AR15 Forums banner

Which AR for a beginner?

1579 Views 17 Replies 0 Participants Last post by  rogerxd45
G
let me start off by saying ive shot alot of different guns but mostly handgunsand my deer rifles ,shotguns after drooling for a few weeks ive made up my mind that i want to geta AR style rifle but i know little to nothing about them ie,.. parts interchangability,manufacturers,which ammo for which barrel twist?
whats a good AR to start out with? Bushmaster?DPMS?or any other i might be and probably am missing, i know i want something no longer than the full size AR15 but would prefer the m-4 leingth gun, so what would be a good begining AR shooters gun? whats good mags for said gun?20 or 30 rounders and a good source for said mags , replacement parts etc...
id like to not go over the $800.00 mark for the rifle if at all possible and prefer lower if i can at all .
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
G
Your <$800 mark will be pretty difficult. Bushmaster, RRA, S&W, et al, all make fine rifles.
Magazines can be picked up just about anywhere. I have used www.44MAG.com in the past.

Good luck!!

ETA www.AR15sales.com has great prices and service on RRA, if interested
G
A couple of good threads running around on this topic already, you might want to search for those.

BUT since you asked.. you're looking at a build more than likely. DelTon, STAG and a few others are going to be in your price range. You're looking at getting a stripped lower, a lower parts kit (trigger and the other pieces parts), buffer tube, buffer and spring, stock and a complete upper assembly.

This thread wandered a bit but there is a ton of good advise and vendor recommendations

http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42938


Another one that covers the build or buy quandary

http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36544&page=2

This is the guy that I trust when I'm buying parts and don't have time to price shop every part. Also a great deal on the STAG uppers and even a kit.

http://ar15sa.fatcow.com/store/page2.html

So to me, just for an entry level weapon, you can do it new for under $800. You might only have a few mags to start with which by the way MagPul is the best doing this right now, especially for the price:

http://www.44mag.com/searchprods.asp

STAG Kit from AR15Sales.com: $633
Spikes Tactical Lower: $138 (you can go lower priced, but Spikes has a great rep and some fun stuff etched on them)

That there will run you just under $800 and you'll get 1 USGI mag to start with. I can't recommend the MagPul PMags enough. Consider they cost less than most new mags from C-Products or even the way over priced HK and are a ton more durable. You won't have to worry about sights with that STAG kit, it comes with a flip up rear sight which most complete uppers don't.

Hope that helps
See less See more
G
A Rock River Arms or a Bushmaster will serve you well.
G
I'm building one right now. Stag lower with 16" rifle kit (with upper receiver, barrel, buttstock, parts kit, etc) from Del-Ton.

Cost: $110 for the lower; $465 for the rifle kit - grand total of $575.

http://www.del-ton.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y

I'm not an AR-15 snob myself. If you're looking for a plinking rifle, this is the cheapest way to go but it does require some assembly on your part.
G
I am going to buy my first AR later this year.

I have done my research and am going with the Stag Arms Model 2 M4 configuration.

I am adding a nice 3x9 scope on detatchable mounts and a bi-pod and calling it good. Too much crap detracts from the handiness of the rifle, if you ask me.

Take a look at Stag Arms...they have alot to offer.

- Brickboy240
G
I am a n00b in the AR realm myself. I have wanted an AR since I was in 8th grade. I decided that I wanted to start my mid-life crisis a few years early, so early this year I started seriously planning my first AR rifle.

I had been lurking at AR15.com for on and off for a number of years prior, but finally registered and ramped up the frequency of my visits. As far as AR15.com goes, There is a lot of great info available there, but sometimes you do need to wade through some crud to get to it. Anyhoo, cruise that site for a while, and you'll pick up some good info.

