First AR Purchase

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Posted: 4/13/2018 4:12:43 PM EDT

I am a College student with some gun experience,

Looking for a good budget AR for range preferably under $1000 and a 16" barrel
Just moved out and too young to purchase a pistol or build my own.
looking to upgrade it as I go but would like a good starting point.

Posted: 4/13/2018 4:19:10 PM EDT

[#1]

Well what kind of features are you looking for? Free float handguard? Fixed front sight post?

Posted: 4/13/2018 4:21:58 PM EDT

[#2]

PSA is what you seek. Use the money you save for an optic and ammo.

Posted: 4/13/2018 4:28:14 PM EDT

[#3]

would prefer free float hand guard and low profile gas block, I have access to a shop back home so if it has a fixed post that would be the first change.
not really looking for anything too fancy just a good base model to build on

Posted: 4/13/2018 4:38:06 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
PSA is what you seek. Use the money you save for an optic and ammo.

View Quote

This. Great deals on an AR that will be more than adequate for your needs. Have it sent to your local FFL holder and hit the range. Enjoy.

Posted: 4/13/2018 4:44:35 PM EDT

[#5]

Colt LE6920 or Colt AR6720

Posted: 4/13/2018 4:54:09 PM EDT

[#6]

For optics are MBUS flip up sights any good?
I like the idea of flip ups but am unsure of accuracy

Posted: 4/13/2018 4:59:17 PM EDT

[#7]

MBUS are adequate for back-up sights. When I say optic, I mean get something like a red dot sight or low power variable optic.

Posted: 4/13/2018 5:44:29 PM EDT

[#8]

+1

Lots of good deals at PSA. You can "pin together" a complete upper receiver group to a complete lower receiver group, or you can buy a complete "Rifle kit" which would require you to assemble a complete LRG from a stripped lower you buy separately or from your local gun store.

Example of Rifle Kit

Posted: 4/13/2018 11:57:10 PM EDT

[#9]

You can buy their complete rifles for under 600 as well. And there's always the M&P Sport II.

Decent rifles that should suit you well until you get more money to scratch the itch you're gonna get.

Posted: 4/14/2018 4:47:29 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Colt LE6920 or Colt AR6720

View Quote

I would also suggest a Colt LE6920. It is in your price range. Shoot it with the open sights initially. Buy as much magazines and ammo you can afford. Good luck and be safe.

Posted: 4/14/2018 8:36:24 PM EDT

[#11]

This is what I have:

Upper

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-13-5-lightweight-m-lok-upper-with-bcg-ch-mbus-sight-set-5165447592.html

And

Lower

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar15-moe-ept-lower-black.html

*FYI--PSA has a lot of out of stock stuff and shipping can take quite a while...

I bought a Sig Romeo 5 XDR for another $225.

Pretty sweet rig

PSA also does deals with mag/ammo combos so that would help in that department.

Good luck and enjoy.

Posted: 4/14/2018 9:32:47 PM EDT

[#12]

get a palmetto state for like $450 and an aimpoint PRO. spend the rest on ammo and mags.

Posted: 4/18/2018 3:23:55 PM EDT

[#13]

Smith & Wesson M&P 15 or Ruger AR556 are definitely your best bets for that. They are the two most popular rifles for under $1000. You could probably also build one for less than $1000 but only if you're up to the challenge.

Posted: 4/19/2018 6:30:49 PM EDT

[#14]

Colt 6920
Colt 6720
Colt CCU
Windham Weaponry
of course look at BCM
Arms Unlimited has some good deals lately, CDNN also.
Personally I'd skip PSA, but that's me

Posted: 4/19/2018 6:59:38 PM EDT

[#15]

PSA

You could get this and a carry handle sight for it. Also get this upper and a scope for it. Later you can get another lower, until then you could swap uppers.

Posted: 4/19/2018 7:08:09 PM EDT

[#16]

I don't care for PSA also. You can find higher quality AR's out there for under $1000 all over. I recommend a SOLGW as a basic high quality, well built, and good accuracy. I also think 6920 or a BCM are great choices.

Posted: 4/24/2018 7:13:27 PM EDT

[#17]

Here’s my M&P 15 Sport II Optic, I have $840 in it as shown. Shoots great.

