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Posted: 12/16/2010 7:21:11 AM EDT
| never shot, seen in person or handled an ar-15 but want to :). what is a good entry level rifle to get me started and see if i want to give myself the chance to catch the modding bug lol? really dont even know where to start. i have looked at a few different manufacturers websites like daniel defense, bushmaster, stag, spike, etc. any advice would be appreciated as far as what are some basic things or upgrades or accessories i would want on my rifle. |
my advice is to look at the ar15 picture threads so you can see the many different things you can do to your rifle, see what you like and what you think you will be doing. I have a Rock River Arms AR-15, started as an entry tactical, and I have done a few things too it already, it looks way different 
I say pick up one that you can afford that is simple but a good name well made rifle and then study the options before you decide what you will be doing to it. Hope that helps. |
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Well first of all its a given that once you get your first one you will be hooked.
Its just gonna happen... so accept that. second... answer the questions. Budget. Role. After that... you need to spend at least 2 weeks reading here.... read EVERYTHING. Look at the picture threads. Decide what you are trying to get into. I would suggest NOT buying a complete basic rifle at first... in the end you are going to change everything up and it will be alot better to just take a bit more extra time and figure out exactly what you want and buy it that way the first time. You will save alot of money this way. Also keep an open mind... there are alot of people that will tell you "if your rifle doesn't have "this" written on the side of it... its junk" That is a very subjective thing... sure "X" brand is top of the line... but that doesn't mean their isn't another manufacturer's part that isn't as good or better... for less cost.. equal cost.. or more. You may come across a thing called "the chart"- read it if you like... but keep in mind it is a VERY VERY narrow view of manufacturers and options.. and it is NOT the end all be all resource. Check out this... FAQs Most importantly the beginners guide - this is a great resource... but once again... it is not the end all be all resource... The more time you spend researching... the more money you will save.. and the more knowledgeable you will be about your purchase. Resist the urge to just "buy that rifle because the internet said its awesome" Do your own research. Once you have researched awhile... you can start asking specific questions. |
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Post up in the Texas HTF. You may just find a member willing to educate you at the range with some of his goodies.
Other than that, take durabo's advice. READ A LOT. There is so much information on this site to look through. I spent almost 3 months reading before I bought my first parts and half the time it took me just to understand all the acronyms everyone uses. (BTW there is a list around here somewhere just for that purpose) I had changed my mind like 10 times on what I wanted because I kept reading and finding more informatio. If that doesn't work, it's not a bad thing to just buy one already completed, even if you may change things later and it cost you more. At least with a complete rifle you can disassemble and understand the weapon and get familiar with the platform before you spend $1000's of dollars on rails and optics and so on. At one point the Spike's M4LE was pretty cheap. Like $800 or so which is a great rifle for a good price and a great place to start. |
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never shot, seen in person or handled an ar-15 but want to :). what is a good entry level rifle to get me started and see if i want to give myself the chance to catch the modding bug lol? really dont even know where to start. i have looked at a few different manufacturers websites like daniel defense, bushmaster, stag, spike, etc. any advice would be appreciated as far as what are some basic things or upgrades or accessories i would want on my rifle. Interesting... I wonder if this is a troll thread or some 16 year old... who plays cod. If anything start with a Ruger 10/22 if you've never shot a gun before.....  i have a glock 27 as my ccw and have shot and own plenty of other guns. not new to guns, just ar-15's. thanks for the advice.... i definitely need to do my research and have been reading on here for about a week. finally decided to make an account. ultimately, my gun will be home defense/range gun to just have fun with sometimes. i know i want to just start with something very very basic and go the cheapest route to begin with. like yall have said, im going to change a lot on it eventually anyway, so i can spend the big bucks when that time comes. are there any rifles i should stay away from? |
| Buy a basic M4 type stag, rock river or bushmaster. Get a sling, ammo and mags. Shoot the hell out of it. Learn how to disassemble and reasemble clean and take care of it. By then the BRD from this site will have a hold of you so bad you'll be planning your next 4 builds and trying to figure out how the hell your gonna pay for all of it. Read as much as you can. |
| If your going to spend $600 might as well spend $800 on a Spikes M4 and get a great rifle. I wish I had one but never the less I am happy with what I do have. And welcome to the site. I'd go with just iron sights at first until you get good with them and then go to optics. |
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Dang, rough crowd. Welcome him by calling him a troll right off the bat? Give the guy the benefit of the doubt.
Heck, I've played COD and I'm a full blown "operator" like everyone else here. 
