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  #1  
Old 01-10-2016, 04:19 PM
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My ladyfriend is interested in getting an AR as her new toy. Any thoughts on something simple, yet reliable? Something along the lines of an entry-level AR, but one that runs well. She'd prefer not spend a fortune on it, as it's mostly for plinking fun.

Also, the same question on a small reflex sight. Any suggestions?
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Old 01-10-2016, 05:58 PM
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S&W, rock river, psa all have good ones to start with. Others out there to that folks are putting together. Stick with mil- spec
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Old 01-10-2016, 06:18 PM
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I don't think finding a decent flat top AR will be a problem, probably in the $500 range, possibly less. More problematic will be finding a good small reflex sight at a reasonable cost. My experience tells me you get what you pay for there. I have yet to find a good one, that will hold zero, for a "reasonable" price.

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Old 01-10-2016, 06:34 PM
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The new M&P 15 Sport II is as good as it gets.
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Old 01-10-2016, 07:26 PM
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New M&P Sport II was available online last night for $540. Sold out fast, can get it at Buds for $590. Don't get better value than that.
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Old 01-10-2016, 07:40 PM
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I built mine with everything from PSA and then ordered another for my son. Both have been excellent.
I've had an original Vortex strikefire on mine for years and it too has been great.
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Old 01-10-2016, 07:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CATI1835 View Post
I don't think finding a decent flat top AR will be a problem, probably in the $500 range, possibly less. More problematic will be finding a good small reflex sight at a reasonable cost. My experience tells me you get what you pay for there. I have yet to find a good one, that will hold zero, for a "reasonable" price.
Was talking to my favorite LGS owner on Thursday. He can't get a low to mid priced AR. Real high end stuff, available all day. The cheaper rifles are getting harder and harder to find. If you find one in stock, better buy it . . .
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Old 01-10-2016, 07:48 PM
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For recreational use... Sport II and Bushnell TRS25. For use beyond recreation, Aimpoint Micro.

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Old 01-10-2016, 08:58 PM
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I have a Del-Ton Sport Lite. It only cost me $500, but it works very reliably. I've put over 3000 rounds of mostly Wolf steel cased ammo through it. Not a single issue. Period. A shooting bud has an M&P Sport that cost him about $200 more. It works, too. He doesn't have as many rounds through his, but it's a been totally reliable, too. Neither has a dust cover or FA. They haven't been missed on either weapon. Looking closely at the two side by side it appears that they are of similar quality. Both are well finished and assembled properly with similar parts. It's hard to find a bad AR. Just find one you like at a price you're willing to pay.
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Old 01-11-2016, 01:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muss Muggins View Post
Was talking to my favorite LGS owner on Thursday. He can't get a low to mid priced AR. Real high end stuff, available all day. The cheaper rifles are getting harder and harder to find. If you find one in stock, better buy it . . .
That's because Bud's, CDNN and all those other bulk places have them.
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Old 01-11-2016, 01:44 AM
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I like the Colt 6920 and the Rock River for the money.
I have a 3x9 Vortex on the Colt and i have an Eotech
512 on the RR.
The Eotech is nice No magnification 1 Mil red dot
and i can regularily hit Skoal cans at 110 yards with it.
I put the 3x9 on the Colt 6920 as it has the 1-7 twist
bbl and i can shoot heavy bullets at longer ranges.
Colt 6920 around 1000-1100
Rock River around 1100-1200

Vortex scope 3x9 120-150. You could get Nikon 3x9 BDC for a little more 170-180 Both are good glass.
Eotech 512 400-450

Then a couple of aftermarket triggers and you are
good to go.

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Old 01-11-2016, 02:00 AM
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I often see the DPMS Oracle flat top on sale for $499 and it has all
the features like the dust cover and forward assist that some others
lack. The DPMS line gets consistantly high praise for quality at a
modest price in the American Rifleman magazine.
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Old 01-11-2016, 03:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alwslate View Post
I often see the DPMS Oracle flat top on sale for $499 and it has all
the features like the dust cover and forward assist that some others
lack. The DPMS line gets consistantly high praise for quality at a
modest price in the American Rifleman magazine.
I have a DPMS Oracle, which I purchased from Buds last August for $524 ($499 + $25 lifetime warranty) and it's been flawless. I currently have about 500 rounds through it and haven't had any issues. I couldn't be happier.



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Old 01-11-2016, 07:57 AM
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This is a great start- Thank you for the replies. Any other input on a simple-to-use optic? She's new to a rifle, and I'd like to stay away from a scope-type. I thought the reflex dot sight might interest her.
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Old 01-11-2016, 02:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petepeterson View Post
This is a great start- Thank you for the replies. Any other input on a simple-to-use optic? She's new to a rifle, and I'd like to stay away from a scope-type. I thought the reflex dot sight might interest her.
What's her budget for the optic? Some of the more "hardcore" guys swear by eotech, aimpoint, and trijicon. Howerver, they're all just as expensive as the ar-15's you're considering. If you're looking for something more economical, I'd recommend a red dot from primary arms, vortex, or bushnell. Based on the research I've done, they offer good bang for the buck. And you can get them for less than $100...
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Old 01-11-2016, 02:44 PM
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One thing I forgot to mention, be sure to get some back up iron sights for the ar15 if it doesn't have them already. Just out of curiosity, what role is the ar-15 gonna serve? Home defense? Fun range toy?
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Old 01-11-2016, 02:57 PM
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What's her budget for the optic? Some of the more "hardcore" guys swear by eotech, aimpoint, and trijicon. Howerver, they're all just as expensive as the ar-15's you're considering. If you're looking for something more economical, I'd recommend a red dot from primary arms, vortex, or bushnell. Based on the research I've done, they offer good bang for the buck. And you can get them for less than $100...
The "less than $100" thing is probably about where we're at. It will be a range toy, so I want something that works, but we will not be shooting National Matches. It will have irons, too, as I want her to learn that portion. So in essence, the reflex sight will be a "fun addition" to a "for fun" rifle. Hence not wanting to sink a lot of money into it.

