Narrowed my first AR15 down to 4: help

[lamorinda]

First Post From the gun loving Liberal State of California: Be Gentle!

I live on a small ranch over the hill from Oakland, California where we can shoot/hunt. Looking for my first AR15.
I work at a bank, have 6 head cattle, chickens, 10 misc guns, and 2 years supply of food (dehydrated) with a 25 year shelf life. O yea, I love drinking beer!

Money for a gun is always a concern, however I have some wiggle room to go up a bit in price. Since this is my first AR15, I probably wouldn't Mod it out too much (don't want it too heavy). I will be using the gun for plinking at 100 yards and will probably add a inexpensive optic or scope. This would be my main weapon of choice if the big one comes and zombies are coming over the hill trying to rob me or steal my chattel (personal property).

I am actually open to a build as I see value in the pride and joy aspect of it. My weakness is I am very impatient and I wanted my new toy yesterday!

As a footnote, we have a property in Arizona, so this gun may find its way to AZ and I would have to make it Arizona compliant!!!!!!!

I already bought 25 boxes of 55 grain PMC from Cabaela's (heck of sale going on now) in anticapation of my purchase.

All guns will be CA Legal and have a bullet button.

My choices are:
SP15 MP SPort to my door for $663.00 ($556.00 online)
SP15 MP to door $883.00 ($750 online) (or $850.00 online for SP15 MOE Earth)
Colt 6920 for $1090 to door ($950.00 online)
PSA Build for $928 to door ($800.00 online)
**if you know of a better price, please tell me.

There you have it. I have been to a few boards and get the fanboys perspective as well as the folks who find the entry level Sport more than satifactory for their needs. I am open to a build, but don't understand it completely yet as a newbie. I do get the lower comes through an ffl with tax and their might be savings on the upper and other mod's.

Pro's & Con's: Sport is a great price and would get me a fine shooting entry level no frills AR15. If I upgraded in the future, I would have two AR15's!

6920 would be like having a pretty girlfriend on your arm. I totally understand "you get what you pay for!!!"

PSA would be a better gun for less and I would learn so much and have pride in my baby that I created. But do I really want to take the time to learn how to build one NOW.

SPMP15 MOE. Just looks cool in the Earth Color and furniture. I know it's a solid gun, but than for only $200 more...


Thanks. I will be making my decision tomorrow (Monday)

 

[crofoot629]

6920. They are still the gold standard, and priced right at this time.

I'd advise 5.56 instead of the .223 you bought. It gives you a little more power. That simply translates into the same terminal performance at slightly longer ranges.

I pretty much buy all all M193.
Wideners has Privi M193 Mil Spec for close to the same $0.30 per round you bought your PMC.

Wideners used to have the Izzy IMI M193 largely regarded as the best Ball ammo, but you missed it with the election stocking up going on.

I love both my Aimpoint Micro's and a recently acquired Aimpoimt Patrol Optic. Add white light and you are there.

Oh, P Mags and buy more ammo while you can.

Emory

 

[Mots0311]

Pay the extra $200 for the MOE. If that rifle is your go to weapon in case things get bad you want a forward assist and bolt cover (lots of sand in Arizona). Its a great rifle and will serve you well.

 

[DesertFox]

Out of the ones you listed, I'd go Colt 6920, which I do have 1st hand experience with. The M&P15 Sport sounds like a great machine, accurate, reliable, etc. and priced right. Sounds to me like price is less of a concern to you. That being the case, think resale value with the Colt 6920 having plenty more buyers.

My go to is a build I did with a Colt 6940 upper. Free floating monolithic upper, fold down front sight on gas block. Those 2 features put in in primary position, relegating the 6920 w/ quad rail to 2nd place, for me personally. The 6940 seems extremely accurate for an M4.

Don't forget about the 6720, which is lighter. Often, it becomes a favorite especially as a walk-around type of outfit. Seen several of those recently <$975.

If money is more of a consideration, then I go all the way down to the M&P15 Sport as it will put the same smile on your face as the Colt. With your eyes closed, you probably won't be able to tell the difference.

 

[lamorinda]

Great feedback gents, thanks.
Turns out my neighbor built three and offered to assist which is a game changer.
Any recommendations on a lower?

 

[keithherrington]

[QUOTE
I already bought 25 boxes of 55 grain PMC from Cabaela's (heck of sale going on now) in anticapation of my purchase.
[/QUOTE]

The Colt 6920, and I suspect some of your other choices, has a 1-7" twist barrel, and while some writeups say that it's made to shoot 55 grain loads such as the M193 ball load my experience at the range tells me that fast twist and 55 grain bullets don't get along. Of interest is a blog at the following link that discusses M193 vs M855. In short it says that inside 100 yards M193 is better. It appears that you plan on shooting primarily under 100 yards so M193 may be the way to go for you. But in my experience the quality of the ammo is a significant factor in how your rifle will perform.

:: Ammo Oracle

Don't be surprised if your PMC ammo doesn't give you the performance you are looking for. If not, use it for your fast and close drills. Take the time to sample a wide variety of ammo to see what performs best in your gun, then buy it in quantity from some source like ammoman.com. I just checked their website and they are selling 420 rounds of Federal M855 (62 grain) for $219 delivered and 840 rounds for $399 delivered. They have 1000 rounds of Russian Wolf 55 grain ammo for $179 delivered. Wolf is getting better as time goes on and now is widely used for practice by the professionals I train with. Take your time, try a lot of different types in your gun and select and use what it likes.

