First AR-15 (budget or save up)

[rockquarry]

I am currently at 4 guns and at this point the only gap in my minimalist collection seems to be an AR-15/AK/SKS or some form of rifle in intermediate caliber.

I am still unsure if I will even get one but if I do decide to get my fifth gun I am leaning heavily towards an AR-15 due to 5.56 ammo prices compared to 7.62x39. That leaves only a few unanswered questions.

1. Do I even need an AR or would it just sit in my safe? What has been your experience is it just an expensive range toy or do you feel your AR is a critical part of your collection?

2. Do I need to shell out several thousand to have a rifle that is truly ready for anything or is a more budget friendly rifle like an M&P or Ruger good enough if a break glass in case of emergency situation arises?

3. What are some things you wish someone told you before you got your first AR? What are some things a newbie should know before diving into this?

thanks in advance!

You mention AK and SKS. I don't know anything about AKs other than I wouldn't have one; just no interest. I did buy a couple of new SKSs when they were real cheap about thirty-five years ago. I know they are quite popular and I found them surprisingly accurate with handloads using good bullets. They even shot cast bullets with decent accuracy. Regardless, these are incredibly crude guns and I couldn't imagine what purpose they serve other than what they were designed for. If we can afford a gun at all, we can all do better than an SKS.

 

[rug357]

I think you should buy a receiver and get what you like at Palmetto and put it together. By putting the gun together yourself you will learn a lot about how it works and have some idea on what to do when it fails to work. IMHO you can spend $500 and put a good AR together that fits your needs. It probably won't shoot 1 MOA or last 50,000 rounds but does it have to? Start with a good iron sight and save up for a good red dot sight like Aimpoint as good optics are not cheap...and never go cheap on optics. Get couple of good mags and all you need is ammo and some training on how to use the rifle.

 

[wood714]

Surely it's better than YouTube.

Just for the fact they have a machinist drawing with measurements to make a DIAS.

I bet a lot of people put it to use.

 

[duke2002]

I agree with PSA. I have built a couple off parts from them. They run some pretty good deals on blem uppers etc. Down the road you can always screw a better barrel on it.

 

[wood714]

You mention AK and SKS. I don't know anything about AKs other than I wouldn't have one; just no interest. I did buy a couple of new SKSs when they were real cheap about thirty-five years ago. I know they are quite popular and I found them surprisingly accurate with handloads using good bullets. They even shot cast bullets with decent accuracy. Regardless, these are incredibly crude guns and I couldn't imagine what purpose they serve other than what they were designed for. If we can afford a gun at all, we can all do better than an SKS.

The good old days when you could buy a 1000 round case of 7.62x39 for around $70.00.

It's more expensive than 5.56 these days.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

The 5.56 AK-47 refers variants of the AK-47 that are chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. Lighter ammo and reduced recoil, the AR and AK can shoot the same rounds when chambered accordingly. These rifles are popular for both hunting and target shooting due to the availability of U.S.-produced ammo.

Don't like 7.62x39 rounds? No problem, and they have made some fine factory variants. While you can fire a .223 Rem. in a rifle chambered for a 5.56 NATO cartridge, you can't do the vice versa as it's unsafe and can damage the weapon or the operator.

I believe we buy what we want or what we can afford. I like a good Vepr, a good Saiga, and Romanian SAR 3 for said purpose, but they are all over the market by others. I shoot the .223 rounds in them. Seems I've heard a story or two of men being shot through trees in Nam by the 7.62x39 from somewhere.

 

[imashooter2]

The AR15 is a commodity and not a commodity exists that a man can't make it a little cheaper and sell it for a little less. The $400 entry level rifles reflect this truth.

My first was a Colt R6600 that I bought in 1999. Some will say you pay more for the Pony, and they are probably right. But I believe that money gets you better quality control as well. My recommendation is a middle tier rifle. Colt, Rock River Arms, Stag, S&W, Ruger. Something in that range. Iron sights have worked for a few hundred years. A quality optic makes a good upgrade. Your choice of red dot or LPVO.

 

[imashooter2]

The good old days when you could buy a 1000 round case of 7.62x39 for around $70.00.

It's more expensive than 5.56 these days.

I bought an SKS so I could fire Chinese steel core at 6¢ a shot and not have to save my brass to reload. Then some fool chambered a handgun in 7.62x39 and POOF! All gone.