alanwk
Member
When looking for a new ar15, which are the brands to look for and more importantly which are the brands to avoid and why? Thanks
AR15's question
- Thread starter alanwk
- Start date
45/30-06OKIE
Member
If you want something that will just work in my experience a complete upper and lower from Aero Precision should be more than adequate for you. I will add they are not cheap but generally use quality parts. If I were to start over again I'd get all Aero stuff.
JB111
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Im going to express what is probably not a very popular opinion but honestly it's kind of hard to find a "bad" ar15 these days. I own a few ar's than encompass just about the entire spectrum of what is available price wise and about the only thing that changes is the fit, finish, and durability/longevity of some of the parts used. The accuracy also changes a bit, but not enough to warrant $1500 more on the price tag. Just pick something you like the look/feel of that fits your budget.
PSA, Aero, RRA, Ruger are just some of the brands that are affordable and shoot well.
PSA, Aero, RRA, Ruger are just some of the brands that are affordable and shoot well.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
Bear creek upper with a PSA lower. Nice economical combo. I have 3 now. Very happy with them. Only name brand i have is a SW.
bassjam
Member
My opinion, if it's cheaper than a PSA or Anderson, it's probably worth passing over. Those 2 and anything more expensive is most likely good to go.
InTheSwamp
Member
That question deserves a PSA answer.
Cornhusker77
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Windham Weaponry makes good rifles in my opinion
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
DelTon, PSA, Aero, Anderson are all good and inexpensive. The S&W M&P and Ruger are fine too.
My buddy has a Radical and Im not impressed. Double-Star had a bad rap back in the day.
My buddy has a Radical and Im not impressed. Double-Star had a bad rap back in the day.
rdnktrkr
Member
Stay away from ATI and Radical, not worth their weight in scrap. I like Aero Precision but I know there are better but bang for the buck I think they hold their own
InTheSwamp
Member
Another one to consider: Colt!
You can buy the stripped rifle and dress it to your liking.
You can buy the stripped rifle and dress it to your liking.
45/30-06OKIE
Member
Made by CZ now right?
Ruger and Smith & Wesson are safe bets for someone not into AR's. Those are brands that people trust and companies that are known for making things right if there is a problem. If you're the type of person who likes to buy parts and put one together you can probably put together a better rifle at a better price. Especially if you want something not available off the shelf.
But if you want to pick up one, open the box and go shoot those are the 2 I'd recommend. And I like the Ruger better. For what I do I really like the Ruger MPR.
But if you want to pick up one, open the box and go shoot those are the 2 I'd recommend. And I like the Ruger better. For what I do I really like the Ruger MPR.
GunnyUSMC
Member
Many people don’t realize that PSA offers more then one grade of rifle. You can get a complete rifle from $500 to $1300.
Their budget rifle has what they call the freedom barrel. It’s a basic nitride barrel that will out last the average shooter.
Right now they have a basic mid length, 16” upper for $230 and a basic lower for $120. All that you would need to finish them off is a rear sight and a magazine.
I’m a big fan of Aero Precision.
Their budget rifle has what they call the freedom barrel. It’s a basic nitride barrel that will out last the average shooter.
Right now they have a basic mid length, 16” upper for $230 and a basic lower for $120. All that you would need to finish them off is a rear sight and a magazine.
I’m a big fan of Aero Precision.
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dranrab
Member
You can spend a little less on an AR. You can spend a lot more. You cannot spend better money than this $510.
Do not be intimidated by ordering online if you have never done it, and do not be intimidated by ordering a separate upper and lower. It's as simple as using the two take down pins to attach the upper and lower, and you'll get very familiar with that 10 second process when you clean it.
Do not be intimidated by ordering online if you have never done it, and do not be intimidated by ordering a separate upper and lower. It's as simple as using the two take down pins to attach the upper and lower, and you'll get very familiar with that 10 second process when you clean it.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
No problem buying from PSA. You can be confident with them. 
armoredman
Member
My son's PSA Freedom AR 15 runs like a top, accurate, reliable and I think I spent under $500 on it. They have sales all the time. Highly recommend.
md7
Member
Lots of options in the market these days to pick from.
Basic, affordable options would include S&W, Ruger, etc.
Of course, Colt seems like a mainstay.
Higher end brands would include the likes of BCM, Daniel Defense, Knights Armament, etc
Pick one that has the setup you want and drive on. They should all run for you, and if they don’t it’s usually not all that difficult to get them to run.
Basic, affordable options would include S&W, Ruger, etc.
Of course, Colt seems like a mainstay.
Higher end brands would include the likes of BCM, Daniel Defense, Knights Armament, etc
Pick one that has the setup you want and drive on. They should all run for you, and if they don’t it’s usually not all that difficult to get them to run.
IndianaBoy
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I have some very inexpensive ARs and some that cost quite a bit more. They can all have their own niche depending on what you want to use it for.
Palmetto State Armory is really hard to beat for a basic utilitarian carbine. I have used a lot of their parts to build rifles, and they have all performed just as they are supposed to.
I use higher end barrels for precision oriented builds, but for the typical AR and the typical shooter, PSA is good to go.
IndianaBoy
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I agree wholeheartedly and I don't really see what the higher end boutique ARs bring to the table with the exception of a few little upgrades that I like because I'm OCD but I would contend that they aren't really necessary. For example, I don't like handguards that clamp to the barrel nut with the tensioning screws being simple threads in the aluminum. I want a nested steel nut so I don't have to worry about stripping threads in aluminum and deadlining a HG.
I would avoid Radical and ATI though. Based on some prior lemons they have turned out. They might have fixed their issues. PSA has been pretty much good to go with a few (and rare) small issues in QC I have seen reported online that PSA took care of quickly.
I met one of the owners of PSA at an industry event and he seems like a really stand up guy.
CapnMac
Member
May depend on how you mean that.
Plenty of the OEM Colt product laying around.
The Factory making the OEM version is now owned by CZ, the employees were hired by Colt, and, presumably, now get CZ paychecks.
But, to my (limited) knowledge, the factory work has not moved overseas.
comes down to how much your wanting to spend.. they range from less than 500.00 to more than 4000.00.