So you want to buy an AR-15 - FAQs

i was thinking new, got a good gun store by me, did not to go in cold.

 

Depends on the shop, some carry cheap models like olympic arms, I believe the price for this are Sub $600, but they aren't that great of quality.
I personally like S&W, they seem to be good quality without outrageous prices, Colt is good quality but they're more expensive for a basic rifle.

 

hey thanks for the info., i like the idea of a good name brand like s+w. just want a good shooting rifle, dependable , durable, nothing fancy.

 

Hey 95 Taco, I've got about 10k rounds through the current barrel. seems like I have a while to go but want to get something sooner rather than later. Thanks for the input and advice, I'll look into those options.

Cheers, James

 

10k rounds is low for an AR. You got plenty of life still left in that barrel. I would go 1-7 or 1-8...it gives you a lot more ammunition options

 

Considering my first AR. Probably 556 so it can shoot 223 as well.

I am liking the S&W MP 15 Sport 2, and the Ruger AR 556. Very comparable packages, fwd assist, dust cover, front and rear sights. I think the SW is a 1/9, and the Ruger is a 1/8 if i recall correctly. I am thinking the 1/8 can handle more variety of load weights as compared to the 1/9. Thoughts, comments, first hand experience? Price point for both is in the 600-650 range. Thx

 

Twists are in regards to optimums. People will argue these all day and tell you need this and that or the bullet will explode leaving the barrel or stumble like a drunk sailor down the range. I had a 1:9 that I put shit tons of everything through with no problems, I currently have two 1:7s that 4 MOA all day with $0.30/rd 55gr brass ammo.

Assuming you will be like most shooters and use 55-62 grain and be 200-300 yds or less you will be fine with a 7, 8 or 9. If you are going to be shooting heavy bullets something faster than a 1:9 would be better but unless you are going for match performance or hunting loads I wouldn't focus on twist, besides these rounds are not exactly cheap.

Personally I find a quality rifle at the price I want to spend. From there try a few different manufacturers and weights, find the load it likes and stock up on it.

I hope this helps.

Here are the specs to argue ...

40-Grain 1:12
55-Grain 1:9
62-Grain 1:8 or 1:7
77-Grain 1:7 or 1:8
80-Grain 1:7

 

Great feedback, thank you. I would be a plinker, target shooter, no more than 200-300 yds.

 

I second dog hairs comments. If looking at 3 rifles, all the same but different twists, I'd go with the 7 or 8. For plinking any of them would be fine. You are probably gonna be shooting 55g most of the time and it won't matter. I reload all my own ammo, so I can load 62, 69, and 77 for the same price of 55g stuff. The beauty of the AR platform is that it's totally customizable. You don't like the hand guard, change it. Barrel swap...no problem. You don't have to drop a ton of cash. Get a good foundation and upgrade as you like and funds become available.

 

How did you do that. I have been trying for mo ths to grab an old gen 1 and stipple/ paint.

 

I have one w/ a 1:7 twist and one w/ a 1:9 twist, ...now, taking into account the margin of error imparted by the shooter (i.e. me ), and shooting 55gr FMJ .223 rounds, I can't really tell any difference in the accuracy at 100yds...

...while I haven't verified this myself, ...I have read/heard that the higher twist rate (1:7, or perhaps 1:8) could cause issues if you fire the lightweight varmit/frangible rounds, as the bullets can disintegrate as they leave the barrel due to the centripetal force imparted on them... ...and it goes w/out saying, longer barrels can be expected to generate more bullet velocity, which would translate to higher rotational speed ...but if you're shooting 55gr mainly, i'd imagine any of the twist rates would be just fine...

 

The generation 1, got lucky. Im the second owner and I dont think it even had 500 rounds through it. The finish my man, 3 color cerakote. I got a deal on the job so I went for it. I wanted the lightest gray a little darker , but eeeh i like it.
Check these guys out. www.sandiegogungraphics.com

 

I want to build a m16 clone ar15 with a 20" barrel and full length stock. I looked on palmetto state armory for complete uppers and lowers and found that I could piece together one for less than $600. But the problem is I am under 21 so I can't buy a lower. My local gun shop has the stag arms m4 for $900 and the fn15 for $1100, but that's kind of pricey. Any suggestions on where I can find a complete rifle for around $600-800?

 

...I must admit, ..I've been asleep of late, ...reading your post, I went and read the fine print on form 4473, ...and you're correct in that a seller can't transfer a lower receiver to you, ...it's considered an "other than rifle or shotgun", ..being it "could" be used on a pistol or rifle build...

..anyway, the other thing I was surprised to see that so many AR-style rifles listed as "out of stock" on many of the online store pages, ...is there an upsurge in AR buying going on?..

..here's a good looking rifle that seemingly meets your requirements that's listed in stock, get it while you can !
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...sortby=ourPicksAscend&page=2&refType=&from=fn

 

Check your state laws for private sales, here in Ms I can sell you a stripped lower when you're 18 or older and can possess firearms since I'm not a dealer.
Or if you parent/guardian knows you want one they can gift you one if they own one, or they can buy one and gift it to you for a birthday or something like that. (As long as your state allows in family private transfers)

 

Thanks. I'm probably going to buy the stag arms m4 at my local gun shop. http://store.csaguns.com/product.stag-arms-m4-556-20-wcarry-handle Does anybody have experience with stag arms?

 

...don't have experience w/ stag, ...but as I understand it, they have a solid reputation... a quick and easy upgrade would be to buy an aftermarket hand grip and swap it out for the stock one (I hate the stock hand grips )... it's just held in place w/ a single bolt...

 

You could build a great rifle under a grand with good parts if you do your homework. As most people on forums know that it's mostly opinions. look hard and buy wise Stag, Bcm, Colt are great brands look for stuff that is geared for police or service.

This is the one I bought.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BCM-URG-MID-16LW+BFH

 

fluted 18" 5.56 1:8
10.5" 300 Blackout 1:7 (before I got my flip up sights on there)

Built (which is really milled the lowers and assembled the rest) both myself, mostly Ares Armor parts and 80% lowers out of San Diego, Commiefornia.

 

Unless you're doing professional

Cheaperthandirt.com
Atlanticfirearms.com

And check out Ares Armor and Brownell's. I don't see why you can't buy a lower even if you're under 21, +18 y.o. is the requirement for a rifle/shotgun and +21y.o. for pistol. Maybe where you were looking the lowers were already registered as pistol

I'd recommend piecing together a rifle YOU ACTUALLY WANT!!! Don't settle for something that "does the job"... entry level AR15's can be "affordable", but why spend $600-$800 on the gun then immediately want a new foregrip with rails the next month(+$100 min.) then a new stock the next month (+$80) sometime new muzzle attachment (+$60) trigger (+$120) grip (+$20) . Sh*t adds up quick, so might as well buy the stuff originally instead of down the road.
Johnny Cash style "one piece at a time"