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Posted: 1/28/2012 8:22:21 PM EDT
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Hey guys, so like I know quite a bit about ARs. Been in the army since '07, I've always considered them tools. Not fun guns. Now I want one. I've read the FAQ, done some research, and am just torn. I found a really good deal on a DPMS for $688. At least I think it is a good deal. Scouring these forums I've found that people Love or Hate DPMS. Swear by Colt/BCM/Noveske. And insist on m4 Feed Ramps ;P Okay not really the last one, but still.
The catch is I only have about 850 to spend, and saving up more isn't really an option... cause of stuff. Not gonna go into details. I knoe people suggest building one, and if I HAVE to go that route, I could. But i'd prefer my first to be something from a manufacturer with some sort of warranty.. just cause. I'd appreciate any help, being pointed to a good manufacturer in that price range, etc etc. Thanks a ton!! -Matt |
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DPMS makes fine guns. They are not on the same level as Colt, BCM, DD and others. That's the truth, no more no less.. and you can see how people spin the love, hate thing from that.
That said, if you have $850 and don't just save another $100 and buy a Colt 6920, well, I will say, you should have. It's the best deal you can get on an AR carbine right now when you factor the quality of what you get with the price. In my opinion... If you absolutely must stick to $850 (see above again) then go ahead and get what you like.. cause ultimately that is what really matters. You most likely won't be disappointed and will get your $$ worth out of it either way... |
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Take a look at Spikes Tactical or Palmetto State Armory...
Both have complete rifles for under $850 that in my opinion are a better rifle than DPMS. Spikes Tactical |
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As others have stated, DPMS makes a fine rifle. However, much like everything else in this world, you get what you pay for. Based on your $850 budget though, you may want to check out Spikes Tactical or Bravo Company.
Either way, be prepared to embrace the addiction and of course, thanks for your service! |
| I would either go with Spikes or save a little more and go with BCM or Colt. I like all three. I have a Spike's 10.5" upper that has been very good. I only have around 2000 rounds through it so far but it has ran ran great no problems at all. I would buy another Spikes upper again. |
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Quoted:
You've probably been runnin' a Colt and your budget is almost there. Why step down ? Thanks soldier. This right here, you're almost there so why settle when you can get the AR all others are judged by... a Colt SP6920 is under 1k and well worth waiting for... Edit: http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/CO6920.aspx |
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Alright, so Colt :P I did some working around, and got someone lined up to buy an old .22 rifle off of me for 150. So my budget is now $1000. That's like including transfer, and shipping, etc. I really want a good flat top rifle with backup sights, or one with a removable carrying handle. Any ideas? I don't think I can swing that colt for 945 after fees and such.
Cabela's sells a Bushmaster Carbon -15 for 725... what ya'll think? I just found it, so editing this post. I've used Bushmaster in the army and such... just wondering. |
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There's no way on earth the Bushmaster Carbon 15 is even worth $725, let alone to be considered an acceptable alternative to a Colt 6920. Not trying to sound arrogant, but the Colt is the standard all the rest are judged by, a Carbon 15 is a range toy that barely qualifies as an AR-15. If you truly are unable to come up with the remainder of the cash you'll need, I'd recommend you be calm and have patience, the additional cash will appear then you'll own the best, otherwise consider a used 6920, perhaps you'll find one priced in line with what you can spend... no matter what don't go cheap, you'll only regret it in the long run... |
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If the Colt is out of the question I would go Spikes then and you have money to buy ammo and mags! Can't forget about those extras.
The carbon 15 is cool but I have heard issues in the past with long term wear of the receiver. Idk if that has been solved or not. |
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Quoted: Hey guys, so like I know quite a bit about ARs. Been in the army since '07, I've always considered them tools. Not fun guns. Now I want one. I've read the FAQ, done some research, and am just torn. I found a really good deal on a DPMS for $688. At least I think it is a good deal. Scouring these forums I've found that people Love or Hate DPMS. Swear by Colt/BCM/Noveske. And insist on m4 Feed Ramps ;P Okay not really the last one, but still. The catch is I only have about 850 to spend, and saving up more isn't really an option... cause of stuff. Not gonna go into details. I knoe people suggest building one, and if I HAVE to go that route, I could. But i'd prefer my first to be something from a manufacturer with some sort of warranty.. just cause. I'd appreciate any help, being pointed to a good manufacturer in that price range, etc etc. Thanks a ton!! -Matt Spike's and PSA both have limited lifetime warranties...and from what I've seen, they've both gone above and beyond to fix any kind of problems which may arise. I've even seen one of them offer to replace a lower that the customer busted the trigger guard ear off installing the roll pin. If you have any type of problem at all, I have little doubt they would not offer to fix it for you. The only thing you don't get by buying a complete rifle is the "extras", like a case, mags and rear sight and possibly a sling. BUT, the upside is that you get to pick exactly what parts you want without having to spend extra money upgrading them later. I would get this http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spike_s_Tactical_16_Midlength_LE_Upper_5_56_STU_p/sp-stu5035-mls.htm and this http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/SPIKE_S_TACTICAL_COMPLETE_LOWER_M4_STOCK_COLOR_FIL_p/sp-stlc200.htm Without sight, transfer fee and shipping comes to $763 Or a kit from PSA plus stripped lower of your choice you could come out spending less than $700 that way. PSA is pretty busy and you may not get your kit shipped for 2-3 weeks. |
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Quoted:
Wow, awesome advice. I really like the spikes upper and lower you linked to me bud. That 6920 has a carbine length gas system, correct? Isn't that super hard on the components and such? The mid-length gas system is a recent fad, the carbine has had decades of use and it's hard to see if there is any advantage that's actually useful in the real world beyond theory to a mid-length over a carbine... Call me when mid-lengths have got a few more decades of a track record, then I might be interested... 