Posted: 4/25/2018 3:44:30 PM EDT

[#18]

One of these is what you seek:

http://www.primaryarms.com/bca-16in-556-complete-mlok-rifle-cr556mm41617p-12mlok
http://www.primaryarms.com/bca-16in-556-complete-mlok-rifle-cr556cm41618p-12mlok

or for $10 more get the 15" handguard:

http://www.primaryarms.com/bear-creek-arsenal-16in-.223-wylde-complete-rifle-15in-mlok

Personally, I'd go for the mid-length on option #1. And...if you peruse their website, stay away from Radical Arms products even if the prices are tempting.

Posted: 4/25/2018 5:59:23 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Colt LE6920 or Colt AR6720

View Quote

Either one of these Colts are a good "first AR". You'll get at least another. Its called the "Black RIfle Disease".

Posted: 6/2/2018 5:31:15 AM EDT

[#20]

I am in the same shoes as you. But I had the advantage of building it myself because I live at home and my dad got the stripped lower under his name.

I went the PSA route. I bought this rifle kit from them and picked up an Anderson Mfg. stripped lower at the Primary Arms store. Also bought a 10 and 30 rd PMAG M3. My total cost for these is $486 and change. Except for a few rifles on sale at Primary Arms, I don't think you can beat that price. The closest I've seen a brand new AR15 is like $499 (the DPMS Oracle), but that doesn't have any sights or anything so you have to buy an optic/sights to go shoot. This kit came with the MAGPUL MBUS flip up sights and, well, they seem nice. I'm gonna go shoot it tomorrow for the first time so I guess we'll see if they're any good. But my point is, with this build I've everything I want--13.5" MLOK handguard, MAGPUL stock and sights--and it's really inexpensive.

You said you had access to a shop back home. There is a lot of satisfaction and learning that comes with putting that stripped lower together. For me it was special because I got to do it with my dad; if you can get your dad to help you out on the stripped lower part then you're golden. If not, then there are great recommendations in this thread, to which I can't say anything about, because I have no experience with.

I have shot a DPMS Oracle and it was good. Had too many mods on it for me to delve further, but it was fun to shoot and accurate. Good luck in your search.

Posted: 6/2/2018 5:40:00 AM EDT

[#21]

I'd find something as close to what you want on PSA and start there. Nothing wrong with the MBUS sights, but I wouldn't prefer them long term if they are your only sights on the weapon.

Primary arms has a lot of really good, really inexpensive red dots. So does vortex. Then you can spend the money on ammo instead of $500-700 for a red dot yet.

Blue force two point slings are great. B5 sopmod stocks are nice.

Posted: 6/2/2018 7:23:07 AM EDT

[#22]

As other have mentioned Windham Weaponry, PSA, S&W M&P, Ruger AR556, ect. are all good choices. You could always browse the EE as well, there are usually some good deals to be had in there.

Posted: 6/2/2018 8:47:55 AM EDT

[#23]

Purchase a rife length, the way God and Eugene Stoner intended.

Posted: 6/3/2018 9:00:20 AM EDT

[#24]

I don't feel like going back but I'm sure you said you wanted a free-float that normally equates to a low profile gas block that is if you want the free float to cover it up and I don't know anyone who wants an exposed gas block. Therefore, recommending The colt 6920 is not a good recommendation because it is not a free-float. Actually, most of the recommendations on here are not equipped with a free-float. There is nothing wrong with PSA I would definitely look at their "Daily Deals". You can't beat some of their prices. You can go to their website and click on daily deals and they will usually have several uppers at really good prices and matching lowers to go with it. One thing to remember is that PSA's castle nut is always staked... When I first messing with their lowers I found out the hard way. Good luck and happy shooting

Posted: 6/17/2018 9:46:15 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
Colt LE6920 or Colt AR6720

View Quote

Posted: 6/18/2018 4:32:41 PM EDT

[#26]

I just picked up my first AR 2 weeks ago, OP. A Savage MSR-15 Recon. Give it a look. 780 to 800 bucks. Got a Nikon P-223 scope on top for 230 bucks.
Shoots Fiocchi 55 grain .223 FMJ through the same hole at 100yards- 13 shots. Real nice rifle. Wasn’t expecting it to be this accurate.

