Gateway Gun

[patrickmn]

I went to a local store today and found a couple of whole DPMS that were well under $900 with a detachable carry handle sight, adjustable stock, and old-style forearm/hand guard. They had a couple (I forget which brand ) under $800. These are the prices I was expecting for used guns, so I think the few extra dollars spent to not have to worry about shipping and trying to put them together myself is probably worth it.

The cheapest price I saw was less than I've invested in my 15-22.

 

[grimreaper21]

be sure to keep the brands in mind based on the chart posted on the first page. you get what you pay for like in most cases.

 

[Dragon88]

I can't knock DPMS completely, because a lot of the parts we all have in our guns are DPMS. They are a huge supplier of AR-15 stuff. However, I would never buy one of their complete rifles. So many better options out there.

 

[MikeinCA]

I can't knock DPMS completely, because a lot of the parts we all have in our guns are DPMS. They are a huge supplier of AR-15 stuff. However, I would never buy one of their complete rifles. So many better options out there.

Yup. In fact both of my lowers use the DPMS lower build kit, and one was a DMPS Pardus rear stock, both use the DPMS buffer, tube and spring.

Upper on one is Rocker River other is to be determined. So you are absolutely right about a large number of us using something from DPMS in out builds. The part are available and inexpensive. Worst case, if you do not like something you just buy something else and replace that part.

Gotta love the AR platform for that fact alone!

 

[VooDuuChild]

When it came down to getting into an AR for us, we took a lot of time reading online, talking to gun shops, AR owners and reading everything we could about every gun that interested us. It literally took over a year to narrow it down. It came down to Bushmaster and Stag Arm.

After a bit of more research, we went with the Stag Arms 2t. For years, Stag produced AR parts for other manufacturers and for people who wanted to build their own. Stag realized that virtually no company out there builds an entire AR with all in-house parts. Well, Stag does now, and it shows. These rifles are perfect in the fit and function as everything is built in-house and not farmed out, then slapped together.

We liked the 2t for various reasons. For one, it has the quad rail system already just like the M&P 15-22 so accessories abound. It is chambered for 5.56 so it will shoot both that and .223 SAFELY. If someone tells you they're the same, they're wrong. Just smile and walk away. The internal pressure from 5.56's is much higher when fired and if the gun is only designed for .223's; it's a ticking time bomb. It also is 1/9 twist so it will stabilize a pretty hefty round...when you can find them. The sights that come on it are GREAT and are spendy in their own right. This rifle is pretty much in your price range and do yourself a favor, read the reviews by professional shooters, shooting magazines and hit up some AR forums and drop the name Stag, you'll realize just how amazing these pieces are from top to bottom, no compromises!!!! Can you tell we like ours...????
Stag Arms
There's also some reviews of it in the link above.

The price listed in that link can be beat, but it shows you what I'm talkin about, and the attachment is my boy on Halloween, hehehe....he only got to take the toy uzi's to the party though...

 

[MikeinCA]

Stag is good stuff... Not doubt...

 

[Skeptic 9c]

The local AR shooters seem to agree on the S&W M&P15 OR 223 30RD M4 as the best 223 starter rifle. Add Back Up Iron Sights (BUIS) in one of the popular folding models and the optic that fits your local shooting. I've fired one with the Leopold scope Leupold || Mark 4 1-3x14mm CQ/T and another custom 2500 dollar rifle, and my groups were about the same. (I love gun dealer range days!)
Geoff
Who sticks with his Ruger Mini-14.

 

[Jeeper AR]

Go to Budsgunshop.com there selling a S&W mp15 for $807.00 with free shipping. here's a lick
S&W M&P 15OR .223 Carbine 16" $807.00 SHIPS FREE

 

[CBR240]

Our 15-22 was a gateway to a M&P15OR. We were very pleased with both. I picked up the 15OR a few months back when CDNN had an increadable sale on them, so there really wasn't anything else at it's price that I felt was comparable (was $699 - $100 S&W Born in the USA rebate=$599).

