Tax return time and I want my first AR15

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MilesR

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Hello everyone.

So I'll have about $500-550ish doallrs to spend and I want to buy an AR15. I haven't shot one since my Army days years ago ( M16A2). This rifle will be obviously mostly for the range and I guess a back up HD.
I'm hoping for my money I can get something reliable. Would like it to try to be as mil spec if that's even possible with a flat railed top so I can mount a red dot and back up flip up sights. Also hoping to keep it as M4ish as possible. I think 16 inch is as short as I can legally go?

All opinions are of course welcome. Thank you.
 
I have Zero experience building one. Are they difficult ?
Not at all if you’re slapping an upper and lower together. If you’re actually building one with pieces and parts, it’s a little more involved. But YouTube can show you how. I’d advise buying a complete lower and upper for a first one. Two pins and you’re done. And an armorers wrench. They’re about $15. Worth every penny.
 
If you get a complete upper and a complete lower, it is literally "push 2 pins". If you get a complete upper and a lower build kit, or a "rifle kit" (same thing, just as one item), and you buy a stripped lower locally, you can find build videos online, and assemble the lower in less than an hour.
 
Check out PSA:

Complete S&W M&P Sport w/case and light/grip $569

Complete PSA lower $129
+
Complete PSA carbine upper $219 = 2 pins and you have a complete gun

Midlength kit with rear sight $369 add a lower and assemble with the included the parts

Carbine kit $299 add a lower and assemble with the included parts

All the kits above come with an assembled upper. Lowers are fairly easy to assemble with very few tools needed.

I watched a YouTube video several times and then used it as a step by step guide to assemble my first lower. It's easy to do once you understand what goes where.

There are several other companies similar to PSA that offer competitively priced ARs and AR parts.

Check out Primary Arms and Right to Bear to compare them with what is available from PSA.

For an inexpensive red dot that works well and has a sleep function (shake awake) check out the SIG Romeo 5. Primary Arms, Vortex, and Holosun also offer some decent red dot sights.
 
I would get a chrome lined upper receiver, then save a month or two and get a complete lower thru your FFL.
Windham Weaponry makes a nice chrome lined upper:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/855434205
Smith Wesson makes a nice 1/7 twist chrome lined rifle (11511) but is more like $1000 and that is getting close to BCM Recce territory.
 
In that $500 range, PSA is definitely the ticket. If you don't want to deal with kits and would prefer something ready to go out of the box, Ruger and Smith will sell you a good M4-style AR for that money (although they'll leave you a little short for a red dot). But if you are willing to punch in a few roll pins, or even just pin an upper and lower together, PSA has mountains of different kits and receivers for ridiculously cheap.

The only thing to remember with the PSA stuff is that there will be some extra costs beyond the tempting sale price you see on the website. Usually you also need to supply your own magazine (about $10) and sights (your call), because unless specified, neither one will be included. Rifle kits also need a stripped lower on top of those - the cost of those varies, so you'd need to price it out.

So for say a $50 lower + $50 Magpul rear sight + $10 generic magazine, the final cost of a $299 M4 rifle kit would be $409... which is still a great deal.
 
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Yeah i should have made it clear from the beginning amd been more clear.
.

I have ZERO experience building an AR15. I dont wanna buidl one. I wanted recommendations on a beginner AR to buy, especially online.

Thanks anyways guys. I'll ask elsewhere.
 
Sometimes in the eagerness to help we look past what’s been said to what we did. First and most obvious is if you live in a State where typical features of an AR are banned. If not, PSA is a very aggressive site at ripping my wallet open on the regular. Everything I’ve purchased from them has met my expectations.

Now comes the simple buy two halves or buy 1 complete decision. Two halves are easier and quicker than adding batteries to a remote. The key benefit is getting what you want for features from each half.

The up front drawback is a mind numbing number of options BUT... imagine pairing Corvette styling with BMW handling to a 4x4 at the price well south of any of them. That’s the caveat to consider if a Smith or Ruger doesn’t speak to you (both of which are fine, if basic carbines).

Two years ago I reached a similar juncture, had a single AR and wanted a second for my bride to be. I went the two halves route then looked into assembling my own. That lead to kids assembling their own. Lots of possibilities to get you what you want.

That lead to these which include PSA uppers on 2, PSA lower on 1 (camo scoped in middle is all PSA and in your budget range).
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and these
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If it's factory rifles or nothing (I figured that asking about the difficulty of an AR build indicated some interest in it?), and you're on a $500 budget, the only other rifle that I'd recommend is the Delton Sport.

The biggest difference is that it has a pencil barrel, whereas the Smith and Ruger both have medium weight barrel. Little lighter to carry, little less front heavy when you shoulder it, but it will heat up faster. If that's no objection, than it's also about $50 or so cheaper than the other two rifles.

I have one of the earlier (slightly inferior to the current version) Sports and love it. The mid weight barrels usually get recommended because they're OK for shooting offhand, and OK for bench shooting - not as good as a lighter or heavier barrel dedicated for either purpose, but for a mass-market AR where buyers might use them for either one or both, they're a good compromise. However, I shoot my AR offhand 99% of the time and so I love the lighter weight; I shot a similar M4 profile carbine and wanted my Delton back by the end of it. Feeding has been 100% and accuracy is normal for a budget AR at around 3 MOA'ish with FMJ.

