In the rifle world do you get what you pay for? I know my first pistol was a Taurus PT111 pro (or something) subcompact 9MM. it was like 320 and it served its purpose. It has been very accurate, and has heldup pretty well after years of mistreatment. (sold it to my cousin that knows nothing about guns) while there are more expensive subcompacts that would cost more and perform the same.
so as i price rifles can i expect the opposite? if it cost more does that make it better? in my local gun shop AR prices range from 900 to 1700 for a gun that is identical to the untrained eye. literally nothing is different but length and its partly the adjustable stock. so does it make sense to shell out the cash for a better rifle? if you can afford it?
The age old question..........
There are going to be names at the high end like Colt & Noveske and there are going to be names at the bottom like Olympic and there will be all of those in the middle like Bushmaster, Armalite, Rock River etc.
Is there a BIG difference between the most expensive models and the cheapest models? Well, yes.
Is it worth the price difference? Well maybe.
Usually, with EVERYTHING. I look at the best/most expensive and then I compare it with the least expensive models and then I buy something in the middle figuring that the top brands are overpriced and the cheapest models are too cheap with respect to quality.
If you don't know the differences between the most expensive models and the cheapest ones then you'll need to spend some time figuring out what each of them use for components.
I would look at something in the middle which is why I picked a Bushmaster. I looked at Armalite, RRA etc. and went for something middle of the road. It is my first AR and it has been everything and more than I expected.
At some point, I will buy a Colt 6920 but is it going to be better than my Bushy superlight? Who knows. Will it shoot more accurate? Who knows. Will it cost more? Yes. Will you "feel" good about the price difference? Who knows.
Do you want it for "showing" your friends or just for shooting at the range? Some people are into the "best" and some people are into the "best for the money". Nobody can tell YOU what is best for you.
If money is no object, buy the Colt 6920. Nobody can argue about the quality of this AR. If you don't have one, you want one. If this is important, then just buy the best one right off the bat.
If you don't know and money IS an object then buy something in the middle. I can afford any gun I want. I bought a Bushy. Do I want a Colt.....not really. The name thing just isn't that important to me. I am comfortable in my skin and with my purchase.
People buy "things" for different reasons. What are YOUR reasons?