AR Sponsor
Posted: 10/5/2008 9:58:35 AM EDT
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I have been reading this site for sometime and love checking everybody's guns out. I am tired of just watching and I want to play. he The next set of questions is this, do I buy a built gun or buy pieces and put together like I see several of you doing here? In the long run, which is cheaper? On the other hand, I don't like cheap guns and I really don't know anything about ARs and don't know the difference between quality and junk. I know more than likely the most I will be able to afford at this time is the basic gun. I will have to fix it like I really want over time. I guess what I am trying to say is I want a good gun without paying a fortune for it. I know sometimes you are paying for the name when you buy things and I don't want to do this if I don't have to. What price am I looking at for a good, yet inexpensive AR? I want this gun to coyote hunt and general plinking at the range. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated. I want to get into the game but I don't want to jump in with the wrong equipment. I also don't want to miss the game either. |
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I always suggest that people new to the AR platform buy a complete rifle before trying to build. This gives them the chance to learn system inside and out before tackling the build. If you're really worried about a new ban coming down, then one option would be to buy a complete lower and some mags for now. This would at least get you the items that may have some kind of restrictions. You can then always get a complete upper down the road. |
| I figured complete rifle would be the recommended way to go. Let's take the build part out of the equation. Who makes a good yet inexpensive rifle to start with? Which companies should I avoid might be a better question. I am looking to start out inexpensive but I also don't want to start with a piece of crap. |
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I was in your same boat a few months ago. I've learned a lot here since then just by spending a ton of time reading. I ended up with a complete LMT SOPMOD lower and a CMMG 14.5" w/perm attached Phantom upper. I learned afterward that the LMT lower was a more expensive way to go, I could have gotten my first for much cheaper. Given that, I'm still very happy with it. From what I read, basically all lowers are the same. If I were you I'd pick up a complete lower with just the standard M4 stock since you're trying to save on money, and then get a decent upper to put on it. This way you have a bit more control over what you end up with, and you also save a little money by avoiding the complete gun tax. I went with CMMG, and so far I'm very happy with it. From what I read on here, they make a good product, but their customer service is somewhat iffy. I just bought my upper off the shelf at a local shop, so I haven't dealt directly with CMMG, so it doesn't matter to me either way. They make a good product for the money you spend. All that to say that I'd just recommend going with a complete lower with an M4 stock and a complete upper, and like I said I'm happy with my CMMG. The only thing I'd do different is go with a 16" upper for your first gun, it'll be a lot easier to tinker with later as you want to add things like a railed forarm or low profile gas block, etc. Beware though, once you buy your first AR, you'll immediately start planning for your next one, or three. It's seriously a sickness. Good luck, and let us know what you end up going with! |
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