]

FUAC my life

oh ok! hahaha

So you might be better off getting an upper with a nice crown job and no threads
and then put together a nice yet affordable lower with a PRS stock.
In terms of functionality will not be missing anything vs. a stanard AR and a nice muzzle
with a target crown will last longer and give more accuracy potential than the tipical 1/2" threads
that are a bad idea to start with anyway.

I implied you like accuracy so a good use for the AR is to build one for extreme accuracy and they are capable of this.
You will save ammo and nobody gets tired of accuracy. Later you can try long range too.

Beginner or not, it doesn't matter. Eventually if you want to become a good marksman you will need
the proper tools.

 

[I shoot from da hip]

thanks for all in the info thus far everyone

 

[Eddie Gunks]

I have several non removable magazine models starting at $599.99.

Removable mag versions start at $750

 

[I shoot from da hip]

I have several non removable magazine models starting at $599.99.

Removable mag versions start at $750

to hell with that non removable crap. i will be in touch.

 

[I shoot from da hip]

s

I have several non removable magazine models starting at $599.99.

Removable mag versions start at $750

send me what you've got for removable mag options. I don't see it online.

 

[stuck in ny]

PSA m16a3 upper grind of bayo jb weld thread nut on. Order stripped lower +LPK assemble yourself to save money and learn how to do it. use spur in combo with Pat h trigger guard. You now have one of the least sh*tty arms you can get in ny.
Even if I lived in a fre state, I prefer the a2 stock. when you set off the bolt catch on the m16 clone, it like "shlook". on the carbine it like shoo! pow!! SPRoing!!!

 

[I shoot from da hip]

anybody have an experience with a Thordsen stock? Someone told me I can use one of these for an AR build and it would be legal with a removable clip.

 

[MilesTeg]

That is correct the hardest part about a featureless build is finding a featureless barrel. I think bullet guy carries barrels that just have a target crown on them. There's some debate on the legality of using a thread protector on a normal AR barrel. Just incase you didn't know threads on a barrel is considered a feature under the SAFE ACT.

 

[Jem45472]

anybody have an experience with a Thordsen stock? Someone told me I can use one of these for an AR build and it would be legal with a removable clip.

As long as you don't have a threaded barrel, or any other "military features". @Bullet Guy has a dandy "finger rest" you can use instead of the grip.