Edited to add: Forgot to post it, the 6920 is indeed a carbine gas system... |
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PSA is in your budget and great quality , just make sure to place 2 seperate orders one for the lower and one for the upper so you dont get hit with the 11% tax .
Wait times are roughly 12-14 days but worth the wait stripped lower $79 stripped lower Any PSA rifle kit From $499- $619 Rifle Kits |
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Okay, so here it is. I've spent like every night bouncing around here, random websites, consumer report style webbies, etc. This is kinda what I've decided on, opinions?
PSA 16" Heavy Mid-length MP Upper Total: 479.95 Stripped Upper 1 x PSA 16" Mid-length Heavy MP Upper $329.95 BCG/CH option 1 x Bolt Carrier Group / Charging Handle $80.00 Handguard Option 1 x MOE Mid HG FOL $20.00 Sight Option 1 x Rear MBUS FOL $50.00 Flash Hider Option 1 x A2 Flash Hider $0.00 Complete PSA AR15 Lower - MOE Edition Total: $299.00 Choose Color: 1 x Complete PSA AR15 Lower - MOE Edition FOL $299.00 Plus some accessories and ammo. I added a VFG, some rails, trigger guard cause I always shoot in gloves, and a pretty cool PSA dust cover that says Infidel ;P My total has came to: 879.94 including tax/shipping. I got everything in the Foliage Green magpul color as well. :) This basically the culmination of all your comments, and my research :P Thanks a ton guys! |
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Okay, so here it is. I've spent like every night bouncing around here, random websites, consumer report style webbies, etc. This is kinda what I've decided on, opinions?
PSA 16" Heavy Mid-length MP Upper Total: 479.95 Stripped Upper 1 x PSA 16" Mid-length Heavy MP Upper $329.95 BCG/CH option 1 x Bolt Carrier Group / Charging Handle $80.00 Handguard Option 1 x MOE Mid HG FOL $20.00 Sight Option 1 x Rear MBUS FOL $50.00 Flash Hider Option 1 x A2 Flash Hider $0.00 Complete PSA AR15 Lower - MOE Edition Total: $299.00 Choose Color: 1 x Complete PSA AR15 Lower - MOE Edition FOL $299.00 Plus some accessories and ammo. I added a VFG, some rails, trigger guard cause I always shoot in gloves, and a pretty cool PSA dust cover that says Infidel ;P My total has came to: 879.94 including tax/shipping. I got everything in the Foliage Green magpul color as well. :) This basically the culmination of all your comments, and my research :P Thanks a ton guys! Hey if you decide to go with spike's check out marksarmory.com the mid-length is only $499 the also have the carbine for 489. When I bought mine from them the shipping was super fast. Everything looks great on your list, but you shouldn't need to buy another trigger guard because that MOE lower should already have one on it. If you're willing to assemble your own lower you could save some cash. The way you have it setup now without the extras costs $780. Another option would be the complete upper you have selected at $480+ this for $140+ the stripped lower at $80=$700. With the extra $80 you can buy more ammo. Assembling the lower is not hard at all, and only basic tools are needed. There are plenty of how-to's to guide you through it as well. Either way you go I'm sure you'll be very happy, and once BRD sets in your wallet won't. |
| Hehe, good catch on that trigger guard. Had a brain fart apparently :P But you're right, it's on there already. I could build me a lower I know, helped my buddy do one last year. I really don't know why I am hesitant to do that, but I am. Maybe it's the whole "First Time" thing that makes me want something already put together. |
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Quoted:
Hehe, good catch on that trigger guard. Had a brain fart apparently :P But you're right, it's on there already. I could build me a lower I know, helped my buddy do one last year. I really don't know why I am hesitant to do that, but I am. Maybe it's the whole "First Time" thing that makes me want something already put together. I can understand that. I was nervous putting mine together, but with the help of the people here and all the info I found it went smoothly. I just thought I'd show ya a way to save a few bucks. |
Just wanted to say you've made a great choice for your first rifle. I just got to take mine out (also my first) for the first time yesterday, pretty much a duplicate PSA of what you decided on, and it was excellent...put about 200 rounds through it without a single issue. I assembled mine from a stripped lower and rifle kit which was incredibly simple, took about 45 minutes and that includes the time it took to find the take-down detent after I sent it flying across the room on my first atempt to install it Fit and finish of all the parts is top notch, I got mine while they were still on sale so I picked up 2 lowers so now I have another to build for my wife, since now she is trying to steal mine from me Also I'm pretty sure if you get the complete lower you'll have to pay that pesky 11% excise tax on it, you really shouldn't be nervous about building, it's a pretty easy task with the info available here.
Also if you're looking for a red dot sight check out primary arms, they're very reasonably priced and work great...not a great photo since it was my phone but here's mine http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb455/200lbGorilla/IMG01040-20120121-2228.jpg |
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