Oh, and buy one already built. In the long run you will not only save money, but will be more satisfied with the results.

Keith

 

[W.E.G.]

Once you start building AR's they start breeding in your basement.

 

[DesertFox]

Once you start building AR's they start breeding in your basement.

This is 100% true. Whether or not it is a bad thing is a point of discussion/contention...

I prefer to roll my own. Put the trigger you want in from the get go. Put the furniture you like on it, oversized mag release, ambi safety, enhanced trigger guard, captive trigger pins, all options that are pretty standard on my builds...

I did go with the Colt 6940 upper due to its specific features.

Don't worry about what's engraved on the stripped lower. If it is mil-spec then it should be GTG.

 

[crofoot629]

Concerning rate of twist and bullet weights.
I'm no expert. However I've shot 1 MOA, five shot groups, @ 200 yards with Federal AAE .223 through a Colt 6920 with 6X Leopold scope.

Emory

 

[BADSBSNF811]

Get the Colt 6920.

 

[Maddmax]

I choked on the Colt Koolade years ago,left a bad taste in my mouth. I'd go one up from the Sport and go M&P AR15 T. Already free float,forward assist,dust cover fold down sights are good enough and it's easy to add a scope or what ever add-ons you like Is melinite with a 1-8 5R barrel. Great shooter and reasonable price. Myself I'd go for a Rock River if you want a builder down the road. You can build what you want from the ground up.

 

[hogblue]

Daniel Defense M4V3 or V7. They go for around 1400 to 1500 online. Probably more than you want to spend but they are one tough rifle. Much lighter than the 6920 too. I've had the Colt's and and M&P. Daniels are twice the gun. A quality investment.

 

[Culina]

+1 for Daniel Defense or building your own. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted in a complete rifle so I built mine own, twice so far and I have a bare CMMG stripped Mk3 .308 lower ready for another build, that ones going to cost a little more though

 

[lamorinda]

Good Responses guys...Thank you.
Maddmax, great response - thanks. Did you mean buy complete, or build a Rock River from the ground up?

I must confess I am torn between going inexpensive with the Sport ($650 to my door in California) ...Or spending a little more for more rifle.

Still contemplating...no one has asked me, but Quantico Tactical is where the great deal is right now with a Military Discount.

 

[hogblue]

I forgot to mention I have an M4V3 Daniel Defense, however, my go to rifle for when the stuff hits the westinghouse is my Springfield Armory M1A. Nothing beats .30 cal. when you need to reach out and touch something.

 

[lamorinda]

Well,
What complete lower and upper would you recommend?
thanks

 

[JaPes]

Well,
What complete lower and upper would you recommend?
thanks

Because this is your first AR15, I advocate buying a complete rifle from a single manufacturer so that there is no ambiguity in warranty coverage. One claim, one manufacturer, no complications.

IMO take a look at one of the new M&P 15 Mid-Lengths or the 15-Sport, whichever one fits your budget better. The 15 Mid-Length has that oh so en-vogue mid-length gas system, dust cover, & forward assist. The 15-Sport is the epitome of AR light weight efficiency, foregoing the dust cover & forward assist.

What you do want is what both rifles have in common: the barrel. The S&W Melonite treated, Thompson Center 1:8 5R rifled barrel is the gem.

After you buy the complete factory rifle & get some experience with the platform, then go and piece together an AR15 from parts. You'll have earned more experience & background knowledge to assess the cost/value of the endless variety of AR15 parts out there.

 

[Longhorn90]

Not on the list you gave, but as something to consider, if you can get to a Dicks Sporting goods (I checked, they are in CA such as Modesto, etc) they are the exclusive dealer at the moment of a Troy Defense Carbine.

My shooting buddy just got one and I think its about the best deal going at the moment of quality parts in a pre-built package. 16in melonite lined (like some S&W M&P15's), 1n7 twist barrel; Troy Alpha free float tube handguard with flip up sight; Troy flip up rear sight; Troy Medieval flash suppressor (maybe different in CA, don't know your laws?); MP Bolt; extractor upgrade kit; Troy grip & stock. Basically a whole lot of mods that other people pick as desirable replacements for what comes on budget AR's. Depending on store and sales they are in the $1099 range, and you can open a Dicks credit card and get 10% off.

The Troy Defense website has the details.

If sticking to the ones you listed I'd do the Colt or a S&W. I have a S&W MOE thats about 2 or 3 years old and it runs like a champ. I HATE cleaning guns and have about 500+ rounds through it since cleaning it and not a single hiccup.

I'm in the middle of my first full build....a 12in barrel AR pistol. While you get to pick your parts, the costs sure do add up quick if you start buying better quality parts piece by piece. (funny how a steal on a barely used barrel grew into a pricey full build before I knew it....) And while self building with your buddy should be easy, there's a lot to be said about having your first AR come all pre-built as a package with a warranty.

Whatever you decide, enjoy.

 

[lamorinda]

Thank JaPes and Longhorn90 for the thoughtful posts.
I find out tomorrow if the online retailer is going to make the MP Sport CaLegal for me. I will check out the Troys now (online)

 

[lamorinda]

Modesto is the closest Dick's and that carbine is pimped out sweet! I found some posts in other forums from folks who bought one recently for 1k.

Choices, choices...