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Posted: 3/1/2007 3:22:04 PM EDT
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Hello AR experts. At my son's request, I've decided to buy/build/aquire my first AR. I'd like to ask you guys for advice. I'm a long-time avid shooter/hunter/custom rifle builder. What I'd like is a quality, entry-level AR that I can build up later as I see fit. I'd like to start with the lowest cost AR possible, while still dealing with quality. I may or may not use it as a target/varmint/predator rifle in the future but would like to have that option. I guess that means that it has to be mil-spec? so I can add a different upper?. I think I'd like to start with a 16" model flattop so the handle is detachable or can be purchased later. CAR-type stock is nice. I understand that there are brand-loyalists but good quality is my only concern as to brand. I want to learn to work on the AR platform. I guess that's about it. I really appreciate any suggestions, recommendations, advice you guys can give me. Mike |
Sorry but typical newbie, is there anything else you need or is that it upper & lower and your good to go for $700-$750 |
You would just need a magazine and some ammo and your would be ready to hit the range. |
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As a general rule, there are the maufacturers that most people consider to be great quality. Those usually include Colt, Bushmaster, Armalite, LMT, CMMG, RRA, CMT/Stag and others. In general, as long as a lower is forged, they are almost identical and interchangable. There are a lot of small manufacturers out there these days, and all of them are good. At the tail end, there are manufacturers that are considered to suck. The one with the worst reputation is Hesse/Vulcan, which should be avoided like the plague. Some people also do not like Olympic a whole lot, and they have had issues in the past. A few people do not like DPMS, but as far as I can tell, their quality is great these days, even if they also might have had some issues in the past. In terms of configuration, I think you were right on the money with a flat-top 16" carbine - it is the most versatile and flexible configuration, and perfect for a first AR. While a lot of people are happy with a traditional 16" carbine set-up, the 16" midlength setup has become extremely popular in the last two years or so. It is the same rifle, but with slightly longer handguards (and gas system). Definitely spend time surfing (and searching) around the site. You will not find a better resource anywhere, and ANY question can be answered. |
| look into building your own lower, it will save you a bunch of money and its so easy a caveman could do it. CMMG is awesome but might be out of your budget range, you DONT NEED A COLT before somebody tells you everything else sucks. That being said buy your upper complete from a reputable company, and build your own lower, you save on tax and all you have to do is pin the two together. the only special tool that you would need would be the car stock wrench and its like 5 bucks. The Upper is not a firearm technically so you can have that shipped right to your door. The lower is considered the firearm and has to go through an FFl. If you click on AR15 right next to communities and then scroll down once that screen pops up to build it youself and look at the tagged threads at the top it will tell you how to build the lower. if you dont want to do that, i would still buy a seperate upper and lower and save yourself some cash since they just pin together. |
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...and now a word from our sponsor... ...the Bushmaster O.R.C. [Optics Ready Carbine]. This M4 type carbine is priced to attract newcomers to the AR type rifle while incorporating all the quality and accuracy you’d expect from Bushmaster. ...we now return you to our regularly scheduled programming... (just a suggestion...) oh yeah, get a Colt , too; and top them off with Trijicon optics, because you know, ya'll don't want to have to share. 
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From your first post you indicate you are an experienced shooter. Stag is an excellent product at an excellent price. Olympic is not something I would recommend to anyone at any price. Same goes for Hesse. You get what you pay for. |
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As far as the parts..... Do I need to buy say a Stag stripped lower and parts kit from Stag...or are there better options? and I'm assuming I will need: A stripped lower Patrs kit Stock Is that all I need( besides the upper) And it seems that your advice is to buy a complete upper......is there any benefit to putting one together from parts? Also, I'm glad I posted here, I was going to buy an Olympic Arms......thanks |
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I have alot of different AR's in alot different configurations. The one I always seem to grab is the Colt 6520 that i put a M4 flat top receiver on with a RRA NM trigger. It's lightweight and accurate. If you hunt every ounce becomes like 10 lbs by the end of the day so think LIGHT. Varmit hunting with an H-bar is down right unpleasant unless you stay stationary on a sandbag which is not my style of varmit hunting. Optics are your choice but I have a TA31F on mine. It makes a nice light varmit gun you can carry all day. I'm in the process of building another but with a Colt 6520 barrel cut down to 14.7 with a permanent mounted FS to save even more weight. Only the barrel and bolt/carrier will be colt. The rest will be RRA. So essentially you will get the Colt parts that matter and the rest RRA. This is in my opinion the best all around set-up. It isn't the best in any one field but the best for most of my intended purposes. |
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How bout this guys: Complete lower http://www.ameetecarms.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11 Stag upper model 3H pre-ban http://www.stagarms.com/righthalf.htm In looking at parts, I can't seem to be able to save more than 20-30 bucks. Is this a good package? @ $665, it seems to be in my price range. Of course, then I'll need sightshinking.gif |
Rear sight |
The Stag M4 upper assembly that sells for that price range comes with the ARMS 40 BUIS. |
+1 get the stag M4 upper package w/ the ARMS 40 BUIS for ~$475, and a complete lower for ~$250 |
That sounds great. Any suggestions on where to buy it? |
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