Posted: 6/18/2018 5:52:52 PM EDT

[#27]

PSA CHF 14.7 Upper

PSA Ambi Complete lower

Toolcraft Nitride BCG

Raptor Charging Handle

Solid rifle for around $675 ... Hit up the EE for BUIS and an optic. NIB Aimpoint PROs can regularly be found for around $325 on the low side.

Posted: 6/18/2018 7:56:10 PM EDT

[#28]

Larue UU kit?

Posted: 6/18/2018 8:28:40 PM EDT

[#29]

PSA.
Ruger AR556.
http://www.mrgundealer.com/rifles/semi-automatic-rifles/ruger-ar-556-8500-556-30rd-736676085002-ar556-ar-556-08500-10474385
Rugers 1:8 twist spits everything down range quite accurately. 223 wylde fires 5.56 and .223 commercial loadings.
I was quite impressed with its accuracy out of the box.
Trigger is better than my brother in laws M&P15

The threaded delta ring makes swapping out handguards a breeze.

Posted: 6/19/2018 10:18:46 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
I just picked up my first AR 2 weeks ago, OP. A Savage MSR-15 Recon. Give it a look. 780 to 800 bucks. Got a Nikon P-223 scope on top for 230 bucks.
Shoots Fiocchi 55 grain .223 FMJ through the same hole at 100yards- 13 shots. Real nice rifle. Wasn’t expecting it to be this accurate.

View Quote

BS

Posted: 6/20/2018 10:29:52 AM EDT

[#31]

Look at:
Colt
LMT
Windham Weaponry
RRA
DsArms

Posted: 6/22/2018 12:34:26 AM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
BS

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I just picked up my first AR 2 weeks ago, OP. A Savage MSR-15 Recon. Give it a look. 780 to 800 bucks. Got a Nikon P-223 scope on top for 230 bucks.
Shoots Fiocchi 55 grain .223 FMJ through the same hole at 100yards- 13 shots. Real nice rifle. Wasn’t expecting it to be this accurate.

BS

LOL so true. Never in my life have I seen an AR15 shoot commercial ammo anywhere close to MOA let alone through the same hole. I second calling BS.

Posted: 6/24/2018 3:53:40 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
LOL so true. Never in my life have I seen an AR15 shoot commercial ammo anywhere close to MOA let alone through the same hole. I second calling BS.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I just picked up my first AR 2 weeks ago, OP. A Savage MSR-15 Recon. Give it a look. 780 to 800 bucks. Got a Nikon P-223 scope on top for 230 bucks.
Shoots Fiocchi 55 grain .223 FMJ through the same hole at 100yards- 13 shots. Real nice rifle. Wasn’t expecting it to be this accurate.

BS

LOL so true. Never in my life have I seen an AR15 shoot commercial ammo anywhere close to MOA let alone through the same hole. I second calling BS.

Absolutely agree. That person is flat out full of shit

Posted: 6/26/2018 11:11:30 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
Absolutely agree. That person is flat out full of shit

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I just picked up my first AR 2 weeks ago, OP. A Savage MSR-15 Recon. Give it a look. 780 to 800 bucks. Got a Nikon P-223 scope on top for 230 bucks.
Shoots Fiocchi 55 grain .223 FMJ through the same hole at 100yards- 13 shots. Real nice rifle. Wasn’t expecting it to be this accurate.

BS

LOL so true. Never in my life have I seen an AR15 shoot commercial ammo anywhere close to MOA let alone through the same hole. I second calling BS.

Absolutely agree. That person is flat out full of shit

Maybe it was a 12"hole?

Posted: 6/26/2018 11:27:57 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
Maybe it was a 12"hole?

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I just picked up my first AR 2 weeks ago, OP. A Savage MSR-15 Recon. Give it a look. 780 to 800 bucks. Got a Nikon P-223 scope on top for 230 bucks.
Shoots Fiocchi 55 grain .223 FMJ through the same hole at 100yards- 13 shots. Real nice rifle. Wasn’t expecting it to be this accurate.

BS

LOL so true. Never in my life have I seen an AR15 shoot commercial ammo anywhere close to MOA let alone through the same hole. I second calling BS.

Absolutely agree. That person is flat out full of shit

Maybe it was a 12"hole?

Posted: 6/26/2018 11:31:47 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
get a palmetto state for like $450 and an aimpoint PRO. spend the rest on ammo and mags.