The Sports are out of stock right now Cheaper than Dirt, and Bud's has jacked their prices on them way up, which usually indicates that they are low on inventory. Under normal situations, they are mid-$400 type rifles, so if you're interested, just be patient and wait for whatever distributor to stock back up. At their usual price, they may give you just enough wiggle room to squeeze a red dot into your budget.

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/del...s-6-position-stock-black/FC-848456002304.html
 
I have to borrow money to pay my taxes .... bummer

But Id look at Bearcreek Arsenal... PSA charges tax
 
Everyone says get a PSA, so I did then have accuracy problems with it (still have test other things) then people say "well PSA has a spotty history".

In that price range get a S&W M&P sporter II, mine ran like champ out of the box. Later get yourself a Vortex Spitfire for $300 ish to put on it.


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When I first wanted and AR, going out and buying one wasnt an option. Either no one had any in stock, or a basic one was 1600.00.
After a couple of months of looking, I was able to buy a Seekins stripped lower.

I had no knowledge of building an AR, but started reading and also about that time discovered this forum, and others. CMMG has an excellent video of how lower parts go together, and many other procedures are covered. I believe Brownells has a bunch of informative videos, assembling barrel to lower, etc.

The final price was "reasonable" but in todays market one who just wants a AR15 is in a great place in time, parts route or finished rifle route. With the "build it yourself" route there is a wonderful education on AR15 assembly to be had. Yes, you WILL end up building a bunch of them and you will need some basic tools to do this.

If you think you will never change a barrel or the like, maybe you should cash in on the great prices available with a finished, or the Upper/Lower snap two halves together route, given today's market.

I had no choice but to learn to build at the time and I am glad I did.

Also have a look at Delta Team Tactical. Great prices and even better sale events.

Russellc
 
Buying a complete upper and a complete lower from PSA to put together is just like doing a field stripping for cleaning. The other one that I have seen is the Bushmaster that CDNN has for sale at $299. Complete built gun minus the fire controls, charging handle and bolt carriers/bolt assemble. But its a 1-9 twist barrel so some may not like it.

A lot of guys seem to like the Ruger version. But I saw one walk the pins out of the front sight base while firing at the range. Left them suspect in my book. But that's just me and was only one gun that I saw. Rest could be just fine.

WB
 
I don't recommend the first time or casual owner building one, rather than buying anyway. Most people forget to mention the $150-$200 worth of tools needed to assemble an upper properly. IMHO, building is best left to those with AR-specific experience, who know exactly what they want and how to put one together.

Now is a good time. Everybody stocked up on AR's and parts before the last election and it's now all being sold off cheap. S&W's and Rugers are very good. After my experience with PSA I'd also buy an AR from them. Another good place to look is CDNN. I just avoid what seem to be "off brands" for simple fear of the unknown and a general disinterest in getting eyeballs deep into the AR world.
 
If I were in your shoes, I would take a close look at:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa15-16-nitride-a2-midlength-556-moe-ar15-rifle-fde.html
Mid length gas system, 1 in 7" twist barrel, MagPul furniture in flat dark earth (so it isn't a totally black evil rifle), includes sights and a 30 round aluminum magazine. Everything you need to get started for $519.99. Unless you can find something better locally for a similar price, which is doubtful. Assuming you can legally order one where you live. Also, beware, they tend to multiply once you get on PSA's email mailing list....
 
If you had $550 for an AR just a few years ago, it wouldn't go very far but today you can get several complete AR rifles
for that amount.
You already have several good members advice on mfg to go by.
My favorite is always the Remington versions but I haven't looked at their prices lately but no doubt their 2'nd hand sale
price is far below what I paid back a few years ago.
You are major advice is, a modular rifle where all parts can be improved, can go deep in your wallet so be reasonable in
your FUTURE improvements. I actually built & improved them until I got tired of them, don't let that happen to you.
With your previous military experience you will love the options & accuracy.
 
Yeah i should have made it clear from the beginning amd been more clear.
.

I have ZERO experience building an AR15. I dont wanna buidl one. I wanted recommendations on a beginner AR to buy, especially online.

Thanks anyways guys. I'll ask elsewhere.

You're not likely to get kinder responses anywhere else. Nipprdog looked around for you and found this AMAZING deal: https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/193310

If you can't appreciate that, I'm curious how you'll be received "elsewhere".
 
C4E0EB09-E679-42F1-BC1A-4C49B8F4A10F.png I had a plan for tax money, but now my tax refund (biggest I ever got too) is going to Ford Motor Company for a transmission engineered (and possibly even built) by GM. PSA uppers and lowers are great bargains. Make sure when looking at uppers that you take note on whether they come with BCG and CH (bolt carrier group and charging handle) as those items sold separately add on about a hundred bucks (combined). The trick is to find something that you like or can live with for cheaper than you can actually build it yourself. The Magpul furniture is a huge step up in quality and comfort for a few dollars in price tag. Free float rails can be as expensive as a complete basic upper so balance that out too. But, since you basically want an m4gery... current deals...
 
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