First AR-15 (budget or save up)

[BabaBlueJay]

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!

 

[charlessummers]

From someone with a few AR's of multiple build qualities, to someone who is looking for their first AR and doesn't quite know what they're going to do with one... I'd suggest going to a local gun store and purchasing a stripped lower. Then head over to Palmetto State's Armorys website and see what complete rifle kits they have on sale there. I have a few Palmetto State rifles and, to me, shoot as well as my $1700 Fostech rifle. Plus, building your own is super easy and you get to know the inner working on what you have. AR's can be addicting little rifles, so I'm sure your first one wont be your last
I use Aero Precision lowers, because that's what my LGS sells. I like them. People will knock Palmetto State rifles, but I've had no problems with any of them.

 

[ColbyBruce]

In my opinion, a high dollar AR is unnecessary unless you intend to HALO jump into a third world country and fight your way to the border. You state that you are unsure if you need an AR and if you will use it. I personally would not spend big money on a rifle under those circumstances. AR's can be found for $300.00+ that will serve you well and allow you to decide if you like that platform and wish to invest more into a nicer firearm. Stay away from polymer receivers as most fail.

If after a short while you decide you want a better rifle, park the first in the safe, give it to child, or sell it at a loss and move forward. Like a college textbook, you will not get your money back on it but what you learn from the budget price firearm exceeds your loss.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I agree, a high-dollar AR is unnecessary. Palmetto State Armory has several complete ARs for under $500. So does Bushmaster.

You can get one similar to this for under $600.

Bushmaster X15 ES2

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Would it change things if I said this would be the ONE I have for life. I will not be buying a second, I am already iffy on whether or not I would buy one because I am a minimalist. All of my guns are tools and I am not a collector, I will use this as a tool not a range toy or collector item. This would be a barbarians are at the gates, break glass in case of emergency gun. Would a 600$ gun be durable enough if there is an extreme emergency like the BLM riots? I am fine with saving for Knights Armament or Geissele or Daniel Defense if they are THAT much better in terms of reliability and durability. I just do not want to buy a PSA and find out its not up to snuff if I have to put 300 rounds through one in an hour.

If a PSA/Ruger/S&W can handle that kind of scenario I am fine with it but I do not want to find out I got a rifle that is not up to snuff if I absolutely need it to be.

 

[TJm15.38]

From everything you've said, I suggest buying a Colt 6920 M4 Carbine. It will cost you some bucks, but you won't need another AR.

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/modern-sporting-rifles/colt-6920-m4-carbine-556mm-nato-161in-matte-black-semi-automatic-modern-sporting-rifle-301-rounds/p/1663887?srsltid=AfmBOoqfG-e6YFOORCjl7gHZmoySk5getvXV8FC-JPRz_RWuzo1_plCI

 

[BabaBlueJay]

From everything you've said, I suggest buying a Colt 6920 M4 Carbine. It will cost you some bucks, but you won't need another AR.

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/modern-sporting-rifles/colt-6920-m4-carbine-556mm-nato-161in-matte-black-semi-automatic-modern-sporting-rifle-301-rounds/p/1663887?srsltid=AfmBOoqfG-e6YFOORCjl7gHZmoySk5getvXV8FC-JPRz_RWuzo1_plCI

Funny enough that is one I have looked into, although I have heard their QC took a nosedive which is why they lost the contract. They are a nice in-between of the entry level and the super high end multi-thousand dollar operator tier rifles though so they may be the goldilocks.

 

[Legendarylawman]

After shooting M16's for a nearly four decades, I retired and thought I should have one of my own. I like buying the original, so I bought the Colt Carbine model CR6920 used from the local gun/pawn. They were asking 999, but gave me 100 off of that. so, for about 900 I had my rifle. That was about 4 years ago, and not the first time, but I took it to the range last week with a couple hundred rounds. I have been contiplating optics for it, but after drilling the gong at 100 yards everytime I pulled the trigger with peep sights it comes with, I figure they have it handled. I guess it depends on what you want it for.

 

[Legendarylawman]

From everything you've said, I suggest buying a Colt 6920 M4 Carbine. It will cost you some bucks, but you won't need another AR.

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/modern-sporting-rifles/colt-6920-m4-carbine-556mm-nato-161in-matte-black-semi-automatic-modern-sporting-rifle-301-rounds/p/1663887?srsltid=AfmBOoqfG-e6YFOORCjl7gHZmoySk5getvXV8FC-JPRz_RWuzo1_plCI

You posted as I was typing and posting. LOL.

 

[WR Moore]

This is based on seeing what my employer bought and what I saw used in a slew of schools.
1. You don't have to spend LMT or similar money to get a good product. However, you have to be selective. One "name" brand (mentioned above) the bean counters bought burned out barrels and scrapped the fire control parts when exposed to our CQB training cycle. The S&W M&P15 ran right with our Colts and the QC looked a lot better. As did the warranty.

2. The "parts is parts" thing. There are parts that meet all design specs. Then, there are parts that might be off in some aspect, like finish, that doesn't meet all specs, but are suitable for the purpose. The next step down is ones that are just a smidgen off the tolerance spec. It's not significant, but it might not wear like it's supposed to. The next step is scrap. However, some enterprising scrap dealer (or the subcontractor who can't afford to actually scrap them) just might sell those parts to someone who needs ch......inexpensive parts. Not all low prices are the result of you not paying for a "name".

Example: I once saw PSA advertise "thick plated barrels". The extra barrel plate was claimed to even further extend life. I used to live a couple miles from a plating concern. Correct plating was measured in ten thousandths. If the plate was thicker, either someone messed up setting the timer or someone was trying to get out of spec barrels back into spec. No thanks.

2A. The if it ain't mil-spec it ain't feces thing. The AR was designed in the early/mid 1950s by an aircraft/aircraft parts manufacturer. Many of the QC standards (which the military copied) are based on that mindset, the advanced for the time design, material quality of the day and production capabilities. Things are a lot different now. If it makes you happy, fine.

3. You want a hard chrome finish chamber & barrel. The $40 or so is much cheaper than a new barrel, the plating greatly extends barrel life. Per the USAMTU, the other barrel finish treatments DON'T stand up to rapid fire like hard chrome.

4. Take a good hard look at Rock River Arms. I saw of lot of their stuff work fine in hard use.

 

[WolvesFan]

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!

I have 3 PSA rifles. They all go bang every time. Not sure what else you want from a firearm? And I buy the blemish models from PSA and the uppers and lowers separately to save even more money. Like I said, they all go bang and are as accurate as I will ever need.

 

[S-W4EVER]

I've got Colt's, S&W's, ArmaLites, and a BCM. They're all good by the BCM middy is by far the most accurate. BCM builds good rifles.