I think "the chart" is a GREAT place to start, to learn what many of the main issues are; but sometimes I am reminded of the Zealots in the "Toy Story" Claw Machine chanting "the claw, the claw". Sorry, but I am not stupid for buying a 5.56 AR with a 1:9 twist (true chart believers only accept 7:1, and often have harsh words for those who do otherwise ). 1:9 is pretty ideal for me, but if you only listen to those that chant "the chart, the chart", well, you needlessly limit your choices.

I'd like to "build" my own AR. But this being my first 5.56, my needs were pretty generic, so off the shelf worked well (I did get to change my gas block ). I think this has changed fast in the last year and is now like building your own personal computer.

PCs: If you are a hard core gamer, you build your own computer with all the best components for less than you could get a top end build for. But for average needs, you can pickup a fully assembled computer for much less than you can buy the components for (unless you are willing to invest a large amount of time bargain hunting, which can go wrong fast in one bad purchase or live in Taipei or certain cities in China).

ARs: With the way prices on fully assembled ARs have dropped the last 6 or so months, I think it's pretty easy to get a fully assembled AR for less than good parts. If you are willing to spend a lot of time looking for deals, you probably could assemble for a little less.
Now if you have specific needs, and know exactly what you want, it probably often winds up being better to build yourself. Especially if you have a list of really high end parts you want.

 

[CajunMouseSniper]

Thanks for the feedback. Regret that I missed the $100 rebate from S&W because that would have made my decision easy with the M&P 15 ORC. The chart was helpful and kept me from feeling like a complete idiot when I was researching. Unfortunately I lost $200 playing poker Friday night and was really bummed that it would take me a couple of more months to recoup the dollars I had set aside for the AR. But the story has a happy ending. I was in Academy Sports over the weekend and they had a Bushmaster Super Light Carbon 15 for $699. I've grown accustomed to the polymer on my S&W so wasn't scared to give it a try. Have already put 200 flawless rounds through it and really like the light weight (5 lbs). No pics yet as I have some MOE furniture on the way from Midway, but this is what it looks like stock.

 

[jsimmons]

Our 15-22 was a gateway to a M&P15OR. We were very pleased with both. I picked up the 15OR a few months back when CDNN had an increadable sale on them, so there really wasn't anything else at it's price that I felt was comparable (was $699 - $100 S&W Born in the USA rebate=$599).

I think "the chart" is a GREAT place to start, to learn what many of the main issues are; but sometimes I am reminded of the Zealots in the "Toy Story" Claw Machine chanting "the claw, the claw". Sorry, but I am not stupid for buying a 5.56 AR with a 1:9 twist (true chart believers only accept 7:1, and often have harsh words for those who do otherwise ). 1:9 is pretty ideal for me, but if you only listen to those that chant "the chart, the chart", well, you needlessly limit your choices.

I'd like to "build" my own AR. But this being my first 5.56, my needs were pretty generic, so off the shelf worked well (I did get to change my gas block ). I think this has changed fast in the last year and is now like building your own personal computer.

PCs: If you are a hard core gamer, you build your own computer with all the best components for less than you could get a top end build for. But for average needs, you can pickup a fully assembled computer for much less than you can buy the components for (unless you are willing to invest a large amount of time bargain hunting, which can go wrong fast in one bad purchase or live in Taipei or certain cities in China).

ARs: With the way prices on fully assembled ARs have dropped the last 6 or so months, I think it's pretty easy to get a fully assembled AR for less than good parts. If you are willing to spend a lot of time looking for deals, you probably could assemble for a little less.
Now if you have specific needs, and know exactly what you want, it probably often winds up being better to build yourself. Especially if you have a list of really high end parts you want.

I started with a M&P15 MOE - 16-inch, carbine gas system, 1:9 barrel. The rifle was an anniversary present from my lovely wife. It's a VERY nice rifle and has shot everything I've put through it without so much as a hiccup.

I have since built my own using a stainless 16-inch 1:8 barrel with mid-length gas system (among other personal choices). Again, a VERY nice rifle. It cost a little more than the MOE, but that's because of the stuff I did on it. The key thing to know is that it's almost impossible to screw it up when you build your own. Just do your research, order everything at once (to save shipping), make sure you have the appropriate tools, and TAKE YOUR TIME.