Being n00b, I originally thought about purchasing a complete rifle. But the more I read about the AR, the more the vision of MY rifle took shape in my head. So instead of a complete rifle, I have decided to assemble one - not build, but assemble - by putting a complete lower together with a complete upper. That way I could order the upper exactly how I wanted it. And by doing that, the rifle is more or less set up the way I want it, and I don't have to order a new accessory every pay period for 8 months trying to complete my 'dream' setup.

Purchasing your rifle in parts also makes it easier to spread the cost around. So, $800 may be your limit for a complete rifle purchase, but if you spread that over 4 months or so by buying parts, perhaps you can maybe spend a little more on your setup. Money is always a concern of mine, so the complete lower + complete upper route has helped me manage the rifle budget.

Build from the ground up, assemble complete parts, or buy a complete rifle - either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you get. But realize that it is a disease. I haven't even completed my first AR project, and already I'm thinking ahead to my next one. :D
See less See more
G
Being a complete noob to AR's i decided to build one so I know what each part does and how they all fit together :D I have my lower already and my LPK/stock are on a ups truck on their way to my house already.

Code:
June 22, 2007 05:25 AMWILMINGTON, NC  USOUT FOR DELIVERY
prob scratch build a 1911 next

WOOOO
G
thanks for all the great info everyone ill have to decide if i want to build one or buy one already put together
G
I'm building one right now. Stag lower with 16" rifle kit (with upper receiver, barrel, buttstock, parts kit, etc) from Del-Ton.

Cost: $110 for the lower; $465 for the rifle kit - grand total of $575.

http://www.del-ton.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y

I'm not an AR-15 snob myself. If you're looking for a plinking rifle, this is the cheapest way to go but it does require some assembly on your part.
Agreed. These guys have a cool site. You could do some upgrading and stay under your $800 benchmark.
G
The folks at Del-Ton are super nice and helpful. It's good to know that there are businesses left that still put the customer as #1.
G
I've heard nothing but great things about them... Pete at AR15SALES.COM is the exact same way. It's a shamefully small group of vendors these days who actually believe that taking care of the customer is better for business than a quick buck.
G
Pete might be getting the order for my 2nd AR-15. I haven't even finished the first one and the EBRD has taken over.

You seem to say only good things about his company.
G
let me start off by saying ive shot alot of different guns but mostly handgunsand my deer rifles ,shotguns after drooling for a few weeks ive made up my mind that i want to geta AR style rifle but i know little to nothing about them ie,.. parts interchangability,manufacturers,which ammo for which barrel twist?
whats a good AR to start out with? Bushmaster?DPMS?or any other i might be and probably am missing, i know i want something no longer than the full size AR15 but would prefer the m-4 leingth gun, so what would be a good begining AR shooters gun? whats good mags for said gun?20 or 30 rounders and a good source for said mags , replacement parts etc...
id like to not go over the $800.00 mark for the rifle if at all possible and prefer lower if i can at all .
With your price range I would get a Stag.
Pat
G
Got mine for a grand total of $747... $237 for the lower (High Standard), $510 for the upper (RRA Midlength 16" chrome-lined, came with flip-up rear sight).
G
Pete might be getting the order for my 2nd AR-15. I haven't even finished the first one and the EBRD has taken over.

You seem to say only good things about his company.
He is great to deal with.....helped me out every step of the way. He's a VERY busy guy, and he still takes time to answer questions on the phone and by e-mail. A+ for Pete.........and by the way....I'm not him, we just share the same name:D
G
Yeah, every new to AR guy I talk to who has dealt with Pete always has the same things to say, he took the time to help them out. The last upper I snagged from him was a STAG, but I already knew what I wanted and he hands down had the best price.

Folks like Del-Ton, AR15SALES, BrightFlashlights and a rather small group of others do most of their sales by word of mouth. That means they can't screw the customer and they all take it very personally if someone isn't happy.

Let us know what you end up doing.. and who from.. it will be good to have someone else evangelize these companies!!!! Come... drink the coolaid :)
G
i really love my kel-tec su-16c
i know not the smae but close and it was better for my needs(backpacking)
500 new
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top