View Quote

This.. or pony up a bit more for a Colt 6920 if it helps you sleep better at night.

Posted: 7/24/2018 9:01:41 PM EDT

[#37]

LMT, Colt, BCM upper with another complete lower(maybe Aero Precision), or Ballistic Advantage. If you insist on a PSA, at least get the CHF version with FN barrel.

Don't just get some $400 PSA budget gun because it's your first AR. Spend the whole grand.

Posted: 7/24/2018 9:05:50 PM EDT

[#38]

Colt 6920 and used Aimpoint off EE

Posted: 7/24/2018 9:12:35 PM EDT

[#39]

I always, always suggest people buy an AR pistol with brace now instead of a rifle. The brace works fine and you can use any barrel length you want, so it just gives you freedom. If you buy a rifle then you can never, ever install a shorter barrel (unless you get a SBR stamp) because it will remain a rifle legally forever. Besides, 10-12” barrels just look sexier than a 16” one, and they are lighter too. IMO 16” barrels are kinda old fashioned.

Unfortunately most gun stores don’t carry many AR pistols. It’s best to buy your guns online these days anyways, unless you just like giving away hundreds of extra dollars. So I suggest you pick out a braced pistol power, and whatever upper you desire. I do all my shopping at PSA.

Posted: 7/25/2018 9:54:28 AM EDT

[#40]

Get a Colt 6920 and be done with it.

Posted: 7/25/2018 12:43:03 PM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
I always, always suggest people buy an AR pistol with brace now instead of a rifle. The brace works fine and you can use any barrel length you want, so it just gives you freedom. If you buy a rifle then you can never, ever install a shorter barrel (unless you get a SBR stamp) because it will remain a rifle legally forever. Besides, 10-12” barrels just look sexier than a 16” one, and they are lighter too. IMO 16” barrels are kinda old fashioned.

Unfortunately most gun stores don’t carry many AR pistols. It’s best to buy your guns online these days anyways, unless you just like giving away hundreds of extra dollars. So I suggest you pick out a braced pistol power, and whatever upper you desire. I do all my shopping at PSA.

View Quote

Very good advice particularly with the SBa3 brace and its mil-spec receiver extension. One can now go straight to a pistol upper or 14.5 without having to pin and weld.

I have an 11.5 upper on top of a SBa3 equipped lower with H buffer. It runs great so I know it would have no problems mating with any other uppers.

Posted: 10/13/2018 9:03:21 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
Colt LE6920 or Colt AR6720

View Quote

Winner

Posted: 10/13/2018 9:07:29 PM EDT

[#43]

Don't buy a cheap ass psa.

S&W or Colt.

INB4 the psa fanboys.

Posted: 10/13/2018 11:07:46 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:
Don't buy a cheap ass psa.

S&W or Colt.

INB4 the psa fanboys.

View Quote

Can you provide some valid points as to why someone shouldn't own a PSA? As someone who owns both Colts and PSA's premium barreled uppers, I'd like to hear your points as you obviously have vast amounts of experience with PSA's products judging by your claims.

Posted: 10/13/2018 11:20:44 PM EDT

[#45]

Another vote for the Colt 6920

Posted: 10/14/2018 4:24:33 AM EDT

[#46]

lol, someone putting an S&W above a psa and on the same level as colt... lol

Posted: 10/14/2018 9:34:19 AM EDT

[#47]

All of you that failed in reading comprehension, HE IS TOO YOUNG TO BUY ANYTHING EXCEPT A COMPLETE LONG GUN. That means he cannot build one, get a complete upper and a complete lower and pin them together and it certainly means he cannot build or buy a pistol.

Posted: 10/14/2018 12:07:57 PM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
All of you that failed in reading comprehension, HE IS TOO YOUNG TO BUY ANYTHING EXCEPT A COMPLETE LONG GUN. That means he cannot build one, get a complete upper and a complete lower and pin them together and it certainly means he cannot build or buy a pistol.

View Quote

Maybe he is 20, and about to turn 21. You don't know that, either.

Posted: 10/14/2018 7:42:05 PM EDT

[#49]

M&P15 Sport II....go watch Mr GunsnGear review on youtube……………..you will buy it after you see it. This rifle performs way above its purchase price...its been proven.