Entry level AR 15
 

I'm helping a buddy pick out his first AR 15. I own a couple colts, daniel defense and rock river arms so I'm not too familiar with smith Wesson, wihndam weaponry or dpms entry level AR 15. When I say entry level the prices I'm seeing at the stores are ($600-900). I noticed all the entry level ar15's don't have the castle nut staked. Do they use lock tight or similar or just tighten and leave it at that? If so any issues with castle nut coming loose? I could take the AR apart at cabela's do I'm also curious are the bolt carriers not staked earlier? Any input helps a great deal. Trying to figure out if I should tell my buddy to save a little longer and spend a little more.

Sorry for some typos. Typing on an iPhone.

For that price tell him to get a PSA and he'll love it IMO it's a better setup than a DPMS or S&W. You can also look at Core-15 which are a nice AR for that price level.

IMO I really like the S&W M&P sport version. It don't have a forward assist or dust cover but overall it's a shooter. If you don't believe me check them out throughout the net or forums. I added a few MagPul items to mine just to kinda keep up with the times lol. Stock sport out the door ran me $685. They are a lot of really nice AR's out and about but it's all what you want or need. Good luck on finding the right one for your pal.

Staking a castle nut or gas key isn't rocket science. If the rifle needs staking, learn how and where to do it, and you're done.

Zero problems with my DPMS and the gas key was already staked.

PSA. Has their 16" carbine patrol rifle with aimpoints optics for $999. That's one hell of a deal

How are aimpoint patrol optics? Was going to order this earlier but not familiar

I recently helped a buddy build his first one up. You can do that pretty inexpensively. I forget what the total was. Used a PSA stripped lower and LPK, got the buffer tube and a couple of the other parts I didn't have from Midway. I had a couple of stocks that we used.

In other words I sold a bunch of the spares I had around and built up a nice AR for him.

2 MOA, 30,000 hrs of battery life 3 yrs. waterproof to 150 ft , NV settings . Great optic

Smith and Wesson M&P15 SPORT. 16in 1:8 twist mid-weight barrel, staked chrome lined gas key, chrome lined bolt carrier, magpul MBus rear sight. One of the best values for under $800 IMO.
It is a slick side, but most of the time all a forward assist does is get a shell more stuck anyway.