My First AR
 

Good morning,

Im interested in buying my first AR.

Primary use: Shooting range 50-300yds. Family use, introduction gun to rifles. Once a month, approx 200 rounds a trip.

Options: .223, because ammo is less expensive; 16" Bull Barrel SS, flat top so I can mount a scope. Direct Gas Impingement, a forearm that I can mount a bipod too.

So I've looked and researched, researched and looked...and I've come to like the DPMS Panther Bull Sweet Sixteen. It has a great price point ($1000), basic setup. I can modify items (stock, trigger, grip) later once I get a feel for the rifle.

Another rifle i found was from American Spirit Arms 16" SS Bull M4 with a flat top. The magazine review I read was impressive, but it is more expensive.

Last is Rock Rivers LAR-15 Fred Eichler. I like the features and options, but don't like the paw print outlines on the forearm. Not sure what they were thinking. Ok, the wife said it was cute...come on now!

I plan to mount a Nikon M-223 3-12x42 scope

I've never used these companies products or interacted with them. What advice can you give about these companies?
Any help is appreciated, thanks.

Of the brands you mentioned I would go with the Rock River. When I did the research prior to buying my first AR I went with an RRA. Mine has been very reliable and accurate so far. I haven't found anything about it to NOT like.

I second snakes opinion. I just got an RRA Operator 2 and it's amazing

For the price of the Fred E. model you can have a Daniel Defense. The DD is the better rifle, no comparison. You could also go with a BCM for a couple hundred less than the DD. There's better out there in that price range. That's a big chunk of change.

As a family use firearm is weight going to be a problem?

Of the ones mentioned I would elan towards the RRA. With that said for the $$ you could also be looking at a STAG, I assembled one for myself and it runs and shoots great ;)

Thanks for the comments.

@ Mjkeat: I don't think rifle weight will be a problem.

Another question I have: Is it cheaper to buy a basic rifle and modify it on your own (for example stock, grips, trigger, forearm) or buy a package deal that has these upgrades already?

I say buy it as you want it the first time , simply because you will need to buy tools if you want to change to a low profile gas block , change from a drop in handguard to a free floater or change barrels . Then once you change it all out its just sitting around collecting dust . most of the time it will be cheaper buying it already installed than purchasing it out right anyway . Grips are not a big deal, easy to change out and inexpensive anyway , Stocks not so much they vary from $50-$200 still easy to change unless you have to put on a different buffer tube then you will again need tools

Unless you're shooting from a bench weight is always a problem. I'm a 6ft 197lb vet w combat experience and excess weight is a performance hindrance.

Accessories should be added as you figure out what you need. If you know the stock, rail, optic, etc that works best for you then it is less expensive to purchase the AR already configured. If you don't know what works best for you and you order an AR with all the stiff on it already it can get expensive replacing stuff.

I'd agree with MJ here, bulls are great fo the bench. But, if you are planning on lugging it around or shooting free hand, I'd give serious consideration to a lighter profile.

IF you are only planning on shooting 200 a trip, a medium contour should shoot very nicely for you. If you are gonna mount a high power scope and try for .5 moa groups with handloads, a bull barrel would be a great choice. If you think that LW profiles aren't accurate, come with me to the range and lets go bang some steel. We'll start out at 200 yards, then goto 300, and end the day at 400, with m193 or .223 cheap range grade ammo, unmagnified 4 moa red dot or irons.