AR15 search- where should I start?

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Njal Thorgeirsson

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Hello,

I have started looking for an AR15. I thought at first that I might build one from the ground up, but I've read enough to know that building one without any AR experience probably won't yield a particularly good product. So I'm just looking for a complete AR with the following characteristics:

-5.56 NATO
-Floated
-Price range: <$1500-$2000
-Iron sights aren't necessary, as an optic will likely be used
-Use: general purpose target practice (MOA or better), possibly some varmint hunting (heavier gun/long barrel is ok)

So what companies should I start looking at for an AR15 with the above specs?

Feel free to recommend another forum or source for information as well- I just haven't been able to find much info on anything but "best value budget AR15s"

Thank you for the advice!!!
 
White Oak Armament (WOA). If they don't have a model to you liking they can probably make one. WOA has more 18" and 20".

Bravo (BCM) might have something that fits your requirements, but it will be on the tactical end of the spectrum.

Palmetto State Armory (PSA) is another. They have complete rifles or uppers and lowers to mix and match.
 
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If I were to buy an AR in this price range (with these specs) I would get a Daniel Defense V7 LW.

You can go a lot cheaper btw, but seems you are wanting good quality. +1 on the White Oak Armament suggestion. That would be a good place to look if you wanted to pick a specific complete lower and complete upper half and put it together.
 
Let me give you some advice that you may not appreciate now, but will certainly appreciate later.

Do not buy a RRA (Rock River), do not buy DPMS, etc etc..

Buy any of the following..

LMT (lewis Machine & Tool), Daniel Defense, BCM (Bravo Company), Colt, Noveske. If you need some additional info, I'm happy to help. PM me.
 
With your Budget I would highly recommend BCM and Daniel Defense. Pick a 18 or 20-inch free-floated barrel with handguards/quadrail of your choice. Save a few hundred dollars for a good optic and extra magazines too.
 
RIDE said:
Let me give you some advice that you may not appreciate now, but will certainly appreciate later.

Do not buy a RRA (Rock River), do not buy DPMS, etc etc..

Buy any of the following..

LMT (lewis Machine & Tool), Daniel Defense, BCM (Bravo Company), Colt, Noveske. If you need some additional info, I'm happy to help. PM me.
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Why, exactly, should the OP not buy the RRA or DPMS? I'd love to hear this...or maybe I don't. Sounds like the elitism is about to begin.
 
Building your own AR is not that hard. On my first,I needed some help from a friend with experience. But now you can build one with your laptop as guidance. With careful selection of used parts,you can build a rifle to suit your needs better than any factory rifle. I use the forums to find a lot of parts. My last build was an A3 heavy barrel 20" with YHM free float tube,Magpul stock,Eagle Arms lower,DSA upper,and massaged single stage trigger. I have less than $800 in this rifle,and it will shoot with my friend's $12OO Rock river. You also learn the inner workings of the AR.
 
RIDE said:
Let me give you some advice that you may not appreciate now, but will certainly appreciate later.

Do not buy a RRA (Rock River), do not buy DPMS, etc etc..

Buy any of the following..

LMT (lewis Machine & Tool), Daniel Defense, BCM (Bravo Company), Colt, Noveske. If you need some additional info, I'm happy to help. PM me.
Click to expand...
I am also interested in your reasoning. I own both and like them very much.
 
I am in the process of making my first ar15, too. I got a stag arms lower, for about 110, I bought the RRA nm 2 stage trigger kit, which came with the interior and a upgrade grip. I also got this spring they recommended, to make the trigger better or something. i bought it based on the reviews...anyways...did not buy the stock yet, but researching...was looking on BCM based on the my newbie research, also looking at stag arms just because of my lower.

i have already invested 300 dollars, i figure stock is about 60 dollars and up, so i figure i would probably spend a little less than a thousand dollars after all said and done. not cheaper to build, but i will be able to build it to my specs. good luck, i read everything will be good if you just stick to the mil spec parts. good luck. in process of getting a good ar book, and watching a lot of tutorials on the internet
 
RIDE said:
Let me give you some advice that you may not appreciate now, but will certainly appreciate later.

Do not buy a RRA (Rock River), do not buy DPMS, etc etc..

Buy any of the following..

LMT (lewis Machine & Tool), Daniel Defense, BCM (Bravo Company), Colt, Noveske. If you need some additional info, I'm happy to help. PM me.
Click to expand...
+1 you won't regret buying a higher end rifle. Not to say RRA, DMPS are bad rifles. I own a goofy RRA and enjoy it very much. But it seems my only regret in life was selling my BCM. Now I have a few good AR's sitting around but still feel like I'm playing catch up trying to get back to my BCM. IDK boys if you have the money buy the most rifle you can IMO. I hate the feeling of wanting more.
 
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Building an AR is not any harder than working on any other gun.....in fact I think it's easier due to the fact that there are so many tutorials posted to the net.

Just remember to assemble in a space where the detent springs will not get lost (and the odds are that one will get shot across the room....lol).
 
Tooquickrich said:
Building an AR is not any harder than working on any other gun.....in fact I think it's easier due to the fact that there are so many tutorials posted to the net.

Just remember to assemble in a space where the detent springs will not get lost (and the odds are that one will get shot across the room....lol).
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Welcome to the the High Road!
 
After reading some the posts after my first post, i can't believe i forgot about Daniel Defense. DD V5 is an awesome AR and well within your budget. If i were to buy a complete AR the DD V5 would be very high on the list, if not on top.

Nothing wrong with Rock River or DPMS. They good ARs. With your budget get DD, BCM, etc. The only real difference is those 2 brands have less "milspec" specs. Ex. commercial buffer tubes.
 
Why, exactly, should the OP not buy the RRA or DPMS? I'd love to hear this...or maybe I don't. Sounds like the elitism is about to begin.
Click to expand...
I'm a happy RRA owner, but for a rifle that cost as much as it does, there were things that they could easily have done properly and didn't (mainly the abysmal staking job on the gas key screws, which a LE armorer graciously fixed for me, and failure to stake the castle nut,which I did myself). The charging handle also felt like a flimsy toy, so I replaced it with a BCM handle.
 
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