Entry Level AR?

[JM]

Seeking recommendations on the AR style rifles. I've not felt the need to purchase one before & haven't researched them much. My G/F wants one. I'm guessing there are choices to be made on cast vs. forged receivers, quality barrels, trigger assembly, etc.

What all do I need to know? What make/models/accessories should I consider & what price range should I expect?

Thank you.

[zeus]

You’ll see mainly forged and billet receiver sets. If you want a good one already made, any of the big names will suffice, Rock River arms, bushmaster , Daniel defense, FN etc. all make good guns as almost all the parts are the same. If you want to build your own......pick you favorite receivers, I like the geiselle triggers, they are roughly $270 for the national match version. I like geiselle and Knight armament rails. Barrels, we do Krieger on some and some douglas and FN. WMD makes a great bolt carrier assembly. I like the Magpul UBR stock, the LMT and the PRS from Magpul for the big long range rifles. The other two are collapsible. I also have been using a Maxim sliding rear stock on some 11” guns. Very nice and small footprint versus standard collapsible. In the end, the build will be dictated by your needs and what you plan to use it for. TONS of options out there but supply’s could be tight right now.

Ruger also makes a good AR for entry level. Or you can look at places like Palmetto armory and see what “kits” they have in and grab a lower and you’re good to go. Probably cheapest route to go!

[squawberryman]

With AR's it really does depend on what you wish to spend. On Palmettos website you can get a complete AR for under 500, and maybe with some ammo. That ain't a JP or Daniel Defense. If you choose to "build" your own you'll need some tools that will add to the cost. Fun to run though. Coat the barrel with WD40 and run through a 29 round mag, lotsa smoke.

[zeus]

JM, where are you located?

[JM]

Jun 12, 2020 21:17:20 GMT -5 zeus said:

JM, where are you located?

AZ.

Local Shop is selling S&W AR platform. Plan on taking a look tomorrow. Not really looking for a higher end model at this time. Don't want to buy junk either though.

Thanks

[zeus]

Those are good ones as well. Just make sure it’s not the one without forward assist. They make a few options that are “sport”. You want the FA etc. you can always upgrade that receiver set down the road if you choose.

[plowboysghost]

I got to thinking about maybe "needing" a few semi-automatics back in January/February, so I snagged a New Glock 17, a new Sub-2000 (Glock 17 mag model), and 2 new Diamondback DB15MZ AR's in 5.56......as well as a bunch of ammo, mags, red dots, sights, etc.....just in case I get tired of topping off the 1895 CBA or the Uberti '66 "Winchester" .45 Colt carbine.

The AR's may not be considered "top shelf", but they sure ain't junk either. They both run great.

[x101airborne]

I have a Diamondback 308 version and it is a smokin tac driver! I have used full custom sniper rifles that wont stand up to this diamondback.

OP- I have built AR's for the last 20 years since learning the ins and outs from Armorer's School for the US Army. Currently I own around 25 in various configurations. I use them mainly for ranch rifles with 10 round magazines. The 5.56 / 223 rifles get the most use with 65 grain boat tail soft points. These have proven reliable on hogs and coyotes, some out to ridiculous ranges (or what I consider ridiculous, anyhow). I order a lot of kits from Palmetto State Armory then pair them with the cheapest all metal lower receiver I can find. Some shoot "so so", but some are rather amazing. Even the "so so" ones are around MOA with the right ammo.

[AxeHandle]

Can't speak for anywhere else but here the good deal ARs are gone. The panic buyers took them all home. I hear the distributors have nothing to replace them with. Have a memory of, during the AR glut days, having a salesman saying, "Ever seen $1,000,000 of ARs?" while pointing to the stacks of new ARs in the warehouse.

[bushog]

I was thinking I wanted to break down and get one too but didn't want to spend a ton.

Looks like I'll buy another shotgun....

[JM]

I looked at a few Saturday. One was a S&W flat top version without the forward assist feature. Saw a Diamondback & thought it looked like the best deal that was there. Just don't know about their reputation. There are about a dozen AR type rifles available between the 3 local shops.

[nicholst55]

Run a web search thusly "XXX Brand AR-15 reviews," and fill in the name of the manufacturer you're wondering about. Should have days worth of reading. Now, take into consideration that most folks don't bother to post positive reviews unless they're being paid to. If most people say that a specific brand is junk, they may actually be. You just have to wade through the reviews and separate the wheat from the chaff.

[JM]

Jun 15, 2020 4:16:59 GMT -5 nicholst55 said:

Run a web search thusly "XXX Brand AR-15 reviews," and fill in the name of the manufacturer you're wondering about. Should have days worth of reading. Now, take into consideration that most folks don't bother to post positive reviews unless they're being paid to. If most people say that a specific brand is junk, they may actually be. You just have to wade through the reviews and separate the wheat from the chaff.

Been attempting that. Sure is a lot of static out there.

[zeus]

Jun 15, 2020 9:07:21 GMT -5 JM said:

Jun 15, 2020 4:16:59 GMT -5 nicholst55 said:

Run a web search thusly "XXX Brand AR-15 reviews," and fill in the name of the manufacturer you're wondering about. Should have days worth of reading. Now, take into consideration that most folks don't bother to post positive reviews unless they're being paid to. If most people say that a specific brand is junk, they may actually be. You just have to wade through the reviews and separate the wheat from the chaff.

Been attempting that. Sure is a lot of static out there.

Lots of it for sure. They all work about the same. If you are just wanting MOA accuracy for plinking etc then almost any baseline cheaper gun will suffice honestly. You can upgrade easily anytime you want down the road with like one tool and possibly an action block if you need. I find I can do most all of it without my blocks these days. If you build one from scratch for accuracy, it will usually cost a good bit more to use all top shelf parts. I’ve also seen really cheap guns put small groups in the target. So start with whatever you’re comfortable with that comes from a good name you know will have good Cs should you get need it and go from there.

I’ve seen good feedback on the DB guns but I’ve never owned one. I’ve helped buddies with really cheap builds and they shot great. Not up to my custom Krueger barreled Riga but dang good for 1/4 or less of the cost. I just don’t think you’ll go wrong with any of them as they all probably buy their parts from the same folks when you’re looking at the entry level rigs. All are compatible with each other etc. the one exception that jumps out at me is Knight armament. They have a unique bolt assembly that is supposed to be super durable. I’ve never replaced any of mine and hope no too since they cost about 5 times a normal one. My brain says it may be better to change it 5 times than only once over the years. Haha

[squawberryman]

and don't let the "selling point" of piston deter you from gas. I have a pre ban Colt SP1 with a factory collapsible stock that probably weighs four and a half pounds loaded with twenty nine rounds. More anything means more period. The AR concept is lost on too many guns, even a few of mine.