AR-15 BS Thread

Hey guys going to a gun show in a couple weeks and I'm going to be shopping for my first AR. I'm looking to spend about 500 which I feel is resonable considering its a gun show. What brands should I look at in this price point? Also what should I look for as far as the rifle itself is concerned?

 

no pics....no model....and im gonna go with yes on the pre-ban....not totally sure but i know he has had both his ARs for quite some time...so if the ban was 5-10 years ago im gonna go with yea

 

pre-ban = pre '86

Brand/Mfg. info should be stamped on left side of the mag-well

 

Maybe because I am from Northern Virginia where the cost of things is higher, but I have NEVER seen a good AR for that kind of money at a gun show. If there was any for sale, they would probably be Bushmaster or one of the lesser known brands. I don't want to say they are bad quality, because some are really good, but you get what you pay for. That is just my experience around the DC metro area, so I may be incorrect in regards to other regions.

The cheapest way I have found to buy an AR type rifle is buy a lower receiver and an upper receiver separately. Even if you buy them from the same company on the same order, they are usually cheaper than the same combination pre-assembled. That and you get something more along the lines of what you want, rather than what you can get for a given price. That's why I like to build mine rather than buy them; simply for the satisfaction of the build process and getting what I really want.

Makers I would look at:

DSA arms <--- always backordered
Palmetto State Armory <--- Cheap and good / good customer service.
Del-ton arms <---Good quality and customer service.
Stag arms <---Good quality and customer service.

 

The best $500 AR is an AK. The cheapest AR I've seein is the $700 range IIRC and the cheapest AR I'd bother purchasing is in the $1k range. There are just too many things that need to be done right that either require better materials or more labor, both of which cost money.

You could buy a kit from these guys for ~$%00 and a stripped lower at that gunshow for ~$100, but I wouldn't personally bother.

"Pre-ban", in terms of the federal AWB, no longer matters but was pre-'94. Pre-'86 is for machineguns.

the only way to put a price on the Colt is to know the model number. Same for the unknown brand AR, which of course we'll need brand on too.

 

i believe it matters in some states...other wise you cant have an AR etc...in free states it definitely doesnt matter....

 

Note that I reference the federal AWB. If people live in restricted states that's a state issue, even if it references the federal AWB, and they'll need to consult their local laws.

My post was in response to the poster that said that "pre-ban" was pre-'86 which is incorrect AFAIK regardless of state or federal.

 

Honestly if all you can come up with is $500 then I would forget the AR and use that money on a quality AK. You will spend that much on a nice AK, my Geissele equipped AR-15 lowers go for about $500. Any AR you can buy with $100 of your limit will cost you more money down the road.

 

not gonna happen. I havnet even seen used AR's go for $500...

If you want an AR you need to up your coin to about $800+

in your price range your better off with an AK or maybe a .22 cal AR

 

He can prolly get a New Bushmaster for 700+. Now used might actually be spending more due to the fact that many people put upgrades on their rifles and jack up the prices because they are a dealer.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I just figured that price would be lower at a gun show considering they would be used. I didn't really account for people putting extra stuff on their rigs.

 

The CMMG I just ordered was $749. I'm in love with it!
UPS just dropped off my Daniel Defense rail, more mags, and some other goodies.

I do want to get a mid-length upper next.

This thing is going to be a money pit!

 

Im getting ready to order a Troy TRX rail for my rifle.

 

ok so the colt is a sporter target model

the other is a PWA commando.....let me know what you guys think is a fair price for either of em im trying to get one of em for cheap

 

On that slick deals site there is a DPMS Panther for 578.00+ free shipping from ar15pro.

 

anyone know the price range for a colt sporter target model??? might try to get it this weekend

 

A '74 Colt SP1 just sold at an auction near me 2 weekends ago for $1150