I have a pretty good understanding of firearms, but the amount of choices for ARs and the gizmos that go with them is mind-boggling (which is why I'm asking here- I trust the members of this fine forum to at least narrow it down some for me). Makes me want to go home and kiss the stock of my Mini-14.
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Old 01-17-2016, 09:04 PM
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Update- She bought an M&P Sport.

Took it out this afternoon (in the cold) and ran it a bit. I can see why folks like them!

Seems like a good rifle for her to learn on. Now for the accessories...
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Old 01-17-2016, 10:03 PM
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I bought/built my 2nd one over the holidays. I have been studying /watching the AR PHENOM. The simple (uncomplicated) M&P sport is a good gun. IMO as a mil spec firearm there isn't any really good reason to spend a lot of $ on one unless your just into them... As in enjoy pimping them out. Or want to compete with one. Enjoy and good shooting.
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Old 01-18-2016, 10:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petepeterson View Post
The "less than $100" thing is probably about where we're at. It will be a range toy, so I want something that works, but we will not be shooting National Matches. It will have irons, too, as I want her to learn that portion. So in essence, the reflex sight will be a "fun addition" to a "for fun" rifle. Hence not wanting to sink a lot of money into it.

I have a pretty good understanding of firearms, but the amount of choices for ARs and the gizmos that go with them is mind-boggling (which is why I'm asking here- I trust the members of this fine forum to at least narrow it down some for me). Makes me want to go home and kiss the stock of my Mini-14.
I've been using the Bushnell TRS-25 for at least 10 years on my Beretta CX-4 9mm carbine..........great little red dot for the $$s .... can be found for around $80-100.... with or w/o a riser.......

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Old 01-18-2016, 12:45 PM
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Colt 6920 with Magpul furniture.
It will have the back sight.
Shoot it...get familiar with it THEN
decide what optics you like.
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Old 01-18-2016, 12:58 PM
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She did pretty well with the irons. We were fortunate enough to have a few folks show up with some decked out models, and they were nice enough to show her some of the features that they liked, including some red-dots.
Now she wants a suppressor! Have to talk her down from that ledge.
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Old 01-18-2016, 01:23 PM
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She did pretty well with the irons. We were fortunate enough to have a few folks show up with some decked out models, and they were nice enough to show her some of the features that they liked, including some red-dots.
Now she wants a suppressor! Have to talk her down from that ledge.
Take a look at the Primary Arms Red Dot. It is a decent value at $169 or $89 depending on which model you choose and you can sometimes find it on sale. This is as cheap as I would go. When you go cheaper you get QC issues and trouble holding Zero.

Primary Arms Advanced Micro Dot with Push Buttons MD-ADS | Primary Arms

Primary Arms Micro Dot With Removable Base - MD-RBGII - Primary Arms

I would not touch an Eotech with your ten foot pole. They have been knowingly shipping defective sights for a while. Just settled a lawsuit with the Federal Govt and are issuing refunds to commerical customers.

If you want to step up to the next level in a red dot I would look at the Aimpoint Pro. You can find them on sale $350 range. If it were my money I would get the Pro. It is a great optic at $350. Its only downside is weight. If you are mainly just plinking weight is not a big deal.

Other than that I would hold off buying anything else but more ammo. Shoot 500 to 1000 rounds and then she will have a good frame of reference from which to choose accessories.Too many people do not shoot the basic platform enough before they buy all the toys and end up losing money on things that they don't really need. I would agree with Xfuzz and shoot the iron a bit more before you pick a red dot.

The best deal on AR ammo these days is Wolf Gold which can be had for about $310 shipped for 1000 rounds. It is loaded close to NATO spec and is brass cased.

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Old 01-18-2016, 04:24 PM
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I've been using the Bushnell TRS-25 for at least 10 years on my Beretta CX-4 9mm carbine..........great little red dot for the $$s .... can be found for around $80-100.... with or w/o a riser.......
Thanks BAM,

This one has a flip down rear sight, but the front sight is fixed. Does that mean I need a riser to use the red-dot (to see over the front sight)?
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Old 01-18-2016, 06:24 PM
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Thanks BAM,

This one has a flip down rear sight, but the front sight is fixed. Does that mean I need a riser to use the red-dot (to see over the front sight)?
If it is the standard A2 height you can either absolute co-witness the red dot with no riser or you can put it one a riser on it a use the lower 1/3 co-witness. It is really a preference.

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