[Applin88]

I'm kinda new at becoming a fun enthusiast or a gun nut as I like to say I've found out real quick its a very expensive habit. My question is for the money hands down what is the best ar for the money and should I go with 7.62 or 223 and what about if I waned to build my own is it worth it or should I buy one ready for the range
Thanks to whoevers willin to throw some input my way

 

[HOSSFLY]

If its your 1st i'd say buy one ready to shoot in 5.56/223.
I've always been a DPMS fan but theres a ot of great AR builders
I strongly suggest a flat top----

 

[hawkguy]

i'm new to AR's, but i guess it helps to hear from folks with all levels of experience.

retail, in the $800-1200 price range, there are going to be so many choices its mind boggling. you should get some good feedback on this board, as many of the posters here really know their stuff.

many say they you can order & build your own high quality AR for $700-900, and save money vs purchasing off the shelf. i really have no expertise in this matter, it would be better for others to advise you here.

if you want the $600-750 price range, your options seem much more limited. mostly dpms it seems to me, which gets mixed reviews. also, there is the s&w sport, which i now own (bout $650). i think the s&w sport might be one of the best AR values out there at the moment. for 600-700, you have an AR you can basically pull out of the box and take to the range. i have been pretty impressed with mine, and i refuse to drop a grand on any firearm i've ever purchased thus far.....so if you are cheapo like me, check it out.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[JonM]

Depends on what your going to do with the ar.

Build your own check out the stickies top of the forum on how to diy it

Accuracy hard to beat rra with their cryoed airgauged wilson barrels.

For milspec its bravo company and colt either of which make very fine home defense cqb shtf run it hot and hard type rifles.

If you just like the look of an ar15 and are going to put a hundred or so rounds through it a month at the local plinking range pretty much anything else works great.

 

[00possum]

Rangersales.com and model1sales.com have some cheap AR15s but ranger is real shady and I've got bad reviews about the model1 lowers. I considerd buying just the upper and a prebuilt lower. I have considered the dpms oracle and other DPMSs but I'm in the same boat as you. I suggest getting a RRA lower and a DPMS or a model 1 upper. Something cheap andi it doesn't work you can replace the upper. Just be sure to get good lower, that's what gets messed up most often.

 

[lilbailnick]

STAG has infinite barrel warranty and the model 3 is optics ready w/out sights only down side but gun+sights could leave you under 1k. I love my STAG it's my 3rd AR and its been my favorite of DPMS, and another was Olympic upper with colt upper. My STAG has the hands down the tightest fit with upper/lower than any other I've had.

 

[lilbailnick]

Model3 STAG/rear Magpul&Troy Gas Block frog sight

 

[sweeper22]

It all boils down to what you want to spend and what type of AR you want. If you know what types of specific parts you want in each section or your rifle (like say, a generic BCG vs milspec vs nickel boron), you'll be best served building your own. But if you haven't yet discovered exactly what you want, your only real gain in building will be knowledge and experience.

As far as builds go, I think $800-1000 can go a long way on a Spike's build through JoeBob's. And in the $900-1300 range, it's tough to beat BCM.

Here's what I think is a quality starter build that will treat you right:

Spikes MOE, MilSpec mid-length (JoeBob's)

Spikes Stripped lower, Spikes LPK: $150
Spikes ML 16" MOE complete upper: $510 (add $100-150 for more elaborate handguard)
Magpul MOE stock, grip, MBUIS: $150

And you've got almost $200 for extras, upgrades, unforeseen expenses before you reach the $1000 mark. But some of this stuff requires waiting for it to come in stock and quickly snapping it up before someone else does.

 

[Applin88]

Depends on what your going to do with the ar.

Build your own check out the stickies top of the forum on how to diy it

Accuracy hard to beat rra with their cryoed airgauged wilson barrels.

For milspec its bravo company and colt either of which make very fine home defense cqb shtf run it hot and hard type rifles.

If you just like the look of an ar15 and are going to put a hundred or so rounds through it a month at the local plinking range pretty much anything else works great.

I like the look but and I've shot a couple before and just loved it and I think it would be a nice home defense gun but ain't gona be scared to take it to the range now and then and practice

 

[Applin88]

It all boils down to what you want to spend and what type of AR you want. If you know what types of specific parts you want in each section or your rifle (like say, a generic BCG vs milspec vs nickel boron), you'll be best served building your own. But if you haven't yet discovered exactly what you want, your only real gain in building will be knowledge and experience.

As far as builds go, I think $800-1000 can go a long way on a Spike's build through JoeBob's. And in the $900-1300 range, it's tough to beat BCM.

Here's what I think is a quality starter build that will treat you right:

Spikes MOE, MilSpec mid-length (JoeBob's)

Spikes Stripped lower, Spikes LPK: $150
Spikes ML 16" MOE complete upper: $510 (add $100-150 for more elaborate handguard)
Magpul MOE stock, grip, MBUIS: $150

And you've got almost $200 for extras, upgrades, unforeseen expenses before you reach the $1000 mark. But some of this stuff requires waiting for it to come in stock and quickly snapping it up before someone else does.

That knowledge and experience would probably be a good thing for a newby like me

 

[Axxe55]

first of all that question is very broad and very subjective. first you need to decide what exactly you expect from an AR, what you plan on doing with it, how much of a budget you have allowed for it's purchaase and whether you want one ready to shoot or what level at which you are willing to put together your own.

mine is a very basic, older Bushmaster 16" barreled, M4A2 Patrolman's Carbine, that serves my needs very well. i bought mine very lightly used and what i felt was a decent price. my next one will be built from the ground up, because i can build the one i want much cheaper with the features i want for than what i would be able purchase ready to go off the shelf. mnay will buy one off the shelf to become familiar with the platform and learn about their operation, assembly, cleaning and maintenance, before jumping in and building an AR. it's something i suggest for someone new to the AR platform and helps get them familiar with them and decide what the wnat or need and what they don't want or need in one. and that's one of the beauties of the AR platform, is that they are easily adaptable to just about anyone's needs or wants.

 

[Applin88]

first of all that question is very broad and very subjective. first you need to decide what exactly you expect from an AR, what you plan on doing with it, how much of a budget you have allowed for it's purchaase and whether you want one ready to shoot or what level at which you are willing to put together your own.

mine is a very basic, older Bushmaster 16" barreled, M4A2 Patrolman's Carbine, that serves my needs very well. i bought mine very lightly used and what i felt was a decent price. my next one will be built from the ground up, because i can build the one i want much cheaper with the features i want for than what i would be able purchase ready to go off the shelf. mnay will buy one off the shelf to become familiar with the platform and learn about their operation, assembly, cleaning and maintenance, before jumping in and building an AR. it's something i suggest for someone new to the AR platform and helps get them familiar with them and decide what the wnat or need and what they don't want or need in one. and that's one of the beauties of the AR platform, is that they are easily adaptable to just about anyone's needs or wants.

That makes sense I've been shopping around lookin to see what all I would want on one I was expecting to spend bout a thousand for one maybe a little less then over the next year just kinda add to it to make it fit me

 

[purehavoc]

Ithink for what your looking for this is a bargain and still leaves you with extra cash for optics and or ammo . FN barrel
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Palmetto_State_Armory_AR15_M4_ORC_16_Chrome_Lined_p/gun-psam4-clf.htm