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Posted: 3/29/2007 12:41:56 AM EDT
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Folks, i'd like to buy my first AR but i do not know much about all the options and lingo. I am looking for something under $1000 that I can use in 2 day classes that have us fire over 1k rounds and will not cause me grief. RRA and Bushmaster seem popular from another thread, please suggest a configuration for each. |
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You can't go wrong with either of those choices. As with any rifle from any manufacturer, make sure you take it to the range with a bunch (10 or more) of mags you plan to use at the class. Most of the problems with guns at classes seem to be mag-related. Make sure you have reliable mags that have all been fired. Also, bring along a spare bolt carrier group that is ready to drop in in case of other problems (loose gas keys, sheared lug, weak/broken extractor, etc.). And bring quality ammo. NO WOLF. You want to make sure your gun likes a particular brand of ammo before you take it to a class. Those are my opinions. Now, go get your rifle and have fun! |
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Great news on your first AR!! I just got a RRA and really like it. I hear on the boards the bushies are godd also. One thought is to get a flattop so its easy to add optics, etc. I like the mid-length, or full rifle length gas systems. I haven't been on this board long, but it seems Colt is referred to as "top of the pack" in alot of posts. Another consideration is Lewis Machine and tool. I am biased here because one of my friends works there, but I did recently get an MRP upper and have been very impressed, although they are over the $ 1,000.00 mark, but they have complete rifles in your mentioned price range also. There are many good AR's out there. Feel free to ask questions on this forum. Lots of these guys really know thier stuff. There are alot of good sellers on this board in the Indusrty Forum. If at all possible, getting one from them helps this community. Juat a few thoughts.... |
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Get a flattop carbine with chrome lined barrel. Several good manufacturers to choose from. Whichever one you choose, there will be somebody right along to tell you you're an idiot for choosing that one. But, the two you mentioned would work for me. ETE: learn function and cleaning WELL. |
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Stag is making some nice units as well, they fall into the sub $1000 mark, barely. Whichever one you buy make sure that you shoot it before the class. I don't mean go out ant zero it and then quit. Shoot it long enough and hard enough to get it hot, then let it cool. Do this several times, this way you know the gun will run and you avoid being "that guy" in your class. Also pick up a spare bolt, cam pin, and firing pin. YOu might not need it for a long time, but you will have them and not be bumming them off of others if you break in a class, or losing a good shooting day waiting for the parts to get to you from a dealer. |
| Whatever you buy, buy the upper and lower SEPARATE. This will save you the 11% excise tax on complete firearms. You can order the complete upper by mail, and get a complete lower through your local FFL dealer. Then, snap the 2 together (takes 10 seconds) and you have a complete AR and likey saved 80-100 bucks. |
| Rock River Carbine or Mid flatop. Bought my RRA Entry Tactical Oct '06 and have really enjoyed it. Have accumulated my meager 2k stash of assorted quality ammo. Already planning either another AR or a .308 bolt gun. You do realize there is no antidote for BRD. Have fun with whatever choice you make. |
+1 this gets my vote. I believe Ameetec Arms is still doing their $200 complete lower sale  I picked up a lower through said sale and it is my favorite thus far. CMMG is also a great company, and they offer more options than anyone else when it comes to complete uppers.
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If you just want a complete rifle, and one that is very versatile and also reliable, consider a Bushmaster Patrolman's carbine. It readily lends itself to modification after you learn what you want on your rifle. I got that in the M4A3 configuration for my first AR. I chose it over the 14.5" wth permanently attached FH because I wanted to be able to remove the flash hider in order to change things on the rifle as I figured out what I liked. The removable flash hider is a must have item for me, and you will probably want the flat top upper with removable carry handle also, because the road to BRD almost always includes getting an optic at some point. This carbine also includes a collapsible stock. Its a very versatile platform and should serve you quite well. |
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I would recommend that you go with Bushmaster, since they have such a good reputation for chrome lined barrels, and since this is your first AR and you don't seem to know what you want, that type of barrel would be a good choice since it is reasonably accurate and very easy to take care of. I would go with a plain jane 20" model, it gives you the most options (a little more range than the carbine and it is a little more reliable). www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/pcwa3s20.asp |
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I beg to differ on the reliability issue. In my case, my carbine has not had a single malfunction. He didn't mention what kind of class he would be attending. Although many people have had their first experience with a musket, I don't think I would go that route. Just my .03 |
Bushmaster M4A3 w/ 14.5" barrel.www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/bcwa3f14m4iz.asp
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I just recently purchased / built my first AR. I got a 16" CAR Complete upper kit w/ chrome lined barrel for $525 which included shipping from J&T. All their kits comes w/ everything you need except a stripped lower, and you can get either a heavy or light barrel for the same price. Then I bought a Double Star stripped lower from JKiser on the equipment exchange for $99. Took about an hour to assemble the lower since it was my first and I wanted to be extra cautious not to scratch or lose anything. So I got a complete rifle for just over 650 bucks with my FFL/background check. Then you can spend the other 350 bucks on some nice mags (PMAGS are nice imo) and some rounds to shoot out it. Heres what it looks like: http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t223/ansunau/P1010619111.jpg Cant tell you how it shoots till Sat. when I go shoot it |
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I am leaning towards this Bushmaster: 16" M4 A3 .223 Carbine "Patrolman" BCWA3F16M4 16" so I can swap out the flash hider and put a vortex on it later. I have a sportsman warehouse and cabelas nearby as well as some other shops and they would most likely have the bushmaster available instead of the RRA which seems to be 4-8 weeks out. Snapping an upper and lower together to save the tax sounds interesting, but do I get a warranty like i would if i bought an entire rifle? Just curious, which RRA model? Entry Tactical, Tactical CAR A4, ... |
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