Anyway, if I was getting a first AR right now to serve the needs you have outlined, I'd get a BCM or Spikes 16" CHF upper and a stripped lower from Spikes or BCM. Get a decent lower parts kit and stock kit and assemble the lower yourself. That way you get your feet wet doing some assembly with minimum investment in tools. Or you can go the fully assembled route. Spikes M4 LE is a lot of bang for the buck. BCM upper and a complete lower. Colt 6920 is a great choice. More affordable than they have been in a long time. Nothing wrong with the other rifles mentioned of course. I just mentioned the first few options I'd take as far as quality for money spent. Simply personal preference. You can spend more money if you like but really no need to. No matter what you pick someone will frown on your decision. Let it go in one ear and out the other. Buy a bunch of ammo and have fun. Read your ass off on this site. There is a ton of valuable info in the stickys. The AR is a user friendly platform that can be personalized to suit just about anyones taste. Good luck and be sure and post pics of your new AR. (edit sp) |
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Ok since this IS an informational forum and i was a little harsh with my first post i will try to help. OK you stated you had never touched or even seen an AR. That tells me you dont even know the basics of marksmanship most likely. If you really must have an AR i would advise you to go with a plain rifle, either a carbine or full length. Skip all the "tacticool" bullshit accessories until you have learned the fundamentals. You need to learn this shit Barney style. Have to crawl before you can walk and you have to walk before you can run. Read this website and please dont post a thread sounding like a child or people here will rip you apart. If you want a serious answer, act serious. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, i always say. Dont just read about the best rifles, parts, accessories and all that other trash, read about what will make you a better shooter overall. Take classes if you must. In the future, if you decided to buy all kinds of shit for your AR, i will say this. DO NOT buy cheap. Buy cheap and you will buy again. You get what you pay for. USA > China. Avoid airsoft junk like its the AIDS virus. Its cheap for a reason. Learn about what makes certain AR's and AR Parts better. How they are made, materials used, proper testing etc etc. Learn and know ballistics. I can go on and on forever about this but please just READ before you just go out and try to be a mall ninja.
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i spent weeks on here when i started and here is what i currently have
spikes tactical M4LE 16" carbine VLTOR E-Mod stock VLTOR CASV-EL handguards Grippod VFG A.R.M.S. #40l sp rear sights KNS crosshair fsp imo its a real simple looking build and gets the job done, i love my rifle |
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I agree with someone earlier who posted. just get a basic m4 style carbine, or a basic midlength. you can always add drop in rails afterwards (which could be cheap or expensive) but it'll give you a feel for the rifle and more of a "blank canvas" for figuring out what you like/dislike about your setup. but yes, BCM, spikes, RRA LMT ect, ect... will all serve you well for a first AR. reading around here you will learn what to look for in terms of reliability if you want this to be a defensive type weapon.
and welcome 
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Quoted:
never shot, seen in person or handled an ar-15 but want to :). what is a good entry level rifle to get me started and see if i want to give myself the chance to catch the modding bug lol? really dont even know where to start. i have looked at a few different manufacturers websites like daniel defense, bushmaster, stag, spike, etc. any advice would be appreciated as far as what are some basic things or upgrades or accessories i would want on my rifle. Quoted:
Ok since this IS an informational forum and i was a little harsh with my first post i will try to help. OK you stated you had never touched or even seen an AR. That tells me you dont even know the basics of marksmanship most likely. If you really must have an AR i would advise you to go with a plain rifle, either a carbine or full length. Skip all the "tacticool" bullshit accessories until you have learned the fundamentals. You need to learn this shit Barney style. Have to crawl before you can walk and you have to walk before you can run. Read this website and please dont post a thread sounding like a child or people here will rip you apart. If you want a serious answer, act serious. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, i always say. Dont just read about the best rifles, parts, accessories and all that other trash, read about what will make you a better shooter overall. Take classes if you must. In the future, if you decided to buy all kinds of shit for your AR, i will say this. DO NOT buy cheap. Buy cheap and you will buy again. You get what you pay for. USA > China. Avoid airsoft junk like its the AIDS virus. Its cheap for a reason. Learn about what makes certain AR's and AR Parts better. How they are made, materials used, proper testing etc etc. Learn and know ballistics. I can go on and on forever about this but please just READ before you just go out and try to be a mall ninja. He said he never handled an ar-15. How does that translate to him having no marksmanship skills what so ever? There are lots of people here who post that they are into AK's but know nothing about AR's. Just because he didn't specifically say that doesn't make him